The Role of HPV Testing in Cervical Cancer Prevention Strategy

Hosted by Roche Diagnostics

This session will include:

• The natural history of HPV infection and disease burden;
• The application of HPV testing in cervical cancer screening;
• Strengths and limitations of HPV testing and current hurdles;
• The impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer screening and HPV testing;
• HPV surveillance in the era of HPV vaccination.

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Determination of HER2 Gene Status Using Enzyme Metallography: Cowboys versus Accountants

Hosted by Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.

Presenter: Dr. Patrick C. Roche, Vice President of Reagent Development, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene (HER2) is amplified in approximately 20% of invasive breast cancers. Gene amplification is the primary mechanism that drives overexpression of a 185 kD glycoprotein with tyrosine kinase activity and located in the plasma cell membrane. Amplification of the HER2 gene and overexpression of HER2 protein are both associated with worse prognosis but are also predictive of response to systemic therapies. Accurate determination of HER2 status is therefore of critical importance in the evaluation of breast cancer patients. HER2 evaluation has primarily relied on immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). We have employed a new technology, enzyme metallography, to develop a bright field in situ hybridization technique for rapid determination of HER2 gene status. The technique utilizes a DNA probe depleted of repetitive sequences, a rabbit monoclonal antibody, a novel antibody-horseradish peroxidase conjugate, and a silver ion based chromogen that enables discrete enumeration of HER2 gene / chromosome 17 with simultaneous visualization of the morphological context of the tumor. The assay is completely automated, highly concordant with FISH, and designed to readily integrate into the laboratory’s and pathologist’s workflow. An algorithm for interpretation of the assay enables the pathologist to be either a cowboy, an accountant, or a little of both in the generation of accurate HER2 results.

Click here: Dr. Patrick C. Roche biography

Patrick C. Roche, PhD is Vice President of Reagent Development at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Before moving to Tucson, Arizona 4 years ago, Dr. Roche was Director of the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory for 12 years, and Associate Professor of Pathology and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Pat received his Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology from the University of Southern California, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Molecular Medicine at Mayo. During his tenure at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Roche maintained NIH/NCI supported research programs in reproductive endocrinology and early detection / diagnosis of breast cancer. He served as the director of the Tissue Acquisition Core for the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and was chair of the Translational Research Committee for the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). Dr. Roche was a member of the CAP Immunohistochemistry Committee for 10 years, and most recently was an industry representative to the ASCO-CAP Committee on HER2 Testing. Dr. Roche has co-authored more than 110 peer-reviewed publications, and has a special interest in the standardization and quality control of hormone receptor and HER2 determination in breast cancer. Dr. Roche currently oversees the development and commercialization of diagnostic reagents for Ventana, including primary antibodies, molecular probes, and detection systems.
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Affinity is Not the Only Factor

Hosted by Leica Microsystems Canada

Presenter: Dr. Mark Rees, Molecular Biology Manager, Vision Biosystems

Recently there has been a broad interest into the effect of antibody affinity on the quality of immunohistochemistry (IHC). Consequently we conducted a study utilising Biacore® analysis to investigate this relationship. Biacore® uses surface plasmon resonance to measure changes in the quantity of associated antibody-antigen to produce a real time kinetic measurement. We compared the affinity and IHC of several rabbit and mouse monoclonal antibodies specific to ER, PGR, CD3 and CD8 at equal concentrations. Here we present our data revealing the relationship between antibody affinity and IHC performance and review the role of other factors critical to antibody-antigen associations in FFPE tissue.

Click here: Dr. Mark Rees biography

Studied at Newcastle University
1992- BscHons biochemistry
1993- Msc Industrial microbiology
1997- PhD molecular biology/microbiology. The development of an expression system for the production of Bacillus Anthracis protective antigen
1998 - Joined Novocastra as a Research Associate in the department of molecular biology
2000 - Senior Research Associate
2002- Deputy molecular biology manager responsible for the supervision of a team of molecular biogists in antigen production
2003- Novocastra was aquired by VisionBiosytems
2005- Molecular biology manager
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Session Full

Hosted by Roche Diagnostics

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Prostate Cancer: From Early Detection to Monitoring

Hosted by Bayer Healthcare, Diagnostics Division

Presenter: Dr. Luis LaSalvia 

The use of PSA, along with a digital rectal exam, can detect prostate cancer as much as 5-10 years earlier than a digital rectal exam alone. However, the current PSA test is limited in both sensitivity and specificity, resulting in both missed cancers and unnecessary biopsies. This seminar discusses the current utility of PSA testing, along with newer methods to improve specificity and sensitivity, including ratio testing with free to total PSA and direct detection of the complexed PSA isoform. We will be discussing updated clinical guidelines on prostate cancer early detection.

Expected Outcomes:
At the conclusion of the seminar, attendees should be able to:
• Describe the role PSA plays in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer;
• Understand the value that ratios and isoforms can play in improving PSA testing;
• Recognize the current guidelines on the clinical utility of PSA for prostate cancer early detection.

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New Immunoassay System from Beckman Coulter - UniCel DxI 600

Hosted by Beckman Coulter Canada Inc.

