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Cytopathology : Official Journal of the... Feb 2018Training in molecular cytopathology testing is essential in developing and maintaining skills in modern molecular technologies as they are introduced to a universal... (Review)
Review
Training in molecular cytopathology testing is essential in developing and maintaining skills in modern molecular technologies as they are introduced to a universal health care system such as extant in the UK and elsewhere. We review the system in place in Northern Ireland (NI) for molecular testing of solid tumours, as an example to train staff of all grades, including pathologists, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists and equivalent technical grades. We describe training of pathologists as part of the NI Deanery medical curriculum, the NI training programme for scientists and laboratory rotation for Biomedical Scientists. Collectively, the aims of our training are two-fold: to provide a means by which individuals may extend their experience and skills; and to provide and maintain a skilled workforce for service delivery. Through training and competency, we introduce new technologies and tests in response to personalised medicine therapies with a competent workforce. We advocate modifying programmes to suit individual needs for skill development, with formalised courses in pre-analytical, analytical and postanalytical demands of modern molecular pathology. This is of particular relevance for cytopathology in small samples such those from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cell blocks. We finally introduce how university courses can augment training and develop a skilled workforce to benefit the delivery of services to our patients.
Topics: Curriculum; Cytodiagnosis; Health Personnel; Humans; Ireland; Pathology, Molecular; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 29148178
DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12495 -
Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift Fur Alle... Nov 2021New diagnostic tools in the field of oncology that became available with introduction of the next generation sequencing call for adjustments in the current clinical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
New diagnostic tools in the field of oncology that became available with introduction of the next generation sequencing call for adjustments in the current clinical workflow. To ensure correct interpretation, newly collected data need to be processed and categorized properly. Thus, current experts in oncology need to be trained and new experts from other fields need to be recruited.
OBJECTIVES
The molecular tumor board was introduced to bring experts from various specialties together. The goal is to discuss and assess complex oncological cases in the context of new molecular diagnostics and give recommendations regarding individualized therapy.
RESULTS
After the introduction of the molecular tumor board 2 years ago, the number of cases processed within the molecular tumor board has increased steadily. Of these patients, 70% exhibit molecular alterations that are relevant to therapy. Preliminary results indicate positive responses to the applied therapies and clear improvements in the progression-free and overall survival of patients who would have been considered "untreatable" in the classical clinical setting.
CONCLUSION
The introduction of new molecular diagnostics makes the establishment of advanced clinical structures mandatory. In this regard, the molecular tumor board continues to gain in importance. Preliminary results point towards a significant impact on the therapy of advanced malignancies. The advancements in sequencing and newly established insights into the interpretation of sequencing results will lead to new therapeutic routes. Inevitably, this will make the molecular tumor board indispensable in the future.
Topics: High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms; Pathology, Molecular; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 34406439
DOI: 10.1007/s00104-021-01487-6 -
European Journal of Epidemiology 2005Bias is ubiquitous in research. The advent of the molecular era provides a unique opportunity to study the consequences of bias with large-scale empirical evidence...
Bias is ubiquitous in research. The advent of the molecular era provides a unique opportunity to study the consequences of bias with large-scale empirical evidence accumulated in the massive data produced by the current discovery-oriented scientific effort, rather than just with theoretical speculations and constructs. Here I discuss some empirical evidence about manifestations of bias in molecular epidemiology. Bias may manifest as either heterogeneity or as deviation from the true estimates. The failure to translate molecular knowledge and the failure to replicate information are some typical hallmarks of bias at action. The acquired knowledge about the behaviour and manifestations of bias in molecular fields can be transferred back also to more traditional fields of epidemiology and medical research. Getting rid of false claims of the past is at least as important as producing new scientific discoveries. In many fields, the observed effects sizes that circulate as established knowledge are practically estimating only the net bias that has operated in the field all along. Issues of plausibility (in particular biological plausibility), replication, and credibility that form the theoretical basis of epidemiology and etiological inference can now be approached with large-scale empirical data.
