Unlocking the clinical utility of genomic biomarkers in ovarian cancer

Speaker: dr Anna Piskorz (University of  Cambridge)

Talk: Unlocking the clinical utility of genomic biomarkers in ovarian cancer

Time: 25th May 2018, 9:00 am

Venue: Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Abrahama 58, hall 042

I’m a molecular biologist focus on translational research in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). I work on identification of genomic biomarkers that could be applied in clinic as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers, helping in better patient stratification, earlier disease diagnosis, monitoring patient response and improving patient management during the course of treatment. My research interests focus on development and implementation of new genomic technologies with potential application in clinic like shallow whole genome sequencing for copy number alterations detection and detection of mutant tumour DNA in body fluids. In my research I use variety of specimens like tumour tissue and body fluids (blood, plasma, ascites). I have a special interest in molecular characterization of ascites samples. I’m engaged in molecular analysis of samples from several clinical trials (ARIEL2, PISSARO, ICON7, ICON8, MADCaP, PHL-093 Toronto, OZM-061 Toronto) and collaborate with scientists from other research centres: University of Calgary (Canada), NKI (The Netherlands), VU University Medical Centre (The Netherlands), Institute of Cancer Sciences University of Glasgow (UK). I'm lead consultant for the molecular analysis of HGSOC samples in collaborations with the Ovarian Tumour Tissue Analysis (OTTA) and the Multidisciplinary Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Group (MOCOG) consortiums. One of my main aims is to transform HGSOC patients' care in Addenbrooks's hospital through the implementation of real time molecular profiling of every women with HGSOC by setting up workflow between CRUK CI, pathologists, tissue bank and Cancer Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory.