LabQ Clinical Exercise 14: Molecular Diagnostics: THE ROLE OF THE LABORATORY IN GUIDING CANCER TREATMENT PLANNING

Primary Audience: Phlebotomists, Laboratory Technologists, Laboratory Directors

Secondary Audience: Pathologists, Clinical Scientists (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants, Residents, and Students

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

·         explain how tumor molecular marker panels are used to guide cancer treatment decisions;

·         discuss the 2 most common types of targeted therapies, using clinical examples of each;

·         describe the mechanisms used by targeted therapeutics to kill cancer cells; and

·         discuss the pros and cons of targeted therapy.