The Florida researchers now are in the midst of a large, three-year clinical trial involving six institutions and, eventually, 210 melanoma patients.

AIM provides an outlet for melanoma patients and their families to take action against the disease.

It is currently an experimental treatment in Metastatic melanoma patients.

The study compared 121 melanoma patients with 139 who did not have the disease.

In the study the average number for melanoma patients was 97 while those who did not have the disease averaged 36.

In 17 other kidney cancer patients and 6 melanoma patients, the tumor mass was reduced at least by half.

Interestingly, parents of melanoma patients were less likely to have pursued screening than siblings and children.

At least 10 percent of melanoma patients are thought to be members of families where the disease is common.

However, the technique is not without drawbacks, particularly when used for melanoma patients.

The latest study included nearly 1,200 melanoma patients and a similar number of age- and gender-matched people in a control group.