The utility of PRAME staining in identifying malignant transformation of melanocytic nevi.

BACKGROUND

PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma (PRAME) immunohistochemical (IHC) staining is used to aid melanoma diagnosis. PRAME expression in nevus-associated melanoma (NAM) has not been evaluated.

METHODS

PRAME IHC was applied to cases of NAM; staining for each population of melanocytes (benign and malignant) was graded based on the percentage of labeled cells. No labeling was graded 0, 1% to 25% labeling was 1+, 26% to 50% was 2+, 51% to 75% was 3+, and >76% was 4+.

RESULTS

Thirty-six cases were reviewed. Sixty-seven percent (24/36) of melanomas were PRAME positive (4+) while no (0/36) nevi showed 4+ positivity. Eighty-one percent (29/36) of nevi were completely PRAME negative compared to 17% (6/36) of melanomas. In 67% of cases (24/36) PRAME differentiated between benign and malignant melanocyte populations.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a high rate (67%) of differential PRAME staining in adjacent benign and malignant melanocyte populations in NAM. In PRAME positive (4+) melanomas, PRAME differentiates 100% (24/24) of benign and malignant melanocyte populations. When 4+ staining is used as the threshold for positivity, PRAME staining has a sensitivity of 67% (24/36) and a specificity of 100% (36/36). These results support PRAME IHC can assist in distinguishing melanocyte populations in melanoma arising within nevi.