Importantly, for PON3 DNA methylation, survival prediction was independent of the two most frequently used prognostic markers, i.e., tumor thickness according to Breslow and ulceration (P < 0.05; Fig. 3c and Additional file 2: Figure S10B); in addition, PON3 DNA methylation survival prediction for progression-free survival, but not overall survival, was independent of the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. This evidence concerns the gene PON3 and neoplasm.