The Significance of the Lymphocytes Infiltration and Endothelialdependent Angiogenesis in Choroidal Melanomas

Objective: Posterior uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in adults. Despite the clinical significant treatment, still many patients die because of unpredictable metastases. It is difficult to predict clinical outcome in individual cases of ocular melanoma basing only on the intraocular size, because of the spectrum of clinical, morphologic, and cytologic changes and lack of discrete stages. Design: The aim of the study was to evaluate CD3, CD20 and CD34 expression within choroidal melanoma in correlation with clinic and pathological features. Participants: 35 cases of choroidal melanoma were evaluated. Methods: Immunohistochemical reaction was used to evaluate CD3 and CD20 (T and B cells markers) and CD34 (endothelial cells marker) expression, with positive and negative controls. Obtained results were estimated under the light microscope. Results: T lymphocytes were present in 94.3% choroidal melanoma specimens, the most significant CD3 expression was noticed in choroidal melanoma in pT3 stage. Presence of B lymphocytes was observed only in 22.8% cases, but only in advanced tumors (pT3). CD34 expression was observed in 77.1% choroidal melanomas. A statistically significant correlation was observed between CD34 expression and staging- 84.2% choroidal melanomas in pT3 stage were positive for CD34 expression. Conclusions: T cell infiltration is present in both low and high advanced ocular melanomas. B cells and thin wall vessels are present mainly in advanced choroidal melanoma and due to may be associated with tumor progression.