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Updated: May 16, 2025
A Next-generation Tissue Microarray ngTMA Protocol for Biomarker Studies
Published on: September 23, 2014
A Prospective, Multicenter Analysis of Recurrence-Free Survival After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Decisions Influenced
J Michael Guenther1, Andrew Ward2, Brian J Martin3
1St Elizabeth Physicians General & Vascular Surgery, Edgewood, Kentucky, USA.
Background:
Although most patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM) will have a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), up to 20%-30% of these patients will recur. The 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test has been prospectively validated to identify patients at low (Class 1A), intermediate (Class 1B/2A), and high (Class 2B) risk of SLN positivity and recurrence.
Methods:
DECIDE is a prospective, multicenter study to assess the effect of 31-GEP testing on SLNB performance rates in patients with T1-T2 tumors considering SLNB and to study long-term outcomes. Here, we assessed outcomes in patients with a Class 1A 31-GEP result (n = 130).
Results:
Of Class 1A patients, 63 had an SLNB, with a 3.2% SLN positivity rate (2/63). No Class 1A patients, regardless of SLN status, experienced a recurrence (2-year median follow-up).
Conclusions:
These results are consistent with previous studies that showed the 31-GEP can identify patients at low risk of SLN positivity and recurrence.
