Raymond H Kim

Clinician Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Cancer Clinical Research Unit (CCRU), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2147-8674
Keywords: hereditary syndrome, medical genetics, genomics

Raymond Kim received his MD/PhD from the University of Toronto with Dr. Tak W. Mak in Medical Biophysics. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Medical Genetics at The Hospital for Sick Children. His clinical interests lie in the transition of care, complex multidisciplinary care and adult hereditary disorders. His research incorporates novel genomic technologies in clinical care including whole genome sequencing and circulating DNA. He is Medical Director of Cancer Early Detection and the Bhalwani Familial Cancer Clinic at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He is also the PI of the Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Provincial Head of the Provincial Genetics Program at Ontario Health.

Whole genome sequencing and cell-free DNA

Related Links

Dr. Kim's UHN Doctor Profile
Dr. Kim's SickKids Profile
CHARM Consortium

The PATHFINDER 2 Study: Evaluating the Safety and Performance of the GRAIL Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test in an Eligible Screening Population

Study Status: Active
Study Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and performance of the GRAIL Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Test. We will look at how doctors use the test results and how participants feel about this blood test.
Background: Between 35,000 and 38,500 people have taken part in this study across North America, with around 1,500 participants from the University Health Network (UHN). The GRAIL multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test is a blood test designed to find a signal shared by different types of cancers. This is a blood test that analyzes small pieces of DNA floating in the blood (cell free DNA) to see if any of it may have come from cancer cells.  In a different clinical study, the GRAIL MCED test detected a signal shared by over 50 different cancers, and the purpose of this study is to determine if it is indeed useful for patients and doctors.
Study Methods: Patients will agree to the study by consenting. Their blood will be sent for testing at the GRAIL laboratory.  The study staff or study doctor will contact the participants with their test results within 30 days after blood is drawn. Participants will be informed whether a cancer signal was found or not in the blood sample. If a cancer signal was detected, additional tests will be ordered to confirm the presence of cancer.
Health Conditions: Cancer

 

Genetic testing in tumours to help familial cancer risks

Study Status: Completed
Study Purpose: We wanted to find genetic changes in tumours that might be inherited to help patients and doctors know about cancer risks in patients and their families. Our team of experts selected tumour genetic results that need more focused attention.
Background: Some genetic changes can be passed down in families and increase cancer risk (e.g. BRCA1, “the Angelina Jolie Gene”). These people have a “hereditary cancer syndrome” (HCS). People with HCS have well-known cancer risks (e.g. breast and ovarian cancer). This helps detect cancer early and gives the best chance to cure cancers and identify relatives at risk. In some cases, future cancers can even be prevented by removing some organs. People with HCS are diagnosed using genetic testing of blood. However, a different type of genetic test, tumour testing, is used very commonly in cancer treatment. Some of these genetic changes can be inherited so we need clear steps to flag inherited genetic changes from tumour tests to find more people with HCS.
Study Methods: We reviewed tumour testing results from patients with cancer who agreed to have their tumour samples tested. We looked for possible inherited genetic changes and conducted genetic testing on their blood to diagnose an HCS. We used different guidelines from Cancer Care Ontario and the European Society of Medical Oncology.
Key Findings: Out of 243 tumour tests performed, 83 showed possible inherited genetic changes. We recommended blood testing for 56 patients out of the 83 under review. Forty-seven met clinical criteria for an HCS, while nine did not and were selected for having tumour genetic changes in high-risk genes. Overall, 11% were found to have an HCS. Different types of genetic tests are done on cancer patients for different reasons. Tumour testing may help identify HCS. Having a team of experts diagnose these patients may help their cancer treatment and their families to prevent cancer.
Health Conditions: Cancer,Genetics

 

For a list of Dr. Kim's publications, please visit PubMed or Scopus.

Clinician Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Cancer Clinical Research Unit (CCRU), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Project Investigator, SickKids Research Institute
Leader, Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research