RBM3 as a Marker for Malignant Melanoma Prognosis

A method for determining whether a mammalian subject having a malignant melanoma belongs to a first or a second group, wherein the prognosis of subjects of the first group is better than the prognosis of subjects of the second group, comprising the steps of:

• a) evaluating an amount of RBM3 protein in at least part of a sample earlier obtained from the subject and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing said sample value with a predetermined reference value;
• and,
• if said sample value is higher than said reference value,
• c1) concluding that the subject belongs to the first group;
• and,
• if said sample value is lower than or equal to said reference value,
• c2) concluding that the subject belongs to the second group.

A method for determining whether a subject having a malignant melanoma is not in need of a malignant melanoma treatment regimen, comprising the steps of:

• a) evaluating an amount of RBM3 protein present in at least part of a sample earlier obtained from the subject, and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing the sample value obtained in step a) with a reference value;
• and,
• if said sample value is higher than said reference value,
• c) concluding that said subject is not in need of the malignant melanoma treatment regimen.

A non-treatment strategy method for a subject having a malignant melanoma, comprising:

• a) evaluating an amount of RBM3 protein present in at least part of a sample earlier obtained from the subject, and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing the sample value obtained in step a) with a reference value;
• and,
• if said sample value is higher than said reference value,
• c) refraining from treating said subject with a malignant melanoma treatment regimen.

A method for determining whether a mammalian subject having a malignant melanoma belongs to a first or a second group, wherein subjects of the second group are more likely to have a malignant melanoma metastasis than subjects of the first group, comprising the steps of:

• a) evaluating an amount of RBM3 protein in at least part of a sample earlier obtained from the subject and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing said sample value with a predetermined reference value;
• and,
• if said sample value is higher than said reference value,
• c1) concluding that the subject belongs to the first group;
• and,
• if said sample value is lower than or equal to said reference value,
• c2) concluding that the subject belongs to the second group.

A method of examining one or more lymph nodes of a subject having a malignant melanoma, comprising:

• a) evaluating an amount of RBM3 protein present in at least part of a sample from the subject and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing the sample value obtained in step a) with a reference value;
• and,
• if said sample value is equal to or lower than said reference value,
• c) performing a node biopsy on at least one lymph node, wherein the biopsy may be used for establishing whether the malignant melanoma of said subject has spread to the respective lymph node.

A method of treatment of a subject having a malignant melanoma, comprising:

• a) evaluating an amount of RBM3 protein present in at least part of a sample from the subject and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount;
• b) comparing the sample value obtained in step a) with a reference value;
• and,
• if said sample value is equal to or lower than said reference value,
• c) treating said subject with a malignant melanoma treatment regimen.