DermTech Announces Positive Topline Results From Trust 2 Study Evaluating the DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT)
January 08 2024 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
- Trust 2 Study demonstrated powerful clinical
utility for the DMT as a rule-out test for melanoma
- Negative predictive value (NPV) higher than
99%
DermTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMTK) (DermTech or the Company), a
leader in precision dermatology enabled by a non-invasive skin
genomics technology, today reported positive topline results from
its Trust 2 Study, which evaluated the foundational gene expression
assay component of the DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT) in a real-world
clinical setting.
“The Trust 2 Study results reaffirm the DMT’s real-world
clinical utility to rule out melanoma with a negative predictive
value (NPV) that is higher than other currently available methods,”
said Loren Clarke, M.D., chief medical officer, DermTech.
“Importantly, for clinicians and patients, a high NPV delivers
assurance that a suspicious pigmented lesion which tests negative
is unlikely to be a melanoma. As a non-invasive test that has
demonstrated an NPV of 99% or higher in multiple, large studies,
the DMT provides actionable genomic information for a suspicious
pigmented lesion that a clinician may be hesitant to biopsy for a
variety of reasons.”
Dr. Clarke continued, “The DMT may also help clinicians avoid
biopsies and other procedures for benign lesions and thereby reduce
healthcare costs. Finally, we believe these positive results will
support re-engagement with payers as they consider reimbursement
for the DMT.”
The Trust 2 Study, initiated in 2021, enrolled over 20,000
patients tested with the DMT in a real-world clinical setting.
Follow-up evaluations occurred for more than 5,000 tested lesions,
with median and mean follow-up durations of 348 days and 337 days,
respectively. Follow-up evaluations included pathology diagnoses
for lesions that were biopsied, and visual re-examination for
lesions that were monitored rather than biopsied, in which the
lesion was classified as either stable/unchanged or changed in a
manner concerning for melanoma.
The Trust 2 Study results demonstrated an NPV of 99.7% for the
foundational gene expression assay component of the DMT. The NPV of
99.7% was observed (rather than calculated from an assumed
prevalence), and was associated with a narrow 95% confidence
interval of 99.5% to 99.9%. The Trust 2 Study results also included
a sensitivity of 95.8%, a specificity of 69.4% and a positive
predictive value (PPV) of 13.4%. The Trust 2 Study results further
validate the 99% NPV observed in a similar real-world study (Trust
1) published in 2021, which evaluated the tested lesions of more
than 1,500 patients.
“The Trust 2 Study illustrates that a high NPV test such as the
DMT can allow physicians to confidently rule out melanoma for their
patients,” commented Maral K. Skelsey, M.D., Clinical Professor of
Dermatology at Georgetown University’s Medical School and one of
the lead Trust 2 Study investigators. “Our clinic at the
Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington in Chevy Chase has used
the DMT more than 5,400 times. Patients love the test’s
non-invasive sample collection. It’s clear there is a place for the
DMT in every dermatologic practice alongside established
protocol.”
About The DermTech Melanoma Test
DermTech originally marketed its foundational assay under the
name Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA). The PLA assesses pigmented skin
lesions, moles or dark skin spots for melanoma. In particular, the
PLA detects expression of the LINC00518 (LINC) and preferentially
expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) genes using reverse
transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The Company
introduced an add-on assay to the PLA in 2021, which is designed to
identify the presence of mutations in TERT gene promoter region
using DNA sequencing. The Company has since branded its PLA and
TERT add-on-assay as the DermTech Melanoma Test (DMT). The DMT may
be ordered with or without the add-on test for TERT. Positive
results for LINC, PRAME or TERT correlate with a lesion at higher
risk for melanoma. If none of the biomarkers are detected, this
result indicates a 99% probability that the mole tested is not
melanoma.
About DermTech
DermTech is a leading genomics company in dermatology and is
creating a new category of medicine, precision dermatology, enabled
by its non-invasive skin genomics technology. DermTech’s mission is
to improve the lives of millions by providing non-invasive
precision dermatology solutions that enable individualized care.
DermTech provides genomic analysis of skin samples collected using
its Smart Stickers™. DermTech develops and markets products that
facilitate the assessment of melanoma. For additional information,
please visit DermTech.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The expectations,
estimates, and projections of DermTech may differ from its actual
results and consequently, you should not rely on these
forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words
such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,”
“runway,” "outlook," “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “strive,"
“may,” “will,” “sustain,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” “predict,”
“potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, expectations and
evaluations with respect to: the performance, patient benefits,
cost- effectiveness, commercialization and adoption of DermTech’s
products and the market opportunity for these products; and
expectations regarding agreements with or reimbursement by or cash
collection patterns from government payers (including Medicare) and
commercial payers and related billing practices or number of
covered lives. These forward-looking statements involve significant
risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to
differ materially from the expected results including risks and
uncertainties included in the “Risk Factors” section of the most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by DermTech with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other documents
filed or to be filed by DermTech with the SEC, including
subsequently filed reports. DermTech cautions that the foregoing
list of factors is not exclusive. You should not place undue
reliance upon any forward- looking statements, which speak only as
of the date made. DermTech does not undertake or accept any
obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change
in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.
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Steve Kunszabo DermTech (858) 291-1647
steve.kunszabo@dermtech.com
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