Integrating Liquid Biopsy into Routine Cancer Pathways
Date:
|
31st March 2026, Tuesday
|
Time:
|
11:30 am – 12:30 pm (Delhi)
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm (Bangkok / Jakarta)
02:00 pm - 03:00 pm (Singapore / Kuala Lumpur)
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm (Seoul / Tokyo)
04:00 pm - 05:00 pm (Melbourne)
06:00 pm - 07:00 pm (Auckland)
|
Liquid biopsy is increasingly being adopted to support tumour profiling across cancer pathways, particularly where tissue is limited or results are needed quickly. In this webinar, Pilar Ramos, PhD (Medical Affairs, Illumina, Inc.) will provide an introduction to liquid biopsy comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and its role alongside tissue testing. Rachel Dodds, PhD (Principal Clinical Scientist, AWMGS) will then share real‑world experience from Wales, including the integration of liquid biopsy into the lung cancer pathway and the use of ESR1 testing in blood samples from breast cancer patients. Attendees will gain insights into where liquid biopsy adds value, challenges encountered during implementation, and how earlier molecular insights can support treatment decision‑making in routine clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the fundamentals of liquid biopsy comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and how it complements tissue testing.
- Learn where liquid biopsy provides clinical value, especially in lung and breast cancer pathways.
- See how earlier molecular insights can support faster, more informed treatment decision making in routine practice.
- Gain insights from real world implementation in Wales, including workflow integration and ESR1 testing in breast cancer.
- Recognize common operational and clinical challenges during liquid biopsy adoption—and strategies to overcome them.
Speakers:
 |
Dr. Rachel Dodds
Principal Clinical Scientist
All Wales Medical Genomics Service
Dr. Dodds is a Principal Clinical Scientist at the All Wales Medical Genomics Service based in Cardiff, UK, where she leads the team delivering ctDNA testing across multiple tumour types. She is also the lead clinical scientist for the collaborative QuicDNA liquid biopsy lung cancer study. Beyond ctDNA, she has significant experience working on the delivery of genomic testing services for patients with solid cancers within the UK NHS. Rachel undertook the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) in Genetics which she completed in 2018. Prior to the STP Rachel worked on projects communicating science to schoolchildren and the public. In addition to her medical genetics training she has a PhD in environmental bacterial genetics from Cardiff University, and an MSc in Science Communication focusing on science writing and broadcasting.
With over a decade spent in the genomics space, Dr. Dodds is a clinical scientist recently appointed to develop and lead on ctDNA testing at the All Wales Medical Genomics Service.
Rachel has presented education and training content in this space at various events including grand rounds, industry events like ACGS, and clinical genetics specialist training sessions.
Clinical Science (Genetics) Academic Prize, University of Nottingham (2018)
ACGS Summer Meeting Best Poster (2017)
|
 |
Dr. Pilar Ramos
Sr Manager, Medical Affairs Europe
Illumina
Dr. Pilar Ramos is a cancer molecular biologist with over 17 years of experience in translational cancer genomics and molecular diagnostics. She holds a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Arizona State University and completed postdoctoral research at both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). Her career spans academic research, clinical genomics, and industry–healthcare collaboration, giving her a comprehensive perspective on the translation of genomic science into clinical practice. In her current role at Illumina, she leads Medical Affairs initiatives across Europe focused on generating real world evidence and supporting the clinical adoption of comprehensive genomic profiling in cancer diagnostics.
She is regarded as a trusted expert in the field due to her strong scientific foundation combined with extensive hands-on experience supporting the real-world implementation of genomic testing. She has spent her career working closely with pathologists, oncologists, laboratory leaders, and healthcare systems to ensure that advanced genomic technologies are applied in ways that are clinically meaningful, operationally feasible, and aligned with patient needs.
A highlight of her career includes uncovering the genetic basis of small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), enabling the development of the first diagnostic test for this rare cancer.
Dr. Ramos has an extensive publication record in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals and has received several awards for research excellence, including the Jeremy Jass Prize.
|
