Importance of DecisionDx-Melanoma

Derek Maetzold, the president and chief executive officer of Castle Biosciences, commented, “This consensus translates the robust data supporting DecisionDx-Melanoma into practical direction for clinicians.” The panel's unanimous endorsement highlights the test's capability to enhance informed and personalized care decisions, which may lead to improved patient outcomes.

The consensus paper, authored by ten melanoma experts from leading academic and clinical institutions, provides evidence-based recommendations affirming DecisionDx-Melanoma's efficacy in guiding treatment decisions for patients with cutaneous melanoma. The findings suggest that the test offers prognostic information that is independent of traditional clinicopathologic factors and can be integrated with existing staging systems to enhance risk assessment.

Key Conclusions from the Expert Consensus

The expert panel reached a unanimous agreement on nine critical statements regarding the role of DecisionDx-Melanoma in risk stratification, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) decision-making, and long-term patient management. Key conclusions include:

• Test Performance: DecisionDx-Melanoma demonstrates robust clinical utility and validated performance, supported by high-quality evidence indicating accurate prognostic information for invasive melanoma patients.
• Stage Utilization: The test can be applied across a wide range of tumor stages, especially in earlier-stage patients, to identify individuals who may require escalated care and to guide SLNB decisions in T1b–T3 tumors.
• Integration with AJCC Staging: Incorporating DecisionDx-Melanoma results with the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th Edition (AJCC8) improves prognostic precision and survival predictions.
• Patient Outcomes: Patients who undergo the DecisionDx-Melanoma testing display improved melanoma-specific and overall survival compared to those who do not.
• Challenging Scenarios: The test supports clinical decisions in complex cases where traditional clinicopathologic features may be insufficient.
• Best-Practice Recognition: DecisionDx-Melanoma is to be recognized as a best-practice approach for managing melanoma patients, guiding data-driven and patient-centered care.

Future Implications for Melanoma Management

Rebecca Critchley-Thorne, Ph.D., vice president of research and development at Castle Biosciences, emphasized the importance of consensus efforts to aid clinicians in interpreting emerging data effectively. She stated, “This study can give physicians confidence on when and where DecisionDx-Melanoma fits within current management strategies to support more individualized care for patients.”

The DecisionDx-Melanoma test is specifically designed to analyze tumor biology and deliver personalized risk assessments for patients with stages I–III cutaneous melanoma. By combining molecular insights with select clinicopathologic features, the test provides actionable information to guide risk-aligned patient management decisions.

About Castle Biosciences and DecisionDx-Melanoma

Castle Biosciences (Nasdaq: CSTL) is a leading diagnostics company focused on improving health through innovative tests. The company emphasizes personalized, clinically actionable solutions that enhance disease management and improve patient outcomes.

DecisionDx-Melanoma has gained widespread recognition, supported by over 50 peer-reviewed publications and more than 220,000 orders since its launch. Clinically validated in over 10,000 patient samples, it remains a cornerstone in the fight against melanoma.

For more information, visit Castle Biosciences' website.