Abstract

Genomics and bioinformatics are transforming our biological knowledge of cancer. These technologies promise great things for cancer patients and their families. However, first efforts to use these technologies in the clinic by simply matching mutations to drugs have not been successful in all tumour types. Perhaps a more nuanced use of cancer genomic information is required for patients with genetically complex tumours?

This talk will describe our experiences using genomics to analyse tissue and blood from patients with genetically complex or highly aneuploid tumours, including neuroendocrine tumours, Merkel cell carcinomas and melanomas. Based on our experience, we suggest that for genetically complex tumours including tumours driven by aneuploidy, integrated histopathological analysis alongside analysis of copy number and RNA expression, as well as DNA sequencing, is required to identify genetic drivers and therapeutic options.