{"id":1059,"date":"2022-10-31T06:53:20","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T13:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/?page_id=1059"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:14:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T17:14:34","slug":"our-publications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/our-publications\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Publications"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background fusion-parallax-none hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling lazyload publications-hero\" style=\"--awb-background-position:right center;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:60px;--awb-padding-bottom:40px;--awb-background-color:hsla(var(--awb-color8-h),var(--awb-color8-s),var(--awb-color8-l),calc(var(--awb-color8-a) - 50%));--awb-background-size:cover;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" data-bg=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Publications-header-hawk-new.jpg\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-center fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:66.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.88%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.88%;--awb-width-medium:66.666666666667%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.88%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.88%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-margin-right:30px;--awb-margin-left:30px;--awb-max-width:250px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"338\" height=\"212\" title=\"merlin-logo-white\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27338%27%20height%3D%27212%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20338%20212%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27338%27%20height%3D%27212%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/merlin-logo-white.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-2046\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:40px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one font-weight-400\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-margin-top-small:4%;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:4%;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:4%;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:4%;--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h1 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:60;line-height:1.16;\">PUBLICATIONS<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:33.333333333333%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:5.76%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:5.76%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling merlin-header\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:66.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:-18px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.88%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.88%;--awb-width-medium:66.666666666667%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.88%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.88%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1040\" height=\"28\" title=\"3-4 BAR\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271040%27%20height%3D%2728%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201040%2028%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271040%27%20height%3D%2728%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/3-4-BAR.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload 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style=\"--link_hover_color: var(--awb-color6);--link_color: var(--awb-color8);--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:80px;--awb-padding-right:100px;--awb-padding-bottom:80px;--awb-padding-left:100px;--awb-padding-top-medium:40px;--awb-padding-right-medium:30px;--awb-padding-left-medium:30px;--awb-padding-top-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>Apply filters from dropdown menus:<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-widget-area awb-widget-area-element fusion-widget-area-1 fusion-content-widget-area publication-filters\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#201c50;--awb-padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html\" style=\"border-style: solid;border-color:transparent;border-width:0px;\"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"facetwp-facet facetwp-facet-post_year facetwp-type-dropdown\" data-name=\"post_year\" data-type=\"dropdown\"><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"breaker\"><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"facetwp-facet facetwp-facet-publication_type facetwp-type-dropdown\" data-name=\"publication_type\" data-type=\"dropdown\"><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"breaker\"><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"facetwp-facet facetwp-facet-publication_publisher facetwp-type-dropdown\" data-name=\"publication_publisher\" data-type=\"dropdown\"><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"breaker\"><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"facetwp-facet facetwp-facet-publication_study_type facetwp-type-dropdown\" data-name=\"publication_study_type\" data-type=\"dropdown\"><\/div>\r\n<p><button onclick=\"FWP.reset()\" class=\"menu-text fusion-button button-default button-medium button-flat fusion-button-round\"><i class=\"fa fa-refresh\"><\/i><\/button><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-additional-widget-content\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-post-cards fusion-post-cards-1 fusion-grid-archive fusion-grid-columns-1 fusion-grid-flex-grow\" style=\"--awb-column-spacing:0px;--awb-dots-align:center;--awb-columns:1;--awb-filters-color:var(--awb-custom11);--awb-active-filter-border-size:3px;--awb-filters-height:36px;--awb-columns-medium:100%;--awb-columns-small:100%;\" data-post-type-label=\"publications\"><ul class=\"fusion-grid fusion-grid-1 fusion-flex-align-items-stretch fusion-grid-posts-cards\"><li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/empoweredpatientradio.com\/how-molecular-testing-is-changing-melanoma-treatments-with-dr-alex-meves-skylinedx\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Empowered Patient Solutions\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Empowered-Patient-Solutions.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1639\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/empoweredpatientradio.com\/how-molecular-testing-is-changing-melanoma-treatments-with-dr-alex-meves-skylinedx\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">How Molecular Testing is Changing Melanoma Treatments with Dr. Alex Meves SkylineDx<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-1\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Meves et al.,\u00a0<em>Empowered Patient.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>August 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1638\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/empoweredpatientradio.com\/how-molecular-testing-is-changing-melanoma-treatments-with-dr-alex-meves-skylinedx\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-1 read-abstract-1638\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-1\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">How Molecular Testing is Changing Melanoma Treatments with Dr. Alex Meves SkylineDx<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b><strong>Dr. Alex Meves<\/strong><\/b>, distinguished dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic and a spokesperson for SkylineDx, discusses the challenges in diagnosing and treating melanoma and how a new molecular test called Merlin can help improve risk stratification and treatment decisions for patients with early-stage melanoma. Diagnosis and treatment have traditionally used tumor thickness as a primary risk factor. This molecular test measures the expression of genes in the tumor biopsy and can help determine the extent of surgery needed and whether additional therapies may be beneficial.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alex explains, &#8220;My department, when I started to work here at Mayo, wanted me to do some translational research, and I had just come back from a postdoc in Germany, at the Max Planck Institute, and I was tasked to get some research going. And so I focused on melanoma because I thought at the time there wasn&#8217;t a lot of molecular research going on in melanoma that could be translated to patients. And so we started to develop biomarkers, sort of molecular tests that we could apply to tissue, and then help patients with.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Yes, so the problem that our research is focused on is what to do once you&#8217;re diagnosed with a melanoma. What you want to do is to match the right therapy to the right patient. That&#8217;s the goal. There are lots of melanomas that might not be very aggressive, and you don&#8217;t have to do a lot of treatment. And then there&#8217;s some melanoma that&#8217;s very aggressive, and you want to do lots of treatment, but it&#8217;s not always obvious which melanoma is low risk and which melanoma is high risk. And so this idea of risk stratification at diagnosis becomes very important to match therapy to patients.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">#skincancer #melanoma #SkylineDx #PersonalizedMedicine #PrecisionDiagnostics<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-2 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/jso.70035\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"JSO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/JSO.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1619\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-3 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/jso.70035\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Validation of a Clinicopathologic and Gene Expression Model for Predicting Sentinel Node Metastasis in Melanoma: A Multicenter Danish Cohort Study<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-2\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Weitemeyer et al., <em>Journal of Surgical Oncology.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>July 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-2 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1618\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/jso.70035\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-2 read-abstract-1618\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-2\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Validation of a Clinicopathologic and Gene Expression Model for Predicting Sentinel Node Metastasis in Melanoma: A Multicenter Danish Cohort Study<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><section id=\"jso70035-sec-0010\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"jso70035-sec-0010-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section1\">Background<\/h3>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is crucial for staging and managing melanoma, but selecting patients for SLNB is challenging, with around 80% of procedures yielding negative results. The clinicopathological and gene expression profile model (CP-GEP) was developed to identify low-risk melanoma patients who may forgo SLNB. CP-GEP combines Breslow thickness, patient age, and a gene expression analysis to classify patients as high- or low-risk for nodal metastasis. This study aimed to validate the performance of CP-GEP in a multicenter Danish cohort.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"jso70035-sec-0020\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"jso70035-sec-0020-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section1\">Method<\/h3>\n<p>Primary melanoma tissue from 536 T1-T3 patients who had undergone SLNB was retrospectively analyzed using CP-GEP. Results were compared with SLNB status and the Melanoma Institute Australia nomogram (MIA).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"jso70035-sec-0030\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"jso70035-sec-0030-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section1\">Results<\/h3>\n<p>T1, T2, and T3 melanomas comprised 32.8%, 46.8%, and 20.3% of cases, respectively. The SLNB positivity rate was 18.1%. Overall, 40.9% was classified as CP-GEP low-risk (NPV 91.3%). Among T1 and T2 subgroups, 72.7% and 35.5% were low-risk, with NPVs of 94.5% and 87.6%, respectively. For 507 patients with MIA scores, CP-GEP identified 42.4% as low-risk (NPV 91.2%) versus 8.1% by MIA (NPV 95.1%).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"jso70035-sec-0040\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"jso70035-sec-0040-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section1\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>CP-GEP is a promising tool for supporting deselection of SLNB in melanoma patients, with a potential reduction rate of over 40%.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/9567_ASCO_2025_Amaral_Final.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-5 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-6 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/9567_ASCO_2025_Amaral_Final.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse by Merlin assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of melanoma patients (pts) that did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy: An H&#038;N subgroup analysis.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-3\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al., 2025. ASCO Conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>May 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-3 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1620\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-7 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/9567_ASCO_2025_Amaral_Final.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-3 read-abstract-1620\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-3\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse by Merlin assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of melanoma patients (pts) that did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy: An H&#038;N subgroup analysis.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-6 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/PIIS0959804925001534.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"EJC1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/EJC1.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1520\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-7 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-8 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/PIIS0959804925001534.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Risk stratification using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of 930 patients with clinical stage I\/II melanoma who did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-4\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al., European Journal of Cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>May 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-4 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1621\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-9 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/PIIS0959804925001534.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-4 read-abstract-1621\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-4\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Risk stratification using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of 930 patients with clinical stage I\/II melanoma who did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p class=\"p1\"><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">More than 80 % of patients with melanoma are diagnosed without nodal metastasis, but most of those who relapse or die from melanoma are initially diagnosed as low risk early-stage. Here we investigate the ability of the Merlin Assay to stratify patients who did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for their risk of recurrence. Patients and methods: 930 patients with clinical stage I\/II primary cutaneous melanoma from the University of Tuebingen diagnosed between 2000 and 2020 were analyzed. None of the patients included underwent SLNB. The Merlin Assay combines patient age at diagnosis, Breslow thickness, and gene expression of eight specific genes from the primary tumor. Risk output labels are High Risk and Low Risk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Clinicopathological gene expression profile (CP-GEP) identified 879 patients as Low Risk and 51 patients as High Risk. The 10-year RFS (HR 20.07; p &lt;0.001) and DMFS (HR 19.39; p &lt;0.001) were significantly higher in CP-GEP Low Risk versus High Risk patients. Similar results were observed in 10-year MSS (HR 35.85; p &lt; 0.001). CP-GEP analysis of lentigo maligna melanoma and acral lentiginous melanoma showed that the performance of assay was independent of melanoma histological subtypes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">This study shows that CP-GEP has the potential to stratify patients with early-stage melanoma who did not undergo SLNB based on their risk of recurrence. Patients with CP-GEP Low Risk have a significantly better long-term survival. CP-GEP shows to be promising for guiding SLNB referral and may support melanoma care by optimizing personalized treatment plans and potential surveillance regimens.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-8 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-7 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SSO-2025-Heiken.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"SSO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/SSO.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1509\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-9 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-10 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SSO-2025-Heiken.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Prospective multicenter evaluation (MERLIN_001 trial, NCT04759781) of a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile test to predict sentinel node status in T1-T3 cN0 melanoma<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-5\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Hieken et al., <em>SSO Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-5 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1588\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-11 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SSO-2025-Heiken.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-5 read-abstract-1588\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-5\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-5\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Prospective multicenter evaluation (MERLIN_001 trial, NCT04759781) of a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile test to predict sentinel node status in T1-T3 cN0 melanoma<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p><strong>Introduction:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Guidelines recommend sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for cN0 melanoma patients (pts) with a predicted risk of SLN metastasis \u226510% and considering SLNB for a 5-10% risk. A gene expression profile (GEP)-based test that accurately identifies pts with a low risk of SLN metastasis could refine pt selection for SLNB, but current guidelines advise against using GEP for SLN risk prediction absent prospective trial data. This blinded prospective study across nine US centers evaluated the performance of the CP-GEP test, combining clinicopathologic factors (age, Breslow thickness) with gene expression (GEP) of 8 genes for predicting SLN status in pT1-T3 cN0M0 cutaneous melanoma pts undergoing clinically indicated SLNB.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Methods:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GEP was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from the primary tumor diagnostic biopsy. CP-GEP test results were reported in binary fashion as Low or High Risk. The primary outcome measure was negative predictive value (NPV) in Low Risk pts. Preplanned analyses included NPV assessment by T substage and age.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>GEP was performed successfully in 97.4% of samples. 1,686 T1-T3 pts with a successful CP-GEP test underwent SLNB (17.6% SLN-positive [SLN+]); 37% were classified as Low Risk by CP-GEP. Among all pts classified as Low Risk, 7.1% were SLN+ for an NPV of 92.9% (95% CI 90.6-94.8%). High Risk classification carried a 23.8% SLN+ rate. Most T1b pts (66.6%) were Low Risk, with a SLN+ rate of 5.1% (95% CI 3.0-9.2%) whereas High Risk T1b patients had a SLN+ rate 17.3% (11.7-24.2%). Fewer T2a pts were Low Risk (37.6%), with a SLN+ rate of 7.9% (95% CI 4.8-12.1%). In the pre-specified clinical stage IB subgroup (T1b-T2a), the SLN+ rate in Low Risk patients was 6.4% (95% CI 4.5-8.7%) and 18.7% (15.6-22.2%) for High Risk patients (Table). Model performance was consistent across age subgroups, with the SLN+ rate in Low Risk patients being 0% (95% CI 0-13.7%) for age &lt;40 (n=145), 8.2% (95% CI 5.6-12.9%) for age 40-64 (n=744), and 6.2% (95% CI 3.9-9.4%) for age &gt;64 (n=797).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the first prospective multicenter blinded trial of a GEP prediction tool for SLN status, the CP-GEP test reliably identified pts with a &lt;10% risk of SLN metastasis. For Stage IB patients the SLN+ rate was 3-fold greater for a High Risk vs Low Risk CP-GEP test. This approach has potential to more precisely estimate individual pt risk of harboring a SLN metastasis<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-10 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-8 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025_Kessels_EADO_Abstract_Assessing-risk-of-nodal-metastasis-and-relapse-free-survival-by-CP-GEP.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"World Congress of Melanoma\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/World-Congress-of-Melanoma.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1623\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-11 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-12 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025_Kessels_EADO_Abstract_Assessing-risk-of-nodal-metastasis-and-relapse-free-survival-by-CP-GEP.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Assessing risk of nodal metastasis and relapse-free survival by CP-GEP (Merlin\u2122 Test) in a single-center retrospective case series of stage pT1a-4b cN0M0 melanoma patients<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-6\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p class=\"p1\">Kessels et al., 2025. World Congress of Melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-6 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1627\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-13 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025_Kessels_EADO_Abstract_Assessing-risk-of-nodal-metastasis-and-relapse-free-survival-by-CP-GEP.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-6 read-abstract-1627\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-6\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Assessing risk of nodal metastasis and relapse-free survival by CP-GEP (Merlin\u2122 Test) in a single-center retrospective case series of stage pT1a-4b cN0M0 melanoma patients<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p class=\"p1\"><b>Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">There is a pressing need for individualized prognostic markers to guide follow-up and adjuvant treatments in pT1a-4b cN0M0 melanoma patients. Previous validation studies have shown that the Merlin assay is a promising tool for risk assessment regarding nodal metastasis and risk of recurrence in this population.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">We conducted a single-center academic retrospective study and included melanoma patients diagnosed between January 2018 and May 2024. Primary tumors were resected and followed by sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The Merlin\u2122 test integrates CP variables age and Breslow thickness and the expression of eight genes from primary melanoma samples. The test produces a binary output: High Risk or Low Risk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Results<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">51 pts were included, of which 27 female, with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years (range 26-90), median Breslow thickness of 1.5 mm (range 0.31-11.1) and a SLNB positivity rate of 15.7%. T-stagedistribution: pT1a was 1 pt, pT1b 9 pts, pT2a 20 pts, pT3a 6 pts, pT3b 5 pts, pT4a 2 pts, and pT4b 8 pts. Merlin assay classified 15 pts as Low Risk, and 36 pts as High Risk. After a median follow-up of 26 months (0-83), no recurrences were observed in the Low Risk group, compared to 8 recurrences in the High Risk group. Three-year relapse-free survival rate was 100% versus 68% (95% CI 19-87) in the Low- and High-risk groups, respectively (log rank, p=0.062). Patients were further stratified according to sentinel lymph node biopsy results. In pts with a Low Risk score, one positive sentinel node was detected. In the 36 pts with a high-risk score, 7 pts had a positive node, of which 5 had recurrent disease (3y RFS 28% [95% CI 0-62]). Conversely, only 3 recurrences were observed in the 29 high-risk pts with a negative SLNB (3y RFS-rate 89.7% [95% CI 62-100]). RFS of pts with a positive SLNB and Low Risk Merlin test was significantly lower as compared to all other groups (log rank, p&lt;0.001). In this cohort, Merlin assay could have achieved a theoretic SLNB reduction rate of 29% with a NPV of 93.3%. SLNB identified 5 out of 8 relapses whereas CP-GEP captured all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">The predictive value of the Merlin assay for sentinel node positivity was confirmed in our single center retrospective case series. Risk assessment based on the Merlin assay and sentinel node status allows for risk stratification that deserves further investigation regarding personalized risk adapted management of cN0M0 melanoma patients.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-12 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-9 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SSO-2025-Heiken.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"World Congress of Melanoma\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/World-Congress-of-Melanoma.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1623\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-13 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-14 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SSO-2025-Heiken.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Prospective multicenter evaluation of a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile test to predict sentinel node status in T1-T3 cN0 melanoma: updated MERLIN_001 trial<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-7\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p class=\"p1\">Heiken et al., 2025. World Congress of Melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-7 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1626\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-15 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SSO-2025-Heiken.