Does BCL-2 Play Role in the Pathogenesis of Primary Oral Mucosal Melanoma?

Abstract

Primary Oral Mucosal Melanoma represents 0.2 to 8% of all melanomas and 0.5% of all oral malignant neoplasia. The etiology still unknown, however, it has been suggested that head and neck mucosal melanomas change their genetic and metabolic pathways through intracellular cascades, which are associated with its etiopathogenesis mechanisms. The BCL2 protein is an integral part of the cell membrane, and it is also found in the cell nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. It is overexpressed in several malignant neoplasms, including cutaneouse ocular melanomas. Among all evaluated cases, we found positive immunostaining of BCL-2 in 26/34 (76.47%) and they had a membrane and cytoplasmic pattern, and the intensity was variable. According to our results and the findings of the literature, it can be suggested that BCL-2 has an important role in melanoma pathogenesis, including Primary Oral Mucosal Melanoma and also melanoma metastases. It seems that BCL-2 could be an adjunct marker for POMM and also a target for treatment development. New researches involving BCL-2 and a larger primary oral mucosal melanoma cohort could corroborate the present study