A Step Before the Scalpel
The path to early detection can start gently.
The DermTech Melanoma Test gently and non-invasively detects the presence of genomic markers associated with melanoma. It does this at a level 10,000x closer than the traditional care pathway, such as a microscope or visual assessment.1
It’s a reliable test2 because the absence of those markers indicate an extremely low likelihood that a mole is melanoma. And the presence of those markers also signals a high risk for melanoma, which helps the doctor make a more informed decision.
1/25
On average, for every 25 surgical biopsies performed, 1 is positive for melanoma.*
A DermTech test sees 10,000x further into a cell than even a microscope.3,4
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3 Steps to DermTech It
LIFT
Four Smart StickersTM are used to painlessly collect skin cells from a suspicious skin spot—no scalpel needed. This is done at a doctor’s office or at home with supervision from a healthcare professional.
TEST
The DermTech Gene Lab then tests the samples for the presence of elevated expression levels of two genomic markers associated with melanoma, LINC and PRAME, as well as a DNA driver mutations called TERT.5,6
KNOW
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Looks Simple,
Acts Revolutionary
The adhesive in the Smart StickerTM also stores and preserves your skin cells for the time needed to ship the samples to the DermTech Gene Lab for testing.
DermTech’s smart sticker captures virtually the entire surface of the mole, unlike a biopsy which typically evaluates only 1-2% of the mole.8
DermTech Smart StickerTM magnified and shown with actual skin tissue.
A Different Kind of Lab
At DermTech’s dedicated on-site lab, Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) oversee the testing process involving state-of-the-art instrumentation.
A custom designed space in Southern California, the Gene Lab is the first and only commercial lab to extract nucleic acid (and other proteins) from non-invasive skin samples.
When the Smart Stickers arrive, they undergo an automated process that amplifies RNA and DNA molecules in order to detect the genomic markers found in melanoma cells.5,6
DermTech Chief Operating Officer Claudia Ibarra runs the Gene Lab.
DermTech Chief Operating Officer Claudia Ibarra runs the Gene Lab.
More Than the
Eye Can See
DermTech’s genomic analysis looks for melanoma at the gene level, 10,000 times closer than even a microscope, through a proprietary precision genomic test.9
The test detects LINC00518 and PRAME using an amplification process called RT-PCR which makes billions of copies of these genes.5,10 An additional test can also be conducted to identify the presence of TERT gene driver mutations using a DNA sequencing technique. Positive results for LINC00518, PRAME, or TERT correlate with the presence of melanoma. If the biomarkers are not detected (meaning negative results), this indicates a greater than 99% probability that the mole being tested is not melanoma.1
This is all happening at the genomic level with molecules more than 10,000 times smaller than cells — critical for the early detection of the disease.3,4
This is all happening at the genomic level with molecules more than 10,000 times smaller than cells — critical for the early detection of the disease.3,4
Ask your doctor to check it and DermTech it.
The Tech is Advanced
The Process is Easy
When ordered by a doctor, a DermTech sample collection kit is sent to the patient, and the skin sample is collected remotely under clinical supervision. Here are the easy steps.
Press the sticker on top of your mole
Lift the sticker off in one direction
Press and rub the spot
Stick it on the collection strip. Repeat three more times.
Circle the spot
Then ship to the DermTech Gene Lab. Done and done.
Press the sticker on top of your mole
Press and rub the spot
Circle the spot
Lift the sticker off in one direction
Stick it on the collection strip. Repeat three more times.
Then ship to the DermTech Gene Lab. Done and done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DermTech Melanoma Test?
The DermTech Melanoma Test is a non-invasive genomic test used to enhance the early detection of melanoma by detecting the presence of genomic markers found in melanoma–often times earlier than the current biopsy pathway.7
The Smart Sticker gently lifts skin cells containing genomic material from the surface of the skin. The adhesive on the sticker stores and preserves the skin cells so it can be sent to DermTech’s Gene Lab for examination. If the genomic markers found in melanoma are present, this will typically result in a biopsy of the spot. If not, you’ve likely saved yourself a scar.
How does it work?
If your doctor has identified a suspicious skin spot — maybe one they would normally take a photograph of and track — they can use the DermTech Melanoma Test to rule out melanoma (with 99% accuracy, better than the 83% accuracy of the current biopsy care pathway).1,5
Once they have identified the spot, they’ll open the “Adhesive Skin Collection Kit” to begin the test. They’ll use the smart sticker to lift skin tissue off the spot by pressing, rubbing, and lifting the sticker. They’ll do this four times, placing each sticker on the collection strip.
This strip then gets sent to our Gene Lab. At the lab, a DermTech patented process tests your sample for the presence of three genomic markers associated with melanoma, named PRAME, LINC00518, and TERT.
Results are sent to your physician in about 5 business days. Your doctor will use this information to choose the best path forward for your treatment. If the genomic markers found in melanoma are present, this will typically result in a biopsy of the spot. If not, you’ve likely saved yourself a scar.
Does the DermTech Melanoma Test hurt?
Not typically. The Smart StickerTM uses a specially formulated adhesive to gently lift skin cells from the surface of your skin, but it’s not so strong that it would cause pain, bleeding or damage to the site. In certain cases, mild irritation or other effects may occur.
Does the DermTech test replace a biopsy?
The DermTech Melanoma Test is not a replacement for a biopsy. If the genomic markers are there, your doctor will use this information to choose the best path forward for your treatment. The DermTech Melanoma Test is rather a step before a biopsy that can see genomic markers linked to melanoma far earlier than the traditional biopsy pathway can.7
Learn more about the DermTech Melanoma Test
And stay up-to-date on other treatments and technology.
Ask for a more advanced test.
Get your skin checked with a doctor who can DermTech it.
- Ferris L, et al. (2017). Real-World Performance and Utility of a Non-Invasive Gene Expression Assay to Evaluate Melanoma Risk in Pigmented Lesions. Melanoma Research, 2018.
- Gerami P et al. Development and validation of a noninvasive 2-gene molecular assay for cutaneous melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(1):114-120.
- J Mol Biol. 1981 Oct 15;152(1):153-61. doi: 10.1016/0022-2836(81)90099-1.
- Millington, P.F. and Wilkinson, R. (1983) Skin. Cambridge University Press, New York.
- Gerami P et al. Development and validation of a noninvasive 2-gene molecular assay for cutaneous melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(1):114-120.
- Jackson R et al. SKIN. 2020;5(1):105-110.
- Yao Z, Allen T, Oakley M, et al. Analytical characteristics of a noninvasive gene expression assay for pigmented skin lesions. Assay Drug Dev Technol. 2016;14(6):355-363.
- Ferris LK et al. Impact on clinical practice of a non-invasive gene expression melanoma rule-out test: 12-month follow-up of negative test results and utility data from a large US registry study. Dermatol Online J. 2019;25(5).
- Ferris LK et al. Utility of a noninvasive 2-gene molecular assay for cutaneous melanoma and effect on the decision to biopsy. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(7):675-680.
- Jansen B, Hansen D, Moy R, Hanhan M, Yao Z. Gene expression analysis differentiates melanomas from Spitz nevi. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018, 17(5):574-576.
* DermTech, data on file
** In certain cases, mild skin irritation or other effects may occur.