PATH News Network Daily Edition

A Family Affair in Pathology

• College of American Pathologists

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0:00 | 6:05
Nancy Johnson

Cracking the genetic code of Crohn's and colitis and a family affair in pathology.

Dr. Guillermo Martinez-Torres

I have skin in the game, not just for me, but for the next generation, which now includes my daughter.

Nancy Johnson

This is Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. I'm Nancy Johnson. It's Monday, June 8th. A new study published in the journal Nature has uncovered how inherited genetic differences may increase the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Led by researchers from Britain's Welcome Sanger Institute and collaborating institutions, the team analyzed more than two million individual cells from the intestines and blood of more than 400 people to pinpoint which specific cells are affected by disease-linked genetic variants. The approach is similar to investigating a citywide power outage, not just knowing the lights went out somewhere, but identifying the exact building, circuit, and faulty switch responsible. Scientists say the findings reveal how certain genetic variants disrupt immune function and intestinal repair, providing a clearer path toward more targeted treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. Researchers from Peking University First Hospital and collaborators across China analyzed health data from more than one million women and found that about one in six were infected with the human papilloma virus or HPV, the virus that causes nearly all cervical cancers. Published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific, the study found that HPV types 52, 16, and 58 were the most common strains among Chinese women. Researchers also discovered that HPV infections were much more common in women with abnormal cervical screening results, highlighting the importance of regular screening and vaccination. The findings could help guide future cervical cancer prevention efforts and support the use of vaccines and screening programs. The way pathologists learn has changed over time. That's why the chair of the CAP's Council on Membership and Professional Development, Dr. Guillermo Martinez Torres, is intentional about meeting the evolving needs of members. I spoke with him as part of a series of conversations with council chairs.

Dr. Guillermo Martinez-Torres

The way that people coming out of training now are practicing pathology is different than the way when I came out of training and practiced pathology. And the way that they want to be communicated to is very different. The way that they learn or the way that we learn is different. You know, we like the bite-sized learning, whereas I would sit in a lecture for eight hours, you know, and so we have to really reimagine how we interact with our members, the value we provide to our members.

Nancy Johnson

We also talked about pathology becoming incredibly personal for Dr. Martinez Torres now that his daughter Veronica is beginning her pathology residency at Mass General Brigham in Boston.

Dr. Guillermo Martinez-Torres

It adds that additional incentive for me and for the organization to make sure that we are relevant and viable for the next generation, generations plural, not just singular, because my daughter is now part of the family, or will be shortly.

Nancy Johnson

You can listen to the full story at the link in the show notes. And be sure to tune in this Thursday for my colleague Elizabeth McMahon's conversation with Dr. Martinez Torres and his daughter Veronica as they discuss this new pathology family legacy. And finally, still a few spots available for the next generation of pathologists to get hands-on genomics training. The CAP Foundation is sponsoring registration for up to 50 medical students to attend the undergraduate training and genomics workshop at the CAP26 annual meeting in Las Vegas. It's aimed at giving future physicians real-world experience with genetic testing in patient care. More than 40 students have already signed up for the course that includes training on genomic pathology tools, review of real patient cases, and direct interaction with experts in pathology and laboratory medicine. Organizers say genomics is becoming part of every medical specialty, noting the key question is not if it will enter practice, but how soon physicians will need to be prepared. Students who enroll also receive a discount code that waives their annual meeting registration fee. That does it for the daily edition. Be sure to check the show notes for more information on today's stories. Also, share this newscast with your social media network. And if you've got a story we should be covering, write to us at stories at CAP.org. We're back tomorrow at 5 a.m. Eastern for another episode of the Daily Edition. I'm Nancy Johnson. Have a great day.