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-7 read-abstract-1626\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-7\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Prospective multicenter evaluation of a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile test to predict sentinel node status in T1-T3 cN0 melanoma: updated MERLIN_001 trial<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p class=\"p1\"><b>Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Guidelines recommend sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for cN0 melanoma patients (pts) with a predicted risk of SLN metastasis \u226510% and considering SLNB for a 5-10% risk. A gene expression profile (GEP)-based test that accurately identifies pts with a low risk of SLN metastasis could refine pt selection for SLNB, but current guidelines advise against using GEP for SLN risk prediction absent prospective trial data. This blinded prospective study across nine US centers evaluated the performance of the CP-GEP test, combining clinicopathologic factors (age, Breslow thickness) with gene expression (GEP) of 8 genes for predicting SLN status in pT1-T3 cN0M0 cutaneous melanoma pts undergoing clinically indicated SLNB.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">GEP was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from the primary tumor diagnostic biopsy. CP-GEP test results were reported in binary fashion as Low or High Risk. The primary outcome measure was negative predictive value (NPV) in Low Risk pts. Preplanned analyses included NPV assessment by T substage and age.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Results<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">GEP was performed successfully in 97.4% of samples. 1,686 T1-T3 pts with a successful CP-GEP test underwent SLNB (17.6% SLN-positive [SLN+]); 37% were classified as Low Risk by CP-GEP. Among all pts classified as Low Risk, 7.1% were SLN+ for an NPV of 92.9% (95% CI 90.6-94.8%). High Risk classification carried a 23.8% SLN+ rate. Most T1b pts (66.6%) were Low Risk, with a SLN+ rate of 5.1% (95% CI 3.0-9.2%) whereas High Risk T1b patients had a SLN+ rate 17.3% (11.7-24.2%). Fewer T2a pts were Low Risk (37.6%), with a SLN+ rate of 7.9% (95% CI 4.8-12.1%). In the pre-specified clinical stage IB subgroup (T1b-T2a), the SLN+ rate in Low Risk patients was 6.4% (95% CI 4.5-8.7%) and 18.7% (15.6-22.2%) for High Risk patients (Table). Model performance was consistent across age subgroups, with the SLN+ rate in Low Risk patients being 0% (95% CI 0-13.7%) for age &lt;40 (n=145), 8.2% (95% CI 5.6-12.9%) for age 40-64 (n=744), and 6.2% (95% CI 3.9-9.4%) for age &gt;64 (n=797).<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">In the first prospective multicenter blinded trial of a GEP prediction tool for SLN status, the CP-GEP test reliably identified pts with a &lt;10% risk of SLN metastasis. For Stage IB patients the SLN+ rate was 3-fold greater for a High Risk vs Low Risk CP-GEP test. This approach has potential to more precisely estimate individual pt risk of harboring a SLN metastasis than by clinical stage alone, and thus inform shared surgeon-patient decision-making for SLNB.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-14 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-10 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tuebingen-930-eado2025.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"World Congress of Melanoma\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/World-Congress-of-Melanoma.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1623\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-15 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-16 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tuebingen-930-eado2025.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of 930 patients (pts) with stage I\/II melanoma who did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-8\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al., 2025. World Congress of Melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-8 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1625\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-17 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tuebingen-930-eado2025.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-8 read-abstract-1625\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-8\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-8\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of 930 patients (pts) with stage I\/II melanoma who did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p class=\"p1\"><b>Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the gold standard for nodal assessment in staging cutaneous melanoma (CM) according to AJCC v8 guideline. More than 80% of pts are negative for nodal metastasis, but most pts who relapse or die from melanoma are initially diagnosed as \u2018low risk\u2019 early-stage. Previously we showed that the clinicopathological-gene expression profiling (CP-GEP) model can stratify stage I-II pts and pts who did not undergo SLNB in low and high-risk of recurrence (Amaral et al., EJC, 2023). Here we investigate CP-GEP ability to stratify pts who did not undergo SLNB for their risk of recurrence in substantial cohort.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">We analysed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor samples of 930 pts with stage I\/II CM diagnosed between 2000-2017, included in the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry, who did not receive SLNB. Tumors were analysed blinded to clinical outcome. The CP-GEP model used combines the expression of 8 genes (SERPINE2, GDF15, ITGB3, CXCL8, LOXL4, TGFBR1, PLAT and MLANA) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with age and Breslow thickness to obtain a binary output: CP-GEP Low- or High-Risk. Relapse-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and Melanoma Specific Survival (MSS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Results<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">We included 930 pts (stage IA-IIC). 41% were females, median age was 64-year-old, median Breslow thickness was 0.5 mm, the majority were not ulcerated (94%). For all pts, the 5-year RFS was 90.9%; 5-year DMFS was 96.9 and 5-year MSS was 97.5%. Median follow-up time was 55 months (RFS). CP- GEP identified 879 pts as Low-Risk and 51 pts as High-Risk. The 5-year RFS rate was 94.6% for CP-GEP Low-Risk pts versus 26.6% for CP-GEP High-Risk patients (HR 25.08; p&lt;0.001). 5-year DMFS was 98.6% vs 62.1% (HR 35.39; p&lt;0.001) for CP-GEP Low-Risk and High-Risk pts, respectively. The 5-year MSS was 99.4% for Low-Risk and 61.7% for High-Risk pts (HR 71.05; p&lt;0.001), capturing 12 out of 16 melanoma specific deaths in the CP-GEP High-Risk group.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">This comprehensive study shows that CP-GEP has the potential to stratify pts with early-stage melanoma who did not undergo SLNB based on their risk of recurrence. Pts with CP-GEP Low-Risk have a good long-term survival while pts with CP-GEP High-Risk have a high risk of recurrence. CP-GEP may have the potential to stratify pts beyond SLNB.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-16 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-11 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zijlker-et-al.-The-clinicopathological-and-gene-expression-profile-CP-GEP-is-a-biomarker-for-outcome-in-patients-with-melanoma-who-are-eligible-for-sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"World Congress of Melanoma\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/World-Congress-of-Melanoma.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1623\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-17 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-18 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zijlker-et-al.-The-clinicopathological-and-gene-expression-profile-CP-GEP-is-a-biomarker-for-outcome-in-patients-with-melanoma-who-are-eligible-for-sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) is a biomarker for outcome in patients with melanoma eligible for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-9\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Zijlker et al., 2025. World Congress of Melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-9 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1624\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-19 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zijlker-et-al.-The-clinicopathological-and-gene-expression-profile-CP-GEP-is-a-biomarker-for-outcome-in-patients-with-melanoma-who-are-eligible-for-sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-9 read-abstract-1624\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-9\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) is a biomarker for outcome in patients with melanoma eligible for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p class=\"p1\"><b>Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Currently, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), is still considered the most appropriate, standard of care, tool to stage melanoma patients, who present with newly diagnosed stage IB-II melanomas. With the developments in systemic therapy, specifically the shift towards earlier stages of disease, the use of the minimally invasive, but nonetheless invasive, SLNB is once again being scrutinized. The aim of the current study was to validate the diagnostic accuracy of the clinicopathological-gene expression profile (CP-GEP) model on an independent cohort from the Netherlands Cancer Institute.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Methods<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Patients who presented with newly diagnosed clinical stage I\/II melanoma, who presented at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI; Amsterdam, the Netherlands), between 2007 and 2015, were eligible for this current study. Data were prospectively collected in an institutional database and were retrospectively analysed. Data cut-off for follow-up was January 2022. The CP-GEP included the RNA expression of eight target genes associated with tumor development (i.e. MLANA, GDF15, CXCL8, LOXL4, TGFBR1, ITGB3, PLAT and SERPINE2) and two housekeeping genes in combination with CP variables Breslow thickness and age.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Results<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">A total of 252 patient\u2019s samples and clinical data were submitted. In 9 patients, the CP-GEP was unable to be performed, in n=4 this was due to the lack of being able to identify the housekeeping genes (1.6%) and n=5 due to both a lack of housekeeping and target gene expression (2.0%). The final analysis was performed on the remaining 243 cases. Median age was 57 years old (IGR 46 \u2013 67), 51.4% was female. Breslow thickness was 1.8 mm (IQR 1.3-2.95) and 53 patients demonstrated involvement of the SLNB (21.8%). Over half of the patients were diagnosed with pT2 tumour of which 44.9% pT2a. Median follow-up was 83 months. CP-GEP identified 68 (28%) patients as CP-GEP Low Risk and 175 (72%) as High Risk. The sensitivity of CP-GEP was 92.5%, specificity was 33.7%, PPV was 28.0% and NPV was 94.1% for all comers (T1-T4). The CP-GEP had the best performance in T1 with a NPV 95.2% and SLNB reduction rate (RR) of 80.8%, and in the pT1b-pT2a melanomas with a NPV of 93.3% and a SLNB RR of 45.5%. In terms of long-term survival, the 5-year RFS of CP-GEP low-risk was 89.6% (95% CI: 79.5-94.9) vs. 76.8% (95% CI: 69.8-82.4) for CP-GEP high-risk patients.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">This CP-GEP model demonstrated good prognostic performance in an independent validation cohort, particularly for pT1b-pT2a melanoma patients and thus should be considered added value to current standard of care practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-15 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-18 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-12 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5-59-Using-CP-GEP-model-Merlin-Assay-to-stratify-melanoma-patients-on-long-term-survival-in-a-multi-continent-cohort-study-A-495-Utikal-et-al-new1-1.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"World Congress of Melanoma\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/World-Congress-of-Melanoma.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1623\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-19 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-20 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5-59-Using-CP-GEP-model-Merlin-Assay-to-stratify-melanoma-patients-on-long-term-survival-in-a-multi-continent-cohort-study-A-495-Utikal-et-al-new1-1.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using CP-GEP model (Merlin Assay) to stratify melanoma patients on long-term survival in a multi-continent cohort study<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-10\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Utikal et al., 2025. World Congress of Melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-10 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1622\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-21 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5-59-Using-CP-GEP-model-Merlin-Assay-to-stratify-melanoma-patients-on-long-term-survival-in-a-multi-continent-cohort-study-A-495-Utikal-et-al-new1-1.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-10 read-abstract-1622\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-10\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-10\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using CP-GEP model (Merlin Assay) to stratify melanoma patients on long-term survival in a multi-continent cohort study<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p class=\"p1\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an important tool for <span class=\"s1\">staging clinically node negative patients with cutaneous <\/span>melanoma (CM). Having a negative SLN indicates a favorable prognosis, however many of these early-stage CM patients will relapse or even die of melanoma. Risk stratification of these early-stage patients is warranted. Previously Eggermont (2020), Mulder (2022) and Amaral (2023) showed that the CP-GEP model (Merlin Assay) can risk stratify CM patients in terms of risk of recurrence and melanoma specific survival.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Aim: To validate CP-GEP\u2019s ability to risk stratify melanoma patients based on long-term survival in a three-continent study.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p2\">522 clinically node negative stage I-III CM patients that underwent SLNB during 2007-2017 at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Alfred Health (MRV, Victoria, Australia), Heidelberg University (Germany) or University of Louisville (USA).<\/li>\n<li class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">CP-GEP combines Breslow thickness and patient\u2019s age at <\/span>diagnosis with the expression of eight genes from the primary tumor and provides a binary output: High Risk or Low Risk.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p2\">Primary endpoints: 5-year Relapse-Free Survival (RFS), Distant Metastasis-Free Survival (DMFS), Melanoma-Specific Survival (MSS) and Overall Survival (OS). Median follow-up time was 72 months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">CP-GEP can risk stratify CM patients by their long-term survival across all clinical stages<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p2\">CP-GEP Low Risk patients have a favorable long-term survival, while CP-GEP High Risk patients have a high risk of recurrence<\/li>\n<li class=\"p2\">\u00a0CP-GEP may be used to support clinical decision-making in melanoma clinical care<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-16 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-20 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-13 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AMC2024-Poster-Using-a-clinicopathologic-and-gene-expression-model-to-predict-prognosis-in-stage-I-II-primary-cutaneous-melanoma-a-multicenter-Danish-cohort-study.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"AMC\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/AMC.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1513\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-21 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-22 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AMC2024-Poster-Using-a-clinicopathologic-and-gene-expression-model-to-predict-prognosis-in-stage-I-II-primary-cutaneous-melanoma-a-multicenter-Danish-cohort-study.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) model to predict prognosis in stage I-II melanoma<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-11\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p class=\"p1\">Weitemeyer et al., 2024. Australasian Melanoma Conference<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>October 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-11 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1629\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-23 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AMC2024-Poster-Using-a-clinicopathologic-and-gene-expression-model-to-predict-prognosis-in-stage-I-II-primary-cutaneous-melanoma-a-multicenter-Danish-cohort-study.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-11 read-abstract-1629\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-11\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-11\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) model to predict prognosis in stage I-II melanoma<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-17 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-22 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-14 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/SMR%202024%20Abstract%20MERLIN_001.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"SMR\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/SMR.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1457\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-23 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-24 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/SMR%202024%20Abstract%20MERLIN_001.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Prospective multicenter evaluation (MERLIN_001 trial) of a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile test to predict sentinel node status in T1-T3 cN0 melanoma<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-12\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Sondak et al., <em>SMR Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>October 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-12 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1550\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-25 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/SMR%202024%20Abstract%20MERLIN_001.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-12 read-abstract-1550\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-12\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-12\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Prospective multicenter evaluation (MERLIN_001 trial) of a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile test to predict sentinel node status in T1-T3 cN0 melanoma<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p><strong>Introduction:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Guidelines recommend staging melanoma patients (pts) with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for a predicted risk of SLN metastasis \u226510% and considering SLNB for 5-10% risk. A gene expression profile (GEP)-based test that accurately identifies pts with a low risk of SLN metastasis would help refine pt selection for SLNB, but current guidelines advise against using GEP for SLN risk prediction absent prospective trial data. This blinded prospective multicenter study evaluated the performance of a test combining clinicopathologic factors (age, Breslow thickness) with an 8-gene GEP (CP-GEP test) for predicting SLN status in pT1-T3 cN0M0 cutaneous melanoma pts undergoing clinically indicated SLN biopsy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Methods:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The CP-GEP was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from the primary tumor biopsy and results recorded in binary fashion as Low or High Risk. The primary endpoint was negative predictive value (NPV) in Low Risk pts. Preplanned analyses included NPV assessment by T substage and age.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Results:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The GEP was successfully performed in 97.4% of samples. 1,686 pts with a successful GEP underwent SLNB (17.6% SLN-positive); 37% were classified as Low Risk by CP-GEP. Among all pts classified as Low Risk, the SLN was positive in 7.1% for an NPV of 92.9% (95% CI 90.6-94.8%). High Risk pts were SLN positive in 23.8%. Most T1b pts (66.6%) were Low Risk, with an NPV of 94.9% (95% CI 91.8%-97.0%); fewer T2a pts were Low Risk (37.6%), with an NPV of 92.7% (95% CI 87.9-95.2%). Test performance was consistent across age subgroups.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the first prospective multicenter blinded trial of a GEP prediction tool for SLN status, the CP-GEP test reliably identified pts with &lt;10% risk of SLN metastasis, suggesting its potential to more precisely estimate individual pt risk of a SLN metastasis and inform shared decision-making for SLNB.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-18 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-24 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-15 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/T1a-SMR-final-v1.1.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"SMR\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/SMR.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1457\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-25 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-26 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/T1a-SMR-final-v1.1.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">CP-GEP Identifies T1a Melanoma Patients At Risk of Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-13\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>W. Yu et al. 2024.\u00a0<em>SMR Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>October 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-13 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1456\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-27 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/T1a-SMR-final-v1.1.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-13 read-abstract-1456\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-13\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-13\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">CP-GEP Identifies T1a Melanoma Patients At Risk of Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Introduction:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>In melanoma, accurate identification of T1a patients who should consider sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is important.<br \/>\nNCCN guidelines recommended consideration of SLNB for T1a melanoma patients with adverse features such as age &lt;40 years, lymphovascular invasion, and\/or \u22652 mitoses\/mm\u00b2.<\/li>\n<li>This study evaluates the clinical utility of the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP model that uses clinicopathologic and gene expression variables) in stratifying T1a melanoma patients for SLNB referral, including those without adverse features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 153 T1a melanoma patients from 11 centers diagnosed between 2007 and 2021 who underwent SLNB at the discretion of the treating surgeon.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP performance was assessed by comparing the SLN positivity rate (pre-test SLN+ rate) in the entire cohort to the post-test SLN+ rates for CP-GEP Low Risk and High Risk patients.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>For 153 T1a melanoma patients, the overall SLN positivity rate was 3.3%.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP identified 134 patients as Low Risk (88%) with a post-test SLN+ rate of 1.5%. In contrast, CP-GEP identified 19 patients as High Risk (12%) with a post-test SLN+ rate of 15.8%.<\/li>\n<li>In T1a melanoma patients, CP-GEP achieved an SLNB reduction rate of 87.6% at a NPV of 98.5%.<\/li>\n<li>In 49 patients with a least one adverse feature, CP-GEP identifies 37 Low Risk patients with a post-test SLN+ rate of 0% (Figure 1).<\/li>\n<li>In 104 patients without any adverse feature, CP-GEP identifies 7 High Risk patients with a post-test SLN+ rate of 14.3% (Figure 1).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Conclusions:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Merlin Assay may support in risk stratifying cutaneous melanoma patients with T1a tumors.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP can support referral of T1a for SLNB surgery independent of traditional adverse features.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP can identify patients with T1a melanoma who are at high risk of SLN metastases who otherwise would not be offered an SLNB based on lack of adverse features. On the other hand, CP-GEP may deselect thin melanoma patients with adverse features who are at low risk for nodal metastases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-19 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-26 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-16 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poster_EADV-1.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"EADV\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/EADV.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1515\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-27 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-28 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poster_EADV-1.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Impact of CP-GEP to improve selection of patients with melanoma who may forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy based on real world data<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-14\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Stassen et. al.,\u00a0EADV 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>September 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-14 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1514\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-29 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Poster_EADV-1.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-14 read-abstract-1514\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-14\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-14\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Impact of CP-GEP to improve selection of patients with melanoma who may forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy based on real world data<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-20 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-28 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-17 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Amaral%20EADO%202024.