Lab Medicine Rounds Hereditary oncology: Molecular testing for solid tumors
Jun 18, 2021
Shanik Gupta, an Assistant Professor of Pathology at Mayo Clinic and expert in urologic pathology, discusses the groundbreaking role of molecular testing in solid tumors. She highlights its significance in classifying tumors, especially kidney cancer, and how recent advancements have changed treatment options. Gupta delves into the challenges of keeping up with rapid innovations in molecular knowledge and emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. She also shares her thoughts on the future of testing and the necessity for standardized protocols in hereditary oncology.
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Shift to Comprehensive Molecular Testing
- Molecular testing for solid tumors has evolved from single gene assays to comprehensive multi-gene panels.
- Comprehensive testing captures diagnostics, therapeutics, and biomarkers like tumor mutation burden or microsatellite instability in one assay.
Molecular Testing Improves Tumor Classification
- Molecular testing distinguishes tumor subtypes that morphology alone cannot and affects prognosis and family risk.
- Testing may reveal hereditary cancer syndromes, influencing treatment and family counseling.
Prostate Cancer Molecular Testing Example
- In prostate cancer, molecular testing finds mutations such as BRCA and mismatch repair that morphology cannot detect.
- These findings enable new therapies like immunotherapy or PARP inhibitors, which morphology alone can't indicate.