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Molecular Diagnostics DOLS Inselspital Bern Molecular Diagnostics Unit of the Divisions of Hematology, Immunology and Clinical Chemistry of
Editorial
Contents
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-toxicity – molecular detection of a G>A-splice site mutation in intron 14 of the gene encoding for dihydropyrimidin- Welcome to the first newsletter of the Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics of the Insel hospital. With this newsletter we wish to start an exchange of information and Irinotecan-toxicity – molecular detection of a views directly with you as a customer, both inside and TA-insertion in the UGT1A1 promoter used for the determination of the initial therapeutic dose of irinotecan The newsletter will provide you regularly with informations of new analyses, new equipment and new services. On our Pharmacogenetic tests for clinical studies homepage http://moleculardiagnostics.insel.ch you will find our news, a list of analyses as well as the order forms as leukemia with normal karytoype: NPM1, CEBPA, pdf files for download. Please note the new order forms. Our molecular diagnostic laboratory was founded in 2001 as EPO-receptor mutations in familial polycythemia a collaboration of the main laboratories of the University Hospital of Bern. From this point, all molecular analyses in the fields of Hematology, Immunology and Metabolic disorders are performed under one roof with a qualified Leukemia samples: Use of PAXgene tubes on team and up-to-date equipment. In 2005, the laboratory was certified according to the ISO 17025 guidelines. We continuously broadened the spectrum of our analyses of LUMINEX® – Multiplex-analysis with fluorescent
In the future, we would like to continue to be your competent and innovative partner for molecular genetic analyses. For a successful collaboration it is our aim to provide services which are customer friendly and practically oriented and a partnership based on a personal relationship. We hope that our newsletter stimulates your interest in our work and that it will support our collaboration. We welcome Impressum
Ms Dr. pharm. Elisabeth Oppliger Leibundgut, MDD Geschäftsstelle
Mr PD Dr. phil. nat. Carlo R. Largiadèr Fax 031/632 03 10 e-mail [email protected] www.moleculardiagnostics.insel.ch New Analyses Pharmacogenetics

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-toxicity – Irinotecan-toxicity – molecular
molecular detection of a G>A-splice
detection of a TA-insertion in the
site mutation in intron 14 of the gene
UGT1A1 promotor used for the
encoding for dihydropyrimidine determination of the initial therapeutic
dehydrogenase as a cause of severe 5-
dose of irinotecan
FU-toxicity
The anti-metabolite 5-FU is one of the most frequently used UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT1A1) is one of the key chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of solid tumors. enzymes fort he degradation of irinotecan, a topoisomerase The efficacy of 5-FU is mainly dependent on the speed of I-inhibitor. The active substance of irinotecan, SN38 is inactivation of 5-FU into non-active metabolites. Because glucuronidated by UGT1A1. The excretion of metabolized ca. 80% of 5-FU is directly inactivated to β-alanin by and inactive SN38G is hepatobiliarily or renally, respectively, dihydropyrimidin-dehydrogenase (DPD) degradation, a whereas SN-38 rests in the gastrointestinal region, and reduced enzyme activity of DPD may lead to an increased causes severe and long-lasting diarrhea by direct injury of cytotoxicity of the administered doses of 5-FU. Severe the intestinal mucosa. It has been shown that the adverse effects of 5-FU toxicity are neutro- and expression-level of UGT1A1 is directly linked to the toxic thrombocytopaenias, as well as different gastrointestinal side-effects of irinotecan. A frequent polymorphism in the and neurological disorders. Lethal side-effects by 5-FU promoter (7 instead of 6 TA-repeats in the TATAA-Box, treatment due to DPD deficiency have also been described. UGT1A1*28) is associated with a decreased enzyme It has been estimated that about 50% of the adverse activity. Individuals who are homozygous for the effects are due to mutations in the DPD-Gene (DPYD) (1). UGT1A1*28 allele (approximately 11% in Europe) are at The most frequent mutation is a G->A-transition at position increased risk for neutropenia and diarrhea following +1 in the splice donor site of intron 14 (DPYD*2A), which initiation of irinotecan treatment. A reduced initial dose results in the skipping of exon 14 and leads to a non- should be considered for patients known to be homozygous functional enzyme. About 1-2 % of Caucasians are