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-29 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-30 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Amaral%20EADO%202024.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse by Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of melanoma patients (pts) that did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy: a H&#038;N subgroup analysis.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-15\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al., 2024. ASCO conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-16 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>May 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-15 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1510\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-31 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Amaral%20EADO%202024.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-15 read-abstract-1510\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-15\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-15\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse by Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of melanoma patients (pts) that did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy: a H&#038;N subgroup analysis.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Introduction &amp; Objectives:<\/h3>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is still the gold standard for nodal assessment used in the clinical staging of cutaneous melanoma (CM) pts by AJCC v8. Recently, we showed in a small cohort that CP-GEP also has the potential to risk stratify pts who did not undergo SLNB in low and high-risk for recurrence (Amaral et al, EJC 2023). SLNB may be challenging in pts with head and neck (H&amp;N) melanoma, due to the regional course of cranial nerves and lymphatic drainage. Here we focus on the ability of CP-GEP to stratify pts with H&amp;N melanoma, who did not undergo SLNB, for their risk of recurrence.<\/p>\n<h3>Materials &amp; Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>We analyzed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor samples of 451 pts with stage I\/II CM diagnosed between 2000-2017, included in the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry, who did not receive SLNB. The CP-GEP model used combines the expression of 8 genes (SERPINE2, GDF15, ITGB3, CXCL8, LOXL4, TGFBR1, PLAT and MLANA) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with age and Breslow thickness to obtain a binary output: CP-GEP Low- or High-Risk. Relapse-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and Melanoma Specific Survival (MSS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves.<\/p>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<p>We included 451 pts (stage IA-IIC), 40% were females, median age was 63-year-old, median Breslow thickness was 0.5 mm and 20% (n=90) were diagnosed with H&amp;N melanoma. An interim analysis was performed on samples from 159 pts showing the following survival: 5-year RFS 85.8%, DMFS 94.1 and MSS 95.7%. Survival analysis for pts with H&amp;N melanoma is currently being conducted and will be presented at the time of the congress.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusions:<\/h3>\n<p>CP-GEP has the potential to risk stratify pts with early-stage melanoma that did not undergo SLNB based on their risk for long-term survival. Pts with CP-GEP Low-Risk have a good long- term survival compared to High-Risk pts even though SLN status was not assessed, and this seems to be true also for pts with H&amp;N melanoma. This may allow the clinicians to skip SLNB in this difficult anatomic localization.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-21 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-30 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-18 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/ASCO_2024_Amaral.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-31 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-32 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/ASCO_2024_Amaral.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of 432 patients with stage I\/II melanoma who did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-16\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al., American Society of Clinical Oncology<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-17 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>May 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-16 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1477\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-33 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/ASCO_2024_Amaral.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-16 read-abstract-1477\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-16\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-16\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of 432 patients with stage I\/II melanoma who did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background:<\/h3>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is<br \/>\nthe gold standard for nodal assessment in staging<br \/>\ncutaneous melanoma (CM) according to AJCC v8.<br \/>\n80-85% of patients (pts) do not have nodal metastasis,<br \/>\nbut most pts who relapse or die from melanoma are<br \/>\ninitially diagnosed as \u2018low risk\u2019 early-stage. We<br \/>\nshowed that the clinicopathological-gene expression<br \/>\nprofiling (CP-GEP) model can stratify pts with negative<br \/>\nSLNB for their risk of recurrence.<\/p>\n<h3>Aim:<\/h3>\n<p>To demonstrate the ability of CPGEP<br \/>\nto stratify pts who did not undergo<br \/>\nSLNB for their risk of recurrence in an<br \/>\nexpanded cohort.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded<br \/>\nprimary tumor samples of pts with CM diagnosed<br \/>\nbetween 2000-2020 who did not undergo SLNB<br \/>\nwere analyzed. The CP-GEP model used combines<br \/>\nthe expression of 8 genes (SERPINE2, GDF15,<br \/>\nITGB3, CXCL8, LOXL4, TGFBR1, PLAT and MLANA)<br \/>\nby qPCR with age and Breslow thickness to obtain<br \/>\na binary output: CP-GEP Low-Risk or High-Risk.<br \/>\nRelapse-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis free<br \/>\nsurvival (DMFS) and Melanoma Specific Survival<br \/>\n(MSS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves.<br \/>\nMedian follow-up time was 5 years.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-22 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-32 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-19 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/AMC2024%20CP-GEP%20Poster.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"AMC\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/AMC.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1513\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-33 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-34 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/AMC2024%20CP-GEP%20Poster.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Predictive Performance of the Clinicopathologic Gene Expression Profile (CP-GEP) in Identifying Cutaneous Melanoma Patients for Whom Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is Unnecessary: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-17\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>T. Wong et. al., 2024. AMC Congress<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-18 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>May 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-17 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1512\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-35 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/AMC2024%20CP-GEP%20Poster.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-17 read-abstract-1512\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-17\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-17\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Predictive Performance of the Clinicopathologic Gene Expression Profile (CP-GEP) in Identifying Cutaneous Melanoma Patients for Whom Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is Unnecessary: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background<\/h3>\n<p>\u2022 Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an invasive procedure used for accurate staging and optimal management<br \/>\n\u2022 SLNB is recommended for melanomas with Breslow thickness &gt; 1.0 mm and should be discussed for patients with thin melanomas<br \/>\n\u2022 Overall rate of positive SLNBs is relatively low, ranging from 15% to 20%<br \/>\n\u2022 CP-GEP model serves as a deselection tool by identifying patients that<br \/>\n\u2022 Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an invasive procedure used for accurate staging and optimal management<br \/>\n\u2022 SLNB is recommended for melanomas with Breslow thickness &gt; 1.0 mm and should be discussed for patients with thin melanomas<br \/>\n\u2022 Overall rate of positive SLNBs is relatively low, ranging from 15% to 20%<br \/>\n\u2022 CP-GEP model serves as a deselection tool by identifying patients that do not have nodal metastasis and can therefore forgo SLNB<\/p>\n<h3>Objectives<\/h3>\n<p>To summarise the findings of multiple external validation studies across various countries to assess the overall predictive performance of the CP-GEP model and examine potential heterogeneity between validation cohorts<\/p>\n<h3>Methods<\/h3>\n<p>\u2022 External validation studies assessing the CP-GEP model from 2020-2024<br \/>\n\u2022 True positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), false negative (FN) values were extracted from each study to measure the predictive utility of the model (sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) and SLNB reduction rate (RR)<br \/>\n\u2022 Pooled estimates were derived using a random-effects (RE) model<br \/>\n\u2022 Risk of bias: Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool<br \/>\n\u2022 SLNB reduction rate (RR) represents the proportion of patients that received a low-risk CP-GEP result and could therefore safely forgo SLNB<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>\u2022 The overall pooled sensitivity was 93% and NPV was 95% across all primary tumour classification groups<br \/>\n\u2022 Subgroup analysis (pT1 \u2013 pT4) revealed that the model performed best for pT2 melanomas<br \/>\n\u2022 Results for pT1 melanomas could not be reliably interpreted as substantial heterogeneity was observed<br \/>\n\u2022 pT3 and pT4 melanomas are unlikely to benefit from the model as they have high risk for nodal metastasis and would usually be recommended to undergo SLNB<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusions<\/h3>\n<p>\u2022 The CP-GEP model demonstrated the hallmarks of an effective deselection tool for SLNB, particularly in patients with pT2 melanomas<br \/>\n\u2022 Additional research into pT1 melanomas with greater sample sizes will be crucial in determining the true predictive utility of the model for this subgroup<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-23 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-34 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-20 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/H&#038;N%202024.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Annals of Surgical Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/Annals-of-Surgical-Oncology.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1589\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-35 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-36 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/H&#038;N%202024.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Enhanced Risk Stratification for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Head and Neck Melanoma Using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP)<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-18\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Pazhava et al., Annals of Surgical Oncology<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-19 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-18 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1551\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-37 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/H&#038;N%202024.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-18 read-abstract-1551\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-18\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-18\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Enhanced Risk Stratification for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Head and Neck Melanoma Using the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP)<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3 class=\"c-article__sub-heading\" data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background<\/h3>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for head and neck melanomas involves complex challenges due to intricate lymphatic networks and delicate anatomic structures. The Merlin Assay (CP-GEP), merging clinicopathologic data with gene expression profiling, offers a non-invasive method to identify patients who have a low risk for nodal metastasis, potentially sparing these low-risk patients from surgical procedures.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"c-article__sub-heading\" data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods<\/h3>\n<p>This study evaluated 250 clinically node-negative patients with stage I, II, or III melanoma from the Mayo Clinic and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center who had tumors in the head and neck region diagnosed between 2004 and 2021. All the patients underwent SLNB. The Merlin Assay, using the CP-GEP model, combines patient age at diagnosis, Breslow thickness, and gene expression of eight specific genes from the primary tumor to predict the risk of nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"c-article__sub-heading\" data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results<\/h3>\n<p>The SLNB positivity rate was 14% overall, and CP-GEP predicted a possible 40.8% reduction in SLNB procedures with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%. For 215 SLNB-negative patients (5-year recurrence-free survival [RFS] of 76.9%, distant metastasis-free survival [DMFS] of 84.3%, and melanoma-specific survival [MSS] of 90.6%), CP-GEP improved risk stratification by identifying 100 patients as low risk with 5-year RFS of 86.1%, DMFS of 92.7%, and MSS of 95.3%. Among 167 T1\u2013T2 patients, the SLNB positivity rate was 8.4%, and CP-GEP achieved an SLNB reduction rate of 56.3% with an NPV of 98.9%.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"c-article__sub-heading\" data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions<\/h3>\n<p>The Merlin Assay effectively categorizes head and neck melanoma patients by risk, enabling more accurate clinical decision-making regarding SLNB and follow-up evaluation, especially for early-stage melanoma patients.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-24 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-36 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-21 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"http:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Weitemeyer_EADO%202024_final.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-37 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-38 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Weitemeyer_EADO%202024_final.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict prognosis in stage I-II primary cutaneous melanoma: a multicenter Danish cohort study.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-19\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Weitemeyer et al., 2024. EADO conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-20 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-19 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1511\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-39 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Weitemeyer_EADO%202024_final.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-19 read-abstract-1511\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-19\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-19\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict prognosis in stage I-II primary cutaneous melanoma: a multicenter Danish cohort study.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-25 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-38 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-22 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Amaral%20EADO%202024.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-39 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-40 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Amaral%20EADO%202024.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse by Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of melanoma patients (pts) that did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy: a H&#038;N subgroup analysis.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-20\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al., European Association of Dermato-Oncology<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-21 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-20 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1549\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-41 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Amaral%20EADO%202024.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-20 read-abstract-1549\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-20\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of patients at high risk for relapse by Merlin Assay (CP-GEP) in an independent cohort of melanoma patients (pts) that did not undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy: a H&#038;N subgroup analysis.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p><strong>Introduction &amp; Objectives:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is still the gold standard for nodal assessment used in the clinical staging of cutaneous melanoma (CM) pts by AJCC v8. Recently, we showed in a small cohort that CP-GEP also has the potential to risk stratify pts who did not undergo SLNB in low and high-risk for recurrence (Amaral et al, EJC 2023). SLNB may be challenging in pts with head and neck (H&amp;N) melanoma, due to the regional course of cranial nerves and lymphatic drainage. Here we focus on the ability of CP-GEP to stratify pts with H&amp;N melanoma, who did not undergo SLNB, for their risk of recurrence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Materials &amp; Methods:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We analyzed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor samples of 451 pts with stage I\/II CM diagnosed between 2000-2017, included in the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry, who did not receive SLNB. The CP-GEP model used combines the expression of 8 genes (SERPINE2, GDF15, ITGB3, CXCL8, LOXL4, TGFBR1, PLAT and MLANA) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with age and Breslow thickness to obtain a binary output: CP-GEP Low- or High-Risk. Relapse-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and Melanoma Specific Survival (MSS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Results:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We included 451 pts (stage IA-IIC), 40% were females, median age was 63-year-old, median Breslow thickness was 0.5 mm and 20% (n=90) were diagnosed with H&amp;N melanoma. An interim analysis was performed on samples from 159 pts showing the following survival: 5-year RFS 85.8%, DMFS 94.1 and MSS 95.7%. Survival analysis for pts with H&amp;N melanoma is currently being conducted and will be presented at the time of the congress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>CP-GEP has the potential to risk stratify pts with early-stage melanoma that did not undergo SLNB based on their risk for long-term survival. Pts with CP-GEP Low-Risk have a good longterm survival compared to High-Risk pts even though SLN status was not assessed, and this seems to be true also for pts with H&amp;N melanoma. This may allow the clinicians to skip SLNB in this difficult anatomic localization.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-26 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-40 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-23 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"http:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20SSO2024%20Hieken.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"SSO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/SSO.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1509\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-41 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-42 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20SSO2024%20Hieken.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Head &#038; neck primary cutaneous melanoma patients stratified by CP-GEP (Merlin Assay): risk of nodal metastasis and long-term survival outcome.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-21\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Pittelkow et al., 2024. SSO conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-22 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-21 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1508\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-43 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20SSO2024%20Hieken.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-21 read-abstract-1508\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-21\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-21\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Head &#038; neck primary cutaneous melanoma patients stratified by CP-GEP (Merlin Assay): risk of nodal metastasis and long-term survival outcome.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Introduction<\/h3>\n<p>Primary cutaneous melanoma (CM) of the head and neck often yields false-negative results from sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB). Consequently, these melanomas exhibit higher recurrence rates than those on other body parts. In this study, we investigate the capability of CP-GEP to stratify patients&#8217; risk for nodal metastasis and evaluate their long-term survival outcomes.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods<\/h3>\n<p>Patients with primary CM of the head and neck who underwent SLNB between 2004 and 2021 at two US centers were included in this study. CP-GEP integrates Breslow thickness, the patient&#8217;s age at diagnosis, and the expression of eight genes from the primary CM tissue. The CP-GEP model produces a binary output: High Risk or<br \/>\nLow Risk.<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>Out of 250 head and neck CM patients included in the analysis, there was a 14.0% SLNB positivity rate. CP-GEP classified 147 patients (58.8%) as High Risk. These patients exhibited a higher SLNB positivity rate of 22.4% and accounted for 14 of the 19 melanoma-specific deaths (73.7%). Meanwhile, CP-GEP categorized 103 patients as Low Risk, leading to a 41.2% reduction in SLNB with a Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 98.1%. The five-year Melanoma-Specific Survival (MSS) rates were 82.4% for High Risk patients and 95.5% for Low Risk patients.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>CP-GEP has the potential to categorize primary CM patients of the head and neck based on their risk for nodal metastasis and long-term survival outcomes. Notably, CP-GEP can help identify patients with tumors in surgically challenging locations who potentially may avoid SLNB surgery, while more accurately pinpointing those truly at risk for melanoma-specific death.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-27 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-42 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-24 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstract%20AAD2024%20Hill%20and%20Yu.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"AAD\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"AAD\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/AAD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1047\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-43 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-44 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstract%20AAD2024%20Hill%20and%20Yu.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Primary cutaneous melanoma patients stratified by the Merlin assay (CP-GEP): risk of nodal metastasis and long-term survival outcome in a U.S. cohort.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-22\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Hill et al., 2024. AAD conference<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-23 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2024<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-22 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1507\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-45 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstract%20AAD2024%20Hill%20and%20Yu.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-22 read-abstract-1507\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-22\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Primary cutaneous melanoma patients stratified by the Merlin assay (CP-GEP): risk of nodal metastasis and long-term survival outcome in a U.S. cohort.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Introduction<\/h3>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is still the gold standard for nodal assessment, even though 80-85% of patients return negative for metastases. Also, most patients who relapse or die from melanoma are initially diagnosed as early-stage primary cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients. Here, we report the ability of CP-GEP to risk stratify patients for nodal metastasis and evaluate their long-term survival outcome.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods<\/h3>\n<p>Primary CM patients undergoing SLNB as part of usual care between 2007 and 2017 \u2013 University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. The Merlin assay that uses the CP-GEP model combines Breslow thickness and patients\u2019 age at diagnosis with the expression of eight genes from the primary CM tissue \u2013 binary output: High Risk or Low Risk.<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>176 patients were included for analysis with a 12.5% SLNB positivity rate. CP-GEP identified 66 patients as Low Risk \u2013 achieving an SLNB reduction rate of 37.5% at an NPV of 94%. For CP-GEP Low Risk patients, the five-years RFS, DMFS and MSS rates were 93.6%, 96.6% and 98% respectively. CP-GEP stratified 110 patients as High Risk (62.5%), having a higher SLNB positivity rate of 16.4% and capturing 21 out of 25 recurrences (84%). CP-GEP High Risk patients had five-years RFS, DMFS and MSS rates of 79.4%, 83.1% and 91.4% respectively.