Proficiency Testing for Biomarker Readout

Free access to CBQAReadout.ca

CBQAReadout.ca is a branch of the Canadian Biomarker Quality Assurance-Programme canadien d’assurance de la qualité des biomarqueurs (CBQA-PCAB, https://www.cbqa.ca/), an academic proficiency testing program for predictive and prognostic biomarkers. While CBQA-PCAB provides challenges for biomarker assay protocols, the CBQAReadout.ca (https://cbqareadout.ca/) provides challenges for the assessment of pathologists’ and technologists’ accuracy of biomarker readout.

To register, please go to https://cbqareadout.ca/. Members of the CAP-ACP should use the CAP-ACP Affiliation Code.  

CAP-ACP Affiliation Code:  VK][w%2n

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Association of Pathologists. Hours vary depending on the online module/course.

AVAILABLE MODULES:

  1. IMMUNOTHERAPY – PD-L1 IHC Biomarkers: PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx, NSCLC, pembrolizumab (2 hours)
  2. TARGETED THERAPY IHC Biomarkers: ALK IHC (LDT, 5A4 OR D5F3), Non-squamous NSCLC (nsNSCLC), crizotinib (1 hour)
  3. TARGETED THERAPY IHC Biomarkers: VENTANA ALK (D5F3) Assay, Non-squamous NSCLC (nsNSCLC), crizotinib 1 hour)
  4. TARGETED THERAPY IHC Biomarkers: ROS1 IHC (LDT, D4D6), Non-squamous NSCLC (nsNSCLC), crizotinib (2 hours)
  5. IMMUNOTHERAPY – PD-L1 IHC Biomarkers: VENTANA PD-L1 (SP142) Assay, NSCLC, atezolizumab (3 hours) NEW
  6. IMMUNOTHERAPY – PD-L1 IHC Biomarkers: VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay, NSCLC, nivolumab (3 hours) NEW
  7. IMMUNOTHERAPY – PD-L1 IHC Biomarkers: VENTANA PD-L1 (SP142) Assay, triple negative breast cancer, atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel (2 hours)  

The development of precision medicine has led to introduction of many new predictive biomarkers. The complexity of the testing has also increased. For the first time, in many institutions and countries, pathologists are required to show proof of the training and certification that they are proficient in providing accurate readouts of predictive biomarkers. It has been recognized that education, training, and experience increase reproducibility and accuracy of the pathologists’ readout for various grading and scoring schemes including the readout of immunohistochemistry slides. We believe that participation in this program has a potential to raise the quality of the readout and the awareness on the need of standardizing the readout component of the IHC predictive assays.

In this program, the pathologist’s proficiency (diagnostic sensitivity and specificity) in the readout of the immunohistochemistry-based predictive biomarkers is being self-assessed, enabling pathologists to benchmark their proficiency against expert consensus results as well as their peer participants.

PD-L1, ALK, and ROS1 are the first of such programs to be rolled out. This program is available to pathologists free of charge (certificate with CME/CPD hours is given at successful completion).

The main features of this program:

  • High quality scanned images (all slides are scanned at 400X magnification)
  • Inbuilt digital slide viewer (prevents delay in opening image files)
  • Various different modules based on testing purpose and/or methodology
  • Includes both, novel/emerging biomarkers as well as well-established biomarkers
  • Whole-section and/or TMA modules available
  • Parallel viewing of IHC and H&E images possible for several modules
  • Easy sign up
  • Unlimited access to available modules
  • Histogram showing comparison of individual participant to expert readouts as well as peer-group results
  • Downloadable resources
  • Certificate of successful participation with CME credits
  • Academic program with global network to plan and develop new modules
  • Active and responsive team for technical and administrative support
  • Feedback-responsive editorial board (will develop new modules and make changes to improve current modules based on participant and other feedback)
  • Free global access through IQN Path

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by the Canadian Association of Pathologists. Hours vary depending on the online module/course


- last updated June 2020 -