Digital Pathology Blog

Nanotechnology may eventually benefit patients with inoperable cancers

BBC News (3/10) reported, "Nanotechnology has been used for the first time to destroy cancer cells with a highly targeted package of 'tumor busting' genes," and it "could potentially offer hope to people with hard-to-treat cancers where surgery is not possible." Detailing their work, researchers in the UK explained that first they wrapped the genes "in microscopic nano-particles 80,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, which were taken up by cancer cells, but not their healthy neighbors." Then, "once inside, the genes stimulated production of a protein which destroys the cancer," the authors added. Specifically, "the gene enclosed in the particle recognizes the cancerous environment and switches on." Although the "result is toxic," it only impinges on "the offending cells, leaving healthy tissue unaffected," whereas "traditional chemotherapy indiscriminately kills cells in the affected area of the body, which can cause side effects like fatigue, hair loss, or nausea."

Futurescape of Pathology Lectures Available

Futurescape of Pathology lectures now available here.

I think one the resident CAP travel awardees, Dr. Jochen "Joe" Lennerz summed up the conference the best as below:

    "“Be ready to assume a little risk” and “expand your toolkit” - two lines that echo and marked the opening of a very unique and beautifully orchestrated conference. Gathered were multiple generations of pathologists and entrepreneurs discussing the future of pathology.The mantra: “adapt or become irrelevant”.

     The scene unfolds as anxious and proactive. Seamlessly, all speakers presented their ideas, opinions, and visions, describing the touchable future. While there was overall agreement on progress – most messages were binocular. One eye predicting the future, the other focusing firmly on the present. “Techniques will outpace our skills and pathology will become (even) more “technician dependent”. “Not report, response!” “Putting Back the More in Morphology!” Strong statements imprinted in my memory of the conference.
 
      The evolutionary drive was present and the selective pressure palpable.  The pathologist of the future will be a molecular pathway analyst, an image analyst, an ex-vivo diagnostician in addition to his classical role. However, a Wall Street analyst, who remembers this debate from five years prior, wonders “where’s the progress we are promising”. The industry on the other hand forecasts that reactive medicine will change to molecular medicine and will become more predictive, preventive, and personalized! Clearly, implementation takes time and requires insight and understanding on our part to overcome paralysis caused by the new technology. The curtain fell with an enthusiastic podium discussion followed by applause.

      Being aware that 75% of ideas fail, I expect the unexpected and maybe the unanticipated development will ultimately redesign pathology. Are we simply following the evolution radiology has undergone? There were whispered but audible voices in the audience talking about a fusion between Radiology and Pathology towards a Diagnostic Division. What about the art of pathology? What happens to the magic – the moment the slide is put on the stage? Assuming that the field will attract a different and broader range of people – we need to clarify our preferences.

     There is no doubt that Pathology will continue to grow, remain relevant, as well as remain dedicated to serving clinicians. Nevertheless we have the unique opportunity and responsibility to reshape the field wisely. This change of paradigm will most likely be solved on an individual basis and ultimately redesign pathology in an integrative way. However, as beautifully summarized by my colleague, we, the current residents and fellows - might be the last generation of “real” pathologists."