Expression of lymphoid structure-associated cytokine/chemokine gene transcripts in tumor and protein in serum are prognostic of melanoma patient outcomes.

Background: Proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines support development and maturation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). In the current study, we sought to investigate the prognostic value of TLS-associated chemokines/cytokines (TLS-kines) expression levels in melanoma patients by performing serum protein and tissue transcriptomic analyses, and to then correlate these data with patients clinicopathological and TME characteristics.

Methods: Levels of TLS-kines in patients' sera were quantitated using a custom Luminex Multiplex Assay.

Morphologic Spectrum of Rhabdomyomatous Mesenchymal Hamartomas (Striated Muscle Hamartomas) in Pediatric Dermatopathology.

Background: Rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartomas (RMHs), also termed striated muscle hamartomas, are rare benign tumors of skin and subcutis, which mostly occur at birth with a predilection for the head and neck. Simple surgical excision is the treatment modality of choice with excellent prognosis.

Objective: To review the spectrum of the different clinical and pathologic features of RMHs in pediatric patients and recognize their characteristics to avoid confusion with other lesions in their list of differential diagnosis.