Melanoma molecular classes and prognosis in the postgenomic era.

Abstract

Gene expression profiling is a powerful method to classify human tumours on the basis of biological aggressiveness, response to therapy, and outcome for the patient, but its application in melanoma lags behind that of other cancers. From more than 100 articles available on the topic, we selected 14 focusing on patients' outcome. We review and briefly discuss salient findings, and list ten reasons why melanoma molecular classes are not yet used in clinical diagnosis and prognosis. The available evidence suggests that we are on the verge of creating a framework for the use of melanoma molecular classes in prognosis, but so far there is little consensus to put together informative diagnostic and prognostic gene sets.

• Authors: Elisa Tremante, Agnese Ginebri, Elisa Lo Monaco, Pasquale Frascione, Franco Di Filippo, Irene Terrenato, Maria Benevolo, Marcella Mottolese, Edoardo Pescarmona, Paolo Visca, Pier Giorgio Natali, Patrizio Giacomini
• Journal: The Lancet. Oncology (Lancet Oncol) Vol. 13 Issue 5 Pg. e205-11 (May 2012) ISSN: 1474-5488 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22554548 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Humans
• Melanoma (classification, genetics)
• Prognosis
• Skin Neoplasms (classification, genetics)