Aug 10, 2020
Returning guest Jo Bhadi
discusses using new platforms and technologies to predict cancer
probability as well as what he’s learned about how cancer evolves.
He also discusses how Quantgene seeks to serve its customers.
He addresses
Jo Bhakdi started Quantgene in
2015 at a UC Berkeley Lab with a goal of early disease detection.
The company uses quantitative science for a new level of precision.
They started in cancer detection spaces using cell-free DNA
sequencing with what is known about the
human genome sequence. They saw a tremendous opportunity
opening up based on new technology platforms, sequencing, and AI
recognition algorithms.
In a nutshell, they pursued how to look at cell-free DNA shed by
cancer in the bloodstream and recognition patterns to identify the
15 most deadly cancers. They sell their services directly to
patients but include physicians and genetic counselors in the
process.
He explains their business model
in further detail but also covers the complications of detecting
and understanding cancer progression, from the heterogeneity of
tumors to advantages of cell-free DNA sequencing compared to tumor
biopsies. He explains the systemic insight into cancer a liquid
biopsy offers. He describes other limitations of tumor
biopsies and how the question of heterogeneity of a tumor is
surprisingly complex.
In fact, he adds that the whole concept of quantifying tumor
heterogeneity is a very new concept. He describes many
characteristics of cancer and its evolution in more detail and then
addresses how Quantgene layers many degrees of information,
including medical and genetic history, to produce a highly precise
probabilistic model.
For more about the company,
see quantgene.com. To find out about the direct-to-consumer
service, see chooseserenity.com.
Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK