The Fundamentals of Cancer Genomics

The College, with support from the Association of Cancer Physicians (ACP), has developed an e-learning resource on the Fundamentals of Cancer Genomics, targeting clinical and medical oncologists and healthcare professionals involved in the care of cancer patients.

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These modules have been designed to complement existing resources, supplementing support for the new ‘mainstreaming’ delivery model of germline genetic testing whereby clinicians counsel and consent high-risk patients for genetic testing at the time of their routine oncology appointments.

You are not required to be a member of the Royal College of Radiologists or the Association of Cancer Physicians.

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Course learning objectives

Module 1 – Fundamentals of cancer genomics

To describe how genomic information is stored
To outline different types of chromosomal and genetic variants
To explain patterns of genomic evolution of cancer
To outline basis mutation signature profiling
To define tumour mutation burden
To distinguish between somatic variants and variants of germline-origin

Module 2 – Variant interpretation

To describe consequences of misattribution of pathogenicity to germline genetic variants
To differentiate between clinically actionable and non-actionable germline variants
To explain the lines of evidence applied for variant classification
To correctly interpret variant reports and appraise evidence applied for variant classification
To distinguish between low, moderate and highly penetrant variants of germline origin
To classify somatic variants in terms of actionability
To define mosaicism

Module 3 – Molecular phenotyping for cancer care– technologies and practical considerations

To justify use of different sample types for genetic testing in different clinical scenarios
To outline steps involved in sanger and next generation sequencing
To describe uses and limitations of liquid biopsies in cancer care
To differentiate between MMR deficiency, microsatellite instability, hypermutation and PDL1 expression
To describe the relevance of MMR deficiency, microsatellite instability, hypermutation and PDL1 expression in immunotherapy response

Module 4 – NHS England Genomic medicine service and National Genomic Test Directory

To describe reconfiguration of NHS lab services
To navigate the NHS genomic directory

Who is this for?

Clinical oncologists

Medical oncologists

Pharmacists

Pathologists

Nurses working in cancer care or research

Cancer researchers (Clinical academics or research scientists)

Clinicians working in primary care with a specialist interest in cancer medicine

These interactive, bite-size modules are the first in what will be a series of genomics learning resources with focus on various tumour types.

The course will complement existing medical oncology, clinical oncology, and allied health professional training schemes and clinical experience, to give clinicians a deeper understanding of the molecular biology of cancer, germline predisposition to cancer, and the role of genetic variation in initiation and promotion of cancer.

A unique aspect of this course is that the content will not only address heritable genetic risk factors for cancer but will also emphasise the translational application of somatic and/or genomic results in diagnostics and prognostication, as well as in directing treatment.

Course project group

The multidisciplinary project team consists of:

Dr Frances Yuille, Clinical Oncologist, Edinburgh Cancer Centre
Dr Ellen Copson, Cancer Research UK Associate Professor University of Southampton and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Terri McVeigh, Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Clinical Lead Postgraduate Certificate in Cancer Genetics, RCPI
Ms Victoria Cuthill, Clinical Manager St Mark’s Polyposis Registry, Genomics Clinical Fellow
Dr Alison May Berner, Speciality Trainee and Clinical Research Fellow in Medical Oncology and the Barts Cancer Institute, and Specialist Registrar in Gender Identity at the Gender Identity Clinic, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Nida Pasha, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Ms Natalie McGregor, Learning Executive, RCR
Ms Amelia Etan, Education Projects Manager, RCR
Ms Louise Leon-Andrews, Training Quality and Curriculum Officer, RCR
Mr Philip Wallace, Learning Technologist, RCR

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This activity has been supported by a grant from Roche Products Limited and Astrazeneca. Roche products Limited and Astrazeneca have had no control over the educational content of this activity.