title: Molecular markers detecting circulating melanoma cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction: methodological pitfalls and clinical relevance.
abstract: Herein, we expound the theory of circulating melanoma cells (CMCs) and their detection with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction as a molecular staging approach. We discuss the molecular markers that have been used for CMC detection focusing on the use of these markers for multiplex detection analysis. Finally, we comment on the contradictory data of CMC detection studies in the literature and we propose possible solutions which may contribute to the clinical significance of CMC detection in patient management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Physiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Adrianos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nezos
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lembessis
authors.forename: Antigone
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sourla
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pissimissis
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gogas
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koutsilieris
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor