Speaker #1:
Fangze Cai/Alberta Precision Laboratories and University of Calgary.
I am Dr. Fangze Cai, the junior Clinical Bioc hemistry Fellow in Alberta Precision Laboratories and University of Calgary. I had P hD in Biochemistry at the University of Alberta. My PhD research was focused on drug development targeting cardiac troponin complex using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). I am still exploring different area of clinical chemistry, and currently I’m interested in tumour marker, endocrinology and toxicology.
Overview:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide . Regular screening is crucial for early detection and prevention of CRC. This lecture will describe methods used to screen for CRC with a specific focus on the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). We will discuss the current state of FIT testing and strategies to improve utilization of CRC screening.
Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe methods used to screen for colorectal can c er (CRC)
- Understand current state of CRC screening
- Describe strategies to improve utilization of CRC screening
Speaker #2
Sally Ezra. Alberta Precision laboratories and University of Calgary.
Dr. Sally Ezra is currently a senior clinical chemistry fellow at Alberta Precision Laboratories and the University of Calgary. She obtained a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto, focusing on the pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms of rare connective tissue disease-causing mutations. Dr. Ezra is interested in autoimmune testing, developing clinical mass spectrometry methods for endocrine testing, and implementing testing algorithms to streamline laboratory processes, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and improve test utilization.
Overview:
Celiac disease (CD), an autoimmune disorder triggered by dietary gluten, impacts approximately 1% of the global population, with Alberta reporting a prevalence of 48 cases per 100,000 individuals. Serology tests, notably anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysial antibody (anti-EMA) testing, are crucial for CD screening, diagnosis, and monitoring. In this presentation, we delve into the study we’ve conducted, examining 124,308 pediatric and adult patients who underwent CD serology testing between April 2020 and August 2022 in Alberta. Our analysis scrutinizes the agreement between anti-tTG IgA andanti-EMA IgA tests and evaluates the clinical validity of our local CD testing algorithm, reflexing all positive anti-tTG results for anti-EMA testing. Through our findings, we shed light on the interplay between anti-tTG IgA levels and concordance rates, offering insights for refining CD serology testing algorithms and bolstering diagnostic accuracy.
Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of celiac disease (CD).
- Discuss the clinical utility of serology testing in CD screening, diagnosis, and monitoring.
- Evaluate strategies for optimizing CD serology testing algorithms to enhance test utilization and diagnostic accuracy.