Association of CDKN2A Homozygous deletion with clinicopathologic and immunological parameters in melanoma
Abstract
Objective of Study: We aimed to investigate the association between the presence of CDKN2A homozygous deletion and clinicopathological features and survival in melanomas, by using TCGA (Cancer Genome Atlas) data. In addition, we examined the correlation with immune cell infiltrations. Methods: Clinicopathologic parameters and survival times were compared between patients with and without CDKN2A homozygous deletion using the ‘TCGA, Firehose Legacy’ dataset on the Cbioportal website (www.cbioportal.org). Immune cell infiltration analyses were performed using the TIMER database (http://timer.comp-genomics.org/timer/). p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Patients with CDKN2A homozygous deletion had earlier age at diagnosis, thinner Breslow thickness, earlier T stage, lower metastatic rate and the presence of ulceration (p<0.05). Disease-free survival was shorter in patients with CDKN2A deletion (median: 56.83 and 49.21 months, p=0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups (p>0.05). Analysis of the TIMER database revealed a negative correlation between the presence of CDKN2A homozygous deletion and CD4 positive T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte and dendritic cell infiltration, while there was a positive correlation between macrophage infiltration (p<0.05). Conclusions: We found a significant correlation between CDKN2A homozygous deletion and prognostic parameters such as tumor stage, metastasis, Breslow thickness and presence of ulceration as well as disease-free survival time. The significant correlation between CDKN2A loss and various immune cell infiltrations suggests that CDKN2A gene is involved in the shaping of tumor microenvironment and tumor immunity.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Ethical Statement
References
- 1. Piepkorn M. Melanoma genetics: an update with focus on the CDKN2A(p16)/ARF tumor suppressors. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000 May;42(5 Pt 1):705–22; quiz 723–6. PubMed PMID: 10775844.
- 2. Cachia AR, Indsto JO, McLaren KM, Mann GJ, Arends MJ. CDKN2A mutation and deletion status in thin and thick primary melanoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2000 Sep;6(9):3511–5. PubMed PMID: 10999737.
- 3. Kreuger IZM, Slieker RC, van Groningen T, van Doorn R. Therapeutic Strategies for Targeting CDKN2A Loss in Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 Jan;143(1):18-25.e1. PubMed PMID: 36123181.
- 4. Tran TP, Titus-Ernstoff L, Perry AE, Ernstoff MS, Newsham IF. Alteration of chromosome 9p21 and/or p16 in benign and dysplastic nevi suggests a role in early melanoma progression (United States). Cancer Causes Control. 2002 Sep;13(7):675–82. PubMed PMID: 12296515.
- 5. Zheng C, Sarin KY. Unveiling the genetic landscape of hereditary melanoma: From susceptibility to surveillance. Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2024;40:100837. PubMed PMID: 39137473.
- 6. Trembath DG, Ivanova A, Krauze MT, Kirkwood JM, Nikolaishvilli-Feinberg N, Moschos SJ. Melanoma-specific expression of the tumor suppressor proteins p16 and PTEN is a favorable prognostic factor in established melanoma brain metastases. Melanoma Res. 2021 Jun 1;31(3):264–7. PubMed PMID: 33871399; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8086752.
- 7. Castaneda CA, Castillo M, Torres-Cabala C, Bernabe LA, Casavilca S, Villegas V, et al. Relationship between tumor-associated immune infiltrate and p16 staining over clinicopathological features in acral lentiginous melanoma. Clin Transl Oncol. 2019 Sep;21(9):1127–34. PubMed PMID: 30778854.
- 8. Gao J, Aksoy BA, Dogrusoz U, Dresdner G, Gross B, Sumer SO, et al. Integrative analysis of complex cancer genomics and clinical profiles using the cBioPortal. Sci Signal. 2013 Apr 2;6(269):pl1. PubMed PMID: 23550210; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4160307.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Pathology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
July 30, 2026
Submission Date
January 3, 2026
Acceptance Date
June 25, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 3