Standardisation of BCR::ABL1 measurement in CML: lessons learned

Prof Nick Cross Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton is a Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Southampton and Scientific Director of the Central and South Genomics Laboratory Hub. His research focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies as well as the development, validation and standardisation of genetic tests.

Dr Helen White, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton is a Clinical Research Scientist at the Wessex Regional Genetics Lab and has, over the last 14 years, been involved in the production of primary and secondary reference materials for CML. She has worked with the EUTOS study to facilitate standardisation of detection of MR4.5 and to derive and validate International Scale conversion factors for European CML reference laboratories.

In April 2022, UK NEQAS for Leucocyte Immunophenotyping had a project proposal to run a knowledge transfer partnership assessing the need for further standardisation of measurable residual disease testing in AML selected by the Chief Scientific Officer as part of their 2022 programme.
https://www.npl.co.uk/leaders-in-heal... - current projects

Knowledge transfer partnerships are collaborations at a senior level of NHS scientists with partner organisations including the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and partner organisations that collectively deliver the UK's National Measurement System (NMS); The National Measurement Laboratory (NML) hosted at LGC; The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC). By facilitating early interaction and knowledge exchange, the programme aims to speed up the identification and dissemination of high value new approaches to improving patient outcomes and increasing efficiency, while also promoting economic growth and inward investment in the Life Sciences.

Across 18 months, the project proposed to run an MRD webinar and an expert advisory board to identify areas where further standardisation is required and feasible. A fully costed proposal for any feasible standardisation projects will be the ultimate aim of the project.
An online MRD webinar was hosted by UK NEQAS LI in October 2022. The webinar was attended by 294 attendees across 37 countries with all attendees who responded to the post webinar survey (n=91) describing the webinar as beneficial (45%) or extremely beneficial (55%). 40% of attendees said the webinar would change their laboratory practise.