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Pigment cell research2004; 17(6); 674-681; doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0749.2004.00192.x

Comparative histopathology of grey-horse-melanoma and human malignant melanoma.

Abstract: Equine melanoma shows striking features particularly with regard to clinical development in grey horses: in contrast to malignant melanoma in humans and in solid coloured horses that are characterized by early onset of metastasis, pigment cell tumours display almost benign clinical features in ageing grey horses. Through evolution, grey horses appear to be in a favourable position in regard to the biological behaviour of melanomas. Yet unknown factors inhibiting or retarding early melanoma metastasis may be responsible for this phenomenon. In this study, immunostaining profiles and histopathologic patterns of equine vs. human melanotic tumours were compared. In addition, the expression of melanoma markers currently used in human melanoma detection and characterization were evaluated for their applicability in equine melanoma diagnosis. Immunohistopathologic investigations revealed that benign grey horse melanomas share common features with human blue nevi and with human malignant desmoplastic melanomas, whereas their resemblance to other types of human cutaneous malignant melanomas is less pronounced. Our data equally underline that S-100, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), HMB-45, Ki-67, T-311 and CD44 can serve as reliable markers for horse melanomas. Further investigations aiming at identifying factors retarding metastasis in affected grey horses are needed, as they may contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies for human malignant melanoma.
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Publication Date: 2004-11-16 PubMed ID: 15541026DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0749.2004.00192.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on the differences and similarities between the melanoma experienced by grey horses and human malignant melanoma. The study revealed that melanomas in grey horses progress more slowly and are in some aspects similar to certain melanomas in humans, which in turn can assist in the development of future human treatments.

Introduction

  • This study compares the histopathology (microscopic examination of tissue in order to study disease) of melanomas (skin tumors caused by abnormal melanocytes, or pigmentation cells) found in grey horses with those prevalent in humans.
  • Unlike malignant human melanomas and those in solid colored horses, melanomas in aging grey horses seem to have a slower onset of metastasis (process by which cancer spreads to new areas of the body).
  • The goal of the research is to identify certain therapeutic markers prevalent in horse melanoma that could inform human melanoma treatment.

Methodology

  • In this research, immunostaining profiles (techniques used to visually mark proteins in cells) and histopathologic patterns of grey horse melanomas were compared with human melanomas.
  • The study also involved assessing the effectiveness of melanoma markers currently used in human diagnosis when applied to equine melanomas.

Findings

  • Grey horse melanomas are more akin to certain types of human melanomas, specifically blue nevi (benign moles) and malignant desmoplastic melanomas (a less common type of skin cancer).
  • The research reveals less similarity to other types of human cutaneous malignant melanomas.
  • S-100, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), HMB-45, Ki-67, T-311, and CD44 were identified as reliable markers for horse melanomas, implying that these could comparably be applied for human melanoma detection.

Implications and Future Work

  • The findings suggest that studying melanomas in horses can contribute to a better understanding of human melanomas, particularly finding factors which retard metastasis.
  • Possible existence of factors that inhibit or slow the onset of metastasis in grey-horse melanomas could offer a novel approach to human melanoma treatment strategies.
  • Further research is required to identify these potential delaying factors in grey horse melanomas.

Cite This Article

APA
Seltenhammer MH, Heere-Ress E, Brandt S, Druml T, Jansen B, Pehamberger H, Niebauer GW. (2004). Comparative histopathology of grey-horse-melanoma and human malignant melanoma. Pigment Cell Res, 17(6), 674-681. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0749.2004.00192.x

Publication

Pigment cell research
ISSN: 0893-5785
NlmUniqueID: 8800247
Country: Denmark
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 6
Pages: 674-681

Researcher Affiliations

Seltenhammer, Monika Heidemarie
  • Department of Clinical Surgery and Ophthalmology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. monika.seltenhammer@vu-wien.ac.at
Heere-Ress, Elisabeth
    Brandt, Sabine
      Druml, Thomas
        Jansen, Burkhard
          Pehamberger, Hubert
            Niebauer, Gert Willhelm

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
              • Horses
              • Humans
              • Immunohistochemistry
              • Melanoma / metabolism
              • Melanoma / pathology
              • Melanoma / ultrastructure
              • Neoplasm Metastasis
              • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
              • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
              • Skin Neoplasms / ultrastructure

              Citations

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