Markey Hosts Inaugural Precision Medicine Symposium for Regional Healthcare Providers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2017) – The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center hosted its inaugural precision medicine symposium, aimed at educating oncology health care providers on how to implement precision medicine into clinical practice.

Precision medicine in cancer treatment focuses on understanding genetic mutations and using those mutations to select therapy, and is one of the recommendations highlighted by the White House Cancer Moonshot's Blue Ribbon Panel.  Presentations at Wednesday's symposium included oncogenomic testing, Markey’s new Molecular Tumor Board, clinical trials and more. Breakout sessions allowed providers meet in smaller groups with presenters and ask questions surrounding precision medicine issues, such as payment and reimbursement for Molecular Tumor Board recommendations.

The symposium concluded with a keynote speech from Dr. Shridar Ganesan, chief of Molecular Oncology from the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

"This event is so important because we want to bring precision medicine to all patients with cancer in Kentucky," said Jill Kolesar, co-director of the UK Markey Cancer Center Molecular Tumor Board. "We're bringing together clinicians and scientists to bring initiatives from the Markey Cancer Center to the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky."

More than 190 providers attended the symposium, including oncologists, hematologists, pathologists, radiologists, oncology nurses, researchers, pharmacists, genetic counselors, and cancer center administrators and leaders, representing more than 20 different medical centers and health care entities across the region.