Speaker Profile
M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Geneticist, Head of Clinical Studies and Information,, Invitae
Biography
Dr. Esplin is board certified in clinical genetics and internal medicine with a focus on using comprehensive germline, ctDNA and solid-tumor somatic genomic information to provide cancer patients precision therapies and clinical trials access. This includes the landmark INTERCEPT study (universal germline testing in patients with all solid-tumor cancers) with the Mayo Clinic, which is expanding to generate and integrate somatic tumor testing for all INTERCEPT patients; the PROCLAIM study demonstrating the utility of universal genetic testing for prostate cancer; and the ARTEMIS study, in collaboration with ECOG-ACRIN and the University of Pennsylvania, integrating coordinated germline, liquid biopsy ctDNA and somatic solid tumor sequencing analysis for precision therapy in all patients with early stage pancreatic cancer. Dr. Esplin completed the MSTP program at UT Southwestern obtaining his MD and PhD in genetics. Clinical genetics training at Stanford University was followed by an NIH-funded Tashia and John Morgridge Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship under Mike Snyder in the Stanford Department of Genetics, where he maintains an academic appointment. He is a fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Talk
Integrating Germline, Liquid Biopsy and Cancer Tumor Testing
Comprehensive, coordinated integration of germline and somatic tumor genetic testing at the time of diagnosis, in combination with liquid biopsy screening and monitoring for disease, is crucial for efficient personalization of precision therapies and improving the early diagnosis, curative treatment and overall survival of patients with all forms of cancer.
