The 31-gene expression profile stratifies recurrence and metastasis risk in patients with cutaneous melanoma
Abel Jarell, Basil S. Skenderis, Larry D. Dillon, Kelsey Dillon, Brian J. Martin, Ann P. Quick, Jennifer J. Siegel, Briana B Rackley, Robert W. Cook
Abstract
Aim: Sentinel node biopsy is a prognostic indicator of melanoma recurrence. We hypothesized that adding the primary melanoma molecular signature from the 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test could refine the risk of recurrence prognosis for patients with stage I–III melanoma. Materials & methods: Four hundred thirty-eight patients with stage I–III melanoma consecutively tested with the 31-GEP were retrospectively analyzed. The 31-GEP stratified patients as low-risk (Class 1A), intermediate-risk (Class 1B/2A) or high risk (Class 2B) of recurrence or metastasis. Results: The 31-GEP significantly stratified patient risk for recurrence-free survival (p < 0.001), distant metastasis-free survival (p < 0.001) and melanoma-specific survival (p < 0.001) and was a significant, independent predictor of metastatic recurrence (hazard ratio: 5.38; p = 0.014). Conclusion: The 31-GEP improves prognostic accuracy in stage I–III melanoma.