Methods for predicting risk of metastasis in cutaneous melanoma

A method of treating cutaneous melanoma in a patient, the method comprising:

• (a) measuring gene expression levels of at least eight genes selected from the group consisting of BAP1_varA, BAP1_varB, MGP, SPP1, CXCL14, CLCA2, S100A8, BTG1, SAP130, ARG1, KRT6B, GJA, ID2, EIF1B, S100A9, CRABP2, KRT14, ROBOT, RBM23, TACSTD2, DSC1, SPRR1B, TRIM29, AQP3, TYRP1, PPL, LTA4H, and CST6 in a sample of a primary cutaneous melanoma tumor in the patient, wherein measuring gene expression levels of the at least eight genes comprises determining a level of fluorescence by a sequence detection system following RT-PCR of the at least eight genes;
• (b) determining a patient gene-expression profile signature comprising the gene expression levels of the at least eight genes;
• (c) comparing the patient gene-expression profile signature to a gene-expression profile of a predictive training set;
• (d) making a determination as to whether the patient gene-expression profile signature of the at least eight genes is altered in a predictive manner;
• and
• (e) administering an aggressive cancer treatment regimen to the patient when the determination is made in the affirmative that the patient has a primary cutaneous melanoma tumor with an increased risk of metastasis or decreased overall survival.

A method of treating cutaneous melanoma in a patient, the method comprising:

• (a) measuring gene expression levels of at least eight genes selected from the group consisting of BAP1_varA, BAP1_varB, MGP, SPP1, CXCL14, CLCA2, S100A8, BTG1, SAP130, ARG1, KRT6B, GJA, ID2, EIF1B, S100A9, CRABP2, KRT14, ROBOT, RBM23, TACSTD2, DSC1, SPRR1B, TRIM29, AQP3, TYRP1, PPL, LTA4H, and CST6 in a sample of a primary cutaneous melanoma tumor in the patient, wherein measuring gene expression levels of the at least eight genes comprises determining a level of fluorescence by a sequence detection system following RT-PCR of the at least eight genes;
• (b) determining a patient gene-expression profile signature comprising the gene expression levels of the at least eight genes;
• (c) comparing the patient gene-expression profile signature to a gene-expression profile of a predictive training set;
• (d) making a determination as to whether the patient gene-expression profile signature of the at least eight genes is altered in a predictive manner;
• and
• (e) performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) on the patient when the determination is made in the affirmative that the patient has a primary cutaneous melanoma tumor with an increased risk of metastasis or decreased overall survival.