Technologies

SUNY Upstate researchers have identified a new and significant tumor marker that can advance the therapeutic treatment options for mucosal melanoma.

SUNY Upstate researchers have found that this tumor marker's expression is increased in malignant melanomas and in some cancers of breast, colon, lung, testis and thyroid. The most significant up regulation was observed in metastatic melanomas. The tumor marker's expression can be determined at different stages of the disease to predict tumor behavior and response to cancer therapy. Furthermore, it may allow the detection of micrometasteses in patients. Use of this assay would help to avoid misdiagnosis of mucosal melanoma and will lead to more timely initiation of intervention and treatment.