The role of practising pathologists in the generation of novel and original observations

This editorial comments on an important study by a group of practising pathologists and clinicians, which is published in the current issue of this Journal. The authors of the study used standard immunohistochemical techniques to study the expression of melanoma-associated antigens during the evolution of melanomas from primary to metastases. Expression of the epitopes remained relatively steady during melanoma evolution. This has important implications for specific immunotherapy protocols and provides guidance to diagnostic pathologists in regard to the antibody combinations that may be used to confirm melanocytic histogenesis. The findings from this study reinforce the important role which working pathologists play in the generation of critical findings in bioscience. Pathologists in training should be exposed to the philosophy and techniques of scientific investigation and afforded protected time to gain experience in these activities.