New screening method ‘could aid melanoma treatment’

US scientists has determined a new way of screening for indicators of the deadly skin cancer melanoma via biomarker analysis.

The University of North Carolina team have found that melanoma and mole tissues preserved in fixatives, when subjected to DNA methylation profiling, can provide accurate data distinguishing malignant from non-malignant cells.

Analysis showed that sites on 22 genes have notably different methylation levels between melanomas and non-melanoma lesions, while a further 12 locations were said to be highly predictive of the disease.

The researchers believe this method can be used to help diagnose melanoma earlier, as well as potentially form the basis of a bloodstream-borne test that can measure disease activity.

Study participant Dr Nancy Thomas said: "It opens the door to diagnose recurrence early and initiate treatment while tumours are more likely to respond to treatment."

Melanoma skin cancer is linked to excessive levels of ultraviolet light and is the sixth most common cancer in the UK.