Figure 2

Verification of 13 genes by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Expression levels were based on the amount of the target RNA relatively to the endogenous control gene RPS9 in order to normalize the amount and quality of total RNA. Relative expression levels of a) 9 up-regulated genes, b) 4 down-regulated genes, and c) 3 up-regulated genes in epithelial skin cancer vs. normal skin. c) Three genes were re-analyzed with an increased number of different specimens of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients (see Methods section 'Patients'). Statistical analysis was performed with the U-Test by Wilcoxon, Mann, and Whitney. N, normal skin; T, AK and cutaneous SCC; n.s., not significant; AK, actinic keratosis; SCC, squamous cell carcinoma.