Signatera – A Personalized Tumor-informed Approach to Detect Molecular Residual Disease

About this Class

Abstract: We will discuss technical advantages of a personalized and tumor-informed multiplex PCR next generation sequencing assay, called Signatera™, that enables a sensitive, specific, and dynamic detection of molecular disease burden in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples. The tumor-informed approach offers detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by tracking tumor-specific clonal variants in plasma based on up front tumor tissue and matched normal sequencing data. Signatera test performance has been clinically validated in multiple cancer types including colorectal, non-small cell lung, breast, and bladder cancers. Unlike a standard liquid biopsy, Signatera is not intended to match patients with any particular therapy; rather it is intended to detect and quantify residual disease, detect recurrence earlier, assess therapy effectiveness, and help optimize treatment decisions. Bio: Raheleh Salari is the Senior Director of Bioinformatics at Natera, where she leads a team of Bioinformatics Scientists working on cfDNA-based diagnostic tests. Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing with a mission to transform the diagnosis and management of genetic diseases. Natera’s Signatera is at the forefront of innovation, representing a breakthrough technology that provides clinicians with an invaluable tool for sensitive, specific, and dynamic detection of molecular disease burden. Raheleh holds a PhD in Computer Science from Simon Fraser University, Canada, with a background on data structure and algorithm design. After her PhD, she continued her research at the National Center for Biotechnology and Information (NCBI) for slightly over a year. Lecture by Dr. Raheleh Salari from Natera Inc.   Meeting details: Topic: CDSL webinar Time: May 3, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://umd.zoom.us/j/97941931766 Meeting ID: 979 4193 1766 One tap mobile +13017158592,,97941931766# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,97941931766# US (Chicago)