Genes and gene signatures for diagnosis and treatment of melanoma

1. A method for treating melanoma in a patient, the method comprising:

a) measuring in a sample from the patient mRNA expression of a panel of genes comprising a combination of genes:

PRAME;

an S100-related gene selected from S100A9, S100A7, S100A8, S100A10, S100A12, and S100A14; and

an immune gene selected from CXCL9, CCL5, CXCL10, IRF1, PTPN22, PTPRC, LCP2, and CD38;

wherein the expression is normalized to one or more housekeeping genes;

b) calculating a combined score of the measured mRNA expression of the panel of genes using a formula: score=1.15×PRAME+0.92×S100-related gene+0.7×immune gene −0.33;

c) classifying the sample as malignant based on the combined score exceeding a reference value; and

d) administering to the patient, after classifying the sample as malignant, treatment comprising at least one of:

i) excising the malignant melanoma and a border of normal skin, and

ii) reexcising the site of the sample to remove additional tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expression of the panel of genes is measured by qPCR.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said housekeeping genes comprise at least one of MRFAP1, PSMA1, RPL13A, TXNL1, SLC25A3, RPS29, RPL8, PSMC1, and RPL4.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expression of the panel of genes is measured by hybridization.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is a skin lesion.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is a malignant melanoma.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the combined score is recorded in a report and the panel of genes is PRAME, S100A9, and CXCL9.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the report is communicated to the patient's medical provider.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the medical provider administers to the patient treatment based on the report.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment further comprises lymph node dissection.