Article by Sara Damore

As DNA sequencing technology helps bring genetic factors driving disease into focus, researchers have developed new cancer therapies to target a patient’s unique cancer, especially for those who do not respond to standard therapy.

Funda Meric-Bernstam, M.D., a physician-scientist at MD Anderson Cancer Center will speak on Decision Support  for Precision Oncology - Evolving from Monotherapy to Combinations, highlighting innovative research efforts at this year’s Individualizing Medicine Conference: Precision Cancer Care through Immunotherapy and Genomics, hosted by Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine on Sept. 20-21, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Meric-Bernstam to this year’s conference. With her leadership, cancer research is bringing precision treatment options to thousands of patients,” says Alan Bryce, M.D., chair, Hematology and Oncology, and medical director of the Genomic Oncology Clinic at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Arizona.

Sharing expertise - using genomics to guide cancer care

Dr. Meric-Bernstam is one of many experts in precision oncology who will be sharing their expertise in genomics at this year’s conference. She is the chair of the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics—the Phase I Program, and medical director, Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, at MD Anderson. Her basic and translational research programs focus on molecular therapeutics and identifying the mechanisms of action in targeted treatments in order to identify those patient populations who will benefit from these therapies.

In addition, she has an active basic, translational and clinical research program focused on breast cancer biology and novel breast cancer therapies.

Dr. Meric-Bernstam joined MD Anderson in 2001 after completing her research fellowship. She earned her medical degree from Yale University and completed her residency at University of Michigan and a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.

Join us at the conference

As one of the conference directors, Dr. Bryce notes,”CIMCON19 is designed for practicing clinicians and researchers who want up to date information on the latest treatment strategies for cancer care.  Speakers will cover topics ranging from breast cancer genomics, to precision immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and serum tumor DNA analysis.”

Preconference sessions will provide an in-depth look at the science driving many advances in cancer care:

• Drugs and Genes: Pharmacogenomics for the Modern Health Care Team
• Basic Science of Immunotherapy
• Advanced Molecular Oncology Testing: A Focus on Next Generation Sequencing Panels and Novel Genetic Technologies
  

For a complete schedule and list of speakers, visit the conference website.

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Tags: #CIMCon19, #Mayo Cllinic, breast cancer, Cancer, center for individualized medicine, Dr. Alan Bryce, Dr. Funda Meric-Bernstam, Genetic Sequencing, Genetic Testing, Individualizing Medicine Conference 2019, lymphoma, MD Anderson, Melanoma, metastatic cancer, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, NCI-MATCH, Precision Medicine