Abstract
Primary oral mucosal melanomas (POMM) are rare and aggressive neoplasms arising in the melanocytes from the epithelial lining of the oral cavity, and currently few prognostic markers are described. Objective: In this study, we investigated the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), antimitochondrial antibody (AMT), and stem cell markers (CD44) in a series of 3 POMM and 3 oral nevi. Methods: Immunostainings of GLUT1, CD44, and AMT were quantitatively assessed by digital analyses. Results: POMM showed a proliferation of epithelioid or fusiform variable-pigmented melanocytes. GLUT1, CD44, and AMT were negative in all nevi and strongly expressed in the melanomas. Conclusion: Our results suggest that overexpression of mitochondrial and stem cells markers can help confirm the diagnosis of melanomas and they can be associated with the aggressive behavior of these rare tumors.
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