Hematology

A study involving Mayo Clinic investigators that examined new approaches to the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia has been met with enthusiasm in the scientific community.

Xinjie Xu, Ph.D., co-director of Mayo's Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, explains Mayo Clinic Laboratories' updated approach to testing for risk stratification of patients newly diagnosed with plasma cell proliferative disorders, such as multiple myeloma. Based on recently published data, the new testing algorithms focus on use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panels, rather than chromosome studies.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” James Hoyer, M.D., discusses the importance of using a control tube during osmotic fragility testing.

Nahla Heikal, M.D., co-director of Mayo Clinic's Special Coagulation Laboratory, addresses the connection between COVID-19 and coagulopathy.

On Dec. 4, Mayo Clinic Laboratories will host the Friday Satellite Symposium A Case-Based Workshop: Clinical and Laboratory Aspects of Hemophilia and Thrombosis, preceding the 62nd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Min Shi, M.D., Ph.D., a hematologist and co-director of Mayo Clinic's Flow Cytometry Laboratory, explains recent updates to the B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia minimal residual disease flow cytometry assay. This test is used to identify minimal residual disease in patients with a previously confirmed diagnosis of B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia who have completed chemotherapy, immunotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.

The results are part of a comprehensive study of 16,175 cases performed at Mayo Clinic over an 11-year period.

Horatiu Olteanu, M.D., Ph.D., gives an overview of the new T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain constant region (TRBC1) flow cytometry marker, which is now included in Mayo Clinic Laboratories' routine diagnostic T-cell flow cytometry panel. He discusses when this testing should be ordered, how the addition of TCRBC1 compares to previous testing approaches, and how this marker can assist ordering physicians.

Matt Millen, ex-pro NFL player, who played on four Super Bowl-winning teams underwent a nearly six-year medical journey in search for answers. Finally, he was diagnosed with amyloidosis using a new testing methodology at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories provides evaluation and consultation for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hereditary and acquired hematologic disorders.

Linda Baughn Ph.D. gives an overview of this new test available through Mayo Clinic Laboratories. She discusses when this testing should be ordered, how this testing improves upon other testing approaches, and what clinical action can be taken due to the results of this testing.

In this month’s “Hot Topic,” Curtis Hanson, M.D., will discuss the use of laboratory-based prognostic markers in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). He will also highlight the importance of molecular analyses for IGHV and TP53 sequencing in these patients.

David Viswanatha, M.D., a hematopathologist and co-director of the molecular hematology and complete genome sequencing laboratories at Mayo Clinic, provides an overview of BCR/ABL1 testing, discusses the best testing methods, NCCN/ELN criteria guidelines, why FISH testing is no longer routinely available at Mayo Clinic, and what test to order at what time for CML patients.