Translational research: Empowering the role of pathologists and cytopathologists

Abstract

Research activity is in the core essence of pathology. Advancing our understanding of disease pathogenesis translates into better patient care. Because of their unique position, laboratorians are the best to accurately identify, annotate, and classify research specimens. They also are essential for the accurate interpretation of genomic testing. Currently, cytopathologists are moving to the center of patient care through active communication with clinicians and patients. There are certain research areas in which cytopathologists can be pioneers, such as image analysis, morphology research, and genotype-phenotype association studies integrating morphologic and molecular features. Health service utilization research is another domain in which cytopathologists can excel. Successful research is a journey that necessitates multiple steps. It also involves building expertise in how to overcome obstacles and handle challenges. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:831-838. Commentary 832 Cancer Cytopathology October 2018Although they hold out hope of a significantly improved patient outcome by individualizing a treatment plan based on tumor biology, these new concepts carry a great challenge to the standard-of-care paradigms 6-9 and represent dramatic, revolutionary changes in the role of the cytopathologist. Molecular tests done for patients with different types of diseases are performed in the laboratory. The indication, interpretation, and clinical significance of a molecular test usually require active communication between laboratory team, clinicians, and patients. Consequently, the role of the cytopathologist's role is moving toward the center of patients' circle of care and becoming an active participant in multidisciplinary management teams that include clinicians, biologists, and pathologists, with input from patients. 10 The exponential growth in companion testing with molecular diagnostics has elicited discussion about the need to develop an integrated morphomolecular pathology specialty in which pathologists are equipped with combined molecular and morphologic expertise, enabling them to address the challenge of genomic medicine. 11 RESEARCH IN PATHOLOGYAn important question is why pathologists should be involved in research. There are several factors that necessitate the involvement of pathologists in research, and the advantages of getting pathologists involved in research include the following: