Article Text
Abstract
Aims In the time of COVID-19, predictive molecular pathology laboratories must still timely select oncological patients for targeted treatments. However, the need to respect social distancing measures may delay results generated by laboratory-developed tests based on sequential steps a long hands-on time. Laboratory workflows should now be simplified.
Methods The organisation of the University of Naples Federico II predictive pathology laboratory was assessed before (March–April 2019) and during (March–April 2020) the Italian lockdown.
Results The number of patients undergoing single or multiple biomarker testing was similar in 2019 (n=43) and in 2020 (n=45). Considering adequate samples for molecular testing, before the outbreak, next-generation sequencing was mostly used (35/42, 83.3%). Testing six genes had a reagent cost of €98/patient. Conversely, in 2020, almost all cases (38/41, 92.7%) were analysed by automated testing. This latter had for any single assay/gene a significant reagent cost (€95–€136) and a faster mean turnaround time (5.3 vs 7.9 working days).
Conclusion In the times of coronavirus, laboratory fully automated platforms simplify predictive molecular testing. Laboratory staff may be more safely and cost-effectively managed.
- pathology, molecular
- medical oncology
- laboratory personnel
Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
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Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
Footnotes
Handling editor Runjan Chetty.
Twitter @PasqualePisapia
Contributors UM and GT conceived the study; CDL, FP, MR, RS and MN contributed as biotechnologists; AI contributed as laboratory technician; UM and PP contributed as molecular pathologists; EV, CB, FCS and GT contributed as cytopathologists; UM, FP, PP and GT wrote the paper; all authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests UM reports personal fees (as speaker bureau or advisor) from Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Roche, MSD, Amgen, Merck and BMS. GT reports personal fees (as speaker bureau or advisor) from Roche, MSD and Pfizer.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.