California-based DermTech International, a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing genomic medicine to dermatologists, has released the discovery data on its new genomic assay for melanoma.
The test was based on the EGIR technology (Epidermal Genetic Information Retrieval) that non-invasively collects cells from the skin’s surface using a custom adhesive.
The paper titled ‘Non-invasive Genomic Detection of Melanoma,’ in the British Journal of Dermatology , shows the test to be 100% sensitive in identifying melanoma, and also that the EGIR method identified genes that were differentially expressed in melanomas versus normal skin and nevi.
DermTech is now translating these discovery data onto a quantitative PCR platform.
DermTech CEO George Schwartz said if these findings are confirmed in an expanded clinical validation study, it would establish the EGIR-based assay as a more accurate and cost effective alternative to the currently available tools for melanoma detection.