Malignant Melanoma Microecosystem: Immunohistopathological Insights Into the Stromal Cell Phenotype

The document reviewed the role of the stromal cell phenotype in cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM), highlighting the importance of the MM-stroma connection in neoplastic growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. It was found that stromal cells produce excess cytokines, growth factors, and enzymes, and store and release ECM components. The peri-MM stroma showed an abundance of Factor XIIIa, versican, and α (IV) collagen chains, which are associated with neoangiogenesis and potential metastatic sites. The presence of migratory malignant melanocytes, possibly MM stem cells, was linked to a higher risk of distant metastases, especially in sentinel lymph nodes. The study emphasized the ECM's role in early dermal metastatic migration of MM cells, although further research was needed to fully understand these processes.