Expression of histone deacetylase 2 in Spitz tumors of the skin

• Main Authors: Bakić Ljubica, Barović Marko, Milisavljević Filip
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty 2016-01-01
• Series: Medicinski Podmladak
• Subjects: Spitz nevus; Atypical Spitz nevus; Spitzoid melanoma; histone deacetylase
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0369-1527/2016/0369-15271603056B.pdf

Introduction: Atypical Spitz nevi are an important diagnostic problem in dermatopathology. The lack of clear histological criteria and reliable immunohistochemical markers makes their further determination toward Spitz nevus, benign tumor, or Spitzoid melanoma difficult. Expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in Spitz tumors has not been studied so far. Aim: To determine level of expression of HDAC2 in Spitz tumors and to examine differences in the expression of HDAC2 related to clinical (sex and age of patients, localization and tumor size) and histopathological parameters (histological type, thickness, depth of invasion and mitotic activity). Material and methods: The study included 78 cases with histopathological Spitz nevus diagnoses, atypical Spitz nevus, superficial atypical Spitz nevus and Spitzoid melanoma. The samples were stained using immunohistochemistry and anti-HDAC2 antibodies. HDAC2 expression was analyzed in three components of the tumor (epidermal, superficial and deep dermal) in relation to the clinical and histopathological characteristics. Results: High expression of HDAC2 (>74%) was generally observed in Spitz tumors. HDAC2 expression was not associated with different clinical parameters. We found moderately strong positive correlation between the components of the tumor: epidermal and superficial dermal (r=0.53; p=0.004), epidermal and deep dermal (r=0.60; p=0.04), superficial and deep dermal (r=0.68; p<0.001). No difference in the HDAC2 expression was found between histological types of Spitz tumors. Also, HDAC2 expression was not associated with different histological prognostic parameters in Spitzoid melanoma. Conclusion: The expression of HDAC2 in Spitz tumors is high and homogeneous throughout. HDAC2 expression is not associated with different histological types of Spitz tumors.