DermTech's Late Breaking Abstract Presented at AAD

SAN DIEGO, March 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, DermTech, Inc., a privately held dermatology company commercializing non-invasive gene expression tests for skin cancer, announced that their late breaking abstract, "Validation and Utility of a Non-Invasive 2-Gene Molecular Assay for Cutaneous Melanoma", was presented at the 74^th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Washington, D.C., by Laura Ferris, MD, PhD, of the Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh.

The presentation highlighted the novel Pigmented Lesion Assay's (PLA) utility as a non-invasive tool, which enables dermatologists to significantly improve biopsy specificity, thus removing fewer benign moles, while missing fewer melanomas. The performance of the optimized gene expression assay, consisting of two genes, LINC and PRAME, was evaluated to distinguish benign nevi from melanoma in prospectively collected samples (n=398). Results demonstrated that the PLA is a sensitive and specific method for detection of cutaneous melanoma (AUC 0.91, NPV>99%, sensitivity 91%, specificity 69%). The target gene expression obtained from the adhesive patch stratum corneum sample correlated with the tissue block sample surgically obtained from the underlying lesion.

In addition, using a web based multi-reader multi-case study, 45 dermatologists each evaluated 60 representative clinical and dermatoscopic images of clinically atypical pigmented lesions from the validation study, first without and then with PLA data.  Dermatologists who incorporated the PLA into their biopsy decision improved their biopsy specificity from 32% to 57% (p<0.001) while improving their sensitivity from 95% to 99%, compared to their decision without the PLA. 

"We are pleased by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from both key opinion leaders and practicing dermatologists, who see the PLA as a valuable tool to improve the management of difficult pigmented lesions.  Non-invasively obtained objective molecular pathology data provides helpful guidance to complement image recognition focused clinical assessment and image recognition focused histopathological assessment," said Dr. Burkhard Jansen, VP of Clinical Development at DermTech.

About DermTech
DermTech is a commercial stage molecular dermatology company developing non-invasive gene expression tests to aid the clinical diagnosis of skin cancer and other skin conditions.  DermTech operates a CLIA licensed laboratory located in the company's La Jolla, CA headquarters. DermTech's technology allows the analysis of skin biopsy samples collected non-invasively using an adhesive patch. DermTech provides highly accurate, objective information to the physicians to improve care and reduce costs. Current dermatologic diagnosis is primarily based on subjective visual pattern recognition that is prone to error and results in a substantial number of unnecessary surgical procedures.  For additional information visit: www.dermtech.com.

Media Contact:

Sarah Dennison, MBA
VP of Marketing
(858) 450-4222
[email protected]

SOURCE DermTech, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.dermtech.com