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CANCER OMICS STAGE
Decoding Cancer: From Research to Revolutionary Diagnostics and Patient care
The Festival wouldn't be the same without our world-class speaker faculty and we're grateful to all our speakers for sharing their work. Plus, we're pleased to share that 50% of Festival speakers are women.
DAY 1
Day 1 of The Cancer Omics Stage focusses on Cancer Genomics and Evolution, Comprehensive Genomic Profiling and Identifying Genetic Weaknesses in Cancer.
[topic] CANCER GENOMICS AND EVOLUTION
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Computational Cancer Genome Analysis: Insights Into The Mechanisms Underpinning Cancer Genome Complexity
- My laboratory focuses on the development of computational methods to study the mechanisms underpinning cancer genome complexity and evolution, and to harness novel technologies applicable in clinical settings to improve early cancer detection and treatment selection
- In this talk, I will first present SAVANA, a novel algorithm for the detection of somatic structural variants using long-read sequencing data, and their application for the reconstruction of complex rearrangements in clinical samples. Next, I will discuss our work on the characterization of the mechanisms underpinning the evolutionary trajectories of the diverse spectrum of complex genomic rearrangements observed across diverse cancer types, such as chromothripsis
- Specifically, I will present the discovery of a novel rearrangement mechanism, loss-translocation-amplification (LTA) chromothripsis, which mediates rapid malignant transformation and punctuated evolution in about half of paediatric and adult high-grade osteosarcomas
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Using Optical Genome Mapping to Study Neuroblastoma
- Multiple genetic abnormalities have been identified as prognostically significant in neuroblastoma patients. We used OGM to identify copy number and structural variants (SVs) in neuroblastoma which may have been missed by standard cytogenetic techniques
- OGM detected copy number abnormalities found using previous methods and provided estimates for absolute copy numbers of amplified genes. OGM identified novel SVs, including fusion genes in two cell lines of potential clinical significance
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Dissecting Phenotypic Heterogeneity and Plasticity in Colorectal Cancer Metastasis
- A major challenge for inhibiting metastasis is the ability of cancer cells to reversibly switch states in response to microenvironmental cues along the metastatic cascade. Phenotypic heterogeneity in cancer is increasingly recognised as a driver of tumour progression, metastasis and therapy resistance. The regulatory factors and signals from the microenvironment driving phenotypic heterogeneity in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and liver metastasis remain unknown.
- Using a combination of single-cell multiomics and spatial transcriptomics data from primary and metastatic CRC patients, we reveal cancer states with regenerative and inflammatory phenotype, potentially driven by transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB. We show that these cells resemble metastasis-initiating cells identified in mouse models and that they are enriched at the invasive edge in primary CRC. We identify an intermediate population with a hybrid regenerative and stem phenotype, indicating phenotypic transitions between stem and pro-metastatic cells.
- Our spatial analyses show localisation of the regenerative states in an immunosuppressive niche in liver metastasis, surrounded by immune and stromal cells that sustain these cells. We uncover putative ligand-receptor interactions driven by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), macrophages and CD8 T cells that are predicted to activate the regenerative and inflammatory phenotype in cancer cells. Together, our findings reveal regulatory and signalling factors that potentially mediate distinct cancer cell states and can be targeted to restrict transition into invasive states to impair metastasis.
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[break] Lunch
- Exhibition Floor: Wander around the vibrant exhibition floor to see the latest technologies and services on offer
- Food Options: Grab a sandwich at The Tree of Life Cafe or head on over to the Food Village for a range of hot food options, including Indian, Jamaican and Lebanese food
- Live Lounge Over Lunch: 15-minute technology-focused presentations
- Poster Zone: Browse the posters and reach out to potential new collaborators
- Talkaoke: The Flying Saucer of Chat, a fun and interactive pop-up show that offers you the opportunity to sit down with others and discuss any topic you like
[topic] COMPREHENSIVE GENOMIC PROFILING
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Finding The Sweet Spot Between Comprehensive And Targeted Sequencing In Clinical Cancer Care
- The benefits and challenges with implementation of comprehensive genomic profiling
- Choosing the right tool for the job with clinical examples
- Delivering the best patient care under the pressures to evolve within the constraints of working within the NHS
Speakers
Clinical Scientist and Scientific Lead for Cancer Genomics
South East Genomic Laboratory Hub
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From Sequencing to Clinical Results: Automating Hereditary Cancer Testing
- Informed Genomics is an ISO 15189 accredited genetics laboratory offering a hereditary and somatic cancer service. A clear objective during the development of the hereditary cancer service was integrating a robust clinical decision support tool into our process pathways to support our clinical scientist team in analyzing hereditary cancer cases.
