Dear GIPS Members –
GIPS will be delivering up to date education content on biomarkers at the ASCP Annual Meeting via a virtual lecture series. Please see below for more information on this upcoming session.
https://ascp2021.pathable.com/meetings/virtual/DYj9dtAnw23K8L8Co
DMT517-21 Presented by GIPS:
Updates on Biomarker Testing in Gastrointestinal Malignancies
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM EDT on Sunday, October 17
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CME/CMLE Credit:1
Funded by an independent educational grant from Merck Sharp and Dohme Corp.
The recent years have seen the emergence of many highly specific immunohistochemistry biomarkers directed against the protein products of specific genetic alterations in gastrointestinal malignancies. Such markers have improved tumor prognostication and, most importantly, served to direct effective targeted therapies. The effectiveness of tumor biomarkers, however, hinges on optimal testing methodology and accurate interpretation of the testing results. Standardization is therefore key. As the targeted therapies are most utilized in advanced and unresectable malignancies, the available test samples are often small biopsies and not infrequently cytology materials, which calls for further attention in test optimization and standardization. The aim of this session is to provide an update on the testing of tumor biomarkers in GI malignancies, with an emphasis on HER2 testing in colorectal carcinoma, and the unique aspects of utilizing minimal material including cytology material as test samples.
Objectives:
- To gain an overview of the newly emerged and emerging prognostic and predicative biomarkers in gastrointestinal malignancies.
- To achieve an improved understanding of HER2 testing in colorectal cancer, and be able to address the frequently encountered questions relate to this test.
- To know the pitfalls and caveats in biomarker testing with minimal tissue samples including cytology materials.