for the UGT1A*28 allele. Heterozygous patients may be at carriers of this exon 14-skipping-mutation. Carriers have an increased risk of neutropenia; however clinical results have increased risk to suffer from 5-FU-toxicity. been variable and such patients have been shown to In two studies, 24-28% of all patients with 5-FU-toxicity tolerate normal starting doses. See FDA-Guidelines; URL: grade 3 or 4 were either hetero- or homozygous carriers of http://www.fda.gov/cder/genomics/genomic_biomarkers_ta the DPD*2A allele (2). Other mutations associated with 5- FU-toxicity have been described, but appear to be less Analysis: Genomic DNA is isolated from whole blood. The
frequent than the exon 14-skipping-mutation. These genomic region containing the TATAA-Box of UGT1A1 is mutations may also be analyzed on request in our PCR-amplified and analyzed by fragment analysis. Analysis: Genomic DNA is isolated from whole blood. Exon
Iyer, L. et al. (1999). Clin Pharmacol Ther 65(5): 576-82. 14 and the adjacent intronic sequences of the DPYD-Gene Iyer, L. et al. (2002). Pharmacogenomics J 2(1): 43-7. are amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The Beutler, E. et al. (1998). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95(14): mutation is detected by direct sequencing. This method is more accurate than TaqMan- or Light-Cycler- SNP-Assays, since false-positive results due to a polymorphism at a neighboring sequence position have been described (3). Determination of the initial dose before the 1. van Kuilenburg AB, et al. (2000). Clin Cancer Res 2. van Kuilenburg AB. (2004). Eur J Cancer 40(7): 939-50. 3. Lazar AS, et al. (2003). Clin Chem 49(4): 707-8. Of topical interest Pharmacogenetics

Pharmacogenetic tests for clinical
MTHFR 1298A>C: The MTHFR 1298A>C transition
converts glutamine at position 429 into alanine, resulting in a reduced enzyme activity suggesting that carriers of the MTHFR 1298C allele could be treated with lower doses of The following listing contains brief descriptions of different MTX in order to optimize the therapeutic effect. genetic markers associated to the efficacy and/or toxicities of particular drugs (methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, see Method: TaqMan® SNP-Assay. Costs: 250 TP (or according above) and tacrolimus). Methotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist, is the most frequently used drug in the basic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Furthermore, it is Thymidylat-Synthetase (TS), 28-bp duplication within
also used as a cytostatic agent in chemotherapy of various the enhancer region: TSER*2 (2 copies) or TSER*3 (3 hematologic (acute lymphoid Leukemia (ALL), Burkitt’s copies). TS is also inhibited by MTX. Individuals carrying the lymphoma, CNS lymphoma) and solid neoplasias *3 allele have higher expression of TS, and thus seem to (osteosarcoma, trophoblastic tumors, and others). require higher MTX-doses to effectively inhibit TS. The Tacrolimus is a frequently used immunosuppressant duplication also influences 5-FU metabolism, since the (calcineurin-inhibitor) in transplantation medicine. inhibition of TS is the main mechanism of action of 5-FU. The below-given genotype-phenotype relationships with The TSER*2/*2 genotype is described to be correlated with respect to drug metabolism are based on the data an efficient inhibition of TS by 5-FU, however, this genotype interpretation of current literature. The precise clinical is also associated with a higher risk for adverse side effects implications of the described markers with respect to indications, dosing, interactions between markers etc. need Method: PCR, qualitative analysis. Costs: 150 TP (or to be assessed in further clinical studies. Assays for all these markers have been established in our UMPS 638G>C: The mutation 638G>C in the uridine
laboratory in the framework of a clinical study and are monophosphate synthetase converts an alanine at position offered for clinical studies or research collaborations. 213 into a glycine. Homozygous carriers of the 638C-allele ATIC 347C>G:
have a higher activity of UMPS. Thus, these carriers might ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclo-hydrolase (ATIC) be at higher risk of suffering from 5-FU-toxicity (grade 3-4 is directly inhibited by MTX-polyglutamate, resulting in higher levels of the anti-inflammatorically active adenosine. Method: TaqMan® SNP-Assay. Costs: 250 TP (or according The ATIC 347C>G mutation results in a threonine to serine coding change at position 116. Individuals carrying the ATIC 347G-allele have been described to have a higher risk to Cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) is responsible for the