Topics: Bias; Humans; Molecular Epidemiology
PubMed: 16170656
DOI: 10.1007/s10654-005-2028-1 -
IEEE Transactions on Nanobioscience Dec 2015
Topics: Bioengineering; Humans; Molecular Medicine; Nanomedicine
PubMed: 27152381
DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2015.2510618 -
Trends in Molecular Medicine Sep 2021Progeroid syndromes (PSs) are characterized by the premature onset of age-related pathologies. The genetic mutations underlying PSs are functionally linked to genome... (Review)
Review
Progeroid syndromes (PSs) are characterized by the premature onset of age-related pathologies. The genetic mutations underlying PSs are functionally linked to genome maintenance and repair, supporting the causative role of DNA damage accumulation in aging. Recent advances from studies in animal models of PSs have provided new insight into the role of DNA repair mechanisms in human disease and the physiological adaptations to accumulating DNA damage during aging. The molecular pathology of PSs is reminiscent of the natural aging process, highlighting the relevance for a wide range of age-related diseases. Recent progress has led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against age-related diseases that are relevant to rare diseases as well as the general aging population.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Aging, Premature; Animals; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Humans; Pathology, Molecular; Rare Diseases
PubMed: 34272172
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.06.011 -
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine Jun 2018Molecular biological techniques have evolved expeditiously and in turn have been applied to the detection of infectious disease. Maturation of these technologies and... (Review)
Review
Molecular biological techniques have evolved expeditiously and in turn have been applied to the detection of infectious disease. Maturation of these technologies and their coupling with related technological advancement in fluorescence, electronics, digitization, nanodynamics, and sensors among others have afforded clinical medicine additional tools toward expedient identification of infectious organisms at concentrations and sensitivities previously unattainable. These advancements have been adapted in select settings toward addressing clinical demands for more timely and effective patient management.
Topics: High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Microbiological Techniques; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Pathology, Molecular; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
PubMed: 29776630
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2018.02.004 -
Pharmacology & Therapeutics Dec 2012The advent of real-time macromolecular sequencing is opening the way for new levels of understanding of dynamic biological states and new approaches to point-of-care... (Review)
Review
The advent of real-time macromolecular sequencing is opening the way for new levels of understanding of dynamic biological states and new approaches to point-of-care diagnosis and drug discovery. This fast-growing area promises unprecedented capacity to develop detailed descriptions of biosystems in health and disease that integrate features from both inherent trait analysis (e.g. by genotyping) and dynamic analysis of transient states (e.g. by transcriptome or proteome typing). This evolving, integrated 'pharmacomics' will facilitate the characterization and monitoring of disease states and drug responses in terms of perturbations of biosystems from optimal states. This review considers how the latest generation of advances in ultra-rapid macromolecular sequencing will accelerate the evolution of personalized medicine and more systematic, rational drug discovery.
Topics: Animals; Drug Discovery; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Molecular Medicine; Precision Medicine; Proteomics; Transcriptome
PubMed: 22951096
DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.08.008 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Mar 2022Molecular biology has revolutionized all aspects of biological research including diagnostics, taxonomy, and systematics. Even so, the critique that molecular methods... (Review)
Review
Molecular biology has revolutionized all aspects of biological research including diagnostics, taxonomy, and systematics. Even so, the critique that molecular methods cannot truly confirm the presence of parasites, or identify new species remains prevalent and arguably relevant. The current review considers the ability of molecular diagnostic methods to detect parasites and the relevance of molecular sequences to identify species and attempt to answer the question of whether molecular data ever lie. It shows that well-validated molecular assays should be able to accurately confirm the presence of parasites in a host or vector species, while well-selected sequences should conclusively identify existing or new species. It addresses pitfalls in the use of molecular techniques and how these can be avoided. It also considers the self-correcting nature of science and the caveat that a scientist should use all tools at their disposal to uncover the mysteries of nature.
Topics: Animals; Parasites; Pathology, Molecular
PubMed: 35078135
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101907 -
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Jun 2018The aim of this article is to discuss how allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) can be improved through molecular approaches. We provide a summary of next-generation... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The aim of this article is to discuss how allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) can be improved through molecular approaches. We provide a summary of next-generation molecular AIT approaches and of their clinical evaluation. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of next generation molecular AIT forms for the treatment of severe manifestations of allergy and mention possible future molecular strategies for the secondary and primary prevention of allergy.
RECENT FINDINGS
AIT has important advantages over symptomatic forms of allergy treatment but its further development is limited by the quality of the therapeutic antigen preparations which are derived from natural allergen sources. The field of allergy diagnosis is currently undergoing a dramatic improvement through the use of molecular testing with defined, mainly recombinant allergens which allows high-resolution diagnosis. Several studies demonstrate that molecular testing in early childhood can predict the development of symptomatic allergy later on in life. Clinical studies indicate that molecular AIT approaches have the potential to improve therapy of allergic diseases and may be used as allergen-specific forms of secondary and eventually primary prevention for allergy.
Topics: Allergens; Child; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Molecular Medicine; Primary Prevention
PubMed: 29886521
DOI: 10.1007/s11882-018-0790-x -
Virchows Archiv : An International... Aug 2017
Topics: Humans; Molecular Medicine; Pathology
PubMed: 28714037
DOI: 10.1007/s00428-017-2198-8