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>CP-GEP improves risk stratification for nodal metastasis and disease recurrence, thereby supporting clinical decision making and optimizing healthcare resources. Specifically, recurrence events may be more effectively captured by CP-GEP as compared to current standard of care.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-28 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-44 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-25 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstract%20SMR2023%20Yu%20and%20Egger.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"SMR\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/SMR.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1457\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-45 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-46 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstract%20SMR2023%20Yu%20and%20Egger.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Long-term follow-up of melanoma patient risk stratified by a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) model: a  -center United States cohort study.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-23\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>W. Yu et al. 2024.\u00a0<em>SMR Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-24 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>November 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-23 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1506\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-47 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstract%20SMR2023%20Yu%20and%20Egger.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-23 read-abstract-1506\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-23\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-23\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Long-term follow-up of melanoma patient risk stratified by a clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) model: a  -center United States cohort study.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Intro:<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP model (Merlin Assay) is able to identify cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients with a low risk of nodal metastasis undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Long-term follow-up (LTFU) for CM patients stratified by CP-GEP has been previously reported in multiple independent European cohorts to accurately stratify patients by their risk of recurrence. Here, we report the LTFU of patients classified as low and high Risk by CP-GEP in a combined US-based multi-center cohort.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>This is a retrospective study of CM patients undergoing SLNB as part of usual care at six centers. Using primary melanoma tissue, the CP-GEP model stratified patients as high or low risk of recurrence. The primary aim was to assess the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMSF), and melanoma specific-free survival (MSS) of CP-GEP high risk vs. low risk patients. Survival was assessed by Kaplan\u2013Meier curves, stratified on CP-GEP low risk vs. high risk.<\/p>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<p>A total of 594 CM patients (317 Stage I, 164 Stage II and 109 Stage III) were included. Median follow-up was 52 months. CP-GEP classified 198 (33.3%) patients as low risk and 396 (66.7%) as high risk. CP-GEP low risk patients had 5-yrs RFS, DMFS and MSS of 92.4%, 96.9%, and 98.2% respectively. CP-GEP high risk patients had 5-yrs RFS, DMFS and MSS of 72.2%, 82.9%, and 88%, respectively. CP-GEP identified 16 patients (14.9%) of the 107 patients with a positive SLNB and LTFU data as low risk and 91 patients (85.0%) as high risk. The 5-yrs RFS rate for low risk and high risk Stage III patients were 91.7% and 44.6%, respectively. Furthermore, CP-GEP is able to classify SLNB negative patients (476) into low risk (37.8%) and high risk (62.2%) groups with 5-yrs RFS of 92.5% and 81.1%, respectively. CP-GEP risk stratification was independent from clinical staging for RFS and DMFS by multivariable analyses.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion:<\/h3>\n<p>In this multi-center US-based retrospective study, the CP-GEP model was able to stratify patients by their risk of recurrence. CP-GEP low risk patients showed a highly favorable outcome versus CP-GEP high risk patients, who have a nearly five times higher risk of recurrence. Therefore, this molecular prognostic test can provide valuable information in personalized treatment and surveillance recommendations.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-29 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-46 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-26 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0748798323008879\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"EJSO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"EJSO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EJSO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1052\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-47 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-48 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0748798323008879\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Clinical evaluation of the clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) in patients with melanoma eligible for sentinel lymph node biopsy: a multicenter prospective Dutch study<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-24\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Stassen et al., European Journal of Surgical Oncology<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-25 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>August 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-24 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1544\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-49 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0748798323008879\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-24 read-abstract-1544\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-24\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Clinical evaluation of the clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) in patients with melanoma eligible for sentinel lymph node biopsy: a multicenter prospective Dutch study<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended for patients with &gt;pT1b cutaneous melanoma, and should be considered and discussed with patients diagnosed with pT1b cutaneous melanoma for the purpose of staging, prognostication and determining eligibility for adjuvant therapy. Previously, the clinicopathologic and gene expression profile (CP-GEP, Merlin Assay\u00ae) model was developed to identify patients who can forgo SLNB because of a low risk for sentinel node metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical use and implementation of the CP-GEP model in a prospective multicenter study in the Netherlands. Both test performance and feasibility for clinical implementation were assessed in 260 patients with T1-T4 melanoma. The CP-GEP model demonstrated an overall negative predictive value of 96.7% and positive predictive value of 23.7%, with a potential SLNB reduction rate of 42.2% in patients with T1-T3 melanoma. With a median time of 16 days from initiation to return of test results, there was sufficient time left before the SLNB was performed. Based on these outcomes, the model may support clinical decision-making to identify patients who can forgo SLNB in clinical practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-30 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-48 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-27 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-49 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-50 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma could reduce the rate of sentinel lymph node biopsies with >70%: a multicentre Danish cohort study<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-25\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Weitemeyer et al., EADO Conference<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-26 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>August 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-25 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1541\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-51 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-25 read-abstract-1541\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-25\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-25\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma could reduce the rate of sentinel lymph node biopsies with >70%: a multicentre Danish cohort study<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p><strong>Background:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is used to staging and guide subsequent management of melanoma. However, proper patient selection for SLNB is challenging; approx. 80% of all SLNB are negative, with even higher negative rates when looking only at thin melanoma (T1) which account for the vast majority of cases. The clinicopathological and gene expression profile model (CP-GEP) was developed to identify low risk melanoma patients who may safely forgo SLNB. The CP-GEP combines Breslow thickness and patient age with the expression of eight genes to classify patients as high or low-risk for nodal metastasis. This study presents data from an independent validation of the CP-GEP in a multicentre Danish cohort.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Material and Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary cutaneous melanoma tissue from 537 T1-T3 melanoma patients was collected and analysed with CP-GEP. The patients had undergone SLNB between 2010 and 2015 at either of two university clinics in Denmark. The CP-GEP result was compared with the SLNB result, calculating the diagnostic value of CP-GEP for SLNB metastasis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Results:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Median age at diagnosis was 58 years (IQR 44-70) and median Breslow thickness was 1.3 mm (IQR 0.95-1.82). The distribution of T1, T2 and T3 melanoma was 32.8%, 46.9% and 20.3%, respectively. The SLNB positivity rate was 18.1%. The CP-GEP model identified 219 (40.8%) patients as having a low risk for nodal metastasis with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 91.3%. When analysing the T1 subgroup (n=176) the CPGEP low risk rate was 72.7% with a NPV of 94.5%.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The CP-GEP identifies most patients at low risk for SN metastasis, especially in patients with T1 melanoma. Results are in line with previous retrospective validation studies on European and US cohorts. This study, however, contains the largest T1 subgroup validation with a potentially very high SLNB reduction rate.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-31 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-50 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-28 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-51 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-52 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma could reduce the rate of sentinel lymph node biopsies with >70%: a multicentre Danish cohort study<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-26\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p class=\"p1\">Weitemeyer et al., 2023. European Association of Dermato Oncology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-27 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-26 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1630\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-53 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-26 read-abstract-1630\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-26\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-26\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma could reduce the rate of sentinel lymph node biopsies with >70%: a multicentre Danish cohort study<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p class=\"p1\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard procedure for staging in primary cutaneous melanoma and is used to guide subsequent management. It is, however, an invasive procedure with associated risks and proper patient selection for SLNB remains a challenge; approx. 80% of all SLNB are negative, with even higher negative rates when looking only at thin melanoma (T1) which account for the vast majority of cases. The clinicopathological and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) model was developed to identify low risk melanoma patients who may safely forgo SLNB. The CP-GEP model combines Breslow thickness and patient age with the expression of eight genes to classify patients as high or low-risk for nodal metastasis. This study presents data from an independent validation of the CP-GEP model in a multicenter Danish cohort.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Materials and Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary melanoma tissue from 537 T1-T3 cutaneous melanoma patients was collected and analysed with CP-GEP in a prospectively designed study. The patients had undergone SLNB between 2010 and 2015 at either of two university clinics in Denmark. The CP-GEP result was compared with the SLNB result, calculating the diagnostic value of CP-GEP for SLNB metastasis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Median age at diagnosis was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 44-70) and median Breslow thickness was 1.3mm (IQR 0.95-1.82). The distribution of T1, T2 and T3 melanoma was 32.8%, 46.9% and 20.3%, respectively. The SLNB positivity rate was 18.1%. The CP-GEP model identified 219 (40.8%) patients as having a low risk for nodal metastasis with a NPV of 91.3%. When analysing the T1 subgroup (n=176) the CP-GEP low risk rate was 72.7% with an NPV of 94.5%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The CP-GEP model accurately identifies patients at low risk for SN metastasis, and especially in patients with T1 melanoma. Results are in line with previous retrospective validation studies on European and US cohorts, however, this study contain the largest T1 subgroup validation with a potential very high SLNB reduction rate found for this subgroup. The CP-GEP is a promising risk stratification tool for melanoma patients, potentially preventing unnecessary surgery in a large group of patients.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-32 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-52 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-29 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-53 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-54 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma could reduce the rate of sentinel lymph node biopsies with >70%: a multicentre Danish cohort study.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-27\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Weitemeyer et al., 2023. EADO Conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-28 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-27 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1483\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-55 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Abstracts%20EADO2023%20Marie.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-27 read-abstract-1483\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-27\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-27\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to predict sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma could reduce the rate of sentinel lymph node biopsies with >70%: a multicentre Danish cohort study.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background:<\/h3>\n<p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard procedure for staging in primary<br \/>\ncutaneous melanoma and is used to guide subsequent management. It is, however, an invasive<br \/>\nprocedure with associated risks and proper patient selection for SLNB remains a challenge;<br \/>\napprox. 80% of all SLNB are negative, with even higher negative rates when looking only at thin<br \/>\nmelanoma (T1) which account for the vast majority of cases. The clinicopathological and gene<br \/>\nexpression profile (CP-GEP) model was developed to identify low risk melanoma patients who<br \/>\nmay safely forgo SLNB. The CP-GEP model combines Breslow thickness and patient age with the<br \/>\nexpression of eight genes to classify patients as high or low-risk for nodal metastasis.<br \/>\nThis study presents data from an independent validation of the CP-GEP model in a multicenter<br \/>\nDanish cohort.<\/p>\n<h3>Materials and Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary melanoma tissue<br \/>\nfrom 537 T1-T3 cutaneous melanoma patients was collected and analysed with CP-GEP in a<br \/>\nprospectively designed study. The patients had undergone SLNB between 2010 and 2015 at<br \/>\neither of two university clinics in Denmark. The CP-GEP result was compared with the SLNB<br \/>\nresult, calculating the diagnostic value of CP-GEP for SLNB metastasis.<\/p>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<p>Median age at diagnosis was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 44-70) and median<br \/>\nBreslow thickness was 1.3mm (IQR 0.95-1.82). The distribution of T1, T2 and T3 melanoma was<br \/>\n32.8%, 46.9% and 20.3%, respectively. The SLNB positivity rate was 18.1%. The CP-GEP model<br \/>\nidentified 219 (40.8%) patients as having a low risk for nodal metastasis with a NPV of 91.3%.<br \/>\nWhen analysing the T1 subgroup (n=176) the CP-GEP low risk rate was 72.7% with an NPV of<br \/>\n94.5%.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion:<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP model accurately identifies patients at low risk for SN metastasis, and<br \/>\nespecially in patients with T1 melanoma. Results are in line with previous retrospective validation<br \/>\nstudies on European and US cohorts, however, this study contain the largest T1 subgroup<br \/>\nvalidation with a potential very high SLNB reduction rate found for this subgroup. The CP-GEP is<br \/>\na promising risk stratification tool for melanoma patients, potentially preventing unnecessary<br \/>\nsurgery in a large group of patients.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-33 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-54 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-30 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023_Hieken_AACR-poster_MERLIN_001-prospective-study-of-primary-melanoma-gene-signature-to-predict-SN-status-and-determine-value-for-accurate-staging-of-SN-melanoma-pts.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"AACR\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/AACR.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1540\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-55 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-56 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023_Hieken_AACR-poster_MERLIN_001-prospective-study-of-primary-melanoma-gene-signature-to-predict-SN-status-and-determine-value-for-accurate-staging-of-SN-melanoma-pts.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">MERLIN_001: A prospective registry study of a primary melanoma gene-signature to predict sentinel node (SN) status and determine its prognostic value for more accurate staging of SN-negative melanoma patients.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-28\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Hieken et al., AACR 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-29 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-28 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1539\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-57 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skylinedx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023_Hieken_AACR-poster_MERLIN_001-prospective-study-of-primary-melanoma-gene-signature-to-predict-SN-status-and-determine-value-for-accurate-staging-of-SN-melanoma-pts.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-28 read-abstract-1539\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-28\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-28\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">MERLIN_001: A prospective registry study of a primary melanoma gene-signature to predict sentinel node (SN) status and determine its prognostic value for more accurate staging of SN-negative melanoma patients.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Introduction:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>In melanoma, accurate identification of T1a patients who should consider sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is important.<br \/>\nNCCN guidelines recommended consideration of SLNB for T1a melanoma patients with adverse features such as age &lt;40 years, lymphovascular invasion, and\/or \u22652 mitoses\/mm\u00b2.<\/li>\n<li>This study evaluates the clinical utility of the Merlin Assay (CP-GEP model that uses clinicopathologic and gene expression variables) in stratifying T1a melanoma patients for SLNB referral, including those without adverse features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 153 T1a melanoma patients from 11 centers diagnosed between 2007 and 2021 who underwent SLNB at the discretion of the treating surgeon.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP performance was assessed by comparing the SLN positivity rate (pre-test SLN+ rate) in the entire cohort to the post-test SLN+ rates for CP-GEP Low Risk and High Risk patients.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>For 153 T1a melanoma patients, the overall SLN positivity rate was 3.3%.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP identified 134 patients as Low Risk (88%) with a post-test SLN+ rate of 1.5%. In contrast, CP-GEP identified 19 patients as High Risk (12%) with a post-test SLN+ rate of 15.8%.<\/li>\n<li>In T1a melanoma patients, CP-GEP achieved an SLNB reduction rate of 87.6% at a NPV of 98.5%.<\/li>\n<li>In 49 patients with a least one adverse feature, CP-GEP identifies 37 Low Risk patients with a post-test SLN+ rate of 0% (Figure 1).<\/li>\n<li>In 104 patients without any adverse feature, CP-GEP identifies 7 High Risk patients with a post-test SLN+ rate of 14.3% (Figure 1).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Conclusions:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Merlin Assay may support in risk stratifying cutaneous melanoma patients with T1a tumors.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP can support referral of T1a for SLNB surgery independent of traditional adverse features.<\/li>\n<li>CP-GEP can identify patients with T1a melanoma who are at high risk of SLN metastases who otherwise would not be offered an SLNB based on lack of adverse features. On the other hand, CP-GEP may deselect thin melanoma patients with adverse features who are at low risk for nodal metastases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-34 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-56 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-31 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0959804922018329\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"EJC1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/EJC1.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1520\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-57 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-58 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0959804922018329\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of stage I\/II melanoma patients at high risk for recurrence using a model combining clinicopathologic factors with gene expression profiling (CP-GEP).<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-29\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al. 2022. European Journal of Cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-30 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2023<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-29 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1517\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-59 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0959804922018329\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-29 read-abstract-1517\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-29\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-29\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of stage I\/II melanoma patients at high risk for recurrence using a model combining clinicopathologic factors with gene expression profiling (CP-GEP).<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><div id=\"abstracts\" data-extent=\"frontmatter\">\n<div class=\"core-container\">\n<section id=\"author-highlights-abstract\" role=\"doc-abstract\">\n<h2>Highlights<\/h2>\n<div id=\"abspara0030\" role=\"paragraph\">\n<div id=\"ulist0010\" role=\"list\">\n<div id=\"u0010\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"label\">\u2022 CP-GEP can identify patients with stage I\/II melanoma at high risk for recurrence.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"u0015\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"label\">\u2022 Five-year RFS rates were 77.8% for CP-GEP high risk and 93% for CP-GEP low risk.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"u0020\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"label\">\u2022 In stage I\/IIA (RFS rate 86%), CP-GEP identifies high-risk patients (five-year RFS 78%).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"u0025\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"label\">\u2022 CP-GEP also shows potential to replace SLNB in patients who did not undergo SLNB.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"author-abstract\" role=\"doc-abstract\">\n<h2>Abstract<\/h2>\n<section id=\"abssec0010\">\n<h3>Purpose<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0010\" role=\"paragraph\">Patients with cutaneous melanoma stage I\/IIA disease are currently not eligible for adjuvant therapy, despite their risk for relapses and death. This study validates the ability of a model combining clinicopathologic factors with gene expression profiling (CP-GEP) to identify patients at high risk for disease recurrence in stage I\/II and subgroup stage I\/IIA.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"abssec0015\">\n<h3>Patients and methods<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0015\" role=\"paragraph\">543 patients with stage I\/II primary cutaneous melanoma from the University of Tuebingen diagnosed between 2000 and 2017 were analysed. All patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Analysis was conducted for a separate group of 80 patients who did not undergo SLNB.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"abssec0020\">\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0020\" role=\"paragraph\">CP-GEP stratified 424 stage I\/IIA patients (78% of the cohort) according to their risk for recurrence, with five-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates of 77.8% and 93% for CP-GEP high risk (195 patients) and low risk (229 patients), respectively, and hazard ratio of 3.53 (p-value &lt;0.001). In patients who did not receive SLNB biopsy, CP-GEP captured 6 out of 7 relapses.