Molecular Diagnostics and Machine Learning for Diagnostics and Therapeutic Discovery in Brain Tumors

Molecular diagnostics and machine learning / AI are revolutionizing pathology practice. Our ability to better diagnose tumors and provide more accurate assessment of tumor biology will improve clinical management and lead to discovery of new therapeutic targets. Molecular assays such as whole genome DNA methylation, high throughput mutation and fusion detection and liquid biopsy are rapidly changing how we diagnose and manage brain tumors. DNA methylation classification and machine learning techniques have also recently been adopted for other tumors such as sarcomas and sinonasal and salivary gland tumors. Furthermore, epigenetic classification reveals previously unknown molecular subtypes of breast and lung carcinomas.
After viewing this lecture, participants should be able to:
1. Identify the role of DNA methylation in precision medicine, and clinical utility.
2. Describe how spatial analysis can help to identify novel therapeutic targets and novel drug delivery options targeting p-selectin.
3. Examine liquid biopsy strategies for monitoring of minimal residual disease in brain tumors.
Matija Snuderl, MD
Director of Molecular Pathology
Department of Pathology
NYU Langone Health and Grossman School of Medicine
03/06/24