These data further our understanding of SOX10 protein regulation and provide critical information for identification of molecular pathways that modulate SOX10 protein levels in melanoma, with the ultimate goal of discovering novel targets for more effective combinatorial therapeutic approaches for melanoma patients.
These results show that SOX10 is more specific than MART-1 in distinguishing epidermal melanocytes on sun-damaged skin by avoiding overdiagnosis of melanoma.
The transcription factor SOX10 mediates the differentiation of neural crest-derived cells, and SOX10 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is used primarily for the diagnosis of melanoma.
Positive staining for SOX10 and the S100 protein are often used in the evaluation of challenging melanocytic neoplasms including melanoma in patient samples.
High SOX9 expression was predominantly detected in patients with distant melanoma metastases whereas SOX10 was present in the different stages of melanoma.
Shave biopsy and immunohistochemical studies revealed that the tumor was composed of melanoma (highlighted by SOX10 and MART-1, with high Ki-67 proliferative index) intermixed with nodular basal cell carcinoma (highlighted by pan-cytokeratin and Ber-EP4).