Qiagen calls for increased TB testing in the U.S.
Sept. 17, 2024—Qiagen is calling for a sharper focus on testing strategies to stop new cases of tuberculosis from further increasing and spreading in the United States.
Webinars and Sponsored Roundtables — Register Now
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM ET
Hear an expert discuss how Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is utilizing
the oncoReveal® Nexus 21-gene panel to redefine turnaround time and actionable insights
in cancer care. Dr. Ewalt shares a perceptive look at the clinical need for rapid, front-line NGS sequencing, and how a unique, purpose built targeted NGS panel (Pillar Biosciences’ oncoReveal Nexus 21 gene Panel) was developed, validated and implemented clinically by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK-REACT) to complement their current comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) approach.
Webinar presenter Mark Ewalt, MD, Associate Medical Director for Laboratory Operations for Diagnostic Molecular Pathology in the Molecular Diagnostics Service, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MSKCC.
Moderated by: Bob McGonnagle, Publisher, CAP TODAY
CAP TODAY does not endorse any of the products or services named within. The webinar is made possible by a special educational grant from Pillar Biosciences.
Thursday, May 28, 2026, 1:00–2:00 PM ET
This session is designed to improve understanding and application of recent updates to synoptic pathology reporting protocols such as the latest Reporting Template for Reporting Results of Biomarker Testing of Specimens from Patients with Carcinoma of the Breast. These changes reflect evolving clinical guidelines that directly influence diagnostic accuracy and treatment selection in breast cancer care.
Webinar presenters Thaer Khoury, MD, FCAP, Chair, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Cente, and Colin Murphy, CEO of mTuitive.
Moderated by: Bob McGonnagle, Publisher, CAP TODAY
Subspecialties
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Molecular pathology selected abstracts
September 2024—Oncology patients may benefit greatly from whole genome sequencing. Previous studies have suggested that it can provide relevant information pertaining to pediatric cancers, especially in selected cohorts of patients with high-risk disease. However, its clinical utility has not been thoroughly explored in routine clinical practice. The authors of this study examined the benefits of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in a consecutive cohort of pediatric patients from two institutions who required molecular workup for hematological neoplasms and solid tumors. Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, and Cambridge (England) University Hospitals offered WGS to patients with leukemia or solid tumors, respectively.
Q&A column
September 2024
Q. When performing body fluid cell counts, we report total nucleated cells and RBCs. What cell categories should we report on the corresponding differential? Can we group together monocytes, macrophages, and mesothelial cells since it is difficult to distinguish reactive mesothelial cells from monocytes and macrophages? If so, what category name should be applied? Should we report mesothelial cells as a comment or include them in the differential? Read answer.
Q. Are nonlaboratory personnel who perform point-of-care testing required to be tested for visual color discrimination? Or is it sufficient that personnel pass a functional assessment during their competency evaluation to evaluate their ability to provide an accurate result on tests that require interpreting colors? Read answer.
Newsbytes
September 2024—The ARUP Institute for Research and Innovation in Diagnostic and Precision Medicine has created the Sherrie Perkins Research and Innovation Collaboration grant to fund lab medicine research that has the potential to significantly improve patient care.
Put It on the Board
September 2024—The Association for Molecular Pathology and pathologist Michael Laposata, MD, PhD, announced on Aug. 19 the filing of a lawsuit challenging the Food and Drug Administration rule that regulates laboratory-developed test procedures as medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against the FDA; Robert M. Califf, MD, in his official capacity as commissioner of food and drugs; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Xavier Becerra, in his official capacity as secretary of HHS.
Qiagen launches digital PCR assays for microbial applications
September 2024—Qiagen has launched 35 wet-lab tested digital PCR microbial DNA detection assays for its digital PCR platform QIAcuity. The assays are available on Qiagen’s research platform GeneGlobe and are designed to target a wide range of pathogens, including dengue virus serotypes one to four, mpox clades one and two, and chikungunya, as well as malaria and various sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections. The addition of these assays brings the company’s total microbial dPCR assay portfolio to more than 680 targets.
Cobas Liat SARS-CoV-2, flu A/B, RSV test gets EUA
September 2024—Roche announced that the FDA has granted emergency use authorization for its Cobas Liat SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and RSV nucleic acid test for use on the Cobas Liat system. The automated multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test is intended for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B virus, and respiratory syncytial virus RNA in anterior nasal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Definitive results are generated in 20 minutes.
Bio-Rad launches Specialty Immunoassay Plus controls
September 2024—Bio-Rad Laboratories has launched its Specialty Immunoassay Plus, a four-level, comprehensive, independent specialty immunoassay quality control designed to monitor the precision of laboratory specialty immunoassay testing procedures. The product is available in barcoded, load-and-go InteliQ and standard vial Liquichek configurations and features clinically relevant analytes such as procalcitonin, interleukin-6, active vitamin B12, anti-TSH receptor, thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins, fructosamine, and others. It also contains optimized vitamin D ranges to support Vitamin D Standardization Program–compliant assays and improved intact parathyroid hormone open-vial stability to minimize QC waste. With the Unity data management software, laboratories can compare results across a large peer group of reporting labs.
Thermo Fisher, NCI partner on myeloMATCH umbrella trial
September 2024—Thermo Fisher Scientific is partnering with the National Cancer Institute on the myeloMATCH (Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice) precision medicine umbrella trial to help accelerate research into new treatments for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. The study involves testing patients’ bone marrow and blood for certain genetic biomarkers using Thermo Fisher’s next-generation sequencing technology so clinical sites can more quickly match patients with an appropriate clinical trial that tests a treatment designed to target specific mutations present in the samples.
Qiagen, Myriad to develop HRD test
September 2024—Qiagen and Myriad Genetics announced they will develop a globally distributable kit-based test for analyzing homologous recombination deficiency status. This next-generation sequencing test aims to support research into personalized medicine in multiple solid tumor types, including ovarian cancer, and is expected to enhance decentralized testing capacities once a regulated product is developed with pharmaceutical partners. The project builds on the master collaboration agreement that the companies announced in October 2023.