Clinical Cancer Genomics

Clinical Cancer Genomics

City of Hope's Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics is committed to being a national leader in the advancement of cancer genetics, screening and prevention, through innovative patient care, research and education. 

Cancer Screening & Prevention ProgramSM 
In light of a growing body of research confirming that many common cancers, including breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer, are hereditary, the division's Cancer Screening & Prevention Programsm helps people understand their personal cancer risk profiles, offering a comprehensive cancer risk assessment that takes into account family history and genetics, along with environmental and lifestyle factors. With this information, people can take proactive steps to “outsmart cancer.”

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Cancer Genomics Education Program 
The division’s Cancer Genomics Education Program offers courses and professional development tools designed to further health care professionals’ understanding of cancer genetics.

Major initiatives include:

Clinical Cancer Genomics Research Program
Clinical cancer genomics research at City of Hope investigates multiple approaches that utilize the latest findings in cancer genetics in order to improve the prevention, treatment and support of those with hereditary cancers.
 
Major initiatives include:

  • The Clinical Cancer Genomics molecular genetics research laboratory uses a multitude of research tests such as MLPA, long range PCR and next generation sequencing, as well as a variety of state-of-the-art equipment to prescreen high risk patients for mutations in cancer predisposition genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and RAD51. Specific equipment available in the laboratory include: Sequenom MassArray Analyzer (MALDI-TOF Mass spectrometry), Sequenom MassArray Robotic Nanodispenser, Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine, Ion One Touch, Nanodrop 2000c spectrophotometer, Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer, ABI 3130xl Genetic Analyzer, Veriti 96 well thermocyclers and Gene Amp 9700 PCR systems. 
  • An essential but often unmet aspect of providing quality care to persons affected by cancer or those at hereditary cancer risk is addressing their psychosocial needs. As such, understanding and minimizing the negative impact of hereditary cancer risk on persons' lives is the focus of the Clinical Cancer Genomics Clinical and Behavioral Research program. The program studies health-related behaviors, quality of life (including emotional, psychological and basic daily living needs), and ethical, legal and social issues by going directly to the source — our patients and their family members.  
  • An integral component of the research program is the Cancer Genetics Community Research Network, a prospective research registry protocol initiated at City of Hope as a biospecimen repository with associated personal and family medical history, and psychosocial and clinical follow-up data collection. Collaborating community-based oncogenetic practice sites across the U.S. and Latin America are recruiting thousands of genetic cancer risk assessment patients annually.

In addition, Cancer Genomics Education Program staff participate in educational outreach to medical groups, hospital medical staffs and other community health care professionals. The program is supported in part by the National Cancer Institute and the California Research Program.