The statistically significant low levels of IgM anti-tyrosinase and IgM anti-melanin autoantibodies in melanoma patients and slight elevation in IgM anti-melanin autoantibodies in patients with vitiligo compared to healthy controls, point to the importance of IgM autoantibodies for both: the control of malignant disease, as well as for the destruction of melanocytes in vitiligo. The gene discussed is TYR; the disease is melanoma.