Enhanced diagnostic potential of CSPG4 in melanoma and nevi: a comparative study with PRAME, CDC7 and Ki67.

ABSTRACT: Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a promising target for melanoma immunotherapy, but its expression in benign melanocytic lesions and its diagnostic value remain unexplored. This study assessed CSPG4 expression in benign nevi (BN), dysplastic nevi (DN), and superficial spreading melanomas (SSM), comparing it with PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma) and evaluating the cell division cycle 7-related protein kinase (CDC7) and the proliferation marker Ki67. Histological sections were stained using automated instruments, digitized, and analyzed using QuPath. Cohorts of BN, DN, and SSM were created, and positive cells/mm² and H-scores were determined. A total of 336 IHC stainings from 84 specimens were analyzed. CSPG4 expression was readily detected in SSM

SUBMITTER: Koch EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12337816 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature