In this inaugural episode, the ISLB Executive Committee introduces the International Society of Liquid Biopsy. Our Leadership share the Society’s vision and mission, its scientific strategy, what it offers its community, and the goals that will shape its future.

Welcome to the ISLB Podcast, the official podcast of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy. In each episode, we sit down with the authors of recent, cutting-edge publications to explore the latest developments shaping the liquid biopsy field.

This inaugural episode is a little different. Rather than focusing on a single paper, we begin with the scientists who lead the Society. Hosted by Roberto Borea, Chair of the ISLB Young Committee, the episode brings together the members of the ISLB Executive Committee to share what the Society is, why it exists, what it does for its community, and where it is heading.

Our guests:

• Umberto Malapelle, President, on the vision and mission of the ISLB and the role of the Journal of Liquid Biopsy
• David R. Gandara, Chief Medical Officer, on why the Society chose to launch a podcast
• Christian Rolfo, Past President and Chief Scientific Officer, on the Society’s scientific strategy for moving liquid biopsy toward validated, everyday clinical practice
• Eloísa Jantus-Lewintre, Vice President, on the activities available to members, from the molecular tumor board and workshops to the Society newsletter
• María José Serrano, Ambassador and co-founder, on ten years of the ISLB and what the Society represents for its community
• Clara Mayo De Las Casas, Treasurer, on who the ISLB is for and how it supports young and early-career researchers
• Natasha B. Leighl, Secretary, on the goals that will shape the future of the Society and of liquid biopsy

INTRO 
Host: Hello, and welcome to the ISLB podcast, the official podcast of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy. In each episode, we sit down with the author of a recent, cutting-edge publication to explore the latest developments shaping the liquid biopsy field. 
 
I am your host, Roberto Borea, Research Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, and Chair of the ISLB YC. Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that this podcast is made possible through the support of AstraZeneca. 
 
This first episode, however, is a little different. Think of it as an introduction: rather than focusing on a single paper, we wanted to begin with the Society itself — what it is, why it exists, what it does for its community, and where it is heading. To do so, it is an honour to be joined by the members of the ISLB Executive Committee. 
 
1 · Umberto Malapelle — The vision of the ISLB 
Host: Our first guest is Dr. Umberto Malapelle, President of the ISLB. Dr. Malapelle is Chief of the Predictive Molecular Pathology Laboratory in the Department of Public Health at the University of Naples Federico II, in Italy, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Liquid Biopsy, the official journal of our Society. 
Host — Question: Dr. Malapelle, as President, could you share with our listeners the vision and mission of the ISLB? Also, as editor-in-chief of the JLB, what does this journal mean for the society? 
Guest: Reply 
 
2 · David R. Gandara — The purpose of the podcast 
Host: Next, we are joined by Dr. David Gandara, Chief Medical Officer of the ISLB. Dr. Gandara is Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of California, UC Davis, and an internationally recognised clinician-scientist and thought leader in thoracic oncology and liquid biopsy. 
Host — Question: Dr. Gandara, this podcast is a new initiative for our Society. In your view, why did the ISLB decide to launch a podcast, and what do you hope it will bring to our members, to the wider scientific community, and to those who are just discovering the field of liquid biopsy? 
Guest: Reply
 
3 · Christian Rolfo — Scientific strategy & the journals 
Host: We now turn to Dr. Christian Rolfo, Past President and Chief Scientific Officer of the ISLB. Dr. Rolfo is Professor of Medicine, director of the Division of Medical Oncology and Associate Director for Early Clinical Trials, OSUCCC-James at the OSUCCC – James, and Editor-in-Chief of Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. 
 
Host — Question 1: Dr. Rolfo, as Chief Scientific Officer, how would you describe the scientific strategy of the ISLB? How does the Society work to move liquid biopsy toward validated, everyday clinical practice? 
Guest: Reply 
 
4 · Eloisa Jantus Lewintre — How the ISLB works: activities for its members 
Host: Our next guest is Dr. Eloisa Jantus Lewintre, Vice President of the ISLB. Dr. Jantus Lewintre is Professor of Cell Biology at the Universitat Politècnica de València, in Spain, where she directs the Master's Programme in Biomedical Biotechnology.. 
Host — Question: Dr. Jantus, beyond its congresses and publications, the ISLB runs a number of activities for its members throughout the year. Could you tell us about initiatives such as the molecular tumor board, workshop, and the Society newsletter, and how they help our members stay connected and keep learning? 
Guest: Reply 
 
5 · María José Serrano — The Annual Congress: Madrid 2026 
Host: We are also joined by Dr. María José Serrano, Ambassador and co-founder of the ISLB. Dr. Serrano is Scientific Director of the Liquid Biopsy and Cancer Interception Group at the GENyO Centre and Director of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, in Granada, Spain 
Host — Question: Dr. Serrano, the highlight of our Society's calendar is the Annual Congress. This year, we head to Madrid for the 8th Annual Congress of the ISLB, 10 years ago ISLB was founded. What does it represent to you and for our community? what can attendees look forward to in 2026, and why is this meeting such an important gathering for the liquid biopsy community? 
Guest: Reply 
 
6 · Clara Mayo De Las Casas — Being part of the Society 
Host: Next, we welcome Dr. Clara Mayo De Las Casas, Treasurer of the ISLB. Dr. Mayo De Las Casas holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, has more than fifteen years of experience in translational cancer research focused on ctDNA, and is Executive Director of the Pangea Oncology laboratory. 
Host — Question: Dr. Mayo, the ISLB is, at its heart, a global community. As Treasurer, you see how the Society grows and how it supports its members — through education, travel awards, and grants for young and early-career researchers. Who is the ISLB for, and what would you say to someone — whether a clinician, a scientist, or a trainee — who is thinking about becoming part of our community? 
Guest: Reply 
 
7 · Natasha B. Leighl — The future of the Society 
Host: Our final guest is the secretary of ISLB, Dr. Natasha Leighl (LeiL). Dr. Leighl is Professor of Medicine and Head of the division of medical oncology and hematology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto.
 
Host — Question: Dr. Leighl, to close, I would like to look ahead. You have done an outstanding job in liquid biopsy and thoracic malignancies; where do you see the Society in the coming years? What are the goals and aspirations that will shape the future of the ISLB and, with it, the future of liquid biopsy? 
Guest: Reply 
 
CLOSING 
Host: That brings us to the end of this special inaugural episode. On behalf of the ISLB Young Committee and the Executive Committee, I would like to thank all of our guests for sharing their vision, their insights, and their time with us today. I also want to thank our sponsor, AstraZeneca, for supporting the ISLB Podcast.  
To our listeners — thank you for joining us for this introductory episode. You can already find this and the first episode on the main podcast platforms. We encourage you to follow this podcast and enable notifications in your podcast app so you do not miss what is coming. 
Until then, thank you for being with us. 
 
OUTRO — Disclaimer 
The content provided in this podcast is intended exclusively for educational and scientific information purposes. It does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The discussion of specific research findings or biotechnological platforms should not be interpreted as a clinical recommendation. Listeners are advised to consult with qualified healthcare professionals for medical guidance and to refer to peer-reviewed literature for comprehensive data analysis.