The 107th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Pathology

June 21(Thu) - June 23(Sat), 2018

Welcome Message

Masanori Kasahara, M.D., Ph.D.

Masanori Kasahara, M.D., Ph.D.
President of the 107th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Pathology
Executive Vice President of Hokkaido University and Professor of Pathology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine

As president of the 107th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Pathology (JSP), it is my great honor to host this distinguished Meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the JSP comes back to Sapporo after five years, with the last time having been in 2013 under the presidency of Dr. Noriyuki Sato at Sapporo Medical University. It is also the first time in 14 years for the Department of Pathology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine to serve as the host, following the 93rd Annual Meeting held under the presidency of Dr. Kazuo Nagashima. In addition, it is 30 years since my mentor, the late Dr. Miki Aizawa, served as president of the Annual Meeting.

Pathology is the study of disease that bridges basic science and clinical practice. Looking back on its history, we realize that the acceptance of innovative concepts and technologies in related fields and different disciplines has played an important role. Observation of tissues by optical microscopy started in full swing in the 19th century, and more recently introduction of immunohistochemical techniques and molecular biological methods have transformed pathology. Incorporating innovation in various fields and fusing it with tradition will continue to be important in pathology. In recent years, computer science, data science, and genome science have made remarkable advances, leading to the development of diagnostic imaging using big data and artificial intelligence and precision medicine based on patientʼs nucleic acid information. Pathology is entering a new era of “integration of tradition and innovation” and is about to make a big leap forward. I therefore chose “Contemplating the future of pathology: Integration of tradition and innovation” as the theme of this Meeting.

The scientific program is comprised of Japan Pathology Award lectures, special lectures, special invited lectures, symposiums, workshops, seminar of molecular / diagnostic pathology, special programs, and “Meet the Professor”, among others. This yearʼs Japan Pathology Award lectures are given by Dr. Tadashi Yoshino at Okayama University, Dr. Hironobu Naiki at the University of Fukui, and Dr. Masanobu Kitagawa at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Dr. Hisashi Arase, Osaka University, will give a special lecture on his pioneering work as to how neo-self (new autoantigen) that may cause autoimmune diseases is generated in vivo. Two prominent researchers from overseas will give special invited lectures. Dr. Marc Ladanyi will give a talk on the clinical sequencing initiative for personalized medicine being carried out at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA, and Dr. Alexander Marx, The University of Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany, will talk about the latest advances on the diagnosis of thymic epithelial tumors.

The symposium and workshop were planned to cover a wide area of research and practice in a balanced way. The symposium was organized on 12 themes and the workshop on 18 themes. Three symposiums “Current topics in cancer immunopathology and immunotherapy”, “Integration of ICT and AI into pathological diagnosis” and “Pathology of tumor microenvironment” will be held as a special symposium. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers of the symposiums and workshops.

“Meet the Professor” is a new session where senior professors talk freely about their own thoughts and reflections, and give encouragement and advice to young researchers and pathologists. The speakers are Dr. Yasunori Okada at Juntendo University, Dr. Masahide Takahashi at Nagoya University, and Dr. Yoshinobu Eishi at Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

On the evening of the third day, we will hold a public lecture entitled “Learning cancer and thinking about the future of cancer treatment with pathologists”. High school students, who are interested in exploring careers in medicine and received lectures by pathologists in advance, are scheduled to participate in this event.

We expect that about 3000 people will join the Meeting. June is an excellent time to visit Hokkaido. Please enjoy a pleasant early summer climate and colorful flowers in full bloom. I look forward to seeing you in Sapporo.

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