LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday, April 21, the science and excitement behind liquid biopsies, and their potential to change the global paradigm in early cancer detection, will go mainstream for the first time.
The historic S.E.E. Summit (Safer, Easier, Earlier) is a free, virtual event created by cancer survivor/journalist Jamie Reno and Teen Cancer America, the national non-profit founded by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who. The online conference will feature leading biotechnology executives, researchers, oncologists, and patient advocates explaining the game-changing impact of liquid biopsy blood tests in ways that everyone can understand.
Breakthroughs in genomics have accelerated the ability of liquid biopsies to identify biomarkers in the blood that can detect cancer very early. These advancements represent a major milestone for cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment as a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsy.
Produced by The Special Event Company, the summit will include pre-recorded segments featuring preeminent liquid biopsy experts from Caris Life Sciences, Exact Sciences/Thrive, Grail, Guardant, IV BioHoldings (IVBH), Natera, Pillar Biosciences and StageZero Life Sciences. The recorded presentations will alternate with two live panel discussions that will include leading scientists, oncologists, patients and patient advocates.
The event takes place on Thursday, April 21 beginning at 12 p.m. ET, 9 a.m. PT. Online attendance is free, and registration is available at this LINK. S.E.E. Summit run-of-show:
9:00 – Welcome
- Simon Davies - Executive Director, Teen Cancer America
- Jamie Reno - Healthline journalist, author, cancer survivor and advocate
9:10 – IV BioHoldings
- Marty Keiser - Founder & CEO
9:25 – Natera
- Dina Scaglione - Director Oncology Marketing
- Adham Jurdi MD - Medical Director
9:40 – Grail
- Joshua Ofman MD - President and Chief Medical Officer
9:55 – Panel #1 - Advocates
- Hilary Gan - Hospital Programs and Services Director, Teen Cancer America (breast cancer survivor)
- Christabel K. Cheung, PhD, MSW - Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work; Member, University of Maryland Greenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center; Collaborating Member, University of Hawaii Cancer Center (Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor)
- Judy Fulmer - Prevention Chair, PREP4 Gold (parent of a teen cancer survivor)
10:40 – Guardant
- Michele Rest - Senior Director of Corporate Communications
- AmirAli Talasaz - Co-founder & Co-CEO
10:55 – StageZero Life Sciences
- James Howard-Tripp - Chairman & CEO
11:10 – Caris Life Sciences
- Rob Clark - Sr. Vice President, Chief Communications Officer
- David Spetzler PhD - President and Chief Scientific Officer
11:25 – Panel #2 - Scientists/Physicians
- Jerome Madison - VP Pharma and Provider Relations, Trapelo Health
- David Shulman MD - Attending Physician, Pediatric Oncology, Sarcoma Center, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
- Aditya Bagrodia MD, FACS - Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Urology, Disease Team Co-Leader, Genitourinary Cancer, UC San Diego Health
- Umberto Malapelle - Secretary of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy; Professor in Anatomic Pathology in School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico
- Abhijat Kitchlu MD - Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology at the University of Toronto
12:10 – Exact Sciences/Thrive
- Isaac Kinde, MD, PhD - VP Technology Assessment
12:25 – Pillar Biosciences
- Randy Pritchard - CEO
12:40 – Concluding remarks from Jamie Reno and Simon Davies
“This is the first event to bring the science of liquid biopsy out of stealth mode,” said Reno. “Our goal is to share information about this growing sector in ways that scientists appreciate but consumers, healthcare professionals, potential investors and the media can also understand.”
The organizations participating in the S.E.E. Summit plan to extend the program into a series of educational media initiatives to educate and inform cancer patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
“Liquid biopsy is a major step forward in cancer detection among all age groups, but it is especially significant for our work at TCA,” said Davies. “Late detection and misdiagnosis are not uncommon for teens and young adults with cancer, so we’re thrilled to help bring this good news to mainstream audiences for the first time.”
About Teen Cancer America
Teen Cancer America helps hospitals and healthcare professionals bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care by supporting hospitals and outpatient facilities in the development of specialized units and programs for this age group. TCA brings together physicians and allied healthcare professionals in both pediatric and adult oncology. Age-targeted care for this population is necessary for medical and appropriate psychosocial development. Outcomes associated with some cancers that target this age group have not improved in over 30 years. Teens and young adults with cancer are long overdue for an upgrade and TCA can hopefully light the fire in America’s health systems. For more information, contact Michelle Aland michelle@teencanceramerica.org or visit www.teencanceramerica.org.
