Panel Discussion Held During the 17th BHAAAS Days: Molecular Testing in Oncology – A Step Toward More Precise Diagnosis and Better Patient Treatment

As part of the 17th Days of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in cooperation with BHAAAS partner ASA Institute, a panel discussion titled “Molecular Testing in Oncology: Shaping Diagnosis, Treatment, and Patient Outcomes” was held, focusing on one of the most important topics in modern oncology — the role of molecular testing in diagnostics, therapy selection, and improving treatment outcomes for oncology patients.

The panel was held on June 4, 2026, at ASA Institute in Sarajevo, bringing together experts in pathology, oncology, hematology, pharmacology, and the healthcare system. The aim was to open an important professional and public discussion on where Bosnia and Herzegovina currently stands when it comes to the availability and application of molecular diagnostics.

“Molecular testing is crucial today for every oncology patient. It enables a more precise classification of tumors, determines their molecular profile, and, most importantly, opens the door to targeted therapeutic approaches. Bosnia and Herzegovina has the expertise and knowledge needed to develop this field, but we need joint, team-based work from all stakeholders in the system in order to provide patients with what they truly need,” said Prof. Dr. Ermina Iljazović, Head of the Department of Pathology in Tuzla and professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla.

She emphasized that the goal of the panel was to create space for a discussion on the real needs of patients and the healthcare system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The significance of this event is further reflected in the fact that molecular testing today represents one of the foundations of precision medicine. Unlike earlier approaches, which largely relied on the morphological characteristics of tumors, modern oncology is increasingly based on the molecular profile of the disease. It is precisely this profile that enables more accurate tumor classification, a better understanding of disease prognosis, and the selection of targeted therapies that can significantly affect the quality and length of patients’ lives.

Dr. Gordan Srkalović, Medical Director of the UM Health-Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center and Chair of the Cancer Committee, emphasized that panels of this kind are important because they enable the exchange of experiences between experts from abroad and professionals working in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to him, precision oncology and targeted therapies are among the most important topics in modern medicine, but challenges in their implementation exist even in far more developed healthcare systems.

“Differences between systems do exist, but they are not always as people imagine them. Even in the United States, there are major challenges in the implementation of precision oncology. That is why it is important to talk, exchange experiences, and look for ways to make molecular testing and targeted therapies more accessible to patients, whether they are being treated in the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe, or anywhere else. This can change people’s lives and allow them to live longer and better,” said Dr. Srkalović.

Panel participants emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina has the professional staff and knowledge needed to develop this field, but that the challenges are most often related to system organization, test availability, financing, and better coordination between healthcare professionals, healthcare institutions, health insurance funds, and relevant ministries.

In addition to the professional importance of the topic itself, the panel once again confirmed the importance of BHAAAS as a platform that connects experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina with those who have built their professional careers abroad. Through such an exchange of knowledge, experience, and contacts, opportunities are created for concrete support to local professionals, institutions, and patients.

Speaking about the role of BHAAAS, Prof. Dr. Iljazović emphasized that the Academy represents a valuable bridge between people working in Bosnia and Herzegovina and experts from the diaspora, especially those who wish to return their knowledge and experience to the community they come from.

The panel discussion at ASA Institute showed that improving this field requires a systematic approach, as well as continuous cooperation between the profession, institutions, and decision-makers. Participants stressed that this is only the beginning of a broader discussion on molecular diagnostics in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that it is important to continue bringing together all relevant stakeholders in order to define concrete steps toward improving the availability of testing and modern therapeutic options.

The partnership between BHAAAS and ASA Institute in organizing this event further confirms the importance of connecting science, medicine, and healthcare institutions with the aim of strengthening local healthcare practice. Through programs like this, the 17th BHAAAS Days continue their mission of transferring knowledge, connecting experts, and opening discussions on topics of direct importance to patients and the healthcare system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.