Abstract
Background: Molecular histopathology is a novel field of diagnostic pathology that integrates molecular biology with tissue-based histological analysis. Molecular histopathology enables accurate diagnosis of genetic, proteomic, and epigenetic changes in their histological context and thereby closes the gap between morphology and molecular medicine.
Objective: The current study will investigate novel molecular histopathological methods, determine their prognostic and diagnostic value, and give an opinion about their use in precision oncology and targeted therapy.
Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) mixed origin tumor tissues were examined using a panel of immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular tests. Their results were correlated with traditional histopathology and clinical end-point.
Results: Molecular histopathology yielded greater diagnostic specificity and predictive value compared with histology alone. Molecular analysis as part of the context of FISH, NGS, and multiplex immunohistochemistry complemented the identification of molecular targets of interest for cancer treatment.
Conclusion: Molecular histopathology spans morphology and molecular biology, creating information of many dimensions about disease mechanisms. Translation into daily diagnostics represents a paradigm shift toward precision medicine to facilitate more precise diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decision-making.
Keywords: Molecular histopathology, In situ hybridization, Immunohistochemistry, Next-generation sequencing, Biomarkers, Precision medicine, Molecular diagnostics, Genetic profiling, Tumor heterogeneity, Personalized therapy