suffer from MTX-toxicity and homozygous 347CC carriers metabolism of tacrolimus. As tacrolimus has a relatively narrow therapeutic range, dose adjustment is performed by continuous determination of the serum concentration. An Method: TaqMan® SNP-Assay. Costs: 250 TP (or according A>G transition in intron 3 of the CYP3A5-gene (CYP3A5*3; non-expressors) results in a defective and inactive protein. RFC1 80G>A: MTX is mainly internalized by the receptor
In non-expressors the metabolism of tacrolimus is reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1). The RFC1 80G>A transition significantly slower. Recently, a study in kidney-transplant- results in an arginine to histidine coding change at position patients suggested that genotyping of CYP3A5 could be 27 of the RFC1 gene. This mutation is associated with a used for the determination of the initial dose of tacrolimus, higher affinity for folic acid, and thus with a reduced in order to more quickly achieve the target dose. capacity to internalize MTX. Homozygous individuals for the Suboptimal levels of tacrolimus may result in a partial 80G allele show higher MTX levels in the serum, and immunosuppression, and thus, in an increased risk for graft therefore lower therapeutic effects. This genotype seems to In addition to tacrolimus, many other immunosuppressive Method: TaqMan® SNP-Assay. Costs: 250 TP (or according (e.g. cyclosporine) or cytostatic drugs are metabolized by CYP3A5. Method: TaqMan® SNP-Assay. Costs: 250 TP (or according MTHFR 677C>T: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
(MTHFR) is not directly inhibited by MTX, but the expression-level, as well as the enzyme activity of MTHFR might have an influence on the therapeutic effect of MTX. The MTHFR 677C>T transition results in an alanine to valine Ulrich, C. M. et al. (2002). Pharmacogenomics 3(3): 299. coding change at position 222. The mutation in the Ulrich, C. M. et al. (2003). Nat Rev Cancer 3(12): 912-20. heterozygous or homozygous state correlates with reduced Kremer, J. M. (2004). Arthritis Rheum 50(5): 1370-82. enzyme activity and increased thermolability. Individuals Robien, K. et al. (2005). Pharmacogenomics 6(7): 673-89. homozygous for the mutation have significantly elevated Iacopetta, B. et al. (2001). Br J Cancer 85(6): 827-30. plasma homocysteine levels. The 677C>T mutation may be Zhang, X. et al. (2005). Clin Transplant 19(5): 638-43. associated with an increased risk for adverse side effects of MTX-therapy. Furthermore, this mutation has also an influence on the 5-FU metabolism, as carriers of the MTHFR 677T-allele respond better to 5-FU, whereby homozygous carriers respond better than heterozygous ones. Method: TaqMan® SNP-Assay. Costs: 250 TP (or according to individual arrangement) New Analyses Hematology

New prognostic markers in acute
NPM1: screening by PCR, sequencing
myeloid leukemia (AML) with normal
CEBPA: sequencing analysis
BAALC: quantitative real-time PCR (Taqman)
karyotype: NPM1, CEBPA and BAALC
NPM1 quantitative: allele-specific real-time
PCR (Taqman®) for type A
The analyses of NPM1 mutations, CEBPA mutations and 5 ml of bone marrow (EDTA or heparin), or 10 BAALC provide a new prognostic score in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype (for details on these markers see below). Sequential approach: Based on the frequency of NPM1
and CEBPA mutations (ca. 50% vs. 15% of AML patients with normal karyotype), a sequential approach is applied. Taxpoints: Qualitative analysis: 250-650 (excluding RNA The first panel contains the analysis of NPM1 mutations (ca. 50%). The second panel of CEBPA mutations and BAALC is only performed in patients without NPM1 mutations and 1) Nucleophosmin (NPM1) Mutations
negative NPM1
Mutations
Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein. Mutations in the NPM1 gene cause cytoplasmic dislocation of the NPM protein. Since NPM is thought to have a tumor suppressor function, the aberrant localization of the protein may be critical for malignant transformation. NPM1 mutations are the most frequent mutations in acute bad prognosis
good prognosis
myeloid leukemia occuring in about 30% of patients,
especially in the presence of a normal karyotype. NPM1
mutations are most often insertions of 4 basepairs or
deletions in exon 12 of the NPM1 gene. About 40 heterozygous mutations have been identified to date. The mutation of type A that is due to a TCTG insertion at position 956, accounts for 80% of adult cases. Larger insertions have been described, as well as deletions and insertions occuring at the same site. NPM1 mutations always result in a frameshift. NPM1 mutations are associated with high leucocyte count, AML subtypes M4 und CEPBA Mutations, BAALC
M5, and associate frequently with FLT3 mutations but rarely
with other mutations.
