Gene test may spare melanoma patients unnecessary surgery
NCT ID NCT04759781
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is testing a gene signature (the Merlin Assay) to see if it can accurately predict whether melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Researchers are enrolling 1,820 newly diagnosed melanoma patients who are scheduled for a sentinel lymph node biopsy. The goal is to determine if the test can identify low-risk patients who might safely skip the biopsy, leading to more precise staging and fewer invasive procedures.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Merlin Assay (gene signature test)
What this could lead to
If successful, this test could help many melanoma patients avoid unnecessary lymph node biopsies by accurately identifying those at low risk of spread.
What could go wrong
This is an observational registry study, not a treatment trial. The test may not prove accurate enough in practice, and results may not change standard care immediately.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
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Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
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Huntsman Cancer Institute
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
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Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States
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Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States
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University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, 40506, United States
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University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky, 40292, United States
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States