IGCS 2025 Education Session 01: Molecular Oncology-IGCS 2025 Education Session 01: Molecular Oncology

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Video Summary

The session introduced the growing role of molecular oncology in gynecologic cancers, emphasizing how testing supports diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection. Dr. Angelica Hudson explained the practical value of key tools such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and next-generation sequencing (NGS), all of which can be performed on standard tissue samples. She highlighted how molecular results can clarify tumor behavior when morphology alone is insufficient.<br /><br />In ovarian cancer, biomarker testing was described as essential for precision therapy. BRCA mutation and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing guide PARP inhibitor use and have strong prognostic and predictive value. Other emerging biomarkers include CCNE1 amplification, folate receptor alpha for antibody-drug conjugates, HER2, and less common targets identified through NGS.<br /><br />For endometrial cancer, speakers stressed the importance of molecular subtyping, including POLE-mutated, mismatch repair deficient (MMRD), p53-abnormal, and NSMP tumors. These groups differ in prognosis and treatment response. MMRD tumors are particularly responsive to immunotherapy, while p53-abnormal and ER-positive NSMP subgroups may inform use of endocrine therapy, HER2-targeted therapy, or other investigational approaches.<br /><br />In cervical and vulvar cancer, biomarker use is more limited, but HPV status remains central. P16 IHC serves as a practical surrogate for HPV in cervical cancer, while PD-L1 can help guide immunotherapy in some settings. In vulvar cancer, p53 and P16 help distinguish HPV-associated from HPV-independent disease and may inform surgical decisions and prognosis.<br /><br />Overall, the session underscored that molecular testing is becoming indispensable for individualized care across gynecologic cancers.

Keywords

molecular oncology

gynecologic cancers

immunohistochemistry

fluorescence in situ hybridization

next-generation sequencing

BRCA mutation

homologous recombination deficiency

endometrial cancer subtyping

mismatch repair deficiency

HPV status