Chapter 13 - Molecular profiling and next-generation sequencing applications in transplant oncology

Personalized medicine approaches to multi-disciplinary cancer care are informing screening, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment prediction and surveillance. Yet, comprehensive molecular profiling of solid and liquid specimens have made relatively limited inroads into liver transplantation for primary liver cancers. To be successfully implemented, advocates must be mindful of existing transplant algorithms of referral, evaluation, waitlisting, transplantation and follow-up. Here, we aim to describe how NGS-based characterization of hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinomas can be safely and successfully implemented into every stage of existing liver transplant care, painting a picture of “transplant oncology”. The ambition is to increase the number of patients eligible for liver transplantation and their long term outcomes.