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"abssec0025\">\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0025\" role=\"paragraph\">CP-GEP can be used to identify primary cutaneous melanoma patients with a high risk for disease recurrence \u2013 especially for stage I\/IIA, who are considered low risk by AJCC 8th. These patients may benefit from adjuvant therapy. Also, in the future, when SLNB may become irrelevant, CP-GEP may serve as a risk stratification tool.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-35 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-58 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-32 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.modernpathology.org\/article\/S0893-3952(22)00217-4\/fulltext\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Modern Pathology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Modern-Pathology.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1632\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-59 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-60 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernpathology.org\/article\/S0893-3952(22)00217-4\/fulltext\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Breslow thickness 2.0: Why gene expression profiling is a step toward better patient selection for sentinel lymph node biopsies<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-30\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p class=\"p1\">Sadurn\u00ed et al., Modern Pathology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-31 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>November 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-30 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1631\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-61 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernpathology.org\/article\/S0893-3952(22)00217-4\/fulltext\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-30 read-abstract-1631\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-30\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-30\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Breslow thickness 2.0: Why gene expression profiling is a step toward better patient selection for sentinel lymph node biopsies<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h2 class=\"title\">Abstract<\/h2>\n<div id=\"eng-abstract\" class=\"abstract-content selected\">\n<p>Risk-stratification of cutaneous melanoma is important. Patients want to know what to expect after diagnosis, and physicians need to decide on a treatment plan. Historically, melanoma that had spread beyond the skin and regional lymph nodes was largely incurable, and the only approach to preventing a bad outcome was surgery. Through the seminal work of Alexander Breslow and Donald Morton, a system was devised to carefully escalate surgery based on primary tumor thickness and sentinel lymph node status. Today, we know that prophylactic lymph node dissections do not improve survival, but we continue to appreciate the prognostic implications of a positive sentinel node and the benefits of removing nodal metastases, which facilitates locoregional disease control. However, the question arises whether we can better select patients for sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) as, currently, 85% of these procedures are negative and non-therapeutic. Here, we argue that gene expression profiling (GEP) of the diagnostic biopsy is a valuable step toward better patient selection when combined with reliable clinicopathologic (CP) information such as patient age and Breslow thickness. Recently, a CP-GEP-based classifier of nodal metastasis risk, the Merlin Assay, has become commercially available. While CP-GEP is still being validated in prospective studies, preliminary data suggest that it is an independent predictor of nodal metastasis, outperforming clinicopathological variables. The hunt is on for Breslow thickness 2.0.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-36 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-60 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-33 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.16515\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"International Journal of Dermatology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"International Journal of Dermatology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/IJOD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1054\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-61 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-62 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.16515\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Cost evaluation of the Merlin assay for predicting melanoma sentinel lymph node biopsy metastasis.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-31\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Thao et al. 2022.\u00a0<em>International Journal of Dermatology.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-32 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>November 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-31 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1074\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-63 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.16515\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-31 read-abstract-1074\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-31\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-31\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Cost evaluation of the Merlin assay for predicting melanoma sentinel lymph node biopsy metastasis.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><section id=\"ijd16515-sec-0001\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16515-sec-0001-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Background<\/h3>\n<p>The Merlin assay for melanoma-risk assessment has become commercially available to reduce the rate of unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) in SLNB-eligible patients with cutaneous melanoma. Merlin low-risk patients are recommended to undergo wide local excision (WLE) of the primary tumor, whereas Merlin high-risk patients are recommended to undergo both SLNB and WLE. Here, we compared the cost of a Merlin testing strategy to that of a no-testing strategy (usual care) before prescribing SLNB.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ijd16515-sec-0002\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16515-sec-0002-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Methods<\/h3>\n<p>We identified T1 and T2 patients who underwent WLE and SLNB but not completion lymph node dissection between 2007 and 2018. Controls were T1 patients who only underwent WLE. Costs for WLE and SLNB were calculated by converting institutional cost data to standardized Medicare reimbursement rates. We then developed a decision tree to compare the cost of Merlin testing to that of a no-testing strategy (usual care).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ijd16515-sec-0003\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16515-sec-0003-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Results<\/h3>\n<p>The average standardized cost of WLE was $2066, whereas the cost of WLE and SLNB was $11,976 based on Medicare rates. At a cost below $7350 for T1b melanoma and $4600 for T1b to T2 melanoma, Merlin testing was cost-saving compared to a no-testing strategy (usual care), assuming Medicare reimbursement rates.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ijd16515-sec-0004\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16515-sec-0004-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>Merlin testing for T1b and T2 melanoma is potentially cost saving depending on the cost of the molecular assay and SLNB reimbursement rates. In addition to being cost saving, Merlin is expected to improve health-related quality of life.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-37 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-62 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-34 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.16056\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"International Journal of Dermatology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"International Journal of Dermatology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/IJOD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1054\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-63 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-64 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.16056\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using the Merlin Assay for reducing sentinel lymph node biopsy complications in melanoma: a retrospective cohort study.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-32\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Hieken et al. 2022.\u00a0<em>International Journal of Dermatology.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-33 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>July 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-32 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-971\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-65 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.16056\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-32 read-abstract-971\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-32\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-32\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using the Merlin Assay for reducing sentinel lymph node biopsy complications in melanoma: a retrospective cohort study.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><section id=\"ijd16056-sec-0001\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16056-sec-0001-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Background<\/h3>\n<p>The assessment of the sentinel lymph node is a cornerstone of melanoma staging. However, ~80% of sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) are negative and nontherapeutic, and patients are unnecessarily exposed to surgery-related complications. Here, we gauged the potential of the Merlin assay to reduce SLNB-associated complications. The Merlin assay uses clinicopathologic variables and tumor gene expression profiling to identify low-risk patients who may forgo SLNB.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ijd16056-sec-0002\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16056-sec-0002-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Methods<\/h3>\n<p>We utilized the Merlin test development cohort to determine SLNB complication rates for procedures performed between 2004 and 2018 at Mayo Clinic. Complications evaluated were lymphedema, seroma, infection\/cellulitis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence. Patients who underwent a completion lymph node dissection were excluded.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ijd16056-sec-0003\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16056-sec-0003-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Results<\/h3>\n<p>A total of 558 patients were included. The overall 90-day complication rate specific to SLNB (1\u2009year for lymphedema) was 17.4%. The most common complications were seroma (9.3%), infection\/cellulitis (4.8%), and lymphedema (4.3%). All three were more common in patients with a lower extremity primary tumor location versus other locations. With Merlin test results applied, SLNB-related complications would have decreased by 59%.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ijd16056-sec-0004\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"ijd16056-sec-0004-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>SLNB is a safe procedure but carries a significant complication rate. Merlin testing might reduce the need for SLNB and its associated complications.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-38 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-64 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-35 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_9564_ASCO_Conference_2022.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-65 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-66 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_9564_ASCO_Conference_2022.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Prognostic significance of the CP-GEP assay combining clinicopathological factors and gene expression profiling in AJCC v8 stage I\/II cutaneous melanoma patients.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-33\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Amaral et al. 2022. ASCO Conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-34 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>June 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-33 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1505\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-67 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_9564_ASCO_Conference_2022.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-33 read-abstract-1505\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-33\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-33\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Prognostic significance of the CP-GEP assay combining clinicopathological factors and gene expression profiling in AJCC v8 stage I\/II cutaneous melanoma patients.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background:<\/h3>\n<p>AJCC v8 includes Breslow thickness and ulceration to subdivide stage I and II CM pts into risk groups. In light of the results from adjuvant therapy in stage II CM, it has been discussed that pts\u2019 follow-up and eventually treatment should consider additional markers, namely CP-GEP, to further refine the risk classification provided by the AJCC v8. The aim of this single center study was to clinically validate a prognostic CP-GEP-based risk score for stage I\/II CMs combining Breslow, age and the expression of 8 genes SERPINE2, GDF15, ITGB3, CXCL8, LOXL4, TGFBR1, PLAT and MLANA.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>All obtainable formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primaries of stage I\/II CMs with negative sentinel lymph node (SLN) from the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry of Germany diagnosed between 2000-2017 and archived in Tuebingen were included. Study hypothesis and protocol were prospectively formulated. Tumors were analyzed blinded to clinical outcome. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of the 8 genes was performed and combined with age and tumor thickness to define CP-GEP low- vs. high-score groups. Relapse-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves. CP-GEP score performance was tested using multivariate Cox regression adjusted for tumor thickness, ulceration and age.<\/p>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<p>We included 543 pts with Stage IA (n=78); IB (n=223); IIA (n= 123); IIB (n=73); IIC (n=46). 43% were females, median Breslow was 1.7mm and 25% of tumors had ulceration. The median follow-up was 78 months (IQR 47-116). 311 (57%) patients had a high-risk CP-GEP score. The 5-y RFS rate was 71% and 92% (HR 4.2; p&lt;0.001), the 5-y DMFS rate was 86% and 96% (HR 4.35; p&lt;0.001) and the 5-y OS was 85% and 95% (HR 3.2; p=0.001), respectively for high and low-risk CP-GEP score. In multivariate Cox regression analysis for RFS including Breslow thickness, ulceration and age, contribution of CP-GEP score remained independently significant (HR 2.75; p=0.0008) compared to age (HR 1.03; p&lt;0.0007), Breslow (HR 1.21; p&lt;0.0001) and ulceration (HR 1.37; p=0.1694).<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusions:<\/h3>\n<p>CP-GEP risk score is a non-invasive and independent prognostic model for risk of relapse in stage I\/II melanoma validated in this study. It identifies SLN negative pts at high risk of relapse and should be considered for complementing AJCC classification and for inclusion in future clinical trials.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-39 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-66 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-36 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1200\/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.9571?af=R\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-67 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-68 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1200\/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.9571?af=R\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Use of Merlin Assay to identify patients with a low-risk for SN metastasis in a prospective multicenter Dutch study of a primary melanoma gene-signature (CP-GEP model) to predict sentinel node status during COVID-19.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-34\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Stassen et al. 2022.<em>\u00a0ASCO Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-35 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>June 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-34 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1001\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-69 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1200\/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.9571?af=R\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-34 read-abstract-1001\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-34\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-34\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Use of Merlin Assay to identify patients with a low-risk for SN metastasis in a prospective multicenter Dutch study of a primary melanoma gene-signature (CP-GEP model) to predict sentinel node status during COVID-19.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background:<\/h3>\n<p>Approximately 70%-85% of patients who undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNb) show no nodal metastasis in the sentinel node (SN). The clinicopathological and gene expression profile (CP-GEP) model (<i>Merlin Assay<\/i>) was developed and validated to identify patients that may forgo the SLNb surgery due to their low risk for for nodal metastasis This study was initiated during the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic to allow for surgical triage on SLNb and evaluate the implementation of the Merlin assay in clinical practice.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>This study was conducted in four designated melanoma centers in the Netherlands. Patients (age &gt; 18y) with newly diagnosed melanoma of the skin, eligible to undergo SLNb were screened for study inclusion. Main exclusion criteria was prior history of primary melanoma ( &gt; T1b) in the past 5 years. After enrollment, tissue sections of the primary melanoma were centrally reviewed at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute to determine Breslow thickness at primary diagnosis. FFPE tumor tissue was dispatched for molecular analysis of eight target genes known to play a role in cancer development. In combination with age, Breslow thickness, and GEP outcome, risk of having nodal metastasis was calculated. Results were binary presented as &#8216;CP-GEP low risk&#8217; and &#8216;CP-GEP high risk&#8217;. SLNb status was used as gold standard for comparison.<\/p>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<p>A total of 177 patients were analyzed using the CP-GEP model. Median age was 64 years (IQR 52-73) Median Breslow thickness was 1.4mm (IQR 1.0-2.4). Of all patients 28.2% was diagnosed with T1, 40.7% with T2 and 20.9% with T3 melanoma. Corresponding positivity rate was 7%, 14% and 29% respectively. A total of 24 out of 177 patients had a positive SLNb. Median turn-around time from inclusion to CP-GEP result was 15 days. Overall 37.1.% of patients had a CP-GEP low risk profile. The CP-GEP model had a NPV of 94.6%.\u00a0<b>Conclusions:<\/b>\u00a0This is the first prospective multicenter implementation study for the Merlin assay. Results are in line with previous validation studies. The CP-GEP model could accurately identify patients at low risk for SN metastasis. Implementation in clinical practice is feasible based on current turn-around time. In the future, using the Merlin assay to deselect patients for SLNB may allow for a reduction of surgery in patients with melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-40 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-68 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-37 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1200\/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.TPS9606?af=R\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-69 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-70 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1200\/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.TPS9606?af=R\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">MERLIN_001: A prospective registry study of a primary melanoma gene signature to predict sentinel node (SN) status and determine its prognostic value for more accurate staging of SN-negative melanoma patients.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-35\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Hieken et al. 2022.<em>\u00a0ASCO Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-36 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>June 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-35 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-999\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-71 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/abs\/10.1200\/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.TPS9606?af=R\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-35 read-abstract-999\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-35\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-35\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">MERLIN_001: A prospective registry study of a primary melanoma gene signature to predict sentinel node (SN) status and determine its prognostic value for more accurate staging of SN-negative melanoma patients.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background:<\/h3>\n<p>For patients with cutaneous melanoma, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) provides important staging and prognostic information that guides surveillance and adjuvant systemic therapy decisions. At most centers, SLNB is indicated for patients with cutaneous melanoma with at least a 5% risk of having nodal metastases, typically melanomas \u2265 0.8 mm in thickness or thinner lesions with high-risk features such as elevated mitotic rate and\/or ulceration. SLNB, generally involving a separate incision, does carry a small but measurable risk of complications including seroma, infection and rarely lymphedema, and most patients have negative sentinel lymph nodes. Currently, there is an unmet clinical need to identify patients who may safely forgo SLNB due to a low (&lt;5%) risk of nodal metastasis, who otherwise meet established criteria for SLNB. Previously, a model consisting of gene expression profile (GEP) of the primary tumor combined with clinicopathological features (CP) has been developed to identify melanoma patients with a low risk of having a positive SLNB. The model has also been validated in multiple retrospective studies. The aim of the MERLIN_001 registry study is to prospectively validate the CP-GEP model in an independent multicenter cohort of primary cutaneous melanoma patients who undergo SLNB for standard indications.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>In the next two years, a total of 10 centers across the US will enroll 2,340 patients with clinically node-negative cutaneous melanoma undergoing SLNB using current guideline indications and will follow these patients for 5 years (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04759781). Enrollment of patients started in September 2021 and 242 patients have been enrolled as of February 1, 2022. FFPE material from the initial melanoma biopsy will be used to assess the GEP of the primary melanoma. The CP-GEP probability scores will be expressed as a binary classification (Low Risk or High Risk for nodal metastasis) and will be compared to SLN pathology. Performance metrics for CP-GEP will be evaluated and will include: Negative Predictive Value, Positive Predictive Value, Sensitivity and Specificity, and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Risk for nodal metastasis will be calculated for Low Risk and High Risk CP-GEP patients. Finally, the performance of CP-GEP to stratify patients according to risk of recurrence (local, regional, distant, death) will also be studied, since data will be collected for up to 5 yrs.\u00a0<a class=\"ext-link\" href=\"http:\/\/clinicaltrials.gov\/show\/NCT04759781\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clinical trial information: NCT04759781.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-41 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-70 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-38 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35740520\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"cancers\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/cancers.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1522\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-71 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-72 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35740520\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression (CP-GEP) model to identify stage I-II melanoma patients at risk of disease relapse.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-36\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Mulder et al. 2022.\u00a0Cancers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-37 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>June 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-36 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1521\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-73 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35740520\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-36 read-abstract-1521\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-36\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression (CP-GEP) model to identify stage I-II melanoma patients at risk of disease relapse.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-42 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-72 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-39 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_EADO_Conference_2022.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-73 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-74 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_EADO_Conference_2022.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Use of CP-GEP to identify primary cutaneous melanoma patients with low risk for SN metastasis in a prospective multicenter Dutch study during COVID-19.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-37\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Stassen et al. 2022.<em>\u00a0EADO Conference.