Early detection of melanoma progression by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis for multiple melanoma markers

Standard screening of melanoma patients is a useful tool for predicting outcome of patients, however, an instant methodology for exact detection of subclinical disease or monitoring treatment response is under investigation. Detection of circulating melanoma cells is, therefore, a possible novel promising staging method. However, inconsistent data on method sensitivity and on the predicted patient outcome has been shown repeatedly. Recently, a multimarker real-time RT-PCR methodology for quantification of five melanoma markers Melan-A, gp 100, MAGE-3, MIA and tyrosinase was described by our group. In the current prospective trial, blood specimens of 65 patients with AJCC stage IIB-III cutaneous melanoma after surgery were periodically examined. In the above group, 27 % of subjects relapsed during the study. Prior to the disease progression we could observe a statistically significant tumor marker elevation in previous 0 to 9 months in all patients with clinical relapse. MAGE-3 became the most sensitive progression marker. During progression, three concordant positive markers were seen in 39 % of patients, followed by two concordant positive markers in 28 % and 1 marker in 33 %. This study supports the use of a multimarker real-time RT-PCR as a disease progression predictor. The dynamic assessment of serially obtained blood specimens represents a useful method for early metastasis detection and treatment response of melanoma patients.