Analysis of cytogenetic aberrations in a bone marrow of patients with malignant head and neck lymphadenopathies - A single center experience

Cytogenetic testing plays a major role in the diagnosis of different types of lymphadenopathies, assessment of survival prognosis, but also in the selection of adequate therapeutic strategies. Reports on aggressive head and neck lymphomas combining (cyto)genetics with pathology are rare, also lacking in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of this retrospective study was to provide all chromosome aberrations data recorded in the group of patients diagnosed with malignant head and neck lymphadenopathy, and to analyze advantages and disadvantages of bone marrow (BM) cytogenetics analysis. Out of 819 patients who underwent cytogenetic analysis of BM in five years’ time spread, chromosomal abnormalities were analysed in 54 karyotypes of patients with clinically suspected head and neck lymphadenopathy. We recorded 66,6% Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 26% Hodgkin lymphoma, 3,7% Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 3,7% Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Chromosomal abnormalities in the karyotype were detected in 32 (59.2%) of a total of 54 patients. A normal karyotype was observed in 14 (26%) patients. In 8 (14.8%) subjects, it was not possible to perform cytogenetic analysis. The results of this research are representative in a term of the karyotype characteristics of patients with head and neck lymphoma. This is the first work of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will continue through a multicenter study in order to characterise the diagnostic and prognostic significance of cytogenetic abnormalities in lymphoma patients.

Standardization of molecular monitoring of CML: results and recommendations from the European treatment and outcome study

Standardized monitoring of BCR::ABL1 mRNA levels is essential for the management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. From 2016 to 2021 the European Treatment and Outcome Study for CML (EUTOS) explored the use of secondary, lyophilized cell-based BCR::ABL1 reference panels traceable to the World Health Organization primary reference material to standardize and validate local laboratory tests. Panels were used to assign and validate conversion factors (CFs) to the International Scale and assess the ability of laboratories to assess deep molecular response (DMR). The study also explored aspects of internal quality control. The percentage of EUTOS reference laboratories (n = 50) with CFs validated as optimal or satisfactory increased from 67.5% to 97.6% and 36.4% to 91.7% for ABL1 and GUSB, respectively, during the study period and 98% of laboratories were able to detect MR^4.5 in most samples. Laboratories with unvalidated CFs had a higher coefficient of variation for BCR::ABL1^IS and some laboratories had a limit of blank greater than zero which could affect the accurate reporting of DMR. Our study indicates that secondary reference panels can be used effectively to obtain and validate CFs in a manner equivalent to sample exchange and can also be used to monitor additional aspects of quality assurance.