Additional Information

There is now compelling evidence that the genomic heterogeneity of cancer leads to different molecular phenotypes with disparate sensitivities to therapy in histologically indistinguishable cancers. Knowledge of the molecular phenotype prior to treatment of an individual allows for the selection and early delivery of the optimal therapeutic regimen, which improves overall outcomes, and minimises morbidity and cost. Moreover, advances in our understanding of the molecular aberrations that underpin these phenotypes better identifies existing drugs for clinical testing and directs research towards molecular mechanisms of resistance to facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Significant inroads have been made in several cancer types, and over the past few years genotype guided therapy is becoming a reality in cancers such as breast, melanoma, NSCLC and colorectal cancer where treatment choice is based on molecular diagnostic tests. Despite these advances, there are no clear pathways for the implementation of molecular based clinical decision-making strategies (theranostics), with challenges in implementation, policy and practice. This deficiency particularly hampers advancement in the treatment of cancers that are thought to be heterogeneous and have numerous molecular phenotypes at low frequency. Emerging data suggest that many cancers are molecularly heterogeneous, and apart from a few notable exceptions, many genes in cancer have a mutation frequency of 3 – 10%. Because of this, even if these mutations are effectively targeted, it is unlikely that an overall benefit would be detected with current clinical trial designs.

To coincide with Australia hosting the 2010 International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) meeting, this symposium will provide an opportunity for International and Local speakers to discuss how genomic information can potentially be translated into the clinical setting. Speakers include Tom Hudson who heads the ICGC and Rob Sutherland who has recently been made an Officer of the Order of Australia and is the 2010 recipient of Cancer Institute NSW Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Researcher.