- Here, we demonstrate the integration of QIAGEN Clinical Insight (QCI) into our automated pathways, allowing seamless movement of sequencing data from our bioinformatics pipeline through QCI and into our clinical result portal. We describe how we utilised filter cascades to signpost priority variants and how QCI allows us to track all evidence gathering and decision-making, thus enabling paperless variant review. We also describe how QCI supports the ancillary requirements around clinical service delivery linked to the analysis and reporting of clinical results, a key secondary function supporting clinical laboratory accreditation.
- To demonstrate the above two, usage cases will be described, the delivery of our routine hereditary cancer service and supporting IGL’s involvement in the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing programme.
Sponsor
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Genetic Profiling in Healthcare and Prevention
- Actionable genetic information in healthcare & prevention
- Array genotyping
- Pharmacogenetics (PGx)- and polygenic risk scores (PRS)
- Taking a holistic approach and making the most of genetic health data
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[break] Break
- Speed Networking: Fun and useful sessions where you’ll rapidly meet other Festival attendees to immediately expand your network
- Food Options: Grab a coffee and a cake at The Tree of Life Cafe or head on over to the Food Village for a range of hot food options including Indian, Jamaican and Lebanese food
- Exhibition Floor: Wander around the vibrant exhibition floor to see the latest technologies and services on offer
- Talkaoke: The Flying Saucer of Chat, a fun and interactive pop-up show that offers you the opportunity to sit down with others and discuss any topic you like
[topic] IDENTIFYING CANCER DRIVERS
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Exploiting Large Scale Variants to Identify Missing Heritability for Cancer Predisposition
- Using UKBB and GEL data to look at novel genetic variants causing a predisposition to different cancers
- Copy Number and Structural Variation based cancer genome-wide association studies
- New computational methods to analyse this data more effectively
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Panel Based Next Generation Sequencing of Solid Tumours for Cancer Genome Profiling and Clinical Implementation with Real World Examples
- Cancer biomarkers are proven in several studies to give greater insight and be actionable, but various cancers have various biomarkers
- The art of making a panel which can give insight into common and rare solid tumours can help easy adaptation by laboratories and actionable results
- Biomarker signatures and their clinical implications are examined and correlated with real-world samples
Sponsor
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Identifying Genetic Weaknesses in Cancers
- Methods for identifying weaknesses are now routinely used and we have the first set of precision medicines that now exploit those weaknesses
- Synthetic lethality and non-oncogene addiction to identify new approaches to treating cancer and to understand the variable effectiveness of existing treatments
Speaker
Professor of Cancer Genomics, Team Leader and Deputy Director
Institute of Cancer Research
DAY 2
On Day 2, The Cancer Omics Stage will focus on precision oncology as well as liquid biopsy and diagnostics.
[topic] PRECISION ONCOLOGY
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MCEDs for Population Screening for Cancer. Hope or Hype: A Public Health Perspective
- Discuss the latest multi-cancer early detectin tests that are advancing population-level screening for different cancers.
- The positive impact this will have on patients in terms of early diagnosis and getting the right treatments to the right patients at the right time.
- What are the challenges associated with implementing population level cancer screening and do we have the tests to do this effectively?
- Future directions and implementation.
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Transitioning to a New Generation of CGP Panel to Accommodate Funding Changes for HRD Testing and Future Proof the Ability to Deliver Test Requirements as Set Out in the National Test Directory
Synnovis is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and is a key partner in the delivery of genomic testing for the Southeast Genomic Laboratory Hub.
- The National Test Directory is regularly updated to clearly specify which genomic tests are commissioned and reimbursed by the NHS in England, and the patients who will be eligible to access a test.
