Melanocyte-specific immune response in a patient with multiple regressing nevi and a history of melanoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

Regressing nevi are considered an example of an efficient early antitumoral response preventing the development of neoplasia. The underlying mechanism has not been elucidated, although an immune-based destruction of melanocytes is supposed. The aim of this study was to provide evidence of an effective immunosurveillance of pigment lesions in a patient at high risk of melanoma.

CASE REPORT:

A patient with the dysplastic nevus syndrome and a history of melanoma was included in this study. Since 2003, a marked regression of almost all nevi was observed. Immunohistochemistry was performed and the antigen specificity of T-cells was analyzed on T-cells isolated from a regressing nevus by flow cytometry using HLA-A2-peptide tetramers containing Mart-1(26-35), gp100(280-288), gp100(209-217) and tyrosinase(369-377). Immunohistochemistry of the regressing nevi showed a strong infiltrate of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrated the presence of a CD8 + T-cell response against gp100(280-288) and Mart-1(26-35) both in peripheral blood and in a regressing nevus.

CONCLUSION:

These findings indicate that an immune reaction against melanocyte differentiation antigens can target specifically nevi without signs of vitiligo and suggests that boosting the anti-melanocyte immune response in patients at high risk for melanoma may prevent tumor development at an early stage.

• Authors: Reinhart Speeckaert, Nanja van Geel, Rosalie M Luiten, Mireille van Gele, Marijn Speeckaert, Jo Lambert, Karim Vermaelen, Esther P M Tjin, Lieve Brochez
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 31 Issue 11 Pg. 3697-703 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 22110189 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• HLA-A2 Antigen
• MART-1 Antigen
• gp100 Melanoma Antigen
• Monophenol Monooxygenase

Topics

• Blotting, Western
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome (immunology, pathology)
• Flow Cytometry
• HLA-A2 Antigen (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• MART-1 Antigen (immunology)
• Male
• Melanocytes (immunology, pathology)
• Melanoma (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Monophenol Monooxygenase (immunology)
• Skin Neoplasms (immunology, pathology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)
• Vitiligo (immunology, pathology)
• gp100 Melanoma Antigen (immunology)