Volume 44, Issue 2 pp. 333-341
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Reducing cytogenetic testing in the era of next generation sequencing: Are we choosing wisely?

Eri Kawata

Eri Kawata

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Department of Hematology, Panasonic Health Insurance Organization Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Moriguchi, Japan

Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

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Benjamin D. Hedley

Benjamin D. Hedley

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Benjamin Chin-Yee

Benjamin Chin-Yee

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

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Anargyros Xenocostas

Anargyros Xenocostas

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

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Alejandro Lazo-Langner

Alejandro Lazo-Langner

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

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Cyrus C. Hsia

Cyrus C. Hsia

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

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Kang Howson-Jan

Kang Howson-Jan

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

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Ping Yang

Ping Yang

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Cytogenetics Laboratory, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Michael A. Levy

Michael A. Levy

Molecular Diagnostic Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Stephanie Santos

Stephanie Santos

Molecular Diagnostic Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Pratibha Bhai

Pratibha Bhai

Molecular Diagnostic Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Christopher Howlett

Christopher Howlett

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Molecular Diagnostic Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Hanxin Lin

Hanxin Lin

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Molecular Diagnostic Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Mike Kadour

Mike Kadour

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Bekim Sadikovic

Bekim Sadikovic

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Molecular Diagnostic Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

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Ian Chin-Yee

Corresponding Author

Ian Chin-Yee

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada

Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence

Ian Chin-Yee, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, 800 Commissioners Road East Room E6-211, London ON N6A 5W9 Canada.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 29 October 2021
Citations: 2

Abstract

Introduction

In most laboratories, next generation sequencing (NGS) has been added without consideration for redundancy compared to conventional cytogenetics (CG). We tested a streamlined approach to genomic testing in patients with suspected myeloid and plasma cell neoplasms using next generation sequencing (“NGS first”) as the primary testing modality and limiting cytogenetics (CG) to samples with morphologic abnormalities in the marrow aspirate.

Methods

Based on morphologic interpretation of bone marrow aspirate and flow cytometry, samples were triaged into four groups: (a) Samples with dysplasia or excess blasts had both NGS and karyotyping; (b) Samples without excess blasts or dysplasia had NGS only; (c) Repeat samples with previous NGS and/or CG studies were not retested; (d) Samples for suspected myeloma with less than 5% plasma cell had CG testing cancelled.

Results

Seven hundred eleven adult bone marrow (BM) samples met the study criteria. The NGS first algorithm eliminated CG testing in 229/303 (75.6%) of patients, primarily by reducing repeat testing. Potential cost avoided was approximately $124 000 per annum. Hematologists overruled the triage comment in only 11/303 (3.6%) cases requesting CG testing for a specific indication.

Conclusions

Utilizing NGS as the primary genomic testing modality NGS was feasible and well accepted, reducing over three quarters of all CG requests and improving the financial case for adoption of NGS. Key factors for the success of this study were collaboration of clinical and genomic diagnostic teams in developing the algorithm, rapid turnaround time for BM interpretation for triage, and communication between laboratories.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors have no competing interests.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data available on request from the authors.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.