Two-Year Project Launched to Standardize Cytogenetic Testing in Mexico || NCI Cancer Bulletin for April 19, 2011 - National Cancer Institute

Two-Year Project Launched to Standardize Cytogenetic Testing in Mexico

On April 8, NCI’s Office of Latin American Cancer Program Development (OLACPD), in partnership with the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the Agrupación Mexicana para el Estudio de la Hematología (AMEH), held a workshop in Mexico City to discuss the standardization of cytogenetics laboratory protocols. The workshop served as the official launch of a 2-year initiative designed to improve cytogenetic analysis, which plays a central role in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

AML is the most common form of leukemia in adults and one of the most common forms in children. Cytogenetics identifies abnormal genetic structures in leukemia cells, and a patient’s cytogenetic profile is the most important prognostic factor in AML. High-quality, consistent testing practices increase the likelihood that patients with AML will receive appropriate care.

Four laboratories in Mexico were selected to participate in the 2-year program, which is sponsored and overseen by a team of U.S. and Mexican scientists. A steering committee composed of experts from NCI, ASH, and AMEH will periodically review the laboratories’ data and provide each laboratory with a quarterly summary of its performance, including feedback on operations.

The ultimate goal of this pilot project is that the standardization of cytogenetics testing will improve the quality of the work and allow the laboratories to serve as models for other facilities throughout Mexico.

NCI Cancer Bulletin for April 19, 2011 - National Cancer Institute