<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-38 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-37 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1002\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-75 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_EADO_Conference_2022.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-37 read-abstract-1002\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-37\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-37\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Use of CP-GEP to identify primary cutaneous melanoma patients with low risk for SN metastasis in a prospective multicenter Dutch study during COVID-19.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Introduction<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Approximately 70%-85% of patients who undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) show no nodal metastasis in the sentinel node (SN). CP-GEP, a model that combines clinicopathologic and gene expression variables from the primary tumor was developed and validated to identify patients that may forgo the SLNB surgery due to their low risk for SN-metastasis. This study was initiated during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic to allow for surgical triage on SLNB and evaluate the implementation of the CP-GEP model in clinical practice.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Methods<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This study was conducted in four designated melanoma centers in the Netherlands. Patients (age&gt;18y) with newly diagnosed melanoma of the skin, eligible to undergo SLNB were screened for study inclusion. Main exclusion criteria was prior history of primary melanoma (&gt;T1b) in the past 5 years. After enrollment, tissue sections of the primary melanoma were evaluated to determine Breslow thickness at primary diagnosis. FFPE tumor tissue was dispatched for molecular analysis of eight target genes known to play a role in cancer development. In combination with age, Breslow thickness, and GEP outcome, risk of having SN-metastasis was calculated. Results were binary presented as &#8216;CP-GEP Low Risk&#8217; and &#8216;CP-GEP High Risk&#8217;. SLNB status was used as gold standard for comparison.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Results<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A total of 177 patients were analyzed using the CP-GEP model. Median age was 64 years (IQR 52-73) Median Breslow thickness was 1.4mm (IQR 1.0-2.4). Of all patients 28.2% was diagnosed with T1, 40.7% with T2 and 20.9% with T3 melanoma. Corresponding positivity rate was 7%, 14% and 29% respectively. A total of 24 out of 177 patients had a positive SLNB (13.6%). Median turn-around time from inclusion to CP-GEP result was 15 days. Overall 37.1.% of patients had a CP-GEP Low Risk outcome. The CP-GEP model had a NPV of 94.6%.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the first prospective multicenter implementation study for the CP-GEP model. Results are in line with previous validation studies. The CP-GEP model could accurately identify patients at low risk for SN metastasis. Implementation in clinical practice is feasible based on current turn-around time. In the future, using the CP-GEP model to deselect patients for SLNB may allow for a reduction of surgery in patients with melanoma.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-43 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-74 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-40 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/jnccn.org\/view\/journals\/jnccn\/20\/3.5\/article-pQIM22-194.xml\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"JNCCN\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/JNCCN.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1538\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-75 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-76 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jnccn.org\/view\/journals\/jnccn\/20\/3.5\/article-pQIM22-194.xml\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using the Merlin assay for reducing sentinel lymph node biopsy complications in melanoma: a retrospective cohort study<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-38\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Hieken et al., <em>NCCN 2022<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-39 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-38 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1537\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-77 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jnccn.org\/view\/journals\/jnccn\/20\/3.5\/article-pQIM22-194.xml\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-38 read-abstract-1537\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-38\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-38\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using the Merlin assay for reducing sentinel lymph node biopsy complications in melanoma: a retrospective cohort study<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><p><strong>Background<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>The value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery for patients with clinically node-negative T1b through T3 cutaneous melanomas is well-established. However, further precision in selecting patients for SLN surgery would be desirable as \u223c80% of these patients have a negative SLN and might be spared complications potentially attributable to the addition of SLN surgery to wide local excision.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objective<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>The Merlin assay uses clinicopathologic variables and tumor gene expression profiling to identify low-risk patients who might avoid SLN surgery. Our aim was to assess the potential impact of this approach to patient triage on reducing postoperative complications.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Methods<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>We utilized the Merlin test development cohort to determine complication rates for SLN procedures performed between 2004 and 2018 across Mayo Clinic tertiary care sites. Complications evaluated were lymphedema, seroma, infection\/cellulitis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence. Patients who proceeded to completion lymph node dissection were excluded.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>558 patients, median age 64.2 years, were included. The anatomic site of the primary tumor was head\/neck in 144 (25.8%), trunk in 179 (32.1%), upper extremity in 147 (26.3%), lower extremity in 88 (15.8%). The overall 90-day complication rate attributed to SLN surgery was 17.4%. The most common complications were seroma (9.3%), infection\/cellulitis (4.8%), and lymphedema (4.3% at one year). Complications were more common in patients with a lower extremity primary tumor location versus other locations. 51% of melanomas had a low-risk Merlin test result; SLNb reduction rates were similar in patients with and without surgery-related complications. Avoiding SLNb by Merlin testing lowers complication rates to a similar extent for all registered complications, specifically seroma by 68.8% and lymphedema by 58.1%. Moreover, post-procedure emergency department visits were reduced by 100%. Limitations: Retrospective data collection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>SLN surgery is a safe procedure but carries a significant complication rate. Merlin testing might decrease the need for SLN surgery and the number of its associated complications.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-44 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-76 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-41 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_AAD_Conference_2022.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"AAD\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"AAD\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/AAD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1047\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-77 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-78 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_AAD_Conference_2022.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Cutaneous melanoma patients with minimal SN tumor burden: CP-GEP (Merlin Assay) may guide decision-making beyond nodal assessment.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-39\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Tjien-Fooh et al. 2022.<em>\u00a0AAD Conference.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-40 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-39 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1003\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-79 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_AAD_Conference_2022.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-39 read-abstract-1003\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-39\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-39\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Cutaneous melanoma patients with minimal SN tumor burden: CP-GEP (Merlin Assay) may guide decision-making beyond nodal assessment.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Abstract<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Nodal pathological assessment via sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is important for primary cutaneous melanoma risk-stratification. The prognosis of patients with minimal sentinel node (SN) tumor burden &#8211; defined by the Rotterdam Criteria as a tumor burden of 0.1 mm or less &#8211; can be diverse. Therefore, optimal treatment of patients with minimal SN tumor burden is subject of an ongoing debate. CP-GEP assesses the risk of SLNB metastasis at diagnosis. Specifically, CP-GEP considers patient age at diagnosis, Breslow thickness and expression of eight genes in the primary tumor. Combination of these variables results in either of two risk labels: CP-GEP Low Risk or High Risk. Previously, we also investigated prognostic performance of CP-GEP in four independent cohorts from the US, the Netherlands, and Sweden totaling 1684 patients, 79 of whom had minimal SN tumor burden. The proportion of patients with minimal SN tumor burden was comparable between cohorts, 3-5%. We found that patients with minimal SN tumor burden from Sweden had a relapse risk comparable to SLNB positive patients, whereas Dutch and American patients had a relapse risk comparable to SLNB negative patients. We speculate that this discrepancy is caused by differences in histopathologic workup of SN. Of the 79 patients with minimal SN tumor burden, we observed recurrences in 2\/17 (11.8%) CP-GEP Low Risk patients versus 19\/62 (30.6%) recurrences in CP-GEP High Risk patients at a median follow-up time of 5.6 years. Further analysis of CP-GEP in larger cohorts is required to confirm observed trends.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-45 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-78 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-42 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ejso.com\/article\/S0748-7983(21)00814-3\/fulltext\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"EJSO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"EJSO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EJSO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1052\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-79 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-80 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ejso.com\/article\/S0748-7983(21)00814-3\/fulltext\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Validation of a clinicopathological and gene expression profile model to identify patients with cutaneous melanoma where sentinel lymph node biopsy is unnecessary.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-40\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Johansson et al. 2021. European Journal of Surgical Oncology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-41 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>February 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-40 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1005\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-81 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ejso.com\/article\/S0748-7983(21)00814-3\/fulltext\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-40 read-abstract-1005\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-40\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-40\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Validation of a clinicopathological and gene expression profile model to identify patients with cutaneous melanoma where sentinel lymph node biopsy is unnecessary.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><div id=\"abssec0010\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0015\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Background<\/h3>\n<p id=\"abspara0010\">In patients with\u00a0<a class=\"topic-link\" title=\"Learn more about cutaneous melanoma from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/cutaneous-melanoma\">cutaneous melanoma<\/a>,\u00a0<a class=\"topic-link\" title=\"Learn more about sentinel lymph node biopsy from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy\">sentinel lymph node biopsy<\/a>\u00a0(SLNB) serves as an important technique to asses disease stage and to guide adjuvant systemic therapy. A model using clinicopathologic and gene expression variables (CP-GEP;\u00a0<a class=\"topic-link\" title=\"Learn more about Merlin from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/merlin\">Merlin<\/a>\u00a0Assay) has recently been introduced to identify patients that may safely forgo SLNB. Herein we present data from an independent validation cohort of the CP-GEP model in Swedish patients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"abssec0015\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0020\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Methods<\/h3>\n<p id=\"abspara0015\">Archival histological material (primary\u00a0<a class=\"topic-link\" title=\"Learn more about melanoma from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/nodular-melanoma\">melanoma<\/a>\u00a0tissue) from a prospectively collected cohort of 421 consecutive patients with pT1-T4 melanoma undergoing SLNB between 2006 and 2014 was analyzed using the CP-GEP model. CP-GEP combines Breslow thickness and patient age with the expression levels of eight genes from the primary melanoma. Stratification is based on their risk for nodal\u00a0<a class=\"topic-link\" title=\"Learn more about metastasis from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/metastatic-carcinoma\">metastasis<\/a>: CP-GEP Low Risk or CP-GEP High Risk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"abssec0020\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0025\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Results<\/h3>\n<p id=\"abspara0020\">The SLNB positivity rate was 13%. Of 421 primary melanomas, the CP-GEP model identified 86 patients as having a low risk for nodal metastasis. In patients with pT1-2 melanomas, the SLNB reduction rate was 35.4% (95% CI: 29.4\u201341.8) with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.5% (95% CI: 90.0\u201399.3). Among patients with pT1-3 melanomas, CP-GEP suggested a SLNB reduction rate of 24.0% (95% CI: 19.7\u201328.8) and a NPV of 96.5% (95% CI: 90.1\u201399.3). Only one of 118 pT3 tumors was classified as CP-GEP Low Risk, and all pT4 tumors were classified as being high risk for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"abssec0025\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0030\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p id=\"abspara0025\">This study demonstrates that CP-GEP can identify patients with a low risk for nodal metastasis. Patients with pT1-2 melanomas have the highest clinical benefit from using the test, where 35% of the patients could forgo a SLNB procedure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-46 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-80 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-43 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8251603\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"International Journal of Dermatology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"International Journal of Dermatology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/IJOD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1054\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-81 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-82 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8251603\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Validation of CP-GEP (Merlin Assay) for predicting sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma patients: a U.S. cohort study.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-41\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Yousaf &amp; Tjien-Fooh et al., 2021. International Journal of Dermatology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-42 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>July 2021<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-41 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1009\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-83 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8251603\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-41 read-abstract-1009\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-41\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-41\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Validation of CP-GEP (Merlin Assay) for predicting sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma patients: a U.S. cohort study.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background<\/h3>\n<p>Approximately 85% of melanoma patients who undergo a sentinel lymph\u00a0node biopsy (SLNB) are node-negative. Melanoma incidence is highest in patients\u00a0\u226565 years, but their SLNB positivity rate is lower than in younger patients. CP-GEP, a\u00a0model combining clinicopathologic and gene expression variables, identifies primary\u00a0cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients who may safely forgo SLNB due to their low risk for\u00a0nodal metastasis. Here, we validate CP-GEP in a U.S. melanoma patient cohort.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods<\/h3>\n<p>A cohort of 208 adult patients with primary CM from the Mayo Clinic and West\u00a0Virginia University was used. Patients were stratified according to their risk for nodal\u00a0metastasis: CP-GEP High Risk and CP-GEP Low Risk. The main performance measures\u00a0were SLNB reduction rate (RR) and negative predictive value (NPV).<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>SLNB positivity rate for the entire cohort was 21%. Most patients had a T1b (34%)\u00a0or T2a (31%) melanoma. In the T1-T2 group (153 patients), CP-GEP achieved an SLNB<\/p>\n<p>RR of 41.8% (95% CI: 33.9-50.1) at an NPV of 93.8% (95% CI: 84.8-98.3). Subgroup\u00a0analysis showed similar performance in T1-T2 patients \u226565 years of age (51 patients;<\/p>\n<p>SLNB positivity rate, 9.8%): SLNB RR of 43.1% (95% CI: 29.3-57.8) at an NPV of 95.5%\u00a0(95% CI: 77.2-99.9).<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>We confirmed the potential of CP-GEP to reduce negative SLNB in all\u00a0relevant age groups. Our findings are especially relevant to patients \u226565 years, where\u00a0surgery is often elective. CP-GEP may guide SLNB decision-making in clinical practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-47 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-82 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-44 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P101_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-83 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-84 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P101_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Independent validation study of CP-GEP model (Merlin Assay) to identify patients who can safely forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-42\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Johansson et al. 2021. <em>EADO Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-43 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2021<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-42 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1008\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-85 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P101_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-42 read-abstract-1008\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-42\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-42\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Independent validation study of CP-GEP model (Merlin Assay) to identify patients who can safely forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background<\/h3>\n<p>For patients with primary cutaneous melanoma,\u00a0sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an important\u00a0technique to assess disease stage and to guide\u00a0adjuvant systemic therapy1. Around 80-85% of all\u00a0SLNB procedures do not detect nodal metastasis.\u00a0A model using clinicopathologic and gene expression\u00a0variables (CP-GEP; Merlin Assay) has been introduced\u00a0to identify patients that may safely forgo SLNB2 due to\u00a0their low risk for nodal metastasis. CP-GEP combines\u00a0Breslow thickness and patient age with the expression\u00a0of eight genes to classify patients as High Risk or Low\u00a0Risk for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<h3>Purpose<\/h3>\n<p>The aim was to independently validate the Merlin\u00a0Assay in a population-based retrospective cohort.<\/p>\n<h3>Method<\/h3>\n<p>421 FFPE primary melanomas were analyzed for CPGEP\u00a0which classified patients into Low risk and High\u00a0risk for nodal metastasis. CP-GEP risk labels were\u00a0compared to the known SLNB status.<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>The median age was 60 years and 49% of the patients\u00a0were females. Of the 421 patients, 335 patients (80%)\u00a0were classified as CP-GEP High Risk and 86 (20%) as\u00a0CP-GEP Low Risk for nodal metastasis. The overall\u00a0SLNB positivity was 13%. Of the 86 CP-GEP Low Risk\u00a0patients, CP-GEP could correctly identify 83 (96.5%)\u00a0patients who were SLNB negative. For patients with T1-T2 tumors, the negative predictive value (NPV) was\u00a096.5% and the SLNB reduction rate was 35.4%. For\u00a0patients with T1-T3 tumors, the NPV was 96.5% and the\u00a0SLNB reduction rate was 24.0%. All T4 tumors were\u00a0classified as CP-GEP High Risk for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP model has been independently\u00a0validated in a European retrospective patient cohort,\u00a0and can be used to identify patients who may safely\u00a0forgo SLNB procedure due to their low risk for nodal\u00a0metastasis.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-48 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-84 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-45 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P108_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-85 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-86 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P108_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using the clinicopathologic and gene expression (CP-GEP) model to predict sentinel node status in patients with primary melanoma: a prospective cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-43\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Mulder et al. 2021. EADO Conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-44 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2021<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-43 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1007\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-87 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P108_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-43 read-abstract-1007\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-43\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-43\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using the clinicopathologic and gene expression (CP-GEP) model to predict sentinel node status in patients with primary melanoma: a prospective cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background<\/h3>\n<p>In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding unnecessary interventions and keeping patients out of the\u00a0hospital becomes increasingly important. The CP-GEP model (Merlin Assay) has been developed and validated to identify\u00a0patients with primary melanoma (pT1 b-pT3) that can safely forgo the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) due to their low risk\u00a0for nodal metastasis. During the current pandemic, a prospective trial was conducted to assess the accuracy of using the CPGEP\u00a0model to identify patients that have a low risk for nodal metastasis and therefore could forgo the SLNB.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods<\/h3>\n<p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, from July 2020 to February 2021, all newly diagnosed cutaneous melanoma\u00a0(pT1 b-pT3) patients elected to undergo SLNB at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute were included. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded\u00a0tissue (FFPE) from the primary melanoma tissue was analyzed using CP-GEP. The CP-GEP model combines\u00a0patient age and Breslow thickness with the expression of eight target genes. Patients were classified as CP-GEP High Risk\u00a0or CP-GEP Low Risk for having nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>From all eligible patients (n=19), consent was obtained and FFPEs could be retrieved for further analysis. Patients\u00a0had a median age of 53 years (interquartile range [IQR] 37 &#8211; 67) and median Breslow thickness was 2.0 mm (IQR 1,4-2.8). In\u00a0two out of 19 patients, the surgeon determined preoperatively not to proceed with SLNB (as a result of locally advanced\u00a0melanoma). Of the remaining 17 patients, five had a positive SLNB (e.g. nodal metastasis, 29.4% ). All SLNB positive patients\u00a0(n=5) were identified by CP-GEP as being High Risk for nodal metastasis. Of all SLNB negative patients (n=12), CP-GEP\u00a0identified five patients (41. 7%) as being Low Risk for nodal metastasis. Overall, the potential SLNB reduction rate in this\u00a0cohort was 29.4% while having a negative predictive value of 100%.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusions<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP (Merlin Assay) model is a non-invasive and validated tool that can be used to identify\u00a0patients with a primary cutaneous melanoma (pT1 b-pT3) who are at low risk for nodal metastasis and therefore\u00a0could safely forgo SLNB. Also, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the CP-GEP model could be a promising\u00a0tool to deselect patients for elective surgery (Figure).