Molecular pathology is one of the linchpins of precision medicine. No longer can treatment decisions related to therapy selection be rendered solely on the basis of histopathological analyses, as genomic analyses of human cancers are resulting in the identification of the genetic determinants of tumourigenesis, cancer progression and therapy response.

The pathologists’ role in the implementation of molecular tests in diagnostic practice and the ability of pathology laboratories to perform these tests and communicate the results to oncologists are germane to the successful translation of scientific advancements into benefit to patients.

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art molecular pathology approaches and their application, and to discuss current genomics and molecular pathology of solid malignancies.

Target audience

This course will provide a discussion of current concepts in molecular pathology, molecular pathology methods and their application. It will be beneficial for practicing pathologists and oncologists, residents and fellows in pathology and oncology, and molecular biologists with an interest in molecular pathology and precision medicine.

Topics to be covered

• The role of the pathologist in precision medicine
• Massively parallel sequencing methods and data interpretation
• Gene expression regulation
• Plasma circulating cell-free DNA analysis
• Perspectives in molecular testing for clinical decision-making in oncology in Europe and USA
• The molecular pathology of immunotherapy response
• Molecular pathology of breast cancer and the usefulness of transcriptomic and genomic biomarkers in breast cancer pathology and oncology practice
• Novel findings in ovarian and endometrial cancers
• Targeted therapies in melanoma
• KIT and novel therapeutic targets in gastrointestinal stromal tumours
• Genomics of lung and colorectal cancers, and the use of genetic biomarkers for therapeutic decision-making
• Molecular classification of sarcomas and central nervous system tumours

Key dates

Bursary application deadline:
06 April 2018

Registration deadline:
04 May 2018