Genomic Profiling of Lentigo Maligna within an Interim Registry Analysis

Greg Stevens DMSc, PA-C1, Burkhard Jansen, MD1, Terry Arnold, MBA, PA-C1, James Rock, MS1, Jennifer Wood, DMSc, PA-C1, Mark Hyde, PhD, PA-C1, 
Loren Clarke, MD1

1. DermTech, 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 150 La Jolla, CA 92037, USA

Abstract

Introduction and Objective

Methods

Between April 2021 and March 2022, approximately 8000 lesions were entered 

into a nationwide registry from 63 unique sites. Sites were encouraged to enter 

all results, including corresponding histopathology.

Histopathologic diagnoses were categorized first into melanoma and non-

melanoma. Among melanomas, the number of LM subtype was determined, 

including the number of LMM subtype. Among non-melanomas, the number of 

SDN/AJMH was determined. All uncertain cases were reviewed by a board-

certified dermatopathologist. 

Furthermore, correlation between genomic markers present and LM/LMM/AJMH 

diagnoses was calculated.

The gene expression test is designed to rule out melanoma by analyzing non-

invasively collected skin cells from pigmented lesions for genomic atypia 

(LINC00518, PRAME, and/or TERT). The results of the test are designed 

to guide biopsy decisions on clinically suspicious pigmented lesions that violate 

one or more of the ABCDE criteria. This approach improves pigmented lesion 

management beyond visual inspection with a negative predictive value of ≥99% 

and a sensitivity of 91-97%, and by enriching melanoma among biopsied lesions 

almost 5-fold.1-3 The real-world performance of the test and its impact on clinical 

practice has been addressed in a previously completed 2020 patient registry, 

and summarized in 2 peer reviewed publications.3,4

1. Gerami P, Yao Z, Polsky D, et al. Development and validation of a 

noninvasive 2-gene molecular assay for cutaneous melanoma. J Am Acad

Dermatol. 2017;76(1):114-120.e2.

2. Jackson SR, Jansen B, Yao Z, Ferris LK. Risk Stratification of Severely 

Dysplastic Nevi by Non-Invasively Obtained Gene Expression and Mutation 

Analyses. SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine. 2020;4(2):105-110. 

3. Brouha B, Ferris LK, Skelsey, MK, et al. Genomic Atypia to Enrich Melanoma 

Positivity in Biopsied Lesions: Gene Expression and Pathology Findings From 

a Large U.S. Registry Study. SKIN. 2021;5(1),13–18. 

4. Brouha B, Ferris LK, Skelsey MK, et al. Real-World Utility of a Non-Invasive 

Gene Expression Test to Rule Out Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: A Large US 

Registry Study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(3):257-262. 

5. Skelsey MK, Brouha B, Rock J, et al. Non-Invasive Detection of Genomic 

Atypia Increases Real-World NPV and PPV of the Melanoma Diagnostic 

Pathway and Reduces Biopsy Burden. SKIN. 2021;5(5), 512–523. 

References

Results

Table 1.

Figure 1

Of the approximately 8000 lesions entered into the registry from April 2021 to 

March 2022, 1021 (12.8%) were positive for at least one genomic biomarker. 

Eighteen of these lesions did not have histopathologic diagnoses available. Of 

the 1003 complete cases, 134 (13.4%) were diagnosed as melanoma; 46 

(34.3%) were LM subtype, with 7 of those being LMM. Of the non-melanoma 

lesions, an additional 7 (0.8%) were classified as AJMH. These results are 

depicted in the Figure.

Funding/disclaimer: all study sites were reimbursed by DermTech for the 

collection of data; the authors are employed by DermTech.

Conclusion

This interim registry analysis demonstrates use 

of the DMT in assessing atypical pigmented 

macules and patches on chronically sun-

exposed areas. While the original validation 

studies included the LM subtype, this data 

represents a larger real-world set. Over 1/3 of 

the melanomas reported were classified as LM 

subtype. LINC has a higher correlation with LM 

and was present in all 7 invasive tumors. While 

AJMH is considered borderline, it may be 

helpful in the clinical context to group AJMH 

lesions with LM due to similarities in treatment.

