Precision Oncology with Liquid Biopsy: ctDNA, Cancer Genomics & Biomarker-Guided Tumor Monitoring
From Cancer Genomics to ctDNA-Based Monitoring for Precision Oncology and Biomarker-Guided Treatment Decisions
About This Course
This three-day hands-on workshop explores precision oncology, liquid biopsy, ctDNA, cancer genomics, and biomarker-guided tumor monitoring. Participants will learn how genomic alterations are detected and interpreted, how ctDNA supports treatment monitoring and minimal residual disease assessment, and how actionable biomarkers guide clinical decisions.
Hands-on activities using cBioPortal, COSMIC, ClinVar, OncoKB, and CIViC will provide practical experience in genomic analysis, variant interpretation, and longitudinal ctDNA-based tumor monitoring.
Aim
To provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of cancer genomics, liquid biopsy, ctDNA analysis, genomic variant interpretation, and biomarker-guided tumor monitoring, while developing practical skills for interpreting cancer genomic data and longitudinal ctDNA profiles in precision oncology.
Workshop Objectives
- Understand the fundamentals of precision oncology and personalized cancer treatment.
- Explain tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and key genomic alterations.
- Understand tissue and liquid biopsy approaches, including cfDNA and ctDNA.
- Explore ctDNA detection using qPCR, ddPCR, and next-generation sequencing.
- Interpret VAF, sequencing depth, sensitivity, and detection limits.
- Differentiate somatic, germline, driver, and passenger variants.
- Use cancer genomics databases for variant annotation and interpretation.
- Identify actionable, diagnostic, prognostic, and resistance biomarkers.
- Apply ctDNA for treatment response, MRD, recurrence, and resistance monitoring.
- Understand key clinical, regulatory, and technical challenges of liquid biopsy.
Workshop Structure
Day 1: Precision Oncology, Cancer Genomics & Liquid Biopsy Foundations
- Principles of precision oncology and personalized cancer treatment
- Tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and molecular drivers
- Key genomic alterations: SNVs, indels, copy-number alterations, gene fusions, and structural variants
- Molecular biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy selection
- Tissue biopsy versus liquid biopsy: applications and limitations
- Liquid biopsy analytes: ctDNA, circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles, and cell-free RNA
- Biology of cfDNA and ctDNA: release, shedding, and detectability
- Pre-analytical considerations: sample collection, processing, storage, and DNA quality
- Introduction to cancer genomic databases and biomarker evidence resources
Hands-On: Cancer Genomic Profiling & Biomarker Exploration
Explore a cancer cohort in cBioPortal, identify recurrent alterations and associated clinical features, and review somatic mutations and therapeutic evidence using COSMIC and OncoKB to prepare a biomarker summary with specimen details and evidence sources.
Tools & Databases: cBioPortal | COSMIC | OncoKB
Day 2: ctDNA Detection, Genomic Analysis & Variant Interpretation
- Principles of qPCR, ddPCR, and sequencing-based ctDNA detection
- Targeted sequencing panels and an overview of whole-exome and whole-genome approaches
- Sequencing depth, variant allele frequency (VAF), sensitivity, and limit of detection
- Introduction to molecular barcoding and sequencing-error suppression
- Somatic versus germline variant origins and interpretation considerations
- Driver versus passenger mutations
- Distinguishing pathogenicity, oncogenicity, and clinical actionability
- Therapy-associated biomarkers and resistance-associated mutations
- Cancer-specific evidence levels and interpretation uncertainty
- Clonal hematopoiesis, technical artifacts, and potential false-positive findings
- Interpretation of negative or non-informative plasma results
Hands-On: ctDNA Variant Annotation & Interpretation
Annotate a curated ctDNA variant dataset using ClinVar, CIViC, and OncoKB; assess variant classifications, cancer-specific actionability, and resistance evidence, and prepare an interpretation table documenting evidence levels, uncertainties, and potential confounders.
