Answers from the Lab

Robert Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., Stephanie Smoley, CG(ASCP), and Beth Pitel, M.S., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' augmented MayoComplete Solid Tumor Panel better profiles tumor genetics. Defining tumor pathogenesis can guide targeted cancer therapy. 

(00:31)
 Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background — Beth?

(01:24)
 Stephanie, what about you?

(01:42)
 Dr. Jenkins, a little bit about yourself and your background, please?

(02:25)
 Could you provide a brief overview of the new MayoComplete Solid Tumor assay and the enhancements we've provided?

(04:02)
 What changes did you incorporate into the test?

(04:57)
 Why are copy number variants and loss of heterozygosity important, and how are they used in patient care?

(07:12)
 Does including these genes guide patient care in a more valuable way?

(07:51)
 What alternative test options are available and how do they compare to the MayoComplete Solid Tumor Panel?

(10:27)
 Is having many options available in a one-stop shop important to help guide patient management?

(11:57)
 Do you have anything else you'd like to add about the MCSTP enhancements and what the new test assay will deliver in terms of clinical utility or patient care?

Rapidly progressive dementia covers many conditions, including Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD). Gregory (Gregg) Day, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new evaluations help identify the cause of rapidly progressive dementia, to guide prognosis and treatment decisions.

Show notes

Speaker 3: (00:32)
Can you provide a little background about your role here at Mayo Clinic and experience with this disease state?

Speaker 3: (01:21)
 Can you give us an understanding of rapidly progressive dementia? How is it different and what should physicians be looking for?

Speaker 3: (03:13)
 You mentioned "syndromic" and that there are several diseases underneath that, one of them being Creutzfeldt-Jacob. Can you explain the others in a bit more detail? What makes them each unique under the heading of rapidly progressive dementias?

Speaker 3: (05:29)
 Does that encompass it: prion diseases, then the neurodegenerative bucket, then autoimmune?

Speaker 3: (06:03)
 Can you speak to the components of the new Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease-specific evaluation and the rapidly progressive dementia evaluation, and the assays that they're performed on?

Speaker 3: (09:30)
 Anything you want to add to that summary of the assays' components?

Speaker 3: (11:09)
 Can you explain the role — or lack thereof — of the 14-3-3 protein biomarker, according to our research?

Speaker 3: (13:44)
 Which patients should get this testing, and who should not?

Speaker 3: (17:22)
 What does it mean if the results come back positive and if the results come back negative?

Speaker 3: (21:57)
 What are you most excited about with these tests?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Eric Hsi, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. 

Their discussion includes:

• Dr. Hsi’s experience in the field of pathology and what he is looking forward to working on as the new chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP) at Mayo Clinic.
• Some common challenges facing laboratory professionals today and ways to overcome them.
• Advancements and trends in pathology and staying current with new developments.
• Words of advice for pathologists who are beginning their careers.

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., explains the advantages that Mayo Clinic Laboratories' oral fluid drug screening offers over typical urine tests. Oral samples are easier to collect and harder to adulterate.

(00:32)
 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

(01:46)
 Can you please provide an overview of laboratory testing for substance use disorders and specifically Mayo Clinic's new oral fluid controlled substance monitoring option?

(03:47)
 Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed?

(05:16)
 What alternative test options are available and how do these compare?

(06:31)
 How are the results used in patient care?

In this special episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss the final rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 29, 2024, to make explicit its plan to regulate laboratory-developed tests (LDT) as medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Their discussion includes:

• Highlighting key points, exceptions, and the phased implementation plan of the final rule.
• How the FDA’s final rule compares to its proposed rule from last year.
• How the news may impact laboratories, health systems, health agencies, and manufacturers.
• Uncertainties that still remain regarding the future of laboratory-developed tests.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Robin Patel, M.D.,director of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory and co-director of the Bacteriology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic. They discuss antimicrobial resistance and why it’s a major global health concern.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• Background information on antimicrobial resistance and why it is a growing threat to global health.
• What is being done to address the problem, and Dr. Patel’s work as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.
• How laboratorians and pathologists can advocate for continued action on antimicrobial resistance.

David S. Viswanatha, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new assay provides rapid, definitive diagnosis of VEXAS, a recently identified syndrome affecting older men. Early diagnosis is key to managing the condition, which severely impacts multiple organs and blood.

(00:31)
 Could you please provide a little bit about yourself and your background?

(01:30)
 Would you please share a brief overview of the UBA1Q assay?

(02:13)
 Would you provide an overview of VEXAS syndrome?

(05:30)
 When is this testing recommended during care for patients who have a suspected inflammatory condition or VEXAS syndrome?

(06:38)
 What advantage does this assay provide over other methodologies?

(10:13)
 Could you share further why diagnosis is so important for these patients?

(12:40)
 Is there anything else you'd like to comment about the assay?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss testing innovations for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairments, and how laboratorians can responsibly help shape the future of healthcare.

Their discussion includes:

• The latest news about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed rule around regulating lab-developed tests.
• New testing innovations for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairments, including Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ plasma biomarker testing for Alzheimer’s disease. 
• The importance of being responsible lab stewards and working closely with clinicians to understand how different testing approaches drive decision-making in healthcare settings.

Maryam Shahi, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' unique biomarker test (TEST ID: AFOLR) determines which patients would likely benefit from a new treatment for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Disease recurrence is common, and about one-third of patients respond to the new medication.
 

(00:32)
 Could you provide us with a little bit of information about yourself and your background?

(01:18)
 Can you start with a brief overview of the assay?

(02:13)
 Which patients should have this testing and when should it be performed?

(03:21)
 Are there alternative test options available and how do those compare with the folate receptor alpha assay?

(03:57)
 How are the results used in patient care?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss current events including Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, recent healthcare conferences, advocacy efforts, measles, and bird flu.

Their discussion includes:

• Key takeaways from the Becker’s Healthcare Annual Meeting and the College of American Pathologists’ (CAP) Pathologists Leadership Summit.
• The resurgence of measles cases and recent activity of bird flu (H5N1).
• Tips for staying engaged and being the voice for patients.