The present study investigates DCT expression comparatively with Tyr, the most tested melanoma biomarker, aiming to evaluate DCT potential in the assessment of melanocytic tumors and gain insights into the molecular and pathological characterization of DCT-phenotype in tumor progression.
Logistic regression multivariate analysis indicated that each single marker (except tyrosinase) and, more especially, the presence of four PCR-positive markers remained statistically independent prognostic factors for tumor progression.
The analysis of blood samples by RT-PCR for tyrosinase mRNA, however, is not suitable for the early detection of tumor progression in melanoma patients.
The results of this study demonstrate that the detection of tyrosinase mRNA in cells in the peripheral blood by RT-PCR may be a useful prognostic marker for predicting tumor progression and poor clinical outcome in patients with malignant melanoma.