PRAME immunohistochemistry is useful in the evaluation of conjunctival melanomas, nevi, and primary acquired melanosis.

Abstract

Many dermatopathologists find conjunctival melanocytic proliferations challenging because they are rare relative to their cutaneous counterparts and have nuanced morphology and nomenclature. PRAME immunohistochemistry has been widely adopted for distinguishing cutaneous nevi from melanoma, but limited data exist assessing its utility in evaluating conjunctival specimens. In particular, it is uncertain whether it can predict the risk of melanoma progression in primary acquired melanosis (PAM). Thirty clinically annotated cases (two melanomas, three PAM with atypia, seven PAM without atypia, 15 nevi, two combined nevi, and a diagnostically challenging nevus with atypical features) were retrospectively evaluated with PRAME. Strong, diffuse PRAME expression was present in melanomas and PAM with high-grade atypia, but not in PAM with low-grade atypia, PAM without atypia, or nevi. Scattered, faintly PRAME-positive intraepithelial melanocyte nuclei were identified in six nevi. A clonal nevus and nests of heavily pigmented type-A melanocytes in two additional nevi had cytoplasmic staining. PRAME was useful for distinguishing melanoma and its probable precursors from benign conjunctival melanocytic proliferations in our cohort. The data alert us to two diagnostic pitfalls in nevi: scattered, PRAME-positive intraepithelial melanocytes and cytoplasmic PRAME staining in type-A melanocytes and melanophages. Larger scale investigations are warranted to further substantiate these promising findings.