Prognostic significance: NPM1 mutations are associated
with a favourable outcome in AML patients with a normal karyotype without FLT3 mutation. The NPM1+/ FLT3 ITD– genotype is a highly significant predictor for response to good prognosis
low = good prognosis
high = bad prognosis
Analysis: a screening method allows the detection of a
NPM1 mutation directly after the PCR reaction. The
mutation is then identified by subsequent sequencing of the
Monitoring: NPM1 mutations are attractive targets for a
molecular monitoring and minimal residual disease
detection by real-time PCR. An allelespecific PCR allows quantification of the mutant allele only. To date, quantitative PCR for the mutation type A is available. The analyses are preferably ordered
retrospectively when a normal karyotype is
confirmed. The analyses can be performed
Falini B, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005; 352(3): 254-66. from frozen diagnosis material (cDNA).
Thiede C, et al. Blood. 2006; 107(10): 4011-20. Gorello P, et al. Leukemia. 2006; 20(6): 1103-8. New Analyses Hematology

2) CEBPA Mutations
EPO-Receptor Mutations
The myeloid transcription factor C/EBPα (CCAAT/enhancer Familial erythrocytosis is due to a mutation in the binding protein-α) is an inhibitor of proliferation and a erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) gene in some families. EPOR tumor suppressor. The mutated protein inhibits the DNA mutations are located in the cytoplasmatic domain of the binding of wild-type C/EBPα and differentiation of EPOR gene (exon 7 und 8) leading to a loss of the negative regulatory C-terminus of the receptor. Typical mutations are Mutations of the CEBPA gene are found in ca. 18% of nonsense mutations, where an amino acid is changed to a patients with acute myeloid leukemia with normal
stop codon leading to a truncated protein. Mutated EPO- cytogenetics. Various types of mutations are detected
receptors are hypersensitive for EPO resulting in an including missense und nonsense mutations, 1-3 bp increased proliferation of red cells while EPO levels are insertions und deletions. Recurrent mutations are rare. normal to low. The mutation is typically transmitted in an Prognostic significance: CEBPA mutations are associated
with a good prognosis in AML patients with a normal Analysis: screening of EPO-R mutations is performed from
karyotype and no FLT3 ITD. These patients have a long peripheral blood. DNA is extracted and exons 7 and 8 of the disease-free survival and a significantly longer overall EPOR gene are amplified by PCR and sequenced. Analysis: the coding sequence of the CEBPA gene is
amplified by PCR in two separate reactions and then Percy M, et al. Br J Haematol. 1998; 100(2): 407-10. Kralovics R, et al. Am J Hematol. 2001; 68(2): 115-21. http://uwcmml1s.uwcm.ac.uk/uwcm/mg/search/125242.ht Bienz M, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2005 Feb 15;11(4):1416-24. Preudhomme C, et al. Blood. 2002 Oct 15;100(8):2717-23. Pabst T, et al, Nat Genet. 2001 Mar;27(3):263-70. 3) BAALC Expression
BAALC (brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic), a recently identified gene located on chromosome 8q22.3 encodes for a protein that shows no homology to any known proteins. BAALC was implicated in neurectodermal and hematopoietic development. In blood and unselected bone marrow cells from healthy individuals there is no or very low BAALC expression. High levels of BAALC expression were found to be restricted to leukemic blasts in AML, ALL and in the blast crisis of CML. The JAK2 V617F mutation is a clonal
Prognostic significance: low BAALC expression in
molecular marker of MPDs
patients with normal cytogenetics and no FLT3 mutation is associated with a good prognosis. High BAALC expression in The BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative disordes (MPD) AML patients is associated with aggressive disease and a include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF). Until Analysis: the expression of the BAALC gene is analyzed by
recently, no molecular marker of these diseases has been known. In 2005, a somatic point mutation in the Janus Monitoring: in case of high BAALC expression, the marker
