Expression changes of multiple marker genes and analysis of circulating tumour cells and dehydrogenase for prognostic and pharmacodynamic measures

The main objectives of the studies are to analyze melanoma markers from the tumour and blood samples. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was assayed from the serum sample to determine metastatic melanoma. The prevalence of circulating tumour cells was explored in tumour subjects and compared with non-tumour cases. Expression analysis of TGF-β and cathepsin-K was determined from the non-melanoma and melanoma cases using western blotting analysis. The amount of LDH was elevated in most metastatic patients (p