Abstract

Uveal melanoma (UM) is characterized by a number of genetic aberrations that follow a certain chronol- ogy and are tightly linked to tumor recurrence and survival. Loss of chromosome 3, bi-allelic loss of BAP1 expression, and gain in chromosome 8q have been associated with metastasis formation and death, while loss of chromosome 3 has been associated with the influx of macrophages and T cells. We used a set of genetically-classified UM to study immune infiltration in the context of their genetic evolu- tion. We show in two independent cohorts that lack of BAP1 expression is associated with an increased density of CD3+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. The presence of extra cop- ies of chromosome 8q in disomy 3 tumors with a normal BAP1 expression is associated with an increased influx of macrophages (but not T cells). Therefore, we propose that the genetic evolution of UM is associated with changes in the inflammatory phenotype. Early changes resulting in gain of chromosome 8q may activate macrophage infiltra- tion, while sequential loss of BAP1 expression seems to drive T cell infiltration in UM.

To download this paper, please click here.

Follow us