title: How detection of epigenetic alterations of blood-borne DNA could improve melanoma diagnosis.
abstract: Detection in blood of the genetic and epigenetic changes present in metastatic cancers is opening up new possibilities in molecular diagnostics. A number of methodological and clinical issues await resolution before serum epigenetic biomarkers can be considered a routine part of the management of melanoma patients following primary excision. However, there is every possibility that blood testing for the presence of methylated DNA will become an integral part of the clinical follow-up of such patients. The ability to identify patients with subclinical (asymptomatic) metastatic melanoma, combined with new, highly active targeted and immunomodulatory agents, may lead to further improvements in outcomes for this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Interscience Molecular Oncology Laboratory, University of Ioannina Cancer Biobank Center, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hatzimichael
authors.forename: Nel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lo Nigro
authors.forename: Bhavya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crook
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D057890:Epigenomics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004247:DNA
keywords: blood borne; epigenetics; melanoma; metastasis; serum