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The Use of Tandem MS for Clinical and Toxicological Analysis

Hosted by Applied Biosystems

Discussion of specific applications like the monitoring of immunosuppressants, Ritalin, Mycophenolic Acid as well as the screening, identification and quantification of drugs of abuse from a user’s point of view. A new tool for the monitoring of amino acids for metabolic diseases will also be discussed.

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Automated PTH Testing in a Third Generation-less PTH World: History, Risks and Opportunities

Hosted by ESBE Scientific

Presenter: Dr. Frank Blocki, R&D Program Manager, DiaSorin Inc.

The PTH clinical testing community is faced with risks that necessitate a proper understanding of the specificity and performance of 2nd-generation (-gen) intact PTH assays. Since automated 3rd-gen tests are no longer available, this presentation seeks to 1) expose issues linked to managing clinical practice with 2-gen assays, 2) identify the need for diagnostic kits to align performance with consistent PTH structure and 3) question the utility of maintaining fealty to the 1998 K/DOQI guidelines.

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Evaluation of Tacrolimus, Sirolimus and Cyclosporine on the Architect System

Hosted by Abbott Diagnostics

Presenters:
Dr. P.Y. Wong 
Dr. Gary Levy 
Dr. Greg Maine 

Overview of the evaluation of the transplant markers Tacrolimus, Sirolimus and Cyclosporine on the Architect system.  

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The Role of Metabolic Syndrome in Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Hosted by Dade Behring Canada Inc.

Presenter: Dr. Nancy J. Haley, Dade Behring Diagnostics, Armonk, New York

This presentation will describe the factors of particular importance to women in evaluating their cardiovascular risk. This will focus on all aspects of the metabolic syndrome and the interaction of each component in providing the total constellation of risk assessment. Biochemical markers of premature risk have been determined in men and application to the female population is just beginning through investigations and large clinical trials. The utility of some of these markers and their predictive value will be discussed. There will also be a discussion of the difficulties of accurate and timely diagnosis of female coronary disease. It is essential that women recognize that they must take control of their heart health. Hopefully, this presentation will provide information to assist them with lifestyle changes that can improve their overall health status and alert them to recognize the first signs and symptoms of an acute coronary problem.

Click here: Dr. Nancy Haley biography

Nancy J. Haley, Ph.D. joined Dade Behring Diagnostics this year to work with the development and marketing of the ultra integrated analyzer Dimension Vista. Prior to joining Dade Behring, she was laboratory director and Vice President at MetLife and responsible for all laboratory information used for life insurance risk assessment.
Dr. Haley received her Ph.D. from St. John’s University in Biochemistry and subsequently trained at the Rockefeller University in cardiovascular pathology with 2 Nobel laureates, Christian deDuve and George Palade. She is a licensed laboratory director in the areas of chemical pathology, toxicology, immunology, cancer markers, clinical chemistry and general laboratory science.
Prior to joining MetLife, Dr. Haley was the Head of Clinical Biochemistry for the American Health Foundation, conducting studies in biochemical epidemiology with an emphasis on cardiovascular risk factors and tobacco-related cancers. She received several awards from the National Cancer Institute and was responsible for the public campaign to promote cardiovascular knowledge through the “Know Your Cholesterol” program.
Her research in tobacco-related disease was seminal in the banning of smoking on U.S. airlines and the determinations of relative risk of workplace exposures to passive smoking. She has conducted research with the World Health Organization and was a member of an international team investigating the cancer associated risks of passive smoking.
Dr. Haley’s publications in scientific journals number over 175 with 15 chapters in educational texts. She has lectured at several international meetings on laboratory related issues especially detection of tobacco use and cardiovascular risk assessment.
Dr. Haley is a consultant to the World Health Organization and the California Tobacco-Related Disease Program where she also serves as a peer reviewer for medical research grants. Her personal volunteer efforts include participation in the employer guidance activities of the Westchester Association for Retarded Citizens, and she is Captain of the Fire Rescue Team of the Armonk Fire Department.
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N-Termina proß-type Natriuretic Peptide Improves the Management of Patients with Suspected Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Primary Results of the Canadian Multicenter IMPROVE-CHF Study

Hosted by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics

Presenter: Dr. Gordon Moe, University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario

Click here: Dr. Gordon Moe biography

Gordon Moe, MSc, MD, FRCP(C), FACC
Cardiologist and Director, Heart Failure Program and Biomarker Laboratory
St. Michael's Hospital
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
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Inborn Errors of Metabolism: Detection & Maintenance Using Tandem LCMS

Hosted by Waters Limited

Presenters:
Dr. Pranesh Chakraborty, Ontario Newborn Screening Laboratory, Ottawa, Ontario
Dr. Sabrina Forni 
Dr. Joseph Orsini 
Dr. Christiane Auray-Blais, CHUS, Sherbrooke, Quebec

This is a medium to advanced level workshop presenting the application of tandem mass chromatography coupled with liquid chromatography in the detection of inborn errors of metabolism through newborn screening and the subsequent follow up and clinical maintenance of these patients.  

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