entire alleles from chromosomes, partial chromosomal addition and chromosomal deletion and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have been associated with uveal melanoma metastatic lesions. In particular, chromosomes 1, 3, 6 and 8 have been extensively studied for their association with shorter survival time and development of metastatic disease. While genetic aberrations in chromosomes 1, 6 and 8 have not independently been able to predict disease progression, cytogenetic profiling of chromosome 3 has uncovered an important genetic region highly associated with metastatic onset in uveal melanoma patients. Chromosome 3 abnormalities have been analyzed using multiple techniques, including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), chromosomal in situ hybridization (CISH), array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), SNP, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and microsatellite analysis. Despite a wealth of data that has identified the association of chromosome 3 mutation with UM metastasis, the clinical application of this data has yet to be realized. Reasons for the uncertainty of chromosome 3 clinical use include: high false-positive rates (ranging from 5-22%) high false-negative rates (ranging from 4-50%) high technical failure rates (up to 50%) due to the large tissue requirement for current analysis techniques the adverse effects of cellular heterogeneity on chromosome 3 cytogenetic analysis. Furthermore, unlike the DecisionDx-UM test, there are no published, peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate clinical validation in an independent set of patients. Castle Biosciences, Incorporated Castle Biosciences, Incorporated is a molecular diagnostics company that develops diagnostic and prognostic assays for rare cancers. Castle’s mission is to serve individuals afflicted with rare cancers by offering accurate prognostic tests which provide information for making critical decisions regarding an individual’s surveillance and treatment regimens. In addition to DecisionDx-UM, Castle offers prognostic tests for melanoma (DecisionDx-Melanoma) and squamous cell carcinoma (DecisionDx-SCC). Castle is based in Friendswood, TX, and has operations in Phoenix, AZ. References External links The Tumori Foundation The Ocular Melanoma Foundation. A cancer nonprofit foundation. The Ocular Oncology Service at Washington University in St. Louis The Eye Cancer Network OCU-MEL - Ocular Melanoma e-mail list for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals All NCI-approved clinical trials for uveal melanoma that has spread to the liver A phase III clinical trial for uveal melanoma that has spread to the liver EyeMelanoma.org Diagnostic ophthalmology Medical tests