Oncology

PACE / State of FL - Register now - May 21, 2025: - This webinar will explore the role of cytology specimens in molecular genetic testing, emphasizing their effectiveness in identifying biomarkers critical for targeted therapies in patients with cancer. Advantages of cytology samples, challenges in specimen adequacy, and how advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have led to improved utilization of cytology samples will be discussed. This discovery has led to enhancing diagnostic accuracy, reducing the need for repeat biopsies, and accelerating personalized cancer treatment, all of which will be highlighted during the webinar.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, invited Min-Han Tan, M.B.B.S., FRCP, Ph.D., founding CEO and medical director of Lucence, to discuss liquid biopsy cancer testing. Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Lucence recently announced a collaboration to expand access to this cutting-edge cancer test that is designed to detect clinically relevant biomarkers in ctDNA and ctRNA.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories and KYAN Technologies announced a collaboration to validate and provide the KYAN test, Optim.AI™, across the United States.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Lucence are expanding access to advanced cancer testing worldwide with LiquidHALLMARK®, a next-generation liquid biopsy that provides actionable genomic insights. This collaboration empowers physicians to deliver personalized care and improve patient outcomes.

John Logan Black, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' UGT1A1 tests (Mayo IDs: U1A1Q and UGTFZ) identify genetic variants that increase the risk of potentially life-threatening reactions to irinotecan, a chemotherapy agent.

Fergus Couch, Ph.D., chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, led a team that recently published new National Institutes of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved guidelines for the interpretation of variants in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) cancer gene. Inherited mutations in ATM have been shown to increase the risk of breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. Now published by the American Journal of Human Genetics and available for widespread use, Dr. Couch says the guidelines can help clinicians around the world apply the same consistent method of classification to ATM variants.

Dr. Dong Chen and Dr. Sounak Gupta joined the “Becker’s Healthcare Podcast” to discuss the molecular testing space and its important role in personalized cancer treatment. Dr. Chen and Dr. Gupta highlighted the importance of selecting the right molecular tests for patients, the impact of genetic testing on cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how Mayo Clinic Laboratories is helping physicians make informed decisions for the best patient outcomes.

Megan Hoenig, M.S., M.P.H., CGC, explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique hypermethylation analysis (Mayo ID: MLHPB) provides critical adjunct information for managing Lynch syndrome. That genetic condition increases the risk for many kinds of cancer.

PACE / State of FL- Presentation Recording Coming Soon
This webinar will delve into the latest ASCO guidelines for selection of germline genetic testing panels for cancer patients. Key topics include the importance of taking and recording a detailed family and personal history, selecting the appropriate genes for testing, and determining when and to whom germline testing should be offered. The session will also address the practical implications of the ASCO guidelines, such as balancing the potential benefits of broader gene panel testing with the risks associated with uncertain results. Additionally, participants will gain insights into the specific technical challenges associated with germline genetic testing in cancer care and risk management.

Founded in 2017, Mayo Clinic's Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory is a visionary space. In 2021, the lab developed the Mayo Complete Solid Tumor Panel, a clinically validated assay that analyzes 515 genes using next-generation sequencing. This multiple test panel, the first of its kind at Mayo, aids in selecting targeted therapies, diagnosing tumor types, and predicting prognosis, significantly improving patient care.

When Samantha Duke discovered she had breast cancer, she didn’t have to look far for support. Her mother Jane walked a similar path 16 years earlier. Inspired both by her mom and the strong network of healthcare physicians and professionals on her team, Samantha remained positive throughout her treatment and is committed to advancing research on breast cancer.

Aiming to advance understanding of hard-to-predict gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), Thermo Fisher Scientific joined forces with Mayo Clinic and BioPharma Diagnostics to validate and gain U.S. regulatory clearance of a novel, automated assay aimed at detecting a biomarker associated with the progressive disease.

Robert Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., Stephanie Smoley, CG(ASCP), and Beth Pitel, M.S., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' enhanced MayoComplete Solid Tumor Panel better profiles tumor genetics. Defining tumor pathogenesis can guide targeted cancer therapy.