A Method for Characterizing Melanocytic Lesions

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method for characterizing melanocytic lesions, such as those involved in melanoma and psoriasis, by identifying and measuring the expression levels of specific biomarkers in keratinocytes (skin cells) that surround melanocytes. By determining the presence or absence of a selected panel of biomarkers, the method enables precise discrimination between benign, pre-malignant, and malignant melanocytic lesions. The method can be applied manually or incorporated into automated or semi-automated diagnostic devices, making it suitable for digital pathology platforms.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Early and accurate diagnosis of skin cancers, particularly melanoma, from biopsy samples.
• Differentiation between benign, pre-malignant, and malignant melanocytic lesions to guide treatment decisions.
• Monitoring progression or regression of skin lesions during therapy in patients with melanoma or other melanocytic diseases.
• Implementation in automated or semi-automated digital pathology systems for high-throughput screening in clinical laboratories.
• Standardization of diagnostic procedures across different healthcare providers and reducing inter-observer variability.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improves diagnostic accuracy and reduces reliance on subjective assessment by experienced histologists.
• Enables early detection and intervention for malignant melanoma, potentially improving patient outcomes.
• Allows automation and digitization of the diagnostic process, saving time and reducing costs.
• Facilitates monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy using objective biomarker data.
• Increases sensitivity and specificity of distinguishing between various types and stages of melanocytic skin lesions.

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Patent Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to the identification of novel biomarkers for the characterization of melanocytic lesions as can be found in skin diseases such as melanomas and psoriasis. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method for characterizing melanocytic lesions and their use in an automated or semi-automated device for the diagnosis and/or monitoring of benign, pre-malignant, and malignant melanocytic lesions, as further defined in the claims.