Dr. Polsky on Potential Applications of ctDNA in Melanoma

David Polsky, MD, PhD, Alfred W. Kopf, MD Professor of Dermatologic Oncology, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, professor, Department of Pathology, and director, Pigmented Lesion Service, NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses potential applications of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker in melanoma.

Polsky and researchers studied the ctDNA of 345 patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who were treated with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) or dabrafenib plus trametinib (Mekinist) in the randomized phase III COMBI-d trial.

Based on the findings, ctDNA could be used in conjunction with CT imaging to shed light on indeterminate radiographic findings in patients. says Polsky.

In 2018, a paper published by investigators at Johns Hopkins University suggested that incorporating ctDNA assessment into clinical practice could influence treatment decisions, clarify radiographic interpretations, and ultimately impact outcomes.