METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR IDENTIFYING METASTATIC MALIGNANT SKIN LESIONS AND TREATING SKIN CANCER

摘要

This document provides methods and materials for identifying metastatic malignant skin lesions (e.g., malignant pigmented skin lesions). For example, methods and materials for using quantitative PCR results and correction protocols to reduce the impact of basal keratinocyte contamination on the analysis of test sample results to identify metastatic malignant skin lesions are provided. This document also provides methods and materials for treating skin cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying a mammal (e.g., a human) having a pre-metastatic skin lesion (e.g., pre-metastatic melanoma) and treating that mammal with pentamidine (4,4′-[pentane-1,5-diylbis(oxy)]dibenzenecarboximidamide) are provided.