DEPARTMENT OF HEMATOPATHOLOGY

About

Under the Aegis of Oncopathology, Hematopathology Laboratory at HBCH & MPMMCC is a 24x7 laboratory which provides round the clock patient care services in terms of Hemogram and Coagulation Studies including, D-Dimer, factor assays etc. for close monitoring of patients of haematolymphoid malignancies and solid tumors. It further comprises of two advanced sections Flow Cytometry and Molecular Haematopathology which deal with processing and reporting of Diagnostic, M.R.D and BMT samples. The laboratory lays great emphasis on quality and follows a strict quality control protocol as per the NABL guidelines.

Flow Cytometry Section was launched in 2019 and comprises of 13 Color 3 Laser DxFlex (Beckman Coulter) and 12 Color 3 laser Lyric (Beckton Dickinson) Instruments. The test performed includes: Diagnostic Acute Leukemia Panel, Lymphoma Panel, Myeloma Panel, MDS panel, PNH Panel, B-ALL M.R.D Panel, TALL M.R.D Panel, AML M.R.D Panel, Myeloma M.R.D Panel, CLL M.R.D Panel, Stem Cell Enumeration using ISHAGE Protocol and CD3 Count for Donor Lymphocyte Infusion in Allogenic BMT Patients.

Molecular Hematopathology section is the only state of the art laboratory in Uttar Pradesh, launched in 2022, and is next to only ACTREC Mumbai, in terms of infrastructure, workload and range of tests covered, in any government setup. It comprises of automated nucleic acid extractors, Thermo Cyclers, RQ PCR Machine, Sanger Sequencer(Thermofisher), and Next Generation Sequencer(Illumina). The test Performed Include a) RQ & RTPCR for Fusion transcripts such as BCR-ABL, PML RARA, AML-ETO etc. b) Fragment Length analysis by capillary electrophoresis on Sanger Sequencer for FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA, JAK2, CALR, BRAF, MYD88, TCR clonality studies and post allogenic BMT monitoring by chimerism analysis using STR panel, c) Kinase domain mutation analysis in B-ALL and CML patients on Tyrosine kinase inhibitors & CLL IGVH mutation status for prognostication by Sanger Sequencing. d) DNA-NGS for myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms using a comprehensive panel of 69 genes. e) RNA sequencing for detection of fusion partners/translocations in myeloid /lymphoid neoplasms using a custom 42 gene panel. This has helped in ensuring shorter turnaround time for molecular reporting which otherwise took almost one-two months’ duration, when outsourced to ACTREC Mumbai.

Performance Statistics:

Research & Educational Activities:

Educational Courses:

1. DM (Oncopathology): Received approval from the National Medical Commission to start the course from the academic session 2022-23.
2. 2-years Fellowship in Hematopathology: Postgraduates in Pathology who are willing to gain expertise in advanced techniques such as flow cytometry. Molecular testing etc. are eligible to apply for this course. Seats are advertised once a year during August.
3. 4 years BMLS Course approved from 2023 session
4. Short term certified training (Paramedical) courses for Hematopathology (Duration:1 year)
5. Short term certified training (Paramedical) courses for Flowcytometry (Duration:1 year)
6. Short term certified advance trainee courses in hematopathology for Post MD doctors (Duration: - 6months).

Research Activities:

All the faculty and staff are encouraged to involve themselves in basic and clinical research. The departmental faculty have submitted independent projects in the Institutional Ethics Committee for approval. The department is collaborating with other departments of MPMMCC & HBCH, Varanasi. Some of the ongoing projects in the department are:

Achievements:

Research publications/Abstracts: 25

Future Prospects:

1. Starting NGS-MRD testing.
2. HBNI approved fellowship in Molecular Hemato-Oncology.
3. Short term certified training (Paramedical) courses in Molecular Hemato-Oncology.