Different approaches to increase actionable tumor information

Our 4th Annual Microbiology and Immunology Virtual Conference is now available On Demand! Participants will explore and discover new concepts, tools and techniques to apply to ongoing research and diagnostics. Microbiology and Immunology cover an array of industries and disciplines, encompassing various research areas including pharmaceuticals, medicine, agriculture, and space. The development of new techniques and the ability to sequence organisms without the need to grow them in the laboratory has opened up a new world of microbial diversity and complexity we know little about.

Transporters are involved in clinically significant drug-drug interactions (DDI). Such interactions can occur at multiple sites, including in organs important in drug absorption (e.g. intestine), elimination (e.g. liver and kidneys) and distribution (e.g. brain). Notably, some of these interactions can be “hidden”, occurring in a tissue with no discernible trace in the systemic circulation. In addition, for drugs that are both transported and metabolized, DDI will most prominent when they occur at the “rate-limiting step” in the clearance of the drug.

Today millions of patients suffer or die from diseases that will be treatable or even preventable tomorrow. For 200 years, biopharma has steadfastly produced medicines to address unmet medical needs. But in the last 20 years or so, the notion of ‘programmable medicines’ has emerged as a possibility to dramatically transform these production rates.

Dr. Hurley will provide an overview of psychosocial challenges faced by patients deciding to undergo genetic testing. Her presentation will combine research findings from psychosocial research and case illustrations from twenty years of providing psychotherapy to genetic counseling patients. She will provide tips on communication strategies as well as common pitfalls to avoid, and discuss advantages of creating an “information plan” based on patients’ needs, preferences, and ability to absorb emotionally challenging information. Clinical examples will be drawn from Dr. Hurley’s specialty in hereditary cancer risk, with the discussion of how psychosocial issues in genetic testing are relevant across a broad range of conditions, from the prenatal setting to other pediatric- and adult-onset hereditary syndromes.