Tumor Biology 101: Detecting Genomic Targets and Mutation Patterns

Course overview

The rapid rate of breakthroughs in immuno-oncology (IO) have created new—and nonintuitive—diagnostic paradigms and testing protocols for cancer. This has led to considerable confusion in the broader pathology and laboratory medicine community about the basic science of IO, as well as a lack of skill in testing and diagnostics associated with IO and immunotherapeutics. ASCP is dedicated to helping pathologists and laboratory professionals develop their core scientific knowledge as well as the testing and diagnostic skill sets associated with IO and immuno-therapeutics to keep up with these scientific advances. Recent scientific advances in immuno-oncology have created a need for pathologists and laboratory professionals to better understand the ways tumors can undergo mutational change. This program will provide you with an understanding of the basics of genomics, MSI, genomic instability, tumor mutational burden, homologous repair defects, and more, along with the interplay and indication. You will also learn genome integrity is maintained, what happens that will cause abnormality, how mutational burden is measured, recombination defects, and more. You’ll walk away with an understanding of how next generation sequencing (NGS) can detect different types of genomic targets in tumor specimens, how to recognize patterns of tumor mutations for monitoring clonal evolution and treatment response, and how to recognize mutational patterns associated with tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and homologous repair deficiency. Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this module, learners should be able to: • Describe how NGS can detect different types of genomic targets in tumor specimens • Recognize the patterns of tumor mutations for monitoring clonal evolution and treatment response • Recognize mutational patterns associated with tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and homologous repair deficiency Faculty: Jennifer Morrissette, PhD Associate Professor Clinical Director, Center for Personalized Diagnostics Scientific Director, Cytogenetics University of Pennsylvania 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 MOC 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 Pfizer/Merck KGaA