TSJCI Annual Report 2021

Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute Annual Report 2021 15 1.6.1 Key Developments during 2021 Histopathology department (including Cytology) • In 2021, the histopathology laboratory continued to support cancer services through all aspects of its work but in particular, worked towards the development of our companion diagnostic testing services in Immunohistochemistry. • Further to this work, additional probes were introduced to aid in more accurate prognosis for patients, nationally, with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. 1.6.2 Key Priorities for 2022 Cancer Molecular Diagnostics (CMD) laboratory In 2022, the CMD laboratory will continue to expand the test repertoire with a focus on moving towards comprehensive genome profiling; a technique that allows the analysis of genomic variants in hundreds of genes simultaneously. This approach will allow for more optimised treatment selection and a broader range of clinical trials. Immunology department The Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology provides diagnostic tests which form part of the ‘Biomarkers’ used for the ‘Diagnostic Criteria for Plasma Cell Disorders agreed by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma’ 2020. Currently the Flow laboratory provides a full diagnostic service for Primary Immunodeficiency looking at T and B cell subtypes. Planned developments will enable the expansion of this service to provide improvement in identifying and managing secondary immunodeficiency in cancer patients’ post-treatment. These services will offer an important addition in terms of cancer survival and long term management of treatment complications. Cryobiology department In 2022, the Cryobiology Laboratory Stem Cell facility will continue to support the National Adult CAR-T programme (Kymriah from Novartis) and deliver further enhancements in CAR-T services. The laboratory will also further develop the Cellular Therapy Research group (chaired by Nicola Gardiner) comprising of SJH Medical scientists and clinicians, with IBTS staff and Trinity College (TTMI) scientists. This common interest group with develop opportunities in establishing research projects. A PhD research project based on laboratory monitoring of patients in the early post stem cell transplant and post CAR-T treatment will continue in addition to the concurrent MD project.