Day 2: June 20, 2025 
The Future of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling
& Precision Medicine in Clinical Practice  

9:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

Conference Day 2 Opening

A brief recap of sessions from day one will  be addressed:    

Conference Moderator:
Cassandra Macaulay, B.Sc., MHS, RTNM, Chief Research Officer, CCRAN 

9:40 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Welcome from CCRAN’s President & CEO

A warm welcome  to all experts and participants, including:  

Moderator:
‍Filomena Servidio-Italiano, Hon B.Sc., B.Ed., M.A. , President & CEO, CCRAN 
‍
‍Patient:
‍Silvia Golik-Paron, Stage IV Colorectal Cancer Patient

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Reviewing the Findings of a National Canadian Clinician Survey: Understanding the Utility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling in Clinical Practice Across Multiple Tumour Types 

CCRAN, in collaboration with multiple patient advocacy organizations, launched a national clinician survey to gauge their experience with comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in their respective clinical practices across tumour types. 

This session will provide an overview of the survey findings, including: 

Presentation: 
Shalini Gambhir, B.Sc., MRT(T), MHA, Research Officer, CCRAN     
Cassandra Macaulay, B.Sc., MHS, RTNM, Chief Research Officer, CCRAN  

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

It Starts at the Lab: Towards Establishing National Standards for the Performance, Integration, Coordination and Communication of Biomarker Testing Results 

Precision oncology is largely dependent on laboratory-based biomarker testing. However, the evolving landscape of advanced biomarker testing reveals obvious gaps across and within jurisdictions with respect to turnaround time, quality standards, and reporting of results. The question yet remains, how to effectively standardize this process.  

This session brings together national leaders in pathology and oncology to address a key call to action from CCRAN’s Biomarkers Conference series: the development of national standards for advanced biomarker testing in cancer care. Experts will examine:

Moderator:
Dr. Shantanu Banerji, MD, FRCPC, Director of Precision Oncology and Advanced Therapeutics, CancerCare Manitoba

Patient:
Robby Spring, B.Sc., M.Sc., MHSc , Patient Advocate; Breast Cancer, Luminal B, Stage 1 Survivor

Panelists:
‍Dr. Doha Itani, MD, Associate Professor, Anatomic & Molecular Pathology, Dalhousie University; Division Head, Molecular Diagnostics & Cytogenetics, Saint John Regional Hospital 
Dr. Jason Karamchandani, MD, Associate Professor, Departments of Pathology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University; President, Canadian Association of Pathologists
Dr. Angela Hyde, MD, FRCPC, Ph.D., Medical Oncologist & Clinician Scientist, NL Health Services 
Dr. Janessa Laskin, MD, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Researcher, BC Cancer

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Health Break

12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.  

Why Access Comprehensive Genomic Profiling?
The Many Promising Therapeutic Benefits of a Genome-First Approach

With a single test, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) has the ability to analyze a broad panel of genes and to potential oncogenic drivers, providing significant value to the healthcare system and improving patient outcomes.   

The clinician roundtable will elaborate on the numerous benefits resulting from accessing CGP. The following topics will be addressed in this clinical-based discussion on advanced diagnostics and precision medicine:

Moderator:
TBD  

Patient: 
Matt Reidy, Founder, Genomic Focus; Long-term, Stage 4 Cancer Survivor    

Clinician Roundtable:
Dr. Michael Raphael, MD, FRCPC, Medical Oncologist,  Odette Cancer Centre,  Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre  
Dr. Mita Manna, MD, FRCPC, Medical Oncologist, Saskatoon Cancer Centre; Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan  
Dr. Ravi Ramjeesingh, MD, Ph.D, FRCPC, Medical Oncologist & Assistant Professor, Chair of the HPB Cancer Disease Site Group Halifax, Division of Medical Oncology and Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre & Dalhousie University 
Dr. Stephanie Snow, MD, FRCPC, Medical Oncologist, QEII Health Sciences Centre; Professor, Dalhousie University; President, Lung Cancer Canada  
Dr. Shantanu Banerji, B.Sc. (Med), MD, FRCPC, Director, Precision Oncology and Advanced Therapeutics, CancerCare Manitoba
Dr. Laura Hopkins, MD, FRCSC, Gynecologic Oncologist, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency; Professor in the Department of Oncology,  University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine 