Tools & Databases: ClinVar | CIViC | OncoKB
Day 3: Biomarker-Guided Tumor Monitoring & Integrated Reporting
- Baseline and longitudinal ctDNA profiling
- Molecular response assessment during treatment
- Molecular residual disease (MRD): concepts, applications, and limitations
- Tumor-informed versus tumor-naïve ctDNA monitoring
- Interpretation of declining, persistent, and newly detected variants
- Tracking potential acquired resistance and clonal evolution
- Recurrence surveillance: molecular signals and interpretation challenges
- Integrating ctDNA trends with treatment timelines, imaging, and clinical parameters
- Overview of biomarker applications in targeted therapy and immunotherapy
- Clinical validation, regulatory considerations, and emerging monitoring applications
- Essentials of an evidence-supported tumor monitoring report
Hands-On: Longitudinal ctDNA Analysis & Reporting
Analyze longitudinal ctDNA data using pandas and matplotlib in Google Colab, visualize VAF trends alongside treatment milestones and detection thresholds, and prepare a CIViC-supported tumor monitoring report covering molecular response, potential resistance, clinical context, and interpretation limitations.
Tools & Databases: Google Colab | Python—pandas and matplotlib | CIViC
Who Should Enrol?
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students in Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, and Life Sciences
- MBBS, MD, and medical students interested in oncology and molecular diagnostics
- PhD scholars and research fellows working in Cancer Biology, Oncology, Genomics, Molecular Medicine, or Precision Medicine
- Clinical researchers and translational scientists
- Bioinformaticians and computational biologists
- Molecular diagnostic and pathology professionals
- Oncologists and healthcare professionals interested in precision oncology
- Researchers working with NGS, cancer biomarkers, ctDNA, cfDNA, or liquid biopsy
- Faculty members and academicians in biomedical and life-science disciplines
- Professionals from biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and healthcare industries
Important Dates
Registration Ends
October 21, 2026
IST 4:30 PM
Workshop Dates
October 21, 2026 – October 23, 2026
IST 5:00 PM
Workshop Outcomes
- Explore cancer genomic datasets using cBioPortal.
- Identify frequently altered cancer genes and major genomic alterations.
- Interpret clinically relevant cancer variants using COSMIC, ClinVar, OncoKB, and CIViC.
- Prioritize potentially actionable and resistance-associated mutations.
- Interpret variant allele frequency and ctDNA dynamics across multiple timepoints.
- Recognize potential confounding factors such as clonal hematopoiesis and false-positive variants.
- Evaluate ctDNA changes associated with treatment response and disease progression.
- Understand the application of ctDNA for minimal residual disease and recurrence monitoring.
- Connect genomic biomarkers with targeted therapies and immunotherapy strategies.
- Integrate genomic, liquid biopsy, and clinical information for biomarker-guided tumor monitoring.
- Prepare a simplified biomarker-guided tumor monitoring report based on longitudinal ctDNA data.
- Understand emerging applications of liquid biopsy and cancer genomics in precision oncology.
Recording fee
Participants in India
₹2,499
Participants outside India
$50
- All session recordings
- Study material
- Certificate after completion
- 1-year access
The live sessions of this workshop are over, so the live fees no longer apply.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get the recording?
Yes. Paid participants get the session recordings and study material in their NanoSchool dashboard (My registrations → Recorded Lectures / Study Material).
What if I miss a live session?
Watch the recording in your dashboard and send your questions to the mentor through the support desk.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, an e-certificate of participation after the workshop, with a QR code anyone can verify and an "Add to LinkedIn" button.
Which fee category applies to me?
Choose the category that matches your current role: Student, Ph.D. Scholar / Researcher, Academician / Faculty or Industry Professional.
How can I pay?
By card, UPI or PayPal on the payment page; international bank transfer is also available there.
What is the refund policy?
See our Returns, Refunds & Cancellation policy: Returns, Refunds & Cancellation policy