The Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI)

In recognition of #ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth, we want to share the importance of understanding when to undergo specific cancer screenings. Screening recommendations for prostate cancer have changed in recent years. In many cases, prostate cancer grows so slowly that it does not impact survival, thus routine screening is not currently recommended. For men aged 55 to 69, the current recommendation is to have a discussion with their healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks of screening, and to make an informed decision based on their individual circumstances. The primary screening test for prostate cancer is a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. While elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, they can also be elevated due to other factors. Studies have shown that PSA screening prevents prostate-cancer-related deaths in about 1 out of 1,000 men and prevents cancer from spreading in approximately 3 out of 1,000 men.  However, screening can pose potential risks, including: -- False positives, leading to additional testing and possible biopsies.  -- Overdiagnosis and overtreatment. -- Treatment complications that may impact quality of life. For more information, visit the American Cancer Society’s website at: https://lnkd.in/gz26-XA2 The Jackson Laboratory

Summer 2024 Intern Spotlight - Emma Hussey! This summer, we were fortunate to have Emma Hussey join the MCGI team through her internship experience at Colby College. During her time with us, Emma played a pivotal role in enhancing the operational efficiency of our Genomic Tumor Board (GTB) session series. She collaborated closely with various team members to design, archive, and implement a new data entry structure, improving the organization and accessibility of our administrative session data. Emma’s attention to detail and innovative approach helped streamline our processes, significantly reducing the time spent on data entry and creating a centralized reference point, eliminating the need for multiple sources. Thank you, Emma, for your hard work and dedication this summer! We’re excited to see all the great things you’ll accomplish in the future. The Jackson Laboratory

Join Us for Our September GTB Sessions! If you are interested in presenting a case, visit our website or email us at [email protected]. These virtual meetings are tailored for clinicians across the state and offer a convenient opportunity for providers to discuss genomic test report results and gain insights from experts. We strive to make GTB meetings easy for clinician participation: all we need is a de-identified genomic test report and clinical summary-- we'll handle the rest. 📅 September Schedule: ◾ Friday, September 6, at 7:00 a.m., with Gynecology Oncology ◾ Tuesday, September 10, at 7:30 a.m., with New England Cancer Specialists ◾ Wednesday, September 11, at 12:00 p.m., with Pen Bay Medical Center ◾ Tuesday, September 17, at 12:15 p.m., with Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care ◾ Thursday, September 19, at 4:00 p.m., with Northern Light ◾ Tuesday, September 24, at 11:30 a.m., with Mid Coast Hospital ◾ Wednesday, September 25, at 12:00 p.m., with MMP Oncology ◾ Monday, September 30, at 12:00 p.m., with A.R. Gould Hospital @jacksonlab

Meet Dr. Todd Knepper, PharmD. Dr. Knepper is an Associate Member in the Department of Pathology at Moffitt Cancer Center. He graduated with his PharmD degree from the University of North Carolina - Eshelman School of Pharmacy, completed a Personalized Cancer Medicine Fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center, and gained regulatory experience as an ORISE fellow at the US FDA with the Genomics and Targeted Therapy group. At Moffitt, he was a key part of the creation and development of the Precision Medicine Program, bringing cancer genomics into the clinic through the molecular tumor board (MTB) and Precision Medicine Clinical Service. He also serves on the ASCO TAPUR trial MTB and is a precision oncology expert for a nationwide SWOG Precision Medicine trial focused on the clinical utility of Molecular Tumor Boards in Community Oncology Practices. As an Attending on the clinical service at Moffitt, he provides clinically meaningful interpretations of tumor next-generation sequencing results for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors and is Precision Medicine Clinical Service rotation leader for 2nd-year heme-onc fellows. His research focuses on the utilization of genomics to improve therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with cancer and to advance understanding of cancer biology. He has co-authored over thirty scientific manuscripts, including in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Blood, Clinical Cancer Research, Lancet, and Nature. Todd has been collaborating with the MCGI team since 2021 as a MCGI GTB advisor. We are grateful for the expertise he brings to our clinical expert team! The Jackson Laboratory

Correct answer: A PTEN loss can be associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and poorer prognosis in some cancers.

The JAX Hewett Leadership Program recently celebrated the completion of its third season with a cohort of 11 colleagues across JAX. Lindsey Kelley was among the participants, collaborating on various projects throughout the year and contributing to the proposal for a formal mentorship program at The Jackson Laboratory to senior leadership and other key stakeholders.

👩🏫 Put your knowledge to the test and participate in our mock GTB poll question series! Questions focus on the clinical interpretation and treatment implications of specific genetic and molecular alterations commonly found in genomic tumor test reports. The Jackson Laboratory

It's always a treat when some of the MCGI team can gather in person! Did you know our team is spread across Maine and Connecticut? Despite the distance, we connect virtually every day and make it a priority to find times throughout the year to bring the whole team together. The Jackson Laboratory 📸 From left to right: Lindsey Kelley, Leah Graham, Jens Rueter, Sheila Bourgeois

Correct answer: A Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) measures the number of mutations within the DNA of cancer cells. A high TMB, often defined as 10 mutations per megabase (mut/Mb) or more, is used to predict cancer patients' responses to immunotherapy.

Join Us for Our August GTB Sessions! These virtual meetings are tailored for clinicians across the state and offer a convenient opportunity for providers to discuss genomic test report results and gain insights from experts. Our team strives to make GTB meetings easy for clinician participation: all we need is a de-identified genomic test report and clinical summary, and we handle the rest. If you are interested in presenting a case, visit our website below or email us at [email protected]. 📅 August Schedule: --Friday, August 2, at 7:00 a.m., with Central Maine Medical Center --Tuesday, August 6, at 9:00 a.m., with Neuro-Oncology --Thursday, August 8, at 11:00 a.m., with Pediatric Oncology --Tuesday, August 13, at 7:30 a.m., with New England Cancer Specialists --Wednesday, August 14, at 12:00 a.m., with Pen Bay Medical Center --Thursday, August 15, at 4:00 p.m., with Northern Light --Tuesday, August 20, at 12:15 p.m., with Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care --Thursday, August 22, at 12:00 p.m., with Mercy Hospital --Monday, August 26, at 4:30 p.m., with Cary Medical Center --Wednesday, August 28, at 12:00 p.m., with MMP Oncology Just want to observe? Contact [email protected] to be included in our invitation list. Please provide some information about yourself and indicate if you're interested in earning CME credits for participation. The Jackson Laboratory