Next Generation Sequencing of Urine Specimens: A Novel Platform for Genomic Analysis in Patients with Bladder Cancer

[Caroline Lin]

Grade Level: 12th

School or Organization Name: Marymount School of New York

Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: New York City

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): High school students and adults interested in cancer research

Short Session Description (one line):

Next Generation Sequencing of Urine Specimens for Patients with Bladder Cancer

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

Bladder cancer affects millions of lives, with around 77, 000 new cases diagnosed each year. The common treatment for early stage high-risk bladder cancer (ESHRBC) is Bacillus Calmette Guerin, which is not effective for all patients. During the time that those patients spend receiving BCG treatment, the cancer normally progresses and can infiltrated the muscle, leading to a much worse prognosis. Although cystectomy, the surgical removal of the bladder, is not the ideal treatment for most patients as it can cause infections, it is necessary for those who are unresponsive to BCG treatment. Determining the optimal treatment method for each patient is necessary for patients to have a higher quality of life and a higher chance of survival. However, it is currently indeterminable since the bladder lining does not contain sufficient cancer cells for next generation sequencing (NGS), a method that analyzes hundreds of genes simultaneously.

 

This project sought an alternative platform and proved that urine material, which had never been previously evaluated, could be a safer, more effective, and more efficient alternative to the traditionally-used tissue for NGS analysis. Additionally, the NGS analysis of urine specimens was able to identify novel markers in ESHRBC associated with response to treatment, history of smoking, and tumor appearance. These findings will allow an enhanced understanding of ESHRBC, for which the evaluation had been hindered by the absence of suitable material. More importantly, NGS analysis of urine from patients with ESHRBC will allow better treatment decisions by the physicians treating ESHRBC, who can tailor the treatment based on the genetic alterations found.

[Eunice Daudu]

Hello 

I'm writing on behalf of the co-coordinators of the 2017 Student STEM + Entrepreneurship Conference.

Your proposal for the 2017 Student STEM + Entrepreneurship Conference has been accepted. Please make sure to claim your timeslot and become familiar with the platform Blackboard Collaborate where the conference will be hosted before you present. A previously sent email contains further information about the necessary steps to take. It can be found in your email inbox under the name STEM & Entrepreneurship.  

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best,

Eunice Daudu and Gaby Palines

Co-coordinators of the 2017 Student STEM + Entrepreneurship Conference

[Sebastian Panakal]

May we plant a tree in your honor, Caroline?