Integration of a 31-Gene Expression Profile Into Clinical Decision-Making in the Treatment of Cutaneous Melanoma

Background The practice of utilizing gene expression profile (GEP) for the evaluation and treatment of cutaneous melanomas has been found to predict the risk of sentinel-node metastasis and recurrence. Information obtained from this assay has been used to determine clinical decision-making, including serving as an indication for sentinel lymph node biopsy and also for the intensity of screening measures. Methods Herein we present our early experience in utilizing 31-GEP in intermediate melanomas and its effect on clinical management. A retrospective review was conducted of patients who had undergone treatment for melanoma whose tumors had been subjected to 31-GEP. Additionally, patient characteristics, attributes of the original tumor biopsied, findings on final pathology, and procedures performed were evaluated. Results 31-GEP stratified patients into 4 groups; groups 1A and 1B are considered low risk of metastasis or recurrence, while 2A and 2B are considered high risk. Over the study period, 31-GEP was conducted on 26 cutaneous melanoma patients. Testing and treatment data are available for 23 of these patients. Eleven patients were found to be low risk (9 as 1A, 2 as 1B), 12 were found to be high risk (4 as 2A, 8 as 2B). Decision-making was altered such that sentinel lymph node biopsy was omitted in 2 cases in which the patients were found to be low risk with age >65 years. Discussion In 8 cases of node-negative disease in genetically high-risk patients, surveillance measures were augmented with positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Utilization of 31-GEP is ongoing at our institution.