SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Castle Biosciences, Inc., a provider of molecular diagnostics to improve cancer treatment decisions, today announced the presentation of data from a new test discovered by the Company to assess the risk of cancer recurrence in patients diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Results were presented in a poster session at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society Annual Meeting, November 4-7, 2015 in Salt Lake City.
According to the initial development study presented today, the new gene expression profile signature accurately identifies tumors from patients with soft tissue sarcomas that are at high risk of recurrence, independent of traditional staging methods including histologic and pathologic grades.
In the study, tumor samples from 73 cases of archival tissue taken from STS patients were analyzed using a gene expression signature designed to discriminate between recurrent and non-recurrent cases. The GEP signature achieved a sensitivity of 98%, indicating its ability to identify the vast majority of STS patients who are at high risk of their cancer returning within 3 to 5 years.
Results indicated that Class 1 (low risk) tumors experienced a 3- and 5-year metastasis-free survival rate of 89% (for each time point), while Class 2 (high risk) tumors had 3- and 5-year metastasis-free survival rates of 39% and 18%, respectively.
“These results point to the development of a promising new gene test that may help to more accurately differentiate patients for more appropriate follow up care compared with current staging methods in this disease,” said Sujana Movva, M.D., Assistant Professor of Hematology/Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center. “A more accurate predictor of metastatic risk would help physicians select the most appropriate care for the individual patient. We look forward to seeing results from further studies of this test.”
“We’re excited and pleased by these initial results with this internally discovered assay,” commented Derek Maetzold, President and CEO of Castle Biosciences. “Many soft tissue sarcoma patients are at high risk of recurrence and metastasis. A challenge for physicians is knowing which patients could benefit from more aggressive post-surgical follow up treatment. We are looking forward to completing validation studies of our test in the coming months and reporting additional data.”
About Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the soft tissues of the body, including muscle, tendons, fat, lymph and blood vessels, nerves and the tissue surrounding joints. While soft tissue sarcoma can be found anywhere in the body, approximately 40% of these tumors originate in the arms and legs. There are more than 70 types of soft tissue sarcomas, which are diagnosed through physical exam, imaging tests and ultimately, biopsy. The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 12,000 new cases of soft tissue sarcomas in the United States in 2015. Treatment includes surgical removal of tumor, chemotherapy, radiation or experimental therapies administered through clinical trials.
About Castle Biosciences
Castle Biosciences is a molecular diagnostics company dedicated to helping patients and their physicians make the best possible decisions about their treatment and follow-up care based on the individual molecular signature of their tumor. The Company currently offers tests for patients with uveal melanoma (DecisionDx-UM), cutaneous melanoma (DecisionDx-Melanoma) and esophageal cancer (DecisionDx-EC), among others. Castle Biosciences is based in Friendswood, TX (Houston), and has laboratory operations in Phoenix, AZ. More information can be found at www.castlebiosciences.com.
DecisionDx-UM, DecisionDx-Melanoma and DecisionDx-EC are the trademarks of Castle Biosciences, Inc. Any other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.