In summary, we here found that Cten expression was significantly increased in the progression from nevi to primary melanoma, with the most drastic increases in Cten expression being observed between normal and dysplastic nevi, and between primary tumors <1mm thick and tumors ≥1mm thick, indicating that Cten induction is a relatively early event in melanoma progression. This evidence concerns the gene TNS4 and dysplastic nevus.