Nestin is one of intermedial filaments exprimed in proliferating progenitor cells of the CNS and PNS (central and peripheral nervous system). Postnatal reexpression of the protein occures mainly in CNS tumors and correlates with a high grade of malignancy. The aim of our study is assessment of the nestin expression in benign and malignant skin melanocytic lesions with respect to presume a prognostic role of this protein. We examined 127 bioptic specimens, including 42 nodular melanomas (NM), 32 superficial spreading melanomas (SSM), 10 dysplastic nevi and 43 common intradermal or dermoepidermal nevi. We proved significant increase in nestin expression in melanoma groups, especially in nodular melanomas, where nestin was localized mainly in the peripheral, invasive areas of the tumor mass. Conclusion: Detection of nestin expression might be used as an additional melanocytic tumour marker.

        Key words: common nevi – malignant melanoma – nestin – tumour progression