<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-49 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-86 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-46 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P116_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-87 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-88 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P116_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression (CP-GEP) model in a European cohort to identify stage II melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-44\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Mulder et al. 2021. EADO Conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-45 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2021<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-44 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1504\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-89 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_P116_EADO_Conference_2021.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-44 read-abstract-1504\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-44\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-44\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression (CP-GEP) model in a European cohort to identify stage II melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background<\/h3>\n<p>Patients with high-risk stage III melanoma are currently eligible for systemic adjuvant treatment. However, half of the melanoma patients presenting with disease recurrence were initially diagnosed with stage I-II melanoma. To identify patients at high risk for disease relapse in an early stage, new diagnostic tools are in development. One of these potential diagnostic tools is the CP-GEP model, combining clinicopathologic variables and gene expression measurements. The CP-GEP model was shown to be able to identify melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse in stage IIA, with a five-year relapse-free survival (5y RFS) of 56%, compared to a 5y RFS of 78% in CP-GEP Low Risk patients. Since the CP-GEP model was developed in a US cohort, validation in a European cohort is warranted. This is the first time the CP-GEP model was used in Europe to identify stage II melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods<\/h3>\n<p>This study included patients with cutaneous melanoma patients aged \u226518 years who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute (The Netherlands) and Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Sweden) between January 2006 and December 2017. The CP-GEP model combines clinicopathologic features (age and Breslow thickness) with the expression of eight target genes (ITGB3, PLAT, SERPINE2, GDF15, TGFBR1, LOXL4, CXCL8 and MLANA) in the primary tumor, that has already been excised. Patients were stratified according to their risk of relapse: CP-GEP High Risk or CP-GEP Low Risk, using a predefined cut-off value. The primary clinical endpoint of this study was 5yRFS.<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>In total, 656 stage I-III patients were included in the study. Patients had a median age of 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 47-69) and the median Breslow thickness was 1.9 mm (IQR 1.3-3.3). In the majority of patients who underwent SLNB, no SLN metastasis was found (i.e. stage I-II melanoma, n=535). Among all stage II patients (n=263), 5y RFS was 73% (95% CI: 67-78). CP-GEP stratification of these stage II patients resulted in a 5y RFS of 87% (95% CI: 76-93, CP-GEP Low Risk, n=72) versus 67% (95% CI: 60-74, CP-GEP High Risk, n=191) (HR 2.82, p&lt;0.004). In comparison, 5y RFS in patients with nodal metastasis (stage III melanoma patients) was 53% (95% CI: 43-61).<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusions<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP model is a non-invasive tool that can adequately identify stage II cutaneous melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse within five years, as demonstrated in this European cohort. These results indicate the possible added value of using the CP-GEP model in current clinical practice. CP-GEP High Risk patients may benefit from therapeutic interventions or enhanced surveillance. e.e.a.p.m<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-50 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row 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fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-47 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/bjd\/article\/184\/5\/944\/6702363?login=false\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"BJD\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"BJD\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/BJD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1050\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-89 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-90 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/bjd\/article\/184\/5\/944\/6702363?login=false\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Validation of a clinicopathological and gene expression profile model for sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-45\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p class=\"p1\">Mulder et al., British Journal of Dermatology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-46 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>January 2021<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-45 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1633\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-91 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/bjd\/article\/184\/5\/944\/6702363?login=false\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-45 read-abstract-1633\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-45\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-45\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Validation of a clinicopathological and gene expression profile model for sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><div class=\" sec\">\n<div class=\"title\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/div>\n<p class=\"chapter-para\">The Clinicopathological and Gene Expression Profile (CP\u2010GEP) model was developed to accurately identify patients with T1\u2013T3 primary cutaneous melanoma at low risk for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\" sec\">\n<div class=\"title\"><strong>Objectives<\/strong><\/div>\n<p class=\"chapter-para\">To validate the CP\u2010GEP model in an independent Dutch cohort of patients with melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\" sec\">\n<div class=\"title\"><strong>Methods<\/strong><\/div>\n<p class=\"chapter-para\">Patients (aged \u2265 18 years) with primary cutaneous melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) between 2007 and 2017 at the Erasmus Medical Centre Cancer Institute were eligible. The CP\u2010GEP model combines clinicopathological features (age and Breslow thickness) with the expression of eight target genes involved in melanoma metastasis (<em>ITGB3<\/em>, <em>PLAT<\/em>, <em>SERPINE2<\/em>, <em>GDF15<\/em>, <em>TGFBR1<\/em>, <em>LOXL4<\/em>, <em>CXCL8<\/em> and <em>MLANA<\/em>). Using the pathology result of SLNB as the gold standard, performance measures of the CP\u2010GEP model were calculated, resulting in CP\u2010GEP high risk or low risk for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\" sec\">\n<div class=\"title\"><strong>Results<\/strong><\/div>\n<p class=\"chapter-para\">In total, 210 patients were included in the study. Most patients presented with T2 (<em>n<\/em> = 94, 45%) or T3 (<em>n<\/em> = 70, 33%) melanoma. Of all patients, 27% (<em>n<\/em> = 56) had a positive SLNB, with nodal metastasis in 0%, 30%, 54% and 16% of patients with T1, T2, T3 and T4 melanoma, respectively. Overall, the CP\u2010GEP model had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90\u00b75% [95% confidence interval (CI) 77\u00b79\u201396.2], with an NPV of 100% (95% CI 72\u00b72\u2013100) in T1, 89\u00b73% (95% CI 72\u00b78\u201396\u00b73) in T2 and 75\u00b70% (95% CI 30\u00b71\u201395\u00b74) in T3 melanomas. The CP\u2010GEP indicated high risk in all T4 melanomas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\" sec\">\n<div class=\"title\"><strong>Conclusions<\/strong><\/div>\n<p class=\"chapter-para\">The CP\u2010GEP model is a noninvasive and validated tool that accurately identified patients with primary cutaneous melanoma at low risk for nodal metastasis. In this validation cohort, the CP\u2010GEP model has shown the potential to reduce SLNB procedures in patients with melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-51 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-90 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-48 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.14987\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"International Journal of Dermatology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"International Journal of Dermatology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/IJOD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1054\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-91 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-92 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.14987\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Primary cutaneous melanoma risk stratification using a clinicopathologic  and gene expression model: a pilot study.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-46\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Arias-Mejias et al. 2020. International Journal of Dermatology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-47 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>November 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-46 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1010\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-93 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/ijd.14987\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-46 read-abstract-1010\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-46\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-46\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Primary cutaneous melanoma risk stratification using a clinicopathologic  and gene expression model: a pilot study.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-52 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-92 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-49 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7367022\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Mayo Clinic Proceedings\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"Mayo Clinic Proceedings\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/MayoCP.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1056\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-93 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-94 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7367022\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Deselecting melanoma patients for sentinel lymph node biopsy during  COVID-19: clinical utility of tumor molecular profiling.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-47\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Meves &amp; Eggermont 2020. Mayo Clin Proc Inn Qual Out.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-48 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>October 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-47 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1012\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-95 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7367022\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-47 read-abstract-1012\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-47\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-47\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Deselecting melanoma patients for sentinel lymph node biopsy during  COVID-19: clinical utility of tumor molecular profiling.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-53 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-94 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-50 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_ASDP_Conference_2020.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASDP\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASDP\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASDP.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1049\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-95 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-96 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_ASDP_Conference_2020.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">The use of a clinicopathologic and gene expression model (Merlin Assay) to risk stratify cutaneous melanoma patients in clinical practice: A pilot study.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-48\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Bridges et al. 2020. <em>ASDP Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-49 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>October 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-48 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1011\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-97 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_ASDP_Conference_2020.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-48 read-abstract-1011\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-48\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-48\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The use of a clinicopathologic and gene expression model (Merlin Assay) to risk stratify cutaneous melanoma patients in clinical practice: A pilot study.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Abstract<\/h3>\n<p>The management of primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM) faces new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. National guidelines aiming to optimize medical resource usage have led to delays in elective surgical procedures such as the sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, which causes stress and anxiety in patients. We recently reported on the development of a model which combines clinicopathologic variables and a gene expression profile (CP-GEP) to identify patients who may safely forgo SLN biopsy due to their low risk of nodal metastasis. The CP-GEP model combines Breslow thickness and patient age with the expression of eight genes in diagnostic biopsy tissue. Here, we report on the feasibility of running the CP-GEP model \u2013 which we refer to as the Merlin Assay \u2013 in an independent Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratory accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). 50 micron recuts of T1 to T3 diagnostic biopsy tissue were requested from 50 PCM patients who were seen in the fall of 2019. Turnaround time from sample receipt at the laboratory to test reporting was within five working days. 3\/50 samples (6%) did not contain sufficient RNA for molecular analysis; 47\/50 samples (94%) were tested successfully. Of the 47 patients with Merlin test results, 34\/47 (72.3%) underwent SLN biopsy. Of the 34 patients with known SLN status, 13\/34 (38.2%) were T1, 13\/34 (38.2%) were T2 and 8\/34 (23.6%) were T3 patients. 1 of 13 (7.7%) T1, 4 of 13 (30.1%) T2 and 1 of 8 (12.5%) T3 patients were SLN positive. All SLN positive patients were correctly classified as high risk by the Merlin Assay. We conclude that the implementation of the Merlin Assay in clinical practice is feasible as a send-out test and may be used for deselecting low risk PCM patients for SLN biopsy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-54 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-96 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-51 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_ESMO_conference_2020.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ESMO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ESMO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ESMO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1053\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-97 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-98 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_ESMO_conference_2020.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Validation of a Model Combining Clinicopathologic Risk Factors and a Gene Expression Profile to Identify Primary Melanoma Patients Who Can Safely Forgo Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-49\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Yousaf et al. 2020. ESMO<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-50 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>September 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-49 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1013\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-99 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_ESMO_conference_2020.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-49 read-abstract-1013\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-49\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-49\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Validation of a Model Combining Clinicopathologic Risk Factors and a Gene Expression Profile to Identify Primary Melanoma Patients Who Can Safely Forgo Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background:<\/h3>\n<p>The sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure has gained importance\u00a0now that primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM) patients with a positive sentinel\u00a0lymph node are considered candidates for adjuvant systemic therapy. However, SLNB\u00a0is an invasive procedure, and approximately 80% of patients lack nodal metastasis.\u00a0Many SLNB negative patients are exposed to invasive surgery but enjoy no discernible\u00a0therapeutic benefit. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive test to accurately\u00a0identify PCM patients who may forgo the SLNB procedure due to low risk of nodal\u00a0metastasis. Previously, a clinicopathological and gene expression profile model (CPGEP\u00a0model) has been developed to identify PCM patients who can safely forgo SLNB.\u00a0Moreover, a validation of the CP-GEP model in a European cohort has been reported.\u00a0Here, we describe the validation of the CP-GEP model in a US cohort.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>We identified 162 patients who underwent SLNB at the Mayo Clinic or\u00a0West Virginia University within 90 days of PCM diagnosis. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded\u00a0diagnostic PCM biopsy tissue from all patients were analyzed using the CPGEP\u00a0model. The CP-GEP model combines Breslow thickness and patient age with the\u00a0expression of eight genes to classify patients as CP-GEP High Risk or CP-GEP Low Risk\u00a0for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<p>At diagnosis, the median patient age was 56 years (IQR, 41 to 69 years) and\u00a0the median Breslow thickness was 1.9 mm (IQR, 0.9 to 2.1 mm). 62 of 162 patients\u00a0{38.2%) presented with Tl melanoma while 58 of 162 patients (35.8%) presented\u00a0with T2 melanoma. Overall, 19.8% of patients had a positive sentinel lymph node. In\u00a0patients with stage Tl to T2 melanoma, the CP-GEP model achieved an SLNB\u00a0reduction rate of 44.2% at a negative predictive value of 98.1%.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusions:<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP model is a non-invasive and validated tool that is able to\u00a0predict nodal metastasis in an US cohort that can be used to identify PCM patients\u00a0who can safely forego SLNB. The CP-GEP model is a promising tool for patient care,\u00a0preventing unnecessary surgery in a large group of patients.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-55 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-98 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-52 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/bjd.19499\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"BJD\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"BJD\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/BJD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1050\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-99 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-100 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/bjd.19499\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Validation of a clinicopathological and gene expression profile model for sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-50\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Mulder et al. 2020. British Journal of Dermatology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-51 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>August 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-50 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1006\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-101 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/bjd.19499\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-50 read-abstract-1006\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-50\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-50\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Validation of a clinicopathological and gene expression profile model for sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><section id=\"bjd19499-sec-0001\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"bjd19499-sec-0001-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Background<\/h3>\n<p>The Clinicopathological and Gene Expression Profile (CP-GEP) model was developed to accurately identify patients with T1\u2013T3 primary cutaneous melanoma at low risk for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"bjd19499-sec-0002\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"bjd19499-sec-0002-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Objectives<\/h3>\n<p>To validate the CP-GEP model in an independent Dutch cohort of patients with melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"bjd19499-sec-0003\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"bjd19499-sec-0003-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Methods<\/h3>\n<p>Patients (aged\u00a0\u2265\u00a018\u00a0years) with primary cutaneous melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) between 2007 and 2017 at the Erasmus Medical Centre Cancer Institute were eligible. The CP-GEP model combines clinicopathological features (age and Breslow thickness) with the expression of eight target genes involved in melanoma metastasis (<i>ITGB3<\/i>,\u00a0<i>PLAT<\/i>,\u00a0<i>SERPINE2<\/i>,\u00a0<i>GDF15<\/i>,\u00a0<i>TGFBR1<\/i>,\u00a0<i>LOXL4<\/i>,\u00a0<i>CXCL8<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0<i>MLANA<\/i>). Using the pathology result of SLNB as the gold standard, performance measures of the CP-GEP model were calculated, resulting in CP-GEP high risk or low risk for nodal metastasis.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"bjd19499-sec-0004\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"bjd19499-sec-0004-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Results<\/h3>\n<p>In total, 210 patients were included in the study. Most patients presented with T2 (<i>n<\/i>\u00a0=\u00a094, 45%) or T3 (<i>n<\/i>\u00a0=\u00a070, 33%) melanoma. Of all patients, 27% (<i>n<\/i>\u00a0=\u00a056) had a positive SLNB, with nodal metastasis in 0%, 30%, 54% and 16% of patients with T1, T2, T3 and T4 melanoma, respectively. Overall, the CP-GEP model had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90\u00b75% [95% confidence interval (CI) 77\u00b79\u201396.2], with an NPV of 100% (95% CI 72\u00b72\u2013100) in T1, 89\u00b73% (95% CI 72\u00b78\u201396\u00b73) in T2 and 75\u00b70% (95% CI 30\u00b71\u201395\u00b74) in T3 melanomas. The CP-GEP indicated high risk in all T4 melanomas.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"bjd19499-sec-0005\" class=\"article-section__content\">\n<h3 id=\"bjd19499-sec-0005-title\" class=\"article-section__sub-title section\">Conclusions<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP model is a noninvasive and validated tool that accurately identified patients with primary cutaneous melanoma at low risk for nodal metastasis. In this validation cohort, the CP-GEP model has shown the potential to reduce SLNB procedures in patients with melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-56 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-100 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-53 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0959804920304846\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"EJC1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/EJC1.svg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1520\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-101 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-102 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0959804920304846\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of stage I\/IIA melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-51\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Eggermont et al. 2020. European Journal of Cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-52 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>August 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-51 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1516\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-103 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0959804920304846\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-51 read-abstract-1516\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-51\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-51\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of stage I\/IIA melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><div id=\"abssec0010\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0015\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Purpose<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0010\" class=\"u-margin-s-bottom\">Patients with stage I\/IIA cutaneous melanoma (CM) are currently not eligible for adjuvant therapies despite uncertainty in relapse risk. Here, we studied the ability of a recently developed model which combines clinicopathologic and gene expression variables (CP-GEP) to identify stage I\/IIA melanoma patients who have a high risk for disease relapse.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"abssec0015\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0020\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Patients and methods<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0015\" class=\"u-margin-s-bottom\">Archival specimens from a cohort of 837 consecutive primary CMs were used for assessing the prognostic performance of CP-GEP. The CP-GEP model combines Breslow thickness and patient age, with the expression of eight genes in the primary tumour. Our specific patient group, represented by 580 stage I\/IIA patients, was stratified based on their risk of relapse: CP-GEP High Risk and CP-GEP Low Risk. The main clinical end-point of this study was five-year relapse-free survival (RFS).