On October 29, 2025, 100 stakeholders from across the rare cancer landscape came together for TCF’s annual Think Tank on Advancing Precision Medicine in Rare Cancers. This highly collaborative and discussion-based meeting featured patient and scientific keynote speakers, multiple scientific panels, a patient case presentation by TRACK’s Molecular Tumor Board, and more.
Recordings of select sessions are available to watch, below.
Featured Presentation: TCF-001 TRACK Molecular Tumor Board Case Study Presentation — Prostatic Urethral Cancer
Implementing Precision Medicine in Real-Time
Razelle Kurzrock, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin, TRACK Principal Investigator
Mina Nikanjam, MD, PhD, University of California San Diego, TRACK Co-Principal Investigator
Vivek Subbiah, MD, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, TRACK Co-Principal Investigator
Bicky Thapa, MD, MS, FACP, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, TRACK MTB Member
Hetal Vig, MS, MGC, CGC, TargetCancer Foundation
In this molecular tumor board case presentation focused on a patient with prostatic urethral cancer, a team of specialists—including experts in precision oncology of rare cancers, urologic oncology, and genetics—came together to explain how DNA testing of a tumor can help guide cancer treatment.
Using a real-world example, the panel walked through next-generation sequencing (NGS) results from both tumor tissue and blood, explaining what these tests look for, what the results mean, and how they may point to targeted treatment options or clinical trials. The panelists also explored the nuances of somatic testing interpretation, potential germline implications, and how molecular findings can inform personalized rare cancer treatment strategies.
Scientific Keynotes & Panel Sessions
The Role of Journals in Advancing Rare Cancer Research
Ishwaria Subbiah, MD, MS, FASCO, Vivek Subbiah, MD, Don Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO, and Robert Kruger, PhD,
Ishwaria Subbiah, MD, MS, FASCO, Vivek Subbiah, MD, Don Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO, and Robert Kruger, PhD, editors for high impact journals (JCO-Oncology Practice, Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and Cancer Discovery respectively), along with moderator Vivek Subbiah, MD (JAMA Oncology), discussed the vital role of scientific journals in advancing rare cancer research. This session explored strategies for rare cancer investigators to publish impactful work in high-profile oncology journals, helping accelerate progress, visibility, and collaboration across the field.
Navigating a Rare Cancer: A Patient’s Perspective
Leah Christoforidis gave the patient keynote address, talking candidly about her journey to achieve an accurate diagnosis of a rare form of kidney cancer, translocation renal cell cancer (TRCC). With little data to support therapy options for TRCC, Leah educated herself in order to advocate for her treatment plan.
Why We Need Molecular Reclassification and Drug Development for Rare Cancers
Vivek Subbiah, MD, Chief, Early-Phase Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute
In this session, Vivek Subbiah, MD, explained how advances in tumor DNA testing are changing how rare cancers are classified. Instead of focusing only on where in the body the cancer started, doctors can now group cancers by the molecular genetic changes that are present across cancers. This helps identify new treatment targets that can more precisely treat cancers with a specific molecular signature, regardless of its histology (i.e., a tissue-agnostic approach). Drug development can then focus on therapies that work across cancer types with the same molecular features, making treatments more personalized and effective.
From Drug Centric to Patient-Centric Precision Medicine & Immunotherapy Trials in Rare Cancers
Razel Kurzrock, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin WIN Personalized Cancer Medicine
Jim Palma, TargetCancer Foundation
Young Kwang Chae, MD, MBA, MPH
Jens Rueter, MD, The Jackson Laboratory Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative
In this panel discussion, experts in precision oncology explored how clinical trials are evolving from one-size-fits-all approaches to patient-centric models that better reflect the biology of each individual’s cancer. Instead of focusing only on cancer type, new trial designs look at a patient’s unique tumor biology and genetics to better match treatments.
The panel explored how approaches like precision medicine, flexible trial designs, and real-world data can make trials more accessible, faster, and more relevant for patients. Most importantly, the conversation highlighted how putting patients at the center of research can lead to better options and better outcomes.
Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors
