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Registration is currently open for Run M3 CRC and Run M4 NSCLC.
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The CPQA-AQCP is now providing end-to-end molecular biomarker proficiency testing with the purpose of assessing the performance of laboratories in delivering the possibility of precision cancer care to their patients through timely, accurate and easily interpretable biomarker test reports.
Similar to external quality assurance schemes offered by CAP or EMQN, our program tests laboratories’ ability to provide accurate results, however our program assesses additional factors such as turnaround time, report interpretation and report clarity. Unlike existing EQA schemes, this program is test agnostic and successful participation will require labs to use multiple modalities (including IHC, NGS, or other methods) to provide a final biomarker report.
This exercise is intended to mimic real patient cases which will allow for a more thorough assessment of the various steps in the biomarker testing workflow beyond analytical accuracy - going from receipt of a specimen all the way to the interpretation of a final report by an end user.
Dr. Brandon Sheffield has led the Molecular Division of the CPQA-AQCP since inception. He is a pathologist and Medical Director of Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Pathology and Physician Lead at the William Osler Health System.
Kassandra Bisson (bio coming soon!)
Participants will be sent three FFPE blocks representing a particular cancer type, depending on the exercise, paired with clinical vignettes. The laboratories are asked to assess the specimen, and provide all necessary testing required for treatment (IHC, NGS, etc). Following testing, laboratories are asked to provide the CPQA-AQCP with a final report for each case analogous to a report that would be provided in a similar clinical scenario.
Evaluation will be made based on multiple factors: the accuracy of results compared to the reference result, the timeliness based on turnaround time between sample delivery and report submission, the interpretation of the results and finally the overall the clarity of reporting. The evaluation committee will be comprised of molecular pathologists and medical oncologists from various Canadian institutions and tailored to each exercise. Individualized feedback from the clinician assessor committee will be provided to each participant in a report comparing their performance to other Canadian labs.
Suite 363 | 185-9040 Blundell Road | Richmond BC | V6Y 1K3 | 1-877-791-3400 | info@cpqa.ca