<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"abssec0020\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0025\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Results<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0020\" class=\"u-margin-s-bottom\">Within the stage I\/IIA melanoma group, CP-GEP identified a high-risk patient group (47% of total stage I\/IIA patients) which had a considerably worse five-year RFS than the low-risk patient group; 74% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 67%\u201380%) versus 89% (95% CI: 84%\u201393%); hazard ratio [HR] = 2.98 (95% CI: 1.78\u20134.98); <em>P<\/em>\u00a0&lt;\u00a00.0001. Of patients in the high-risk group, those who relapsed were most likely to do so within the first 3 years.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"abssec0025\">\n<h3 id=\"sectitle0030\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<div id=\"abspara0025\" class=\"u-margin-s-bottom\">The CP-GEP model can be used to identify stage I\/IIA patients who have a high risk for disease relapse. These patients may benefit from adjuvant therapy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-57 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-102 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-54 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/meetings.asco.org\/abstracts-presentations\/188976\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-103 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-104 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/meetings.asco.org\/abstracts-presentations\/188976\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Identification of stage IIA melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-52\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Wever et al. 2020. ASCO Conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-53 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>June 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-52 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1503\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-105 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/meetings.asco.org\/abstracts-presentations\/188976\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-52 read-abstract-1503\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-52\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-52\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Identification of stage IIA melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Background:<\/h3>\n<p>In recent years, adjuvant therapy trials in stage III melanoma have been successful and trials have started with the inclusion of stage IIB\/C patients. However, stage IIA melanoma patients are currently not eligible for adjuvant therapy, even though a large part of all melanoma related deaths occur in this patient group. Therefore, a strong clinical need has emerged for diagnostic tools that can identify high-risk patients who currently have no access to adjuvant therapy. Here, we sought to assess the ability of a recently introduced clinicopathologic gene expression model (CP-GEP) (Bellomo et al., JCO Precis Oncol. 2020: in press) to select stage IIA patients at high risk for disease relapse, upon design of a stage-specific operating point.<\/p>\n<h3>Methods:<\/h3>\n<p>We assessed the prognostic performance of the CP-GEP model in all 141 stage IIA patients from a Mayo Clinic cohort of 837 consecutive melanoma patients who had a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNb) performed within 90 days of their diagnosis. The CP-GEP model combines Breslow thickness and patient age, with the expression of 8 genes in the primary tumor. Moreover, it stratifies patients according to their risk of relapse: CP-GEP High Risk or CP-GEP Low Risk, based on an operating point that was specifically developed for stage IIA. This stage-specific operating point was selected to fulfill the following criteria: hazard ratio RFS &gt; 2 with a p-value &lt; 0.05, and risk groups of similar size. The main clinical endpoint was five-year relapse free survival (RFS).<\/p>\n<h3>Results:<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP High Risk group corresponds to 45% (63\/141) of all stage IIA patients and captures 62% (18\/29) of the total relapses in this substage. Moreover, CP-GEP High Risk patients relapse more frequently than CP-GEP Low Risk patients (RFS of 56% versus 78%; HR, 2.23; P &lt; 0.05). The prognosis for stage IIA CP-GEP High Risk patients in our cohort is worse than for stage IIC\/IIIA patients with reported RFS ranging from 63% to 77%.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusions:<\/h3>\n<p>The CP-GEP model can be optimized by designing a stage-specific operating point, to identify a subset of stage IIA patients with an increased risk for disease relapse, not very different from IIC\/IIIA patients. Therefore, stage IIA CP-GEP High Risk patients may be considered for inclusion in adjuvant trials. Independent validation studies are ongoing for the newly developed operating point.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-58 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-104 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-55 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Poster_ASCO_Conference_2020.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ASCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ASCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ASCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1048\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-105 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-106 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Poster_ASCO_Conference_2020.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to identify melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-53\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Eggermont et al. 2020. ASCO Conference.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-54 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>June 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-53 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1502\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-107 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/Poster_ASCO_Conference_2020.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-53 read-abstract-1502\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-53\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-53\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Using a clinicopathologic and gene expression model to identify melanoma patients at high risk for disease relapse.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-59 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-106 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-56 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/10.1200\/PO.19.00206\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"JCO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"JCO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/JCO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1055\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-107 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-108 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/10.1200\/PO.19.00206\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Model combining tumor molecular and clinicopathologic risk factors predicts sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-54\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Bellomo et al. 2020. JCO Precision Oncology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-55 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-54 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1014\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-109 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/10.1200\/PO.19.00206\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-54 read-abstract-1014\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-54\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-54\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Model combining tumor molecular and clinicopathologic risk factors predicts sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><div class=\"NLM_sec NLM_sec_level_1\">\n<div class=\"sectionInfo\">\n<h3 class=\"sectionHeading\">Purpose<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sectionJumpTo\">More than 80% of patients who undergo sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy have no nodal metastasis. Here, we describe a model that combines clinicopathologic and molecular variables to identify patients with thin- and intermediate-thickness melanomas who may forgo the SLN biopsy procedure because of their low risk of nodal metastasis.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Patients and Methods<\/h3>\n<p>Genes with functional roles in melanoma metastasis were discovered by analysis of next-generation sequencing data and case-control studies. We then used polymerase chain reaction to quantify gene expression in diagnostic biopsy tissue across a prospectively designed archival cohort of 754 consecutive thin- and intermediate-thickness primary cutaneous melanomas. Outcome of interest was SLN biopsy metastasis within 90 days of melanoma diagnosis. A penalized maximum likelihood estimation algorithm was used to train logistic regression models in a repeated cross-validation scheme to predict the presence of SLN metastasis from molecular, clinical, and histologic variables.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"NLM_sec NLM_sec_level_1\">\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>Expression of genes with roles in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (glia-derived nexin, growth differentiation factor 15, integrin-\u03b23, interleukin 8, lysyl oxidase homolog 4, transforming growth factor-\u03b2 receptor type 1, and tissue-type plasminogen activator) and melanosome function (melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1) were associated with SLN metastasis. The predictive ability of a model that only considered clinicopathologic or gene expression variables was outperformed by a model that included molecular variables in combination with the clinicopathologic predictors Breslow thickness and patient age (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.86; SLN biopsy reduction rate, 42%; negative predictive value, 96%).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"NLM_sec NLM_sec_level_1\">\n<div class=\"sectionInfo\">\n<h3 class=\"sectionJumpTo\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<div>A combined model that included clinicopathologic and gene expression variables improved the identification of patients with melanoma who may forgo the SLN biopsy procedure because of their low risk of nodal metastasis.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-60 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-108 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-57 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jaad.org\/article\/S0190-9622(20)31582-6\/fulltext#articleInformation\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"AAD\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"AAD\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/AAD.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1047\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-109 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-110 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jaad.org\/article\/S0190-9622(20)31582-6\/fulltext#articleInformation\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">A combined clinicopathologic and gene expression model (CP-GEP) identifies primary cutaneous melanoma patients who can safely forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-55\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Meves et al. 2020. <em>AAD Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-56 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>March 2020<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-55 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 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style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jaad.org\/article\/S0190-9622(20)31582-6\/fulltext#articleInformation\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-55 read-abstract-1004\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-55\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-55\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A combined clinicopathologic and gene expression model (CP-GEP) identifies primary cutaneous melanoma patients who can safely forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><section>\n<div class=\"section-paragraph\">More than 80% of patients undergoing sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy have no nodal metastasis, and are unnecessarily exposed to procedure-induced morbidity such as lymphedema. Our objective was to develop a model combining clinicopathologic and gene expression (CP-GEP) to discriminate high-risk patients from patients who can safely forego SLN biopsy, thus reducing procedure-associated morbidity, and prioritizing care for high risk patients. A panel of 108 candidate biomarkers was identified, and the expression of these genes was quantified in FFPE diagnostic biopsy tissue across a cohort of 754 patients; 128\/754 (17%) SLN positive patients. All patients underwent SLN biopsy at Mayo Clinic within 90 days of diagnosis between 2004 and 2018. We trained logistic regression models, using a penalized maximum likelihood estimation algorithm, in a repeated cross-validation scheme. The CP-GEP model, combining age and Breslow depth with genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling (glia-derived nexin, growth differentiation factor 15, integrin \u03b23, interleukin 8, lysyl oxidase homolog 4, TGF\u03b2 receptor type 1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator), and melanosome function (antigen recognized by T-cells), outperformed models based on only clinicopathologic variables, or only on gene expression, in discriminating SLN positive and negative patients (AUC, 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.86). The CP-GEP model achieved a SLN biopsy reduction rate of 42% at a negative predictive value of 96%. The 5-year relapse-free survival for CP-GEP negative patients was 88% compared with 50% for CP-GEP positive and SLN positive patients, confirming the value of the CP-GEP model as a tool to inform SLN biopsy decisions.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relatedItems-dropzone pb-dropzone\" data-pb-dropzone=\"relatedItems-dropzone\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"upsellBox\" data-price1=\"37.95\" data-quantity1=\"1\" data-price2=\"45.95\" data-quantity2=\"1\"><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-61 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-110 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-58 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0923753419595357\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"ESMO\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"ESMO\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/ESMO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1053\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-111 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-112 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0923753419595357\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Validation of a ClinicoPathological and Gene Expression Profile (CP-GEP) model for sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-56\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Mulder et al. 2019. <em>ESMO Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-57 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>October 2019<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-56 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1015\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-113 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0923753419595357\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-56 read-abstract-1015\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-56\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-56\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Validation of a ClinicoPathological and Gene Expression Profile (CP-GEP) model for sentinel lymph node metastasis in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><div id=\"as0010\">\n<h3 id=\"st0015\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Background<\/h3>\n<p id=\"sp0010\">As primary cutaneous melanoma patients with a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN, stage III) are now considered candidates for adjuvant systemic therapy, a SLN biopsy (SLNB) is indicated in more patients. However, SLNB is an invasive procedure and is negative in approximately 80% of patients. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive test to accurately identify patients with primary cutaneous melanoma without nodal metastases. Here we describe the first independent validation of a recently developed CP-GEP model to predict nodal metastasis. This risk model combines Breslow thickness, age, and gene expression variables from the primary melanoma.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"as0015\">\n<h3 id=\"st0020\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Methods<\/h3>\n<p id=\"sp0015\">This study focused on all patients &gt;18 years who underwent a SLNB at the Erasmus Medical Center (between January 2007 and December 2017), within 90 days after diagnosis of primary cutaneous melanoma. Total RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) primary cutaneous melanomas, reversed transcribed into cDNA and subsequently analyzed for the expression of 8 target genes involved in melanoma metastasis (ITGB3, PLAT, SERPINE2, GDF15, TGFBR1, LOXL4, IL8, MLANA) using an optimized qPCR protocol.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"as0020\">\n<h3 id=\"st0025\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Results<\/h3>\n<p id=\"sp0020\">FFPE tissue samples from 211 patients were analyzed using the CP-GEP model. At diagnosis, the median age was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR] 45-65), and the median Breslow thickness was 2.1mm (IQR 1.4-3.4). Most patients presented with a T2 or T3 melanoma, accounting for 94 and 70 patients, respectively. Overall, 27.5% of patients had a positive SLN. The CP-GEP model had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.4%. In patients with stage T1-T2 melanoma, the model was able to achieve an SLNB reduction rate of 40.1% with an NPV of 90.7%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"as0025\">\n<h3 id=\"st0030\" class=\"u-h4 u-margin-m-top u-margin-xs-bottom\">Conclusions<\/h3>\n<p id=\"sp0025\">The CP-GEP model is a non-invasive and validated tool that is able to predict nodal metastasis in an independent Dutch population. Consequently, this risk model is able to accurately identify patients with primary cutaneous melanoma that can safely forego SLNB. Therefore, the CP-GEP model is a promising tool for patient care, preventing unnecessary surgery in the majority of patients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-62 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-112 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:350px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-59 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_EADO_Conference_2019.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"260\" alt=\"European Association of Dermato Oncology\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20500%20260%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27500%27%20height%3D%27260%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/merlinmelanomatest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/10\/EADO.svg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1051\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-113 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-114 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_EADO_Conference_2019.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Stromal gene expression predicts sentinel lymph node metastasis of primary cutaneous melanoma Sominidi-Damodaran et al. 2019. EADO conference.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-57\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Sominidi-Damodaran et al. 2019. <em>EADO conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-58 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2019<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-57 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1017\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-115 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/poster_EADO_Conference_2019.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-57 read-abstract-1017\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-57\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-57\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Stromal gene expression predicts sentinel lymph node metastasis of primary cutaneous melanoma Sominidi-Damodaran et al. 2019. EADO conference.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-63 fusion-flex-column news-press-release-post-card publications-post-card post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-border-bottom:2px;--awb-border-style:solid;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-114 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-115 fusion_builder_column_inner_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:75%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.56%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.56%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-116 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two font-weight-500 hero-new\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:10px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:10px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-font-size:24px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:24;--minFontSize:24;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_CIM_Conference_2019.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">A molecular model to identify patients who can safely forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-58\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p>Bellomo et al. 2019. <em>CIM Conference.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-59 fusion-text-no-margin post-meta\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-line-height:1.2;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;\"><p>April 2019<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-58 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type read-abstract-button\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--button_accent_color:var(--awb-custom14);--button_accent_hover_color:var(--awb-color7);--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_top_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 100%));--button_text_transform:capitalize;--button_font_size:14px;--button_line_height:1.2;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\".fusion-modal.read-abstract-1016\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">Read Abstract<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-117 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-div fusion-read-more\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-margin-bottom:8px;--awb-margin-top-small:8px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:8px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-margin-top-medium:8px;--awb-margin-bottom-medium:8px;--awb-link-color:var(--awb-custom14);--awb-link-hover-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:14px;\"><div class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-right title-heading-tag fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/falconprogram.com\/files\/abstract_CIM_Conference_2019.pdf\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Read Article<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-modal modal fade modal-58 read-abstract-1016\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"dialog\" aria-labelledby=\"modal-heading-58\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"--awb-border-color:#e2e2e2;--awb-background:#ffffff;\"><div class=\"modal-dialog modal-lg\" role=\"document\"><div class=\"modal-content fusion-modal-content\"><div class=\"modal-header\"><button class=\"close\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close\">&times;<\/button><h3 class=\"modal-title\" id=\"modal-heading-58\" data-dismiss=\"modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A molecular model to identify patients who can safely forgo sentinel lymph node biopsy in primary cutaneous melanoma.<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"modal-body fusion-clearfix\"><h3>Purpose<\/h3>\n<p><b><i> <\/i><\/b>Greater than 80% of melanoma patients who undergo sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy are SLN negative. Our objective was to use molecular markers crucial in the reciprocal and bidirectional interaction between integrins and the tumor microenvironment to distinguish between high-risk patients and patients who can safely forego SLN biopsy.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Patients and Methods<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Genes with functional roles in melanoma metastasis were discovered by analysis of next-generation sequencing data, case-control studies, analysis of publicly available genomic datasets and a review of the cancer literature. Of 192 candidate biomarkers discovered, 108 were quantified by quantitative PCR in a cohort of 754 consecutive thin and intermediate-thickness melanomas. Outcome of interest was SLN metastasis within 90 days of melanoma diagnosis. Logistic regression with LASSO regularization was applied to clinicopathologic variables and molecular data in a cross-validation training-validation scheme. Three models were built using: only clinicopathologic features (CP); only gene expression profiling (GEP); and both clinicopathologic and gene expression profiling (CP-GEP).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Results<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>128\/754 patients (17%) were SLN positive. Expression of genes with roles in extracellular matrix remodeling (glia-derived nexin, growth differentiation factor 15, integrin \u03b23, interleukin 8, lysyl oxidase homolog 4, TGF\u03b2 receptor type 1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator) and melanosome function (antigen recognized by T-cells) were associated with SLN metastasis. The predictive ability of a model that only considered CP or GEP variables was outperformed by a model which included molecular variables in combination with the clinicopathologic predictors Breslow depth and patient age. CP-GEP achieved a SLN biopsy reduction rate of 80% for clinical stage T1b melanoma with an NPV &gt;95% across all T stages.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A combined model including clinicopathologic and gene expression variables improved the identification of melanoma patients who can safely forgo SLN biopsy due to their less than 5% risk of nodal metastasis.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"modal-footer\"><button class=\"fusion-button button-default button-medium button default medium\" type=\"button\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">Close<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1059","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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