This special course will provide an in-depth consideration of recent advances in molecular biology and genetics that are enhancing the understanding of the pathogenesis of human cancer and other diseases, and impacting on the practice of diagnostic pathology. Topics will be chosen to highlight specific advances in the field of cancer, with considerations of molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis, the role of basic genetic pathways, the impact of developmental biology, and, a variety of methodologic approaches. The program is designed as an update for both practicing pathologists and primary investigators on these specific topics as well as general trends in the field of molecular pathology. In addition to presenting a basic scientific foundation on each topic, each lecture will provide practical information concerning how this information can be applied in diagnostic and therapeutic settings. Therefore, an important overall emphasis of this course will be translational issues that link basic discoveries with the practice of pathology.

AGENDA

Introduction - Frederic G. Barr, M.D., Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

The Molecular Pathology of Acute Leukemia - James R. Downing, M.D. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Tissue Imaging and Profiling of Proteins by Mass Spectrometry for Discovery in Clinical and Biological Research - Richard M. Caprioli, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

Genomic Instability, Telomerase and Cancer - Sandy Chang, M.D., Ph.D., The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Angiogenesis in Development & Disease - Susan E. Crawford MD, Northwestern University

Disordered Chromatin Regulation in Cancer and its Implications for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy - Jay L. Hess M.D., Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Pancreatic Cancer in 2005: Advances and challenges - Anirban Maitra, MBBS, Johns Hopkins University