kinase 2 (JAK2) has been shown to be responsible for can be used to monitor minimal residual disease. characteristic features of PV, ET und IMF such as increased cell proliferation (1,2,3,4). The acquired mutation in exon 12 of the JAK2 gene causes a substitution of valine at Mrozek K, et al. Blood. 2007; 109(2): 431-48. Baldus CD, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2006; 24(5): 790-7. JAK2 is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase with a key role in the Bienz M, et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2005; 11(4): 1416-24. signal transduction of a variety of hematopoietic growth Baldus CD, et al. Blood. 2003; 102(5): 1613-8. factor-receptors. The JAK2 V617F mutation is located in the JH2-pseudokinase region of the JAK2 gene involved in the autoinhibition of the tyrosine kinase activity. The autoinhibition is abrogated by the JAK2 V617F mutation. Mutant JAK2 is a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase that confers erythropoietin hypersensitivity and growth factor independent proliferation of hematopoietic cells. These findings are consistent with a pathogenic role of mutated JAK2 in the MPD, however, it is not clear yet how a single mutation may be responsible for the different clinical phenotypes. Or topical interest Hematology

The presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation is very highly
Leukemia samples: Use of PAXgene
correlated with the ability to form endogenous erythroid tubes for stabilization on weekends
colonies in all 3 subtypes of MPD (5). The JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 81% (65-97%) of PV patients, 39% (23-57%) of ET-patients and 43% (35- For shipping of leukemia samples for RNA-based analyses 50%) of CIMF patients, but was not detected in patients from friday until sunday and on holidays we
with secondary erythrocytosis or thrombocytosis. Therefore, recommend the use of PAXgene tubes. PAXgene tubes the specificity of the mutational analysis is 100%. However, contain a reagent that immediately stabilizes intracellular recently it has been shown that the JAK2 V617F mutation is RNA. However, PAXgene tubes are not suitable for routine detectable at very low level in the peripheral blood of diagnostics since a storage of backup samples (cells) is not healthy donors by using a special and highly sensitive possible, the maximal volume is 2.5 ml of blood, and the The majority of published data are based on direct sequencing. However, Baxter et al. showed an increase in Blood and bone marrow samples for the following analyses: sensitivity from 20% (by sequencing) to 3% by using an allelespecific PCR method (3,4). We adapted and optimized the allelespecific PCR method further and transferred it into a quantitative real-time PCR method on the TaqMan® machine. By this method, a reproducible sensitivity of 1:1000 alleles is reached, i.e. one nuclear cell in 500 cells can be detected. This method may as wel be used for quantification of mutated alleles. The intensity of the signal indicates a hetero- or homozygosity. The analysis is performed on DNA extracted from peripheral blood. This is in contrast with the current method of choice that starts from purified granulocytes (1,2,3). Interestingly, the analysis from mononuclear cells or whole blood resulted in Storage of empty tubes
similar mutation frequency (4,7). Recently, it was Empty tubes should be stored at room temperature. demonstrated, that the JAK2 V617F mutation can be present exclusively in the erythroid cell lineage in PV but Collection of blood and bone marrow
can be absent in the granulocytes. Depending on the purity of the granulocyte fraction, a JAK2 V617F mutation could be The PAXgene system is standardized on BD Vacutainer technology. If no Vacutainer is available, tubes are The JAK2 V617F mutation analysis is suggested as a first- line test in the diagnostic work-up of patients with Collection of bone marrow: draw bone marrow by using suspected MPD by several authors (9). This simple, non- a syringe. Transfer 2.5 ml of bone marrow into a invasive and cost-efficient analysis should be done in all PAXgene tube. Note: if the bone marrow is cases of suspected myeloproliferative disease and unclear hypercellular, reduce the volume of bone marrow to 1 proliferation of one or more cell lineages. Then collect 2.5 ml blood into a second PAXgene tube as a backup. If the PAXgene tube is the only tube to be drawn, draw a first tube to discard prior to using the 1. Kralovics R, et al. Blood. 2003; 102: 1869-71. PAXgene tube. The PAXgene tube should be the last 2. Levine R, et al. Cancer Cell. 2005; 7: 387-97. 3. Baxter EJ, et al. Lancet. 2005; 365: 1054-61. After marrow/ blood collection, gently invert the 4. Jones AV, et al. Semin Hematol. 2005; 42(4): 196-205. 5. Goerttler PS, et al. Blood. 2005; 106(8): 2862-4. Store the tubes upright at 4°C, stabilized for 5 days 6. Sidon P, et al. Leukemia. 2006; 20(9): 1622. 7. Zhao R, et al. J Biol Chem. 2005; 280(24): 22788-92. Shipping
8. Zehentner BK, et al. Am J Hematol. 2006; 81(10): 806. 9. Ganly P, et al. Am J Hematol. 2007; 82(1): 80-1. Priority shipment (A-Post) or courier at room temperature Questions / Ordering of tubes
Allele-specific PCR (TaqMan®), from DNA Molecular Diagnostics, Sahli-Haus 2 114, Inselspital, 3010 JAK2 V617F and BCR-ABL: express delivery or courier Of topical interest Immunology

