Inflammation in uveal melanoma

Abstract

Leukocytic infiltration is a common feature of human cancers, including those that develop in immunoprivileged sites, such as the eye. The infiltration of myeloid and T cells into tumours is part of the host response against cancer. In uveal melanoma, high densities of immune cells seem to be involved in tumour progression, as they are associated with the loss of one chromosome 3. The nature of this tumour microenvironment might offer therapeutic opportunities.

Figures

Figure 1

Kaplan–Meier curve showing melanoma-specific survival (update of Bronkhorst et al). Prognosis of mortality due to metastasis was significantly better among patients with low CD68+CD163+ staining.

Figure 2

Subsets of intratumoral leukocytes. Immunofluorescence staining of macrophages in uveal melanoma using two antibodies directed against CD68 or CD163, and CD3, CD8, and Foxp3 to detect subtypes of lymphocytes. (a) A tumour with a low immune infiltrate and (b) a tumour with a high number of leukocytes.

Figure 3

Significant associations between chromosome 3 status of 50 uveal melanoma and the inflammatory phenotype parameters. Median and range of the number of lymphocytes, macrophages, and the percentage of tumour HLA expression are displayed.