Due to the growing complexity of immuno-oncology (IO) biomarker testing and interpretation, the role of pathologists and laboratory professionals is becoming more central to safe and effective delivery of precision medicine in cancer care. Their unique perspective on disease processes and access to tissue specimens allow pathologists to guide cancer clinicians who are developing treatment plans and monitoring response to IO therapies.
Oncologists are increasingly relying on pathologists for guidance to ensure that the correct PD-L1 test is ordered based on different types of tumor and planned treatment regimens, but it can be challenging to keep up with continuously evolving IO landscape.
In this course, you will learn how to apply the latest science and evidence as you navigate administrative challenges surrounding institutional policies and procedures. You will gain a deeper understanding that surrounds the complexity of PD-L1 testing based on the type of tumor, different antibody assays, and scoring systems. Additionally, you will learn about the practical application of MSI/MMR testing and the potentially emerging role of tumor mutational burden (TMB) when treating patients with checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
The multidisciplinary faculty for this online course will feature interactive problem-based learning with a focus on common barriers to implementing and delivering IO in community pathology settings, including a practical discussion around overcoming some of those barriers, such as planning for disease-specific IO procedures and developing consistent protocols and workflows related to cancer diagnosis and the use of IO treatments.
Goals of the panel discussion are: to empower community laboratory teams to play a greater role in institutional IO policies/protocols within community cancer centers; promote pathologists and laboratory professionals as active members of the multidisciplinary and interprofessional IO cancer care team; and disseminate best practices and lessons learned among the broader IO multidisciplinary patient care team.
Learning Objectives:
- Outline pathology-driven processes that can improve the use of appropriate IO diagnostics and therapies based around the latest clinical evidence
- Discuss ways that pathologists can actively engage members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team around the selection and use of IO therapies in community settings
- Describe how to strengthen pathology leadership on multidisciplinary teams as they guide their institution around complex and evolving IO trends
Faculty:
Joseph Kim, MD, MPH, MBA – Moderator
Q-Synthesis, LLC
Langhorne, PA
Mamatha Chivukula, MD, FASCP
Director, Immunohistochemistry
Sutter Health
San Francisco, CA
Stuti G. Shroff, MD, PhD
Assistant Pathologist, Anatomic Pathology
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Lisa Haley, MS, MB (ASCP)CM
Laboratory Specialist – Assay Development
Johns Hopkins Pathology
Baltimore, MD
The American Society for Clinical Pathology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation Statement
The ASCP designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
These activities also meet CC Part II Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment Module (SAMs CME) requirements.
ASCP designates these live activities for a maximum of 1.5 CMLE credit. These activities meet CMP and state re-licensure requirements for laboratory personnel.
For questions regarding CME credit, please contact ASCP Customer Service at 1-800-267-2727, during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time
Method of Participation
To complete the activity and receive credit, the participant must complete the online course. CME certificates will be provided on-line.
Funded by an independent educational grant from Pfizer/Merck KGaA