Giavina-Bianchi, MaraGiavina-Bianchi, PedroSotto, Mirian NacagamiMuzikansky, AlonaKalil, JorgeFesta-Neto, CyroDuncan, Lyn2015-06-022015Giavina-Bianchi, Mara, Pedro Giavina-Bianchi, Mirian Nacagami Sotto, Alona Muzikansky, Jorge Kalil, Cyro Festa-Neto, and Lyn M. Duncan. 2015. “Increased NY-ESO-1 Expression and Reduced Infiltrating CD3+ T Cells in Cutaneous Melanoma.” Journal of Immunology Research 2015 (1): 761378. doi:10.1155/2015/761378. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/761378.2314-8861http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:16121078NY-ESO-1 is a cancer-testis antigen aberrantly expressed in melanomas, which may serve as a robust and specific target in immunotherapy. NY-ESO-1 antigen expression, tumor features, and the immune profile of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were assessed in primary cutaneous melanoma. NY-ESO-1 protein was detected in 20% of invasive melanomas (16/79), rarely in in situ melanoma (1/10) and not in benign nevi (0/20). Marked intratumoral heterogeneity of NY-ESO-1 protein expression was observed. NY-ESO-1 expression was associated with increased primary tumor thickness (P = 0.007) and inversely correlated with superficial spreading melanoma (P < 0.02). NY-ESO-1 expression was also associated with reduced numbers and density of CD3+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (P = 0.017). When NY-ESO-1 protein was expressed, CD3+ T cells were less diffusely infiltrating the tumor and were more often arranged in small clusters (P = 0.010) or as isolated cells (P = 0.002) than in large clusters of more than five lymphocytes. No correlation of NY-ESO-1 expression with gender, age, tumor site, ulceration, lymph node sentinel status, or survival was observed. NY-ESO-1 expression in melanoma was associated with tumor progression, including increased tumor thickness, and with reduced tumor infiltrating lymphocytes.en-USJournal Article2015-06-0210.1155/2015/761378