“Mapping pre-cancer to predict the future: lessons from the oesophagus”
Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD, FMedSci, EMBO
Professor of Cancer Prevention
Interim Director, MRC Cancer Unit
University of Cambridge
Zoom Webinar Details
Webinar URL: https://stanford.zoom.us/s/95661539036
Dial: US: +1 650 724 9799 or +1 833 302 1536 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 956 6153 9036
Passcode: 579393
ABSTRACT
Cancer diagnosis and treatment is undergoing a radical shift away from a reactive approach to symptomatic disease to early diagnosis, including at the pre-cancerous stage. Oesophageal adenocarcinoma develops gradually from the pre-malignant condition Barrett’s oesophagus which presents an opportunity to radically improve outcomes from this highly aggressive cancer. Elucidation of the molecular landscape of Barrett’s samples over time and space, in patients with different outcomes, is shedding light on the pathogenesis of this disease. Molecular data obtained from our improved understanding of the disease can be applied to novel non-endoscopic detection devices to identify individuals at risk of cancer needing preventative treatment. Acceptability, affordability and access to technology are also critical to effective clinical translation and this seminar will map our multidisciplinary approach to developing new tools for early detection of oesophageal cancer without reliance on endoscopy.
ABOUT
Rebecca Fitzgerald MACantab. MD FMedSci EMBO is Professor of Cancer Prevention and Interim Director at the MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge. She leads the Cambridge Early Detection Programme of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre which is part of the International Alliance in Early Detection (ACED) and practices medicine as Hon. Consultant in Gastroenterology and Cancer Medicine at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The focus of her own research group is to investigate the steps in malignant transformation in the oesophagus and stomach and to use this information to improve clinical early detection strategies. Her work to develop and implement the Cytosponge and related biomarker assays for detection of Barrett’s oesophagus and associated dysplasia has been awarded a number of prizes including the Westminster Medal, the BMJ Gastro team of the year, an NHS Innovation prize and the CRUK Jane Wardle Early Detection Prize. In 2013, she was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and in 2021 elected a Member of EMBO. Rebecca is committed to teaching and is a Fellow of Medical Sciences at Trinity College Cambridge.
Hosted by: Utkan Demirci, Ph.D.
Sponsored by: The Canary Center & the Department of Radiology
Stanford University – School of Medicine