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DermTech has announced the publication of a significant study focusing on chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD), evaluating the efficacy of topical ruxolitinib cream. This is the first clinical trial analyzing gene expression changes in cGvHD patients treated with this cream versus a vehicle. The study, conducted with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, identified 210 differentially expressed genes linked to immune modulation and treatment response. This research enhances DermTech's position in precision dermatology and aims to provide actionable genomic insights for clinicians.
Positive
Successful identification of 210 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to treatment response.
First clinical trial evaluating topical ruxolitinib in cGvHD patients, marking a significant milestone.
Collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center enhances research credibility and potential market impact.
Graft versus host disease (GvHD) occurs when transplanted donor immune cells attack the recipient's healthy cells and tissues. Dermatologic manifestations are an important aspect of GvHD, as they are often the earliest organ affected in GvHD and develop in more than half of GvHD patients. While oral ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, has been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute and chronic GvHD (cGvHD), this is the first clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of topical ruxolitinib in cutaneous GvHD patients.
Skin samples were non-invasively collected from cutaneous GvHD patients using the DermTech Smart StickerTM and subsequently analyzed by RNA sequencing to investigate the effect of topical ruxolitinib on gene expression in cGvHD. Specifically, the study evaluated the genomic differences between treatment with ruxolitinib cream and vehicle cream and the distinction between patients who responded to treatment and those who did not.
“Noninvasive characterization and prognostication of therapeutic response are needed for GvHD therapies,” said Dr. Alina Markova, lead author and Assistant Attending of Dermatology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “This is the first study to characterize the effect of topical JAK1/2 blockade with ruxolitinib cream on cutaneous cGVHD and differentiate the genomic signatures between responders and non-responders.”
Bioinformatic analyses of Smart StickerTM collected skin samples successfully identified 210 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between topical ruxolitinib and vehicle treatments with primary pathway differences in immune modulation and cell-signaling. Additionally, 383 DEGs were identified which differentiated patients who responded to treatment from those who did not.
“We are proud to partner with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to advance research on treatment for cutaneous GvHD patients and provide clinicians with objective genomic information to help identify patients that may benefit from treatment,” said Michael Howell, PhD, chief scientific officer of DermTech. “This collaboration further demonstrates DermTech Stratum’s capabilities in offering translational medicine services to bring heightened precision and personalization to the diagnosis and treatment of dermatologic disease.”
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 platform. 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 non-invasively using our Smart StickersTM. DermTech markets and develops products that facilitate the early detection of skin cancers and is developing products that assess inflammatory diseases and customize drug treatments. For additional information, please visit DermTech.com.
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,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “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, benefits to research partners and collaborators, cost-effectiveness, commercialization and adoption of DermTech’s products and services and the market opportunity for these products, and DermTech’s ability to expand its product and service offerings and develop pipeline products. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of DermTech and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against DermTech; (2) DermTech’s ability to obtain additional funding to develop and market its products and services; (3) the existence of favorable or unfavorable clinical guidelines for DermTech’s tests; (4) the reimbursement of DermTech’s tests by Medicare and private payors; (5) the ability of patients or healthcare providers to obtain coverage of or sufficient reimbursement for DermTech’s products; (6) DermTech’s ability to grow, manage growth and retain its key employees; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the market adoption and demand for DermTech’s products and services together with the possibility that DermTech may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (9) other risks and uncertainties included in (x) 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 (y) 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.
What is the significance of DermTech's study on ruxolitinib for chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease?
The study is the first to explore the effectiveness of topical ruxolitinib in patients with chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD), identifying genomic differences that could inform treatment strategies.
What were the key findings from DermTech's clinical trial published in Transplantation and Cellular Therapy?
The trial identified 210 differentially expressed genes, with findings suggesting significant immune modulation and cell-signaling pathway differences between treatment responses.
How does DermTech's research contribute to precision dermatology?
This research enables non-invasive genomic characterization of cGvHD patients, facilitating personalized treatment approaches and improving clinical outcomes.
What role did Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center play in DermTech's study?
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center collaborated with DermTech to conduct the study, providing expertise in dermatology and enhancing the research's credibility.
What is DermTech's next step following the publication of their ruxolitinib study?
DermTech aims to leverage the study's findings to further develop precision dermatology solutions and improve treatment protocols for conditions like cGvHD.