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Activating the Immune Response: Exploring Novel Avenues of Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses an individual’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Advancements in the field have created an opportunity for new drug development and broadened the therapeutic scope. Although a promising form of cancer treatment, immunotherapy has only been efficacious for a small proportion of cancer patients, namely those who have mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumours. However, groundbreaking research is exploring multiple avenues to ‘turn on’ the immune response in low immunogenicity, or ‘cold’ tumours.  

Experts will speak to:

Moderator:
Dr. Michael Raphael, MD, FRCPC, Medical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre,  Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre   

Caregiver
‍Nora Woo Caregiver of Spouse who succumbed toStage IV Colorectal Cancer

Panelists:
Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, MD, M.Sc., FRCSC, Surgical Oncologist, QEII; Ramia Chair in Surgical Oncology Research; Professor of Surgery & Pathology,  Dalhousie University; Senior Clinician Scientist,  The Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute 
Dr. Pamela Ohashi, Ph.D., FRSC  Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Hospital; Director, Tumor Immunotherapy Program; Professor, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto 
‍Dr.John Bell, Ph.D., FRSC, FCAHS Senior Scientist, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Professor of Medicine, University of Ottawa; Scientific Director, BioCanRx 

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Health Break: Educational Videos

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Innovative AI Based Technology in the Management of Metastatic Cancer 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing and reshaping the management of cancer and research. Algorithms can identify patterns within large volumes of data that may be challenging to discern by humans. With major advancements in cancer care, there is a dramatic shift in large intensive data and computational workflows where advances in AI help transform this into drug development, precision medicine, and predict biological response.

Speakers will elaborate on the following topics:

Moderator:
Dr. Yvonne Bombard, Ph.D., Canada Research Chair, Genomics Health Services & Policy; Professor, University of Toronto; Director & Scientist,  St. Michael's Hospital; Co-Founder & CEO, Genetics Adviser 
‍
Panelists: 
Dr. Rob Grant, MD, Ph.D., FRCPC, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network
Dr. Omar Khan, MBA, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Medical Oncology,  University of Calgary
Dr. Trevor Pugh, Ph.D., FACMG, Associate Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Medical Biophysics; Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Director of Genomics & Senior Investigator, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research 

Additional panelists TBD

3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.  

Coming in ‘Hot’: The Future of Radioligand Therapies in Canada

A radioligand is a cancer-targeting molecule attached to a radioactive isotope that emits radiation treatment directly to cancer cells to damage the target cancer cells and cause cellular death. The precision of this treatment reduces damage to healthy cells surrounding the tumour tissue, reducing toxicity and side effects to the patient. The success in radioligand therapy (RLT) lies in its versatility with various ligand and isotope combinations to diagnose, monitor and treat diverse cancer types.

RLT is an innovative approach to precision oncology which is anticipated to increase in demand in Canada in the next few years, particularly as public reimbursement has seen a landmark approval in prostate cancer beginning in Ontario in 2024. Many clinicians are now realizing the potential of RLT and must work to bridge the gap between patient access and scientific progress.  

The presentation will address the following:  

Presentation:
Dr. David Laidley, MD, FRCPC (Nuclear Medicine), Nuclear Medicine Physician, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC); Scientist, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI)

4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

The Value of Partnerships to Drive Innovation in  Health Care Systems    
Session Under Development

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Day 2 Closing Remarks and Conference Adjournment

Filomena Servidio-Italiano, Hon B.Sc., B.Ed., M.A., President & CEO, CCRAN