Pathology News Roundup: September 19, 2024

Power List 2024. The Pathologist magazine released its 2024 Power List, celebrating the inspirational figures behind innovation and achievement in pathology and laboratory medicine.

The annual Power List has been announced since 2015, shining a spotlight on the highly valued work of pathologists and laboratory medicine professionals across the globe. This year, The Pathologist sought nominations for five categories that encompass the skills of a wide range of talented individuals:

• Heroes of Pathology: problem-solvers for those in difficulty
• Champions for Change: drivers of environmental, social, and governance initiatives
• Idols of Innovation: researchers, inventors, and transformers
• In the Wings: non-pathologist laboratory medicine professionals
• Destined for Excellence: rising stars

A judging panel composed primarily of past Power Listers evaluated nominees to determine the winners.

CAP24 Live Stream and Media Briefing. Not able to attend CAP24? You can still tune in for a hybrid media briefing and live stream hosted by The College of American Pathologists in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 10:00 to 11:00a.m. PDT. The event on www.cap.org will consist of three panels with CAP president Donald S. Karcher, MD, FCAP, moderating and participating in each session. 

The experts will discuss three hot-button topics: 

• Dramatic Rise in Young Adult Cancer: This session will explore the rising incidence of cancer diagnoses in people under 40. Pathologists and patients will discuss key factors driving this trend, the most common cancers affecting younger adults, and the unique challenges they face in diagnosis and treatment. The segment aims to shed light on how early detection, lifestyle changes, and advancements in research can improve outcomes for this vulnerable age group. Panelists: Qihui Jim Zhai, MD, FCAP; Sue Chang, MD, FCAP; Sara McInerney Hauck; and Elizabeth Wachsberg. 
• Removing the Word “Cancer” from Some Diagnoses: Words are powerful. Join CAP pathologists as they discuss whether to drop the word “cancer” from several different diagnoses. Panelists: Kim H. Allison, MD, FCAP; and Andres Matoso, MD, FCAP.
• Current and Upcoming Infectious Diseases: This expert-led discussion will address the various viruses currently affecting the U.S. and the world. Top pathologists will provide critical insights on what viruses are new, here already, those headed our way, actions to take, symptoms to watch for, and why timely testing is essential to safeguarding public health. This briefing will offer practical advice and up-to-date information to help navigate the ongoing viral challenges. Panelists: David A. Schwartz, MD, MS Hyg, FCAP; Christi Wojewoda, MD, FCAP; and Teresa Austin Karre, MD, FCAP. 

LDT Lawsuits Against FDA Consolidated in US District Court. Lawsuits over the federal oversight of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) filed by the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) will be consolidated by the courts, according to a motion filed in the US District Court Eastern District of Texas on September 9. As the two entities challenge and seek to stop the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) regulation on the oversight of LDTs, the FDA proposed combining the cases, and ACLA and AMP agreed to consolidate.

The groups similarly argue the FDA’s LDT oversight final rule exceeded the agency’s authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which establishes the federal rulemaking process for federal agencies to follow.

The College of American Pathologists has also opposed the FDA regulation and is drafting an amicus brief that urges the court to also vacate the FDA regulation. The CAP believes the FDA acted arbitrarily and capriciously in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. 

Under a timeline in the September 9 motion, amicus briefs in support of the plaintiffs will be due by October 7. ACLA’s and AMP’s closing briefs would be due by November 25 and the FDA’s closing brief would be due by December 23. A final decision may not be made until Summer 2025.