Establishment and characterization of an immortalized human giant congenital melanocytic nevi cell line

Abstract

Congenital melanocytic nevi are benign melanocytic tumors that are present at birth. When the diameter of the nevus reaches 20 cm in projected adult size, it is known as a giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN) (Alikhan et al., 2012;Tannous et al., 2005). The estimated incidence of GCMN is between 1/50,000 and 1/20,000 births. GCMN could involve any area of the body surface, and the pigmented appearance presents a heavy psychological burden to the patients and their families. Simultaneously, GCMN has a high risk of transformation into malignant melanomas, as compared with smaller-sized nevi. It is estimated that 5%-10% of patients with GCMN are at risk of developing malignant melanoma (Price &

A clinical and biologic review of congenital melanocytic nevi

“…85 As therapy targeting MAPK and PI3K pathways has shown promising antitumour activity in NRAS-mutated melanomas, thus, theoretically, it may be effective for CMN harboring NRAS mutations as well. [86][87][88] Here, we summarize some in vitro studies on targeted therapy of nevus cells (Table 3). Basu et al reported that NRAS mutant nevus cells were resistant to vemurafenib (a BRAF inhibitor), and MEK162…”

“…91 However, the study by Yu et al further indicated that navitoclax (a Bcl-2 family inhibitor) exhibited an even better inhibitory effect on nevus cells than PI3K/Akt inhibitors by promoting apoptosis. 87 Therefore, the therapies that combine inhibitors targeting different mediators may be worth exploring in the future.…”

“…The mutation of NRAS can activate the downstream MAPK and phosphatidylinositide‐3 kinase (PI3K) pathways, which are responsible for the survival and proliferation of nevus cells (Figure 1). 85 As therapy targeting MAPK and PI3K pathways has shown promising antitumour activity in NRAS ‐mutated melanomas, thus, theoretically, it may be effective for CMN harboring NRAS mutations as well 86–88 …”