LUMINEX® – Multiplex-analytics using
The PRA test is equivalent to the microcytotoxicity assay. fluorescent bead-arrays
Every bead is covered with HLA-antigens of class I or II from an individual donor (55 individual beads of class I and 32 individual beads of class II). The results are analyzed The Luminex®100™ IS platform which has been validated in using the HLA Visual Software from One Lambda. our laboratory since mid 2006 delivers a platform adaptable The advantages of the Luminex® technology to the • multiple PCR-products (nucleic acid detection) conventional microcytotoxicity assay are the following: • antigen-antibody interactions as diagnostic tools • in addition to class I antigens the Luminex® test also • protein-protein interactions (receptors and ligands) detects class II antigens, which might be more Due to the extreme flexibility of fluorescent bead assays important in the case of organ rejection. (FBA) – in principle – every parameter can be measured • using one single test, multiple patient sera can be that can be characterized by the specific interaction of two • the software based test analysis is much less time- The multi-parameter test systems based on FBA available consuming than the microscopic readout of the on the Luminex® instrument permit the simultaneous quantification of up to 100 different analytical properties of the analysis software also accounts for so called cross-reactive groups (CREG’s) in the case of class I HLA- The Luminex® xMAP®-Technology (liquiware) is based on the final readout and classification of the immune single polystyrene micro spheres (beads) are defined status of patients is equivalent to the microcytotoxicity by their content of two different fluorochromes (red test. The same classification is used by the Swiss • each bead bears specific detection molecules (e.g. The most important difference in comparison to the oligonucleotide probes, recombinant antigens, specific microcytotoxicity assays is the detection method. The proteins) of only one specificity or of multiple Luminex® assay is an antigen-capture assay, i.e. all binding IgG antibodies are detected. In contrast, the • analytes (e.g. antibodies, cytokines, PCR-products) microcytotoxicity assay only detects biologic active contained in the test sample bind to the detection antibodies. This means that only immunoglobulins which can bind and activate complement would lead to a positive • a reporter molecule which is coupled to phycoerythrin result, even if they are not specific for HLA antigens. The (PE) quantifies the reaction on the surface of the Luminex® assay is insensitive to such undesired cross- reactions and delivers a more specific result. the biomolecular interaction of the capture and target molecules are quantified on the Luminex®100™ In terms of research we have established various cytokine assays on the Luminex® system. In the near future we will The system in our laboratory can be used on two different validate more tests and offer them in our test portfolio. We software platforms, Either the Luminex®100™ IS (Luminex also propose this new technology as a basis of clinical Corporation, www.luminexcorp.com) or the Bio-Plex- studies and research collaborations for partners in and Manager 4.1 (Bio-Rad, www.bio-rad.com) is chosen for the analysis of the samples, depending on the application. These new routine tests have been validated according to the ISO17025 standard in our laboratory. We have already used this new technology for the regular examination of sera from possible organ recipients of the Swiss transplant waiting list. The purpose of these tests is the search for antibodies directed against HLA-class I and II antigens in the sera of patients on the transplant waiting list The results were in excellent concordance with results from standard methods used in the laboratory. The test kits used are provided by One Lambda, Inc. (www.onelambda.com). As a first analysis the patient sera are screened for the presence of anti-HLA antibodies. The beads in this screening test are coupled with mixed HLA-antigens of class I and II from 8 donors, each. If the result of the screening test is positive for the presence of class I or II anti-HLA antibodies, these can then be identified by more specific tests, using beads coupled with more specific HLA-Antigens separated for class I or II (panel-reacting antigen test: PRA). Using this test the antibodies directed against class I or II can be directly identified. Hematology
Hypereosinophilia
Leukemia Follow-up
Lymphoma
MPS/ Erythrocytosis
Thrombophilia
Metabolic diseases
Pharmacogenetics
Immunology

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