Stories

This week's research roundup feature: To describe a 41-year-old woman with a history of neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease, on treatment with daily subcutaneous injections of 600 mg of recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) protein, anakinra, since the age of 28, who presented with golf-ball size nodules at the anakinra injection sites, early satiety, new onset nephrotic syndrome in the context of normal markers of systemic inflammation.

On the brink of losing her battle with acute myeloid leukemia, Shannon Camlek arrived at Mayo Clinic as a last hope. Her chances didn’t look good, but with the help of specialized genetic testing, particularly FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) studies, doctors were able to detect the specific gene mutations responsible for her symptoms and disease. The test results also helped Shannon’s care team target her treatment accordingly, and finally put an end to what Shannon likens as starring in her own personal horror movie while in search of hope and healing.

This week's research roundup feature: Sarcomas are a recently identified group of undifferentiated round/spindle cell neoplasms with a predilection for the head and neck region.

This week's research roundup feature: Histoplasma and Blastomyces antigen detection assays are commonly used diagnostic tools. However, a high level of cross-reactivity between these antigens prevents definitive pathogen identification by these assays alone.

Endometrial cancer affects thousands annually and ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women in the United States. At the forefront of innovative discoveries in endometrial cancer diagnostics are Mayo Clinic's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology consultants. Sounak Gupta, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., vice chair of Oncology Practice for the Division of Laboratory Genetics and Genomics; Maryam Shahi, M.D., senior consultant for Anatomic Pathology; and Andrea Mariani, M.D., M.S., division chair of Gynecologic Surgery, explore the critical significance of molecular profiling and collaborative efforts driving these innovations, highlighting Mayo Clinic’s revolutionary influence on patient care.

This week's research roundup feature: R0 resection and radiation therapy have been associated with improved overall survival (OS) in patients with thymic carcinoma (TC). Here, we analyzed which subgroups of patients derive the greatest benefit from postoperative radiation therapy (PORT).

In her current role as senior manager for global logistics at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Sarah Mason oversees the coordination of patient sample shipments by working with a network of stakeholders, couriers, carriers, and vendors. Sarah emphasizes the critical nature of safe and timely delivery of more than 38,000 samples each day, highlighting the dynamic challenges in healthcare logistics. Through her work, she finds meaning and purpose in collaborating with diverse teams to bring impactful change to Mayo Clinic operations and its patients.

This week's research roundup feature: Most patients with solitary bone plasmacytomas (SBP) progress to multiple myeloma (MM) after definitive radiation therapy as their primary treatment. Whether the presence of high-risk (HR) cytogenetic abnormalities by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the clonal plasma cells, obtained either directly from the diagnostic SBP tissue or the corresponding bone marrow examination at the time of diagnosis, is associated with a shorter time to progression (TTP) to MM is unknown. This study evaluated all patients diagnosed with SBP at the Mayo Clinic from January 2012 to July 2022.

One summer morning, James Kypuros awoke to find his toes stiffened like claws. Then he started having falls, which culminated in losing his ability to walk or even sit up without help. Diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, James wouldn’t find hope or relief until he was treated for glycine receptor antibody syndrome following specialized testing by Mayo Clinic.

This week's research roundup feature: No human rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) failure has been documented in the United States using modern cell culture-based vaccines. In January 2021, an 84-year-old male died from rabies 6 months after being bitten by a rabid bat despite receiving timely rabies PEP. We investigated the cause of breakthrough infection.

For over two decades, Mayo Clinic has been at the forefront of cardiovascular (CV) genetic testing. The current test menu features 24 different panels that span over 300 genes linked to inherited cardiovascular disorders, many of which are rare and challenging to diagnose. Whereas many labs operate in a “silo” — meaning they take a genetic specimen, test it, and then return a result with limited input — Mayo Clinic takes a much more expansive approach.

This week's research roundup feature: Microaggressions between members of a team occur often in medicine, even despite good intentions. Such situations call for difficult conversations that restore inclusivity, diversity, and a healthy work culture.

Brie LaJoye began her career with Mayo Clinic in 2018 as an intern and has been with the organization for nearly six years. She currently works as a Laboratory information system (LIS) technical specialist, managing lab instrumentation, troubleshooting issues, and improving testing procedures. Her work ensures accurate and timely results for patients and providers, and she takes pride in being a crucial part of the lab's operations.