The expression of stem cell markers did not differ significantly between groups, however, in the SM group advanced-stage disease was associated with a significantly higher expression of nestin than early-stage disease (P<0.05).
Nestin, a member of the intermediate filament protein family, has been described as a putative cancer stem cell marker (CSC) in uveal melanoma and poor prognostic factor in a variety of tumours, including cutaneous melanoma.