ESCCA Industrial Partner Presentations (IPP) are scheduled as plenary session in the programme.

WEDNESDAY 17 September

15:00-15:30 - Sysmex

Speaker:
Timothy Farren, PhD, FRCPath, NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK

Title:
Beyond Routine Haematology: Leveraging Sysmex Integrated Solutions to Support Diagnosis of Leukaemia and Lymphoma

Summary:
Advances in haematological diagnostics increasingly rely on the integration of automated solutions to optimise workflow, standardisation, and clinical insight. This presentation explores the role of the Sysmex integrated haematology and flow cytometry platforms in supporting timely and accurate diagnosis of leukaemia and lymphoma.

Utilising a real case example, this presentation will illustrate how combining platforms for routine haematology, advanced flow cytometry, and digital morphology facilitates efficient triage, phenotyping, and patient management. Through streamlining data acquisition, consolidating multi-modal data and facilitating collaboration across diagnostic services, Sysmex technologies demonstrate their potential to move beyond routine haematology and improve outcomes in complex haematological malignancies.

16:00-16:30 - BD

Speaker:
Dr. Karen Smith-Baker, FRCPath. 

Title:
Mission really detectable (MRD): Navigating NHS hurdles in assay implementation for multiple myeloma 

Summary:  
Dr. Smith-Baker will share an honest and insightful account of transforming their multiple myeloma flow cytometry testing with the BD OneFlow™ PCD and PCST assays, as an aid in screening and diagnosis, and evaluating the BD Cytognos™ MM-MRD kit to bring MRD testing on-site.  
She will also discuss the need for standardisation, CE-IVD compliance, and operational efficiency amid NHS-wide pressures like rising demand and limited resources. Her team’s collaboration with BD and other NHS trusts demonstrates how innovation and teamwork can drive progress despite systemic challenges.   

ThURSDAY 18 september

11:15-11:45 - Beckman Coulter

Title: How to Bring the Work(flow) in the Flow Lab

Speaker: 
Nicolas Istaces, MD, PhD
Clinical Pathologist
Hematology Laboratory
CHIREC Hospital, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract:
Traditional hematology laboratory workflows typically position microscopic review as the primary step for resolving flags from automated analyzers, with flow cytometry often serving as a secondary, confirmatory test. However, this conventional approach can introduce workflow inefficiencies due to the subjective nature and inter/intra-observer variability of microscopic examination, particularly challenging in cases like leukopenic samples or those with low numbers of circulating malignant blasts or lymphoma cells.

In a strategic shift to optimize our laboratory workflow, our facility has for several years integrated flow cytometry as a first-line solution for reviewing white blood cell flags generated by automated hematology analyzers and seamlessly incorporated classical flow cytometry immunophenotyping into this process. This presentation will detail the evolution of our day-to-day operational workflow, from its current setup to future potential enhancements.

Through real-life case studies, we will demonstrate the practical workflow advantages and operational efficiencies gained by this comprehensive diagnostic approach. A significant focus will be placed on the practical steps involved in establishing and maintaining this integrated workflow, highlighting the critical role of automation in sample preparation, streamlined data acquisition, optimized supervised gating strategies, and robust data management via middleware solutions with integrated expert rules.

While microscopy retains its crucial role in specific confirmatory diagnoses, our laboratory has successfully transitioned to a fully integrated flow cytometry workflow, encompassing both efficient first-line flag resolution and streamlined general immunophenotyping, reserving microscopy for targeted, select cases. This comprehensive operational model underscores the profound impact of automating technical and analytical processes, positioning it as a highly cost-efficient and streamlined diagnostic approach for modern clinical hematology laboratories.

Friday 19 September

12:15-12:45 - Cytek Biosciences

Title: Pairing Of Spectral Flow Cytometry And Machine Learning Based Decision Support System For Accurate Diagnosis Of Leukemia and Lymphoma

Speaker:
Joseph C. Lownik, M.D./Ph.D.
Hematopathologist, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Cedars-Sinai

Abstract:
Flow cytometry is an essential methodology in the diagnosis and prognostication of leukemias and lymphomas (L&L). While flow cytometry data quality has improved with the increasing performance of instrumentation and the availability of novel fluorophores, the analysis of this data is complex, requiring significant training and time. Profiling >40 markers in a single tube is possible using spectral flow cytometry, but visualizing and analyzing these assays using standard bivariate plots is complex and inefficient in a clinical laboratory workflow. Here, we present an integrated solution for clinical workflows that covers the validation and implementation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). The LDTs were developed as L&L diagnosis panels, consisting of reagents from multiple manufacturers, on the Cytek Northern Lights™ instrument, together with a novel machine learning algorithm and hematopathologist-developed clinical decision support software. This machine learning based method incorporates automatic fluidic abnormality detection, doublet detection, as well as red blood cell removal. Additionally, the machine learning based approach allows for automated adjustments of unmixing, decreasing technician time and effort. Overall, we demonstrate how the use of a machine learning based approach improves the clinical workflow by reducing the burden of data analysis on laboratory technicians and improving overall laboratory efficiency. Our work demonstrates that clinical decision support software can be implemented alongside spectral flow cytometry in routine diagnostics of L&L.