Molecular diagnosis and classification of malignant melanoma

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for diagnosing and providing a prognosis of melanoma using molecular markers that are overexpressed in melanoma cells. The invention provides kits for diagnosis and prognosis. Also provided are methods to identify compounds that are useful for the treatment or prevention of melanoma and melanoma progression.

1 . A method of providing a prognosis for melanoma in a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) contacting a biological sample from the subject with reagents that specifically bind a panel of selected markers comprising: (i) the polypeptides RGS1, NCOA3, SPP1, and PHIP, or (ii) the nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, wherein there is at least one reagent binding to each marker; and   (b) determining whether or not each of the selected markers is over expressed or under expressed in the sample; thereby providing a prognosis for melanoma in the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the reagents are antibodies;   (b) the reagents are labeled antibodies;   (c) the reagents are antibodies and said determining is performed using an enzyme immunoassay selected from the group consisting of immunohistochemical assay and ELISA;   (d) the reagents are nucleic acids;   (e) the reagents are RT PCR primers; or   (f) the step of determining comprises the use of FISH or CGH.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a skin biopsy. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining comprises correlating elevated expression of the marker with a metastatic phenotype for cells in the sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein elevated expression of each of the selected markers is correlated with a prognosis selected from the group consisting of: metastasis to regional lymph nodes, relapse, and death. 
     
     
         6 . A kit for use in providing a prognosis for melanoma in a subject, the kit comprising reagents that specifically bind a panel of selected markers comprising: (i) the polypeptides RGS1, NCOA3, SPP1, and PHIP, or (ii) the nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the reagents are antibodies. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the antibodies are labelled. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 7 , further comprising additional reagents for detection using an enzyme immunoassay selected from the group consisting of immunohistochemical assay and ELISA. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 7 , further comprising additional reagents for detection using FISH or CGH. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the reagents are nucleic acids or are RT PCR primers.