Debra Leonard, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of pathology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, shared her insights and expertise in the technical and business issues of molecular testing as part of the opening Scientific Plenary session of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) national meeting in Chicago, Ill., on September 7.

According to CAP, recent and rapid advancements in genomic technologies have led to a greater understanding of the underlying molecular basis for disease, which has led to the incorporation of genome-based strategies for drug and diagnostic development and resulted in several targeted therapeutics and treatment options for patients. This molecular information, which allows clinicians to diagnose or determine which patient will benefit from an intervention, has led to a rise in the clinical demand for molecular testing across all medical specialties.

Titled “Molecular Medicine – Can We Afford It?” the plenary featured two other national thought leaders – David O. Meltzer, M.D., Ph.D., a health economist at the University of Chicago, and Adam C. Berger, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Medicine’s Roundtable on Translating Genomic-Based Research for Health, of which Leonard is a member, representing CAP.

Link to a Medscape Medical News article about the topic featuring comments from Leonard.