September 2022 Update

SAVE THE DATE

Registration is open for the 6th Annual Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) Forum at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME. The event will take place on Friday, March 31 from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET through Saturday, April 1 from 8:25 AM – 4:00 PM ET.

In person attendance is available by invitation to select MCGI network contacts. These contacts will receive an email invitation to attend in person. Virtual attendance is open to all.

Lodging and meal costs, for in person attendees are complimentary for invited attendees. Invitees are welcome to bring a spouse or guest, with a single charge to cover all guest meals at time of registration.

The event will be held in a hybrid format for those who wish to join by videoconference during the live event or on-demand for the designated post-event period.

Additional information will be available in the coming months. Visit our event page to register for your virtual seat at the 2023 MCGI Forum.

Please contact us at mcgi@jax.org with any questions or concerns.

SWOG CANCER RESEARCH STUDY ON GENOMIC TUMOR BOARDS

We are pleased to announce that JAX will be taking its cornerstone genomic tumor board program (GTB) to oncologists across the nation as part of a SWOG Cancer Research Network study in collaboration with Columbia University.

The new SWOG study, entitled “S2108CD: A Cluster Randomized Trial Comparing an Educationally Enhanced Genomic Tumor Board Intervention to Usual Practice to Increase Evidence-Based Genome-Informed Therapy,” will help the team at JAX and Columbia learn if using GTBs to advise doctors on treatment options will ultimately improve the outcomes for cancer patients.

The study will take place within 18 NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) sites across the country, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico. Nine practices will review their patients’ genomic test results as they normally do, and the remaining nine practices will meet with a GTB to review test results and advise on treatment options. The goal of the two-year study is to enroll over 1,000 patients with a wide range of advanced or recurrent solid tumors across the two groups. Learn more in a recent press release.

We were honored to be featured in the SWOG Front Line newsletter to share this news. Read Dr. Blanke’s blog post introducing the study here.

JOIN US ON LINKEDIN & X!

In addition to our freshly updated website, we are excited to announce the launch of our social media profiles on LinkedIn and X! As a team, we want to keep you up to date on all the great things happening within the MCGI.

Please take a moment and visit our social media profiles to drop a ‘Like’ or ‘Follow’. We look forward to connecting with you and sharing regular updates surrounding the MCGI and all things precision oncology!

Join us on LinkedIn

Join us on X

JAX CLINICAL GENOMICS NEURO-ONCOLOGY TESTING

The JAX Clinical Genomics Laboratory offers molecular testing methods for primary brain tumor biomarkers to complement standard histopathological assessment. This provides clinicians and their patients with a comprehensive profile of each tumor, supporting diagnostic, prognostic and treatment decision making.

These testing methods include the JAX SOMASEQ™, a next-generation sequencing-based tumor profiling assay, JAX OncoMethyl Array™, a machine learning algorithm intended to provide supplemental information for the classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and the upcoming MGMT Promoter Methylation test.

Download a copy of the JAX neuro-oncology flyer to learn more.

PERSONALIZED MEDICINE WEBINAR FOR PATIENTS

Mark your calendars for the upcoming webinar in partnership with the Dempsey Center titled, ‘Personalized Medicine: How new technologies are helping to find individualized treatments’, presented by Lindsey Kelley, M.P.H., M.S., CGC on Monday, November 7 from 12 PM – 1 PM ET.

This webinar is for oncology patients, their caregivers, and anyone else looking to learn more about the different types of genomic testing available to oncology patients. Attendees will learn how genomic test results are used to create individualized treatment plans for patients and will have a lively discussion about the future of cancer care.

If you are interested in attending, visit the Dempsey Center or email registration@dempseycenter.org to register.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

When should you consider germline testing for a patient who has already had genomic tumor testing? JAX’s Clinical Education team recently discussed the benefits and limitations of tumor testing in identifying hereditary cancer risks with experts often heard on MCGI’s genomic tumor boards, including Dr. Chris Walko from Moffit Cancer Center and Dr. Nick Renzette from JAX’s CLIA lab. View the recording of this webinar.

You can also learn more about identifying germline variants in cancer patients by accessing other educational resources on this topic.