LM = Lentigo maligna

LMM = Lentigo maligna melanoma

AJMH = atypical junctional melanocytic hyperplasia

Scan QR code for additional 

peer-reviewed publications 

regarding this genomic test 

Background:

Pigmented lesion analysis remains a challenging aspect of dermatology. The 

DermTech Melanoma Test (‘the test’) is a non-invasive gene-expression test 

designed to rule-out melanoma. It consists of the pigmented lesion assay, which 

detects RNA products of Long Intergenic Non-Coding RNA 00518 (LINC00518) 

and Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME), and an add-on 

assay for DNA promoter mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT).  

In previous studies, the test was found to have a negative predictive value ≥99%. 

This registry study examines the genomic patterns of the Lentigo Maligna (LM) 

subtype of melanoma.  

Methods:

Between April 2021 and March 2022, multiple geographically diverse sites 

throughout the US submitted data to a registry to assess real-world use of the 

test. Approximately 8,000 clinically atypical lesions were tested. After receiving 

the test result, providers followed their clinical judgement for biopsy decision. 

Histopathologic diagnoses for biopsied lesions were correlated with test results 

and all melanomas were sorted into LM subtype vs non-LM subtype. In addition, 

lesions that were noted to be on sun exposed skin and/or noted to have solar 

elastosis and called atypical melanocytic hyperplasia were evaluated.

Results:

At the 1-year mark of the registry, there were roughly 8000 unique entries.  Of 

those, 1003 expressed one or more genomic markers from the DMT and had 

records available, and 134 (13.2%) were found to be melanoma or melanoma in-

situ. More than a third (n=46, 34.3%) of the melanomas were of the Lentigo 

Maligna sub-type, with 7 of those being Lentigo Maligna Melanoma (LMM). 

Seven additional lesions were called atypical junctional melanocytic hyperplasia 

(AJMH) on sun-damaged skin. This group of 53 LM, LMM, and AJMH lesions 

were all evaluated for correlations to the DMT markers. LINC was the most 

commonly expressed genomic marker (n=45, 84.9%), with PRAME (n=36, 

67.9%) and TERT (n=24, 45.3%) following. Most invasive tumors (LMM) 

expressed all three markers (n=4) and all 7 expressed LINC.

Conclusions:

While the original validation study included the LM subtype, this interim registry 

analysis demonstrates real-world use of the DMT in assessing pigmented 

macules concerning for LM. Over 1/3 of the melanomas reported in the registry 

were LM subtypes. LINC had a higher correlation with the lentigo maligna 

subtype of melanoma and was present in all invasive tumors. While AJMH is 

considered borderline, it may be worthwhile in the clinical context to group AJMH 

lesions with LM due to similarities in treatment. 

~8000 
tests performed

1021 (12.8%) 
positive for >1 

biomarker

1003 (98.2%) 
records available

134 (13.4%) 
melanomas

46 (34.3%) 
LM/LMM

869 (86.6%) non-
melanomas

7 (0.8%) AJMH

Table: Correlation of Genomic Markers with LM/LMM/AJMH

Total % LMM LM AJMH

LINC/PRAME/TERT 17 32.1% 4 9 4

LINC/PRAME 14 26.4% 1 12 1

LINC 10 18.9% 2 7 1

PRAME 5 9.4% 0 5 0

LINC/TERT 4 7.5% 0 4 0

TERT 3 5.7% 0 2 1

The group of 53 LM/LMM/AJMH were analyzed for genomic marker correlation. 

LINC was the most commonly expressed genomic marker (n=45, 84.9%), with 

PRAME (n=36, 67.9%) and TERT (n=24, 45.3%) following. Most invasive tumors 

(LMM) expressed all three markers (n=4) and all 7 expressed LINC. These data 

are included in the Table.

The objective of this study was to examine the genomic makeup of the LM 

subtype of melanomas, as well as AJMH which are histopathologically borderline 

but often treated similarly to LM. 

Presented at the

Winter Clinical Dermatology 

Conference

January 13-18, 2023