GEP Integration in cSCC

In “GEP Integration in cSCC,” our panel explores how gene expression profiling (GEP) and other tumor-based molecular tools are being incorporated into clinical workflows to support more personalized management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The expert faculty discuss how GEP testing may complement traditional staging systems by identifying patients whose biologic risk may differ from what is suggested by clinicopathologic features alone.

The panel reviews how high-risk tumors, particularly those involving the head and neck or other NCCN high-risk sites, may benefit from additional molecular risk stratification to help guide management decisions. The expert faculty discuss how GEP results are integrated into multidisciplinary care planning and how these findings may influence decisions regarding adjuvant radiation therapy, imaging, surveillance intervals, and consideration of additional interventions such as sentinel lymph node biopsy.

The discussion also highlights the role of shared decision-making in cSCC management, particularly for patients who may be hesitant to pursue aggressive treatment approaches. The panelists review how GEP results may support more individualized conversations regarding recurrence risk, treatment escalation, and surveillance strategies. Additionally, the expert faculty discuss how molecular profiling may help identify patients who are traditionally categorized as high risk but may ultimately have lower biologic risk, while also uncovering patients with seemingly low-stage disease who harbor more aggressive tumor biology.

Our next episode, “Molecular Mechanisms of GEP in cSCC,” explores how gene expression profiling results are incorporated into clinical decision-making, including treatment planning, surveillance strategies, and identification of patients at highest risk for recurrence and metastasis.