Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection of Circulating Melanoma Cells as an Effective Marker of Tumor Progression

Abstract

Our data establish the existence of a significant correlation among clinical stages, tumor progression, and presence of circulating melanoma-associated antigens in peripheral blood of MM patients. Preliminary assessment of a subset of patients with a higher risk of recurrence needs longer follow-up and further studies to define the role of RT-PCR in monitoring MM patients.