Quest Diagnostics is rolling out MelaNodal Predict, a predictive gene expression test that can help personalize treatment decisions melanoma patients.
Dermatologists and other providers nationwide may begin ordering the test today from Quest Diagnostics, as well as through Dermpath Diagnostics, Quest’s subspecialty pathology business.
MelaNodal Predict is based on technology developed by SkylineDx and the Mayo Clinic. The technology utilizes a combination analysis of patient age and tumor thickness with advanced gene expression profiling technology.
MelaNodal Predict examines a patient’s original diagnostic tumor biopsy and applies an algorithm to help providers identify patients with a low or high risk of nodal metastasis.
This insight may help providers identify patients who could, with less risk, avoid a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).
If the algorithm classifies a patient as low risk, they may be able to choose to forgo this procedure. More than eight in 10 patients who have an SLNB are negative for nodal metastasis, based on post-surgical analysis, according to information cited in a Quest-issued press release.
The test also provides insights on a patient’s long-term outcome, as patients with a low-risk result have reported better survival rates.