Prevalence of NRAS Mutation, PD-L1 Expression and Amplification, and Overall Survival Analysis in 36 Primary Vaginal Melanomas.

CONCLUSIONS: NRAS mutations and PD-L1 expression were most prevalent in our cohort of primary vaginal melanomas and can be potentially considered as therapeutic targets. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study used the Sanger sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence in situ hybridization methods to detect common genetic mutations and PD-L1 expression and copy number in 36 primary vaginal melanomas. NRAS mutations and PD-L1 expression were the most prevalent, but KIT and TERT mutations occurred at a lower occurrence in this rare malignancy. Two patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors had a satisfying outcome, signifying that the PD-L1 expression and amplification can be a possible predictive marker of clinical response. This study highlights the possible prospects of biomarkers that can be used for patient selection in clinical trials involving treatments with novel targeted therapies based on these molecular aberrations. PMID: 31578274 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Oncologist - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Oncologist Source Type: research