Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Flow Cytometry to Estimate Leukemia Stem Cells in Primary Acute Myeloid Leukemia and in Patient-derived-xenografts, at Diagnosis and Follow Up
Published on: March 26, 2018
Charting the Future of Canadian Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Laboratory Testing: A Canadian Leukemia Study
Tina Yu Xuan Luo1, Sila Usta1,2, Eric McGinnis3
1Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
Abstract:
Clinical decision making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) critically relies on rapid genomic characterization. To better understand the AML diagnostic landscape in Canada, the Canadian Leukemia Study Group (CLSG) conducted a survey of laboratory hematology leadership (n = 18) at 16 laboratories across 10 provinces, administered using Google Forms in September 2024. Nearly all surveyed sites were equipped to deliver a full suite of testing platforms through existing on-site infrastructure or laboratory partnerships. Reporting practices varied in terms of genomic integration into bone marrow results and the use of AML classification systems. Turn-around-time (TAT) targets were predominantly determined through internal institutional consensus (62%) or recommendations by provincial cancer agencies/international groups (44%). TAT reduction was a top priority for 56% of laboratories, suggesting timely biomarker results to be an active area for improvement. Various treatment-determining biomarkers were frequently assessed as rapid-tests (defined as a 5-day TAT), including FLT3-ITD (69%), FLT3-TKD (56%), and NPM1 (56%), while others such as IDH1 and TP53 were rapid at a limited number of laboratories. Respondents demonstrated a strong shared interest in joint projects such as the validation of AML measurable residual disease (MRD) assays (56%). There was also unanimous support for establishing CLSG AML laboratory consensus guidelines. This survey documents the current state of Canadian AML laboratories and provides a foundation for future shared development projects.
