Blood and bone marrow samples are received in the sample receipt area. They are unpacked, entered into our system and identified with an internal barcode. From here on, each sample is allocated to a certain employee and equipment and is traceable in real time.
Immunophenotyping is key to the diagnostic work-up of hematologic neoplasias. It is used to corroborate diagnosis, classify diseases, assess prognoses and to quantify malignant cells over the course of treatment (minimal/measurable residual disease, MRD). Diagnostic application of the method is based on the characterization of antigen expression patterns of malignant cells and their discrimination from healthy cells.
Molecular genetics employs state-of-the-art methods for the identification of gene mutations with the highest sensitivity. Key areas of molecular genetics are the elucidation of genetic tumor profiles and determination of minimal residual disease (MRD).
The diagnostic work-up of hematological neoplasias is based on cytomorphology of blood and bone marrow smears. It is used to corroborate the diagnosis, classify diseases and assess prognoses over the course of treatment. In this regard, cytomorphology mainly involves the assessment of panoptical stains and a variety of cytohistochemical stains of blood and bone marrow smears.
Chromosome analysis is now considered an obligatory testing method for the diagnosis of hematological neoplasias. Its findings contribute to substantiating the diagnosis, although the prognostic significance that can be confirmed from the karyotype of malignant cells is far more important. Cancer-associated chromosomal aberrations occur only in malignant cells. These are acquired genetic mutations. Hence, the other cells in the body of a patient suffering from a hematological neoplasias are cytogenetically normal.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) uses fluorescent probes for the identification of known chromosomal or, rather, genetic aberrations in metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei.
In the newly designed Worklab, visiting scientists from all over the world are working on research projects in the field of leukemia diagnostics.