Molecular Mechanisms of GEP in cSCC

In this episode, “Molecular Mechanisms of GEP in cSCC,” the panelists explore the scientific foundation and clinical interpretation of gene expression profiling (GEP) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The expert faculty discuss how RNA-based molecular profiling is performed using tumor tissue from the original biopsy specimen and review the role of transcriptomic analysis in identifying tumors with higher metastatic potential.

The panel examines how the 40-gene expression profile test stratifies patients into low-, high-, and highest-risk categories for recurrence and metastasis through analysis of gene expression patterns and application of a validated neural algorithm. The discussion highlights how molecular profiling may provide objective biologic information beyond traditional staging systems and how GEP results may influence decisions regarding adjuvant radiation therapy, surveillance intensity, and earlier detection of metastatic disease.

Additionally, the expert faculty review the role of dermatopathologists in tissue selection and discuss how minimizing sampling variability may improve the reliability of molecular testing. The panel also explores how transcriptomic data and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses have supported the prognostic utility of GEP in cSCC, as well as how clinicians interpret these data in real-world practice. Throughout the discussion, the expert faculty emphasize the growing role of molecular diagnostics in supporting precision medicine approaches and more individualized management strategies for patients with cSCC.

In the next episode, “Clinical Impact of GEP in cSCC,” panelists will continue discussing the integration of gene expression profiling into clinical practice, including challenges related to interpretation, treatment selection, and balancing escalation versus de-escalation of care in patients with cSCC.