- HRD testing was previously funded by a global co-promotion agreement between AZ ad MSD and delivered in accordance with arrangements agreed with NHS England (NHSE) through the GLH’s by Myriad Genetics Inc in the United States. This arrangement ceased at the end of March 2024 from which time NHSE has commenced funding of this service directly.
- There was a need to review the provision of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) given changes to the National Test Directory as well as solve the HRD challenge. This talk describes the implementation of OncoDEEP a CGP solid tumour panel and its benefits which will ensure the GLH can deliver ‘todays’ and ‘tomorrow’s’ test requirements as set out in the National Test Directory.
Speakers
Deputy Operations Lead/Clinical Scientist Cancer Genetics
NHS South East Genomic Medicine Service
Sponsor
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Dynamic Precision Medicine: A New Approach to Therapy Resistance
- Genetic heterogeneity within a cancer is even greater than previously recognized.
- Rare subclones, below the level of detection by current DNA sequencing methods, are a major source of therapy resistance and moderate to late term relapse.
- Dynamic precision medicine is a proactive approach to designing personalized treatment sequences that delay relapse and prolong survival.
Speaker
Professor of Oncology & of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, & Biomathematics
Georgetown Univeristy
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[break] Lunch
- Exhibition Floor: Wander around the vibrant exhibition floor to see the latest technologies and services on offer
- Food Options: Grab a sandwich at The Tree of Life Cafe or head on over to the Food Village for a range of hot food options including Indian, Jamaican and Lebanese food
- Biodata Showcase: 15-minute technology-focused presentations
- Poster Zone: Browse the posters and reach out to potential new collaborators
- Talkaoke: The Flying Saucer of Chat, a fun and interactive pop-up show that offers you the opportunity to sit down with others and discuss any topic you like
[topic] LIQUID BIOPSY & DIAGNOSTICS
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Translating Genomics Into The NHS For Cancer Care – What’s Coming Next?
- Evaluating new technologies that can be impactful for clinical cancer care
- Trialing these technologies in the clinic and lessons learned
- Future directions of how genomics will continue to innovate cancer care
Speaker
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Advancing Precision Oncology: Technical Insights into the AmoyDx HRD Focus Panel in a Leading UK & EU Lab
- Gain insights into how Almac Diagnostic Services implemented the AmoyDx HRD Focus Panel for precision oncology applications
Sponsor
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Establishing Liquid Biopsies as an Effective Tool for Early Cancer Screening
- Will cover the utility of different MCED tests and ongoing pilot screening programmes.
- How can we ensure these tests improve cancer mortality and patient prognosis.
- Discuss different applications such as for risk detection in asymptomatic people, multi-cancer detection in early symptomatic patients or in the single cancer testing.
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[break] Break
- Speed Networking: Fun and useful sessions where you’ll rapidly meet other Festival attendees to immediately expand your network
- Food Options: Grab a sandwich at The Tree of Life Cafe or head on over to the Food Village for a range of hot food options, including Indian, Jamaican and Lebanese food
- Exhibition Floor: Wander around the vibrant exhibition floor to see the latest technologies and services on offer
- Talkaoke: The Flying Saucer of Chat, a fun and interactive pop-up show that offers you the opportunity to sit down with others and discuss any topic you like
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Multi-modal Liquid Biopsy to Enhance Cancer Management
- Liquid biopsy and cell-free DNA have emerged as important biomarkers in oncology
- Approaches based on the sequencing of mutation or methylation markers recover a small fraction of events that make cancer
- Mining the multiple layers of omics (genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, fragmentomic) and analytes (cfDNA, cfRNA, extracellular vesicles) in blood samples from cancer patients has the potential to boost liquid biopsy and unlock new applications
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Immune Evasion Impacts Driver Landscape and Response to Immunotherapies
- Immunoediting is an evolutionary process that shapes the genome of human cells
- Immune evasion is the ultimate outcome of immunoediting and cancer evolution
- Immune evasion enables hiding from the immune system and accumulation of antigens
- Neoantigen accumulation in escaped clones facilitates response to immunotherapy