Biomarker Diagnostics Panel Discussion (from common to rare cancers)-FSP Precision Medicine Panel #4

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The panel featured leaders from Verisight, Johnson & Johnson, Virchow Medical, Karis Life Sciences, NeoGenomics, and Foundation Medicine discussing precision oncology, biomarker testing, and workflow challenges. Key themes included the need for multidisciplinary communication, faster biomarker testing near diagnosis, and better specimen stewardship to reduce delays in treatment. <br /><br />Verisight highlighted its transcriptome-based molecular diagnostics, especially Afirma for indeterminate thyroid nodules, plus breast, prostate, bladder, and MRD-related assays. Johnson & Johnson emphasized education and coordination across care teams so patients receive the right therapy at the right time. Virchow Medical presented a device that captures cells from discarded biopsy needles, creating an extra molecular specimen without interfering with the main pathology workflow. <br /><br />Karis described its broad solid tumor and liquid biopsy portfolio, including whole exome and transcriptome sequencing, cancer-of-unknown-primary testing, IHC, MRD, and myeloid sequencing. NeoGenomics focused on bringing advanced testing to community settings with broad biomarker coverage, liquid and MRD testing, and heme diagnostics. Foundation Medicine emphasized quality, pathology review, turnaround time, tissue optimization, and its tissue, liquid, and MRD offerings. <br /><br />The discussion ended with questions about differences between CGP vendors, tissue adequacy, and AI’s role in cancer diagnosis, with broad agreement that precision medicine depends on improving access, sample quality, and collaboration.

Keywords

precision oncology

biomarker testing

multidisciplinary communication

transcriptome-based diagnostics

specimen stewardship

liquid biopsy

molecular diagnostics