Incorporating cytologic adequacy assessment into precision oncology workflow using telepathology: An institutional experience.

TitleIncorporating cytologic adequacy assessment into precision oncology workflow using telepathology: An institutional experience.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsZoughbi WAl, Kim D, Alperstein SAnn, Ohara K, Manohar J, Greco N, Khani F, Robinson BD, Rao RA, Elemento O, Mosquera JMiguel, Siddiqui MT
JournalCancer Cytopathol
Date Published2021 Apr 30
ISSN1934-6638
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tumor sample quality and quantity determine the success of somatic mutation analysis. Thus, a rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) tumor cytology adequacy assessment was incorporated into the workflow of precision oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Optimal samples were obtained from 68 patients with metastatic cancer.

METHODS: Cytopathologists performed ROSE on fine-needle aspirate samples via telepathology, and subsequently core-needle biopsies were obtained. In a retrospective manner, the concordance between adequacy assessment and the success rate of the procedure was evaluated to obtain sufficient tumor tissue for next-generation sequencing (NGS).

RESULTS: Out of the 68 procedures, 43 were documented as adequate and 25 were documented as inadequate. The diagnostic yield of adequate procedures was 100%. Adequacy evaluation predicted the success rate of molecular profiling in 40 of 43 procedures (93%; 95% CI, 80.9-98.5 procedures). The success rate of molecular testing was significantly higher in the adequate group: 93% compared with 32% in the inadequate group (P < .0005). Seven procedures that failed to provide quality material for mutational analysis and pathological diagnosis were evaluated as inadequate. Cell block provided sufficient DNA for NGS in 6 cases. In 2 cases, a core biopsy could not be performed; hence, the fine-needle aspirate material confirmed the diagnosis and was used for NGS testing.

CONCLUSION: These results support the incorporation of ROSE into the workflow of precision oncology to obtain high-quality tissue samples from metastatic lesions. In addition, NGS testing of concurrent cytology specimens with adequate cellularity can be a surrogate for NGS testing of biopsy specimens.

DOI10.1002/cncy.22441
Alternate JournalCancer Cytopathol
PubMed ID33929788
Grant List / / Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine /
/ / Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine /
Related Faculty: 
Brian Robinson, M.D. Francesca Khani, M.D. Juan Miguel Mosquera, M.D. Momin Siddiqui, M.D.

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 1300 York Avenue New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6464
Surgical Pathology: (212) 746-2700