Lymphomas are the fifth neoplastic disease in the world. They have recognized an exponential growth, which could lead to tumors of the lymphatic tissue to occupy the first or second place in the ranking of neoplasms at the world level. In particular, lymphomas include over 70 entities.
This gives rise to the indications for the definition of the risk profile and the optimal treatment in each patient, taking into account that there is an individual variability within each entity. In particular, using the most recent technologies, which are based on genome sequencing, the goal is to achieve personalized therapy with maximum effectiveness and, possibly, no toxic effect.
The objectives of Pathologists Commission are:
- Approve studies of diagnostic review to be integrated in the FIL clinical trials;
- Disseminate guidelines for the optimal treatment of tissue biopsy;
- Build a network of reference centers nationally (project LymphPath Network submitted to the Ministry of Health) to improve diagnostic performance, both in terms of quality and timing of reporting. Particularly, the ever more frequent use of molecular technologies with high yield makes it essential to the concentration of the material at a predefined number of centers, in which exist the equipment and experience necessary for their reliable application;
- Collaborate with all Commissions and particularly with the Biological Studies Commission to improve FIL research activities;
- Approve immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization / FISH on tissue micro-array from tissue formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE);
- Apply Illumina and Nanostring technology for gene expression profiling and SNP array from FFPE;
- Apply new technologies (NGS) for DNA sequencing of FFPE lymphomas.