Continuous Evolution: Current and Emerging Indications for Molecular Pathology in Lung Cancer



 

During this lecture, the practice of molecular diagnostics for lung cancer patients will be discussed. Iin the first part of the presentation, an historical approach will be taken, starting with the discoveries of treatable mutations in EGFR and ALK, followed by initial and revised professional guidelines that were published to standardize practice around the world. The majority of the presentation will address recent applications and indications of molecular pathology testing for lung cancer, including new genetic alterations and new applications of testing for the earlier genetic alterations, with an emphasis on clinical utility in patient care. These new indications will form the basis for a newly launched project to revise the international practice guidelines again, in 2021.

Originally published on November 7, 2022


Lecture Presenter

Neal I. Lindeman, MD

Neal I. Lindeman, MD

Vice Chair, Molecular Pathology
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate Professor of Pathology
Director, Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program
Harvard Medical School

Neal Lindeman, MD, is vice chair for Molecular Pathology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, and associate professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lindeman is certified by the American Board of Pathology (Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, 1999; Molecular Genetic Pathology, 2001) and the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (Molecular Diagnostics, 2000), and has been practicing molecular pathology since 1999, serving as division chief and medical laboratory director of Molecular Diagnostics since 2011. His research interests focus on molecular oncology, identifying genetic alterations that drive the development and behavior of cancers, and translate those findings into diagnostic applications that enable the proper selection of targeted therapies in precision oncology. Some of his more notable accomplishments include leading pathology efforts in multidisciplinary projects such as the discovery of oncogenic EGFR mutations as targetable alterations in lung cancer, detection of MYD88 alterations in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, and the leadership of the Profile pan-cancer genomic sequencing program at the Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center. He has led the development of dozens of clinical molecular diagnostics assays, authored or co-authored over 160 scientific papers, co-chaired an international working group from three professional societies that established, and then updated, evidence-based practice guidelines for molecular pathology of lung cancer, trained scores of residents and fellows, and has served in a leadership capacity in multiple professional societies within pathology.


Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss historical and new indications and applications of molecular pathology testing for lung cancer patients, for diagnosis and for treatment selection

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories