Abstract

Cancer Genome Sequencing and Precision Medicine: What are the Challenges?

Kumar Somasundaram, Professor, Indian Institute of Science

Glioblastoma, the grade IV glioma is the most aggressive of all gliomas. The prognosis of glioblastoma patients remains poor with median survival ranging from 15-17 months in spite of improvements in treatment protocol which includes maximal near safe surgical resection followed by radiation and chemotherapy with temozolomide.  Genetic heterogeneity in GBM has been proposed to explain the limitations in the effectiveness of current therapies.  To develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, a better understanding of the biological pathway(s) leading to glial tumorigenesis is warranted. We are carrying out a comprehensive approach covering various aspects like genetic and epigenetic alterations in glioma, serum biomarkers using high-throughput genomics and proteomics approaches, genome-wide shRNA screening for temozolomide sensitivity and exome sequencing to understand the glioma biology.  I also run a next generation sequencing facility at IISc. I will talk in this meeting our experience both success and difficulties with respect to next generation sequencing in particular data generated with respect to glioma.