Castle Biosciences, Inc. announced new data showing the ability of its pipeline test in development to distinguish between responders and non-responders to an atopic dermatitis (AD) therapy and also distinguish between AD, psoriasis (PSO) and mycosis fungoides (MF) skin lesions. The goal of Castle?s innovative pipeline initiative is to develop a genomic test aimed at guiding systemic therapy selection for patients with moderate-to-severe AD, PSO and related conditions. Additional updates regarding development of this pipeline program are expected in 2024.

Castle shared data regarding its innovative pipeline initiative at the recent 2023 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference® (FC23). In addition to therapy responder data in patients diagnosed with AD, the Company also presented data confirming that gene expression differences exist between AD, PSO and MF skin lesions which could assist clinicians in making an appropriate diagnosis. This is clinically significant as incorrectly treating inflammatory skin diseases can not only delay a critical diagnosis but may further complicate a patient?s disease if incorrectly prescribed a medication for the wrong condition.

Additional updates regarding development of this pipeline program are expected in 2024. Castle?s poster from FC23 may be viewed here. Inflammatory skin disease accounts for a significant number of patient visits to both primary care and dermatology clinics across the United States every year.

Psoriasis (PSO) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are among the most common inflammatory skin conditions, and patient quality of life is severely impacted by these chronic diseases. Fortunately, systemic medications developed over the past 15 years have demonstrated a significant improvement in patients? lives.

In the United States alone, there are about 18 million patients diagnosed with PSO and AD, and approximately 450,000 patients annually are eligible for these systemic therapies. While there are now many effective treatment options available for those with moderate-to-severe inflammatory skin diseases, current clinical practice relies on a trial-and-error approach for therapy selection.