Perspectives on Progress: Using Genomics to Guide Clinical Therapy

selected abstracts

Abstract 1 – Lessons From the Cancer Genome Atlas

D. Neil Hayes, University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, UNC Lineberger, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

The past 5 years have seen an explosion of data from cancer genome sequencing projects. The single largest endeavor is the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). As of the beginning of 2015, TCGA had deposited more than 11,000 patient genome profiles into the public record, covering more than 30 tumor types. The experience gained by TCGA offers insights into future translational research in the era of genomics. Lessons learned from the analysis of these 11,000 patients will direct researchers and clinicians alike. The goal of this talk is to summarize the TCGA experience and to look forward to next steps in genomics research, clinical trials, and clinical care.

 Abstract 3 – Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Ovarian Cancer Elucidate Novel Targets and Therapies

 Gordon B. Mills, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas USA

Ovarian cancer is a disease of copy number change, with few recurrent genomic mutations other than almost universal changes in TP53 and abnormalities in BRCA1/2 in the pathways regulated by BRCA1/2. A number of drugs are emerging that can normalize the function of a subset of TP53 mutations, and additional drugs, such as WEE1 inhibitors, may exert greater activity in TP53-mutant tumors. The most exciting opportunity in ovarian cancer therapy is the emergence of poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors as synthetic lethal drugs with abnormalities in BRCA1/2 defects. Furthermore, it is critically important to identify markers of benefits and rational drug combinations for patients receiving PARP inhibitors. Finally, it is unlikely that monotherapy will have major impact on patients with ovarian cancer because of its complex genomic nature. Thus, it will be critical to identify rational drug combinations. Approaches to each of these opportunities and challenges will be presented.