Brain Cancer Whole Genome Sequencing and Clinical Trials Summit
7 May 2024
Wellcome Genome Campus, UK
A one day workshop developed in conjunction with CRUK Cambridge Centre Brain Cancer Virtual Institute for UK stakeholders to examine the current provision and future of brain cancer Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
Overview
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for patients with a suspected brain tumour, including glioblastoma, has been available from the National Genomic Test Directory since 2022.
Since then, implementation of this service has resulted in many individual success stories for patients, but has also highlighted potential issues around uptake and equity of access, pointing to specific challenges in tissue pathway design and implementation, alongside job plan prioritisation and education for staff.
To address these questions, we are holding a one day in-person workshop for an open discussion to collectively consider solutions. Colleagues from across the UK will convene to explore this topic, however, attendance remains strictly by invitation only.
Discussion will involve key stakeholders and opinion leaders from across the UK including:
- Clinical teams (neuropathology/neurosurgery/neuro oncology/nursing)
- Genomic Laboratory Hubs (clinical leads and clinical scientists)
- National infrastructure (NHS England (NHSE), Genomics England)
- Charities and other stakeholders (CRUK, Brain Tumour Charity, Brainstrust, Brain Tumour Research, Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission)
Learning outcomes
Key goals:
- Discuss the utility of WGS in brain cancer treatment pathways including for diagnosis and stratification into clinical trials.
- Discuss barriers to (and identify solutions for) clinical implementation.
- Share best practice for tissue pathways.
- Share best practice for sequencing analysis and clinical integration.
- Discuss the NHSE concept of Networks of Excellence (NoE) in brain cancer genomes.
- Identify ‘local champions’ for WGS at each GLH and neuro oncology centre, nationally.
- Produce a consensus statement for the consenting, tissue processing, WGS analysis and clinical trial access for brain cancer patients.
Programme and timetable
Morning seminars:
- Exploring the current landscape of WGS in brain cancer across the UK
- Defining utility for WGS in brain cancer – clinical trial opportunities
- The future for WGS in brain cancer
Afternoon small group sessions:
- Optimising current processes for WGS
- Mapping the future of WGS
- Clinical trial recruitment opportunities
Scientific committee
Dr Patrick Tarpey
Lead Scientist for Solid Cancer, East Genomic Laboratory Hub, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
Dr Richard Mair
Assistant Professor in Neurosurgical Oncology, University of Cambridge, and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
Dr Juanita Lopez
Consultant Medical Oncologist, Oak Foundation Drug Development Unit, The Royal Marsden, and The Institute of Cancer Research, UK
Prof Kathreena Kurian
Professor of Neuropathology and Honorary Consultant Neuropathologist, University of Bristol Medical School and North Bristol Trust, UK
Dr Mayen Briggs
Consultant Neuropathologist, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
Ingela Oberg
Macmillan Nurse Consultant, Adult Neuro-Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
How to apply
Please contact info@brain.cancer.cam.ac.uk for further information on how to join this workshop.
Cost
There is no cost to attend this workshop.
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