CONGRESS: 22–25 SEPTEMBER 2025


phlebotomy), capillary blood testing could also significantly reduce the environmental impact of the blood collection process.


Capillary blood collection kits use less plastic and therefore produce less waste. In addition, self-collection kits can be delivered to the patient and returned to the laboratory by the postal service, using highly efficient and ready-to-go postal and laboratory infrastructure. The use of this technology can vastly


Congress is supported by one of the largest commercial exhibitions in the diagnostics sector.


significance of immunohistochemistry in diagnostic neuropathology, in particular those which are recently introduced and contributes towards integrated diagnosis of CNS tumours in line with the WHO classification guidelines. Furthermore, the role of some of the immunohistochemistry in deciding further molecular testing and interpretation of molecular results will be highlighted. It also aims to include the key immunohistochemistry and molecular tests that would have relevance in UK NEQAS assessments, and share some relevant practical neuropathologist experience, working across both adult and paediatric settings.


Troubleshooting your immunohistochemistry beyond the basics Suzanne Parry


UK NEQAS ICC & ISH


Immunocytochemistry is a valuable tool used to aid diagnostic pathology; commonly used to diagnose cancer, predict treatment response, and determine the likely outcomes of the disease. It is therefore vitally important that the immunohistochemical test is carried out accurately and reliably. This presentation will highlight the importance of good quality immunohistochemical stains, and why this is essential for correct diagnostic interpretation. Examples of sub-optimal versus optimal immunohistochemical preparations will be presented, alongside troubleshooting scenarios.


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Capillary testing: Operational considerations for a clinical laboratory Timothy Woolley Chief Scientific Officer, Inuvi


Venesection is still considered the gold standard for blood sample collection and remains one of the most performed medical procedures within the clinical setting. However, the need for specialist personnel and equipment makes this process resource-heavy, which can be a limiting factor.


Self-collected capillary blood sampling,


the process of capturing small volumes of capillary blood (typically <500 µL), either using finger prick or transdermal collection devices, has been proven to be a viable alternative to venepuncture and could well be a significant contributor to a more patient-centred, personalised, cost-efficient healthcare system; focused on patient participation and disease preventive. Given that up to 90% of a blood test’s carbon footprint is related to the sample collection process (eg


reduce the need to visit a clinical setting while still utilising high-quality, state-of- the-art laboratory services. However, issues remain in its deployment, including the comparability of capillary and venous samples, sample stability, patient preference, and the ability to include a large number of these samples into the routine laboratory workflow. This presentation will discuss one laboratory’s approach, from utilising the latest innovations in capillary blood collection, devising comparability and stability studies, to incorporating this sample type into the laboratory testing pathway.


Idylla ThyroidPrint study: UK multi-centre validation Leonie Wheeldon


Diagnostic Cytopathology, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust


The prevalence of thyroid nodules in the general population is common. Correct diagnosis and risk stratification is vital to ensure appropriate patient management and prevention of unnecessary surgery for benign lesions. Molecular profiling is a valuable adjunct for risk stratification, reducing unnecessary surgical procedures. By identifying genetic alterations associated with malignancy, molecular assays help stratify patients into higher or lower risk categories, informing the need for surgical intervention. However, access to these expensive tests is limited, costly and poses significant delays. The ThyroidPrint assay was developed to make molecular testing more accessible, affordable and rapid without the need for large expensive platforms and specialist expertise locally.


Change continues to happen in pathology at an almost unprecedented pace, and this is a challenge for those needing to broaden their skills and knowledge. This is where Congress ticks so many boxes. Over four days there will be over 300 lectures across 15 different subjects and specialties


JUNE 2025 WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM


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