Molecular Testing in Solid Tumors: Best Practices from the Molecular Pathology and Precision Medicine Study Group of the Italian Society of Pathology (PMMP/SIAPeC)

Abstract

The Italian Society of Pathology’s Molecular Pathology and Precision Medicine Study Group (PMMP/SIAPeC) has released a three-part set of best practice guidelines to standardize and enhance molecular testing in solid tumors. Part I focuses on the pre-analytical phase, emphasizing proper tissue handling and quality control to preserve nucleic acid integrity. Part II addresses the analytical phase, outlining workflows for next-generation sequencing (NGS), from extraction to variant interpretation, with recommendations on choice of platform, gene panels, and bioinformatics. Part III covers the post-analytical phase, offering guidance on structured, clinically meaningful reporting to support therapeutic decisions, including standards for both tissue and liquid biopsies. Together, these documents aim to harmonize molecular diagnostics, ensuring reliable, high-quality results that support precision oncology.