The rapid rate of breakthroughs in immuno-oncology has outpaced continuing education in medicine, leaving pathologists and laboratory teams without optimal awareness about the core science of pan-tumor immuno-oncology checkpoints, biomarkers, pathways, and therapeutics. Compounding the issue is a lack of established evidence-based protocols for immuno-oncology testing and diagnosis. Left unaddressed, this knowledge gap among the laboratory team has the potential to lead to significant loss of patient lives.
This case based online course will provide an overview of immuno-oncology addressing: introduction to immune biomarkers, checkpoints, pathways (such as PD-1/PD-L1, PD-L2, and CTLA4), and their roles in cancer treatment; the current scope of immune-based cancer therapy and why it is important; how immuno-oncology affects the field of pathology, and why oncologists and patients are asking for immuno-oncology tests; an overview of currently available immuno-oncology therapies; and current efforts to identify other potential biomarkers of response to cancer immunotherapies, such as tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the science and implications of immune biomarkers, immune checkpoints, pathways, and therapeutics (i.e., PD-1/PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA4) on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple cancer types (i.e., skin cancers, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC).
- Discuss current efforts to identify potential biomarkers responding to cancer immunotherapies (e.g., tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, PDL1 expression) and consider how these may be applied in current and clinical practice today and into the future.
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 1.0 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 1.0 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb.