Pooled analysis performed on Dicer mRNA expression in publically available gene expression profiling studies (clinical sample size = 139, disease groups = 20).

To stay consistent with the direction of disease progression, the sign (+ or −) was changed appropriately. Fold changes with a (−) sign are lower and those with a (+) sign are higher than the disease group to which it was compared. For example, PM showed 2.36-fold increase in Dicer mRNA levels when compared to NS. The abbreviations of disease groups are as follows: DNL-dysplastic nevus low-grade atypia; DNH-dysplastic nevus high-grade atypia; CN-common nevus; C I RGP-Clark's level I radial growth phase; C II RGP-Clark's level II radial growth phase; C III VGP-Clark's level III vertical growth phase; C IV VGP-Clark's level IV vertical growth phase; C V VGP-Clark's level V vertical growth phase; LNMM-lymph node metastatic melanoma; DMM-dermal metastatic melanoma; MIS-melanoma in situ; PM-primary melanoma invasive; MM-metastatic melanoma; NS-normal skin; BCC-basal cell carcinoma; SCC-squamous cell carcinoma. NS-not significant.