Peter Kuhn, PhD
University of Southern California
Single-cell molecular profiling of biopsies of epithelial cancer
Next-generation sequencing of single cancer cells identified from the blood of ovarian cancer patients can potentially guide treatment decisions, identify recurrence early, and lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of the disease. Dr. Kuhn will use a “fluid biopsy” to extract rare tumor cells (also known as circulating tumor cells or CTCs) that travel in the blood far away from the main tumor. He will obtain genetic information from cells captured at multiple time points over the course of the disease to investigate if certain genetic markers correspond to the patient‘s cancer status. This will lay the foundation for guiding treatment decision at every clinical visit.