ALK expression favorably impacts the prognosis of NRAS‑mutated metastatic melanomas

Osella‑Abate,Simona; Mereu,Elisabetta; Pellegrino,Elisa; Bergaggio,Elisa; Ribero,Simone; Bertero,Luca; Lisa,Francesco; Fierro,Maria  Teresa; Giulio Papotti,Mauro; Piva,Roberto

doi:10.3892/ol.2018.9560

ALK expression favorably impacts the prognosis of NRAS‑mutated metastatic melanomas

Authors:
- Simona Osella‑Abate
- Elisabetta Mereu
- Elisa Pellegrino
- Elisa Bergaggio
- Simone Ribero
- Luca Bertero
- Francesco Lisa
- Maria Teresa Fierro
- Mauro Giulio Papotti
- Roberto Piva
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Affiliations: Department of Medical Sciences, Pathology Unit, University of Torino, I‑10126 Torino, Italy, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, I‑10126 Torino, Italy, Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Unit, University of Torino, I‑10126 Torino, Italy, Department of Oncology, Pathology Unit, University of Torino, I‑10126 Torino, Italy
Published online on: October 9, 2018 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.9560
Pages: 7091-7096
Copyright: © Osella‑Abate et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Recent studies reported the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in malignant melanomas. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ALK expression is associated with specific clinical and molecular characteristics of melanoma metastases, and to evaluate its correlation with survival outcomes. Seventy‑one patients with metastatic melanoma were investigated. Clinical features and survival outcomes were analyzed and correlated to ALK expression, as detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and to the mutational status of BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, and PIK3CA. No translocations or ALK alternative isoforms were identified. ALK expression was mainly detected in NRAS mutated metastatic lesions. Interestingly, among NRAS‑mutated patients, ALK positive samples displayed a significantly more favorable outcome in terms of disease specific survival, as compared to ALK negative ones. In conclusion, we suggest that ALK positive/NRAS mutated metastases represent a specific subset of metastatic melanomas, associated with a better prognosis. Validation of these observations in larger cohorts could contribute to understand the molecular events cooperating to melanoma progression, in addition to open new perspectives in the clinical and therapeutic management of this subgroup of patients.

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