Cdc7 expression in melanomas, Spitz tumors and melanocytic nevi

Loren E. Clarke, Thomas J. Fountaine, Jeannie Hennessy, Richard D. Bruggeman, Jennie T. Clarke, David T. Mauger, Klaus F. Helm

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Cdc7 is a serine-threonine kinase required for initiation of DNA replication that may play a role in the development and progression of melanoma. Materials and Methods: Tissue microarrays containing 40 melanomas, 40 Spitz tumors and 30 nevi were constructed. Staining for Cdc7 was scored semiquantitatively according to intensity and extent, and the values were converted into composite scores. Results: Nodular melanomas, atypical Spitz tumors and superficial spreading melanomas had the highest scores (nodular melanomas, 3.67; atypical Spitz tumors, 2.78 and superficial spreading melanomas, 2.44). Typical Spitz nevi, dysplastic nevi and ordinary nevi had the lowest scores. Cdc7 expression in melanomas differed significantly from non-Spitz nevi (p < 0.001). The difference was also significant when invasive melanomas were compared with dysplastic nevi (p < 0.005) and when invasive melanomas were compared with non-atypical Spitz nevi (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between invasive melanomas and atypical Spitz tumors (p = 0.69) or between dysplastic nevi and ordinary nevi (p = 0.73). Conclusion: Cdc7 expression differs significantly among cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms and can be evaluated by routine immunohistochemical methods. The results suggest that differences in Cdc7 expression may account for some of the differences between malignant melanomas and benign melanocytic nevi. Clarke LE, Fountaine TJ, Hennessy J, Bruggeman RD, Clarke JT, Mauger DT, Helm KF. Cdc7 expression in melanomas, Spitz tumors and melanocytic nevi.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)433-438
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Cutaneous Pathology
Volume36
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Histology
  • Dermatology

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