Historically the first biomarkers in cancer patients were tested on an individual level by PCR. As we gain knowledge of more and more actionable biomarkers, the parallel testing of them via NGS has become an integral part of molecular cancer diagnostics. Also, the size of genomic panels is constantly increasing.
Dr. Philip Beer is a renowned physician, scientist, and precision oncology expert from the UK. In this first episode of your ONCOmmunity podcast, he will share his opinion and experience of this trend.
He will dig into the benefits of running a single comprehensive biomarker test rather than multiple small gene sequencing panel assays and argue why the optimal time to undertake comprehensive biomarker tests on cancer patients along their clinical pathway is at initial diagnosis.
“There are promising uses of liquid biopsy, however, still under investigation in clinical trials. But the use of liquid biopsies is likely to find its way into routine clinical practice within the next couple of years, so is certainly one to watch”, he will conclude with regards to further technologies beyond tissue testing.