Cytopathology
Wednesday 27 September
Thursday 28 September
Since 2004, Leonie has been actively involved in cancer related research, initially at the University of Kent and Imperial College London. The research involves Human epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB2) location / phosphorylation, which later lead to the development of Herceptin for the treatment of breast cancer and Vertical Transmission of High Risk strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HRHPV) using Fluorescent Resonance Energy Transfer Polymerase Chain Reaction (FRET PCR) and immunocytochemistry” which provided a great platform for future molecular research.
In 2010, she returned home to Cornwall, at that time the combination of medical technological advances resulting in the implementation of targeted, minimally invasive sampling methods, in addition to rapid pharmaceutical developments, led to personalised treatments and immunotherapies becoming more available. The requirement of extensive and complex testing requirements on smaller diagnostic samples was apparent.
In addition, resource pressures on NHS services and requirements for reduction in referral to treatment times since 2010 inspired the team to implement innovative pathway focused solutions from laboratory services at RCHT. Studies focused on rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) performed by scientists in the clinical setting, provided a standardised clinically effective, reproducible methodology for Lung, pancreatic, mediastinal, oesophageal, head and neck lymph nodes, salivary glands, liver, adrenal and gastrointestinal tract sampling.
This real-time adequacy assessment eliminates the need for more invasive or repeat procedures by ensuring sufficient cell yield is obtained to conduct all the tests required for ancillary and molecular testing. ROSE together with on-site sophisticated molecular techniques effectively streamlines the patient pathway by reducing the referral to treatment time and reducing waiting list pressures, resulting in cost reduction for healthcare trusts and improved patient outcomes.
As the “smaller sample paradigm” continues to progress the cytopathology services must embrace these changes to support the diagnostic requirements needed for further targeted and highly specialised prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers.
Active trials run by the department such as the KEBI-CYTO trial, are validating the use of smaller optimally preserved cell samples and blood plasma samples to ensure that Cornwall patients continue to receive advanced diagnostic services. I am passionate about cytopathology services and I’m motivated further by working collaboratively with the great and enthusiastic clinical, management, laboratory and research and development teams at RCHT.
Each area shares the fundamental goals of improving patient pathways and care outcomes and brings their wealth of knowledge and expertise to the fore. She believes this is the key to successful research and innovation and she's delighted to be part of it.
Leonie's IBMS qualifications include HSD cytopathology, DEP non gyanecological cytopathology and ASD non gynaecological cytopathology - Since 2020, she has been an executive on the British Association of Cytopathology.
New ROSE specialist module Wednesday @ 11:00 AM
Ask the Expert – GYN & NG (issues with EQA, IQC, Quality, UKAS etc) Wednesday @ 4:00 PM
Since 2004, Leonie has been actively involved in cancer related research, initially at the University of Kent and Imperial College London. The research involves Human epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB2) location / phosphorylation, which later lead to the development of Herceptin for the treatment of breast cancer and Vertical Transmission of High Risk strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HRHPV) using Fluorescent Resonance Energy Transfer Polymerase Chain Reaction (FRET PCR) and immunocytochemistry” which provided a great platform for future molecular research.
In 2010, she returned home to Cornwall, at that time the combination of medical technological advances resulting in the implementation of targeted, minimally invasive sampling methods, in addition to rapid pharmaceutical developments, led to personalised treatments and immunotherapies becoming more available. The requirement of extensive and complex testing requirements on smaller diagnostic samples was apparent.
In addition, resource pressures on NHS services and requirements for reduction in referral to treatment times since 2010 inspired the team to implement innovative pathway focused solutions from laboratory services at RCHT. Studies focused on rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) performed by scientists in the clinical setting, provided a standardised clinically effective, reproducible methodology for Lung, pancreatic, mediastinal, oesophageal, head and neck lymph nodes, salivary glands, liver, adrenal and gastrointestinal tract sampling.
This real-time adequacy assessment eliminates the need for more invasive or repeat procedures by ensuring sufficient cell yield is obtained to conduct all the tests required for ancillary and molecular testing. ROSE together with on-site sophisticated molecular techniques effectively streamlines the patient pathway by reducing the referral to treatment time and reducing waiting list pressures, resulting in cost reduction for healthcare trusts and improved patient outcomes.
As the “smaller sample paradigm” continues to progress the cytopathology services must embrace these changes to support the diagnostic requirements needed for further targeted and highly specialised prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers.
Active trials run by the department such as the KEBI-CYTO trial, are validating the use of smaller optimally preserved cell samples and blood plasma samples to ensure that Cornwall patients continue to receive advanced diagnostic services. I am passionate about cytopathology services and I’m motivated further by working collaboratively with the great and enthusiastic clinical, management, laboratory and research and development teams at RCHT.
Each area shares the fundamental goals of improving patient pathways and care outcomes and brings their wealth of knowledge and expertise to the fore. She believes this is the key to successful research and innovation and she's delighted to be part of it.
Leonie's IBMS qualifications include HSD cytopathology, DEP non gyanecological cytopathology and ASD non gynaecological cytopathology - Since 2020, she has been an executive on the British Association of Cytopathology.
New ROSE specialist module Wednesday @ 11:00 AM
Ask the Expert – GYN & NG (issues with EQA, IQC, Quality, UKAS etc) Wednesday @ 4:00 PM
Allan Wilson is the IBMS President 2020-21 and has been a council member since 2013. He started his career as a trainee in 1976 and spent more than 40 years working laboratories across the globe. He trained in Glasgow and is an expert in cytology. Today, Allan works as Lead Clinician for the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme at Monklands Hospital, where he has been based since 1988.
Allan has also worked in senior level management for 25 years and is a cellular pathology network manager and cervical cytology consortium manager for Scotland.
He has lectured across Europe, in addition to New Zealand and Africa, which gives him a unique perspective to international laboratory practices.
Digital cervical cytology: The Monklands experience Thursday @ 9:30 AM
