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Mahto M, Banerjee A, Kumar M, Kumar S, Pandey J. A Search for Uniformity in Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Reporting. Indian J Clin Biochem 2023; 38:142-147. [PMID: 36684490 PMCID: PMC9852404 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-021-00970-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Varying reports across different laboratories or across different analysers in the same lab for the same sample is not an uncommon phenomena. Experts call this a lack of harmonization. A test that is harmonized provides the same results regardless of the manufacturer of reagents used or the laboratory where the test is performed. When laboratory tests are not harmonized, the entire continuum of patient care can be affected in a number of ways. Here, we present a case of varying reports for a single serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) sample on two different immunoassay platforms for a young female presenting with an abdominopelvic mass. The lab reports for serum hCG for this particular patient showed inconsistent results with the same sample within the same lab. The phenomena behind this was lack of harmonization of test results. We introspect many of the factors responsible for lack of uniformity in hCG results amongst the major ones being with use of antibodies directed against different epitopes of hCG (analyte) and the heterogeneity of the hCG molecule itself. Harmonization is a process to ensure that different clinical testing procedures used by different laboratories give equivalent results. Harmonizing test results will enable healthcare providers to use clinical guidelines with greater confidence for diagnosing disease and managing patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mala Mahto
- Biochemistry Central Lab, Biochemistry Department, AIIMS Patna, IPD Building, D block, 4th floor, Patna, Bihar 801507 India
| | - Ayan Banerjee
- Biochemistry Central Lab, Biochemistry Department, AIIMS Patna, IPD Building, D block, 4th floor, Patna, Bihar 801507 India
| | - Mukunda Kumar
- Biochemistry Central Lab, Biochemistry Department, AIIMS Patna, IPD Building, D block, 4th floor, Patna, Bihar 801507 India
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Biochemistry Central Lab, Biochemistry Department, AIIMS Patna, IPD Building, D block, 4th floor, Patna, Bihar 801507 India
| | - Jagjit Pandey
- Surgical Oncology Department, AIIMS Patna, Patna, India
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Sturgeon C, Butler SA, Gould F, Johnson S, Rowlands S, Stenman UH, Grenache DG. Recommendations for validation testing of home pregnancy tests (HPTs) in Europe. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 59:cclm-2020-1523. [PMID: 33544509 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2020-1523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) available in Europe include accuracy and other performance claims listed on their packaging. Due to the lack of guidance on the standardisation of such products, it is often difficult to replicate these claims when tested on a clinical sample, whether in a laboratory setting or by lay users. The In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation is a set of requirements that mandate comprehensive validation data on human pregnancy tests and other in vitro devices. It is due to replace the current European Directive (98/79/EC) and fully implemented in Europe by 2022. In June 2019, a panel of seven experts convened to discuss the validation studies required to provide the information needed to meet the new regulation for HPTs in Europe and proposed 15 recommendations for best practice. Defining best practice at all stages of validation of these important tests may ensure that tests marketed in Europe are fit for purpose, enabling lay users to be confident of the high quality of the HPT results they obtain. The panelists believe that the recommendations proposed here for the validation of HPTs may constructively contribute to improved standardisation of validation procedures in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharine Sturgeon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, UK National External Quality Assessment Service (UK NEQAS), Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Sarah Johnson
- Clinical Affairs, SPD Development Company Limited, Bedford, UK
| | - Sam Rowlands
- Department of Medical Sciences & Public Health, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK
| | - Ulf-Håkan Stenman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Aldaz-Carroll L, Richon S, Dangles-Marie V, Cocquebert M, Fournier T, Troalen F, Stevens D, Guery B, Hersant AM, Guibourdenche J, Nordor A, Pecking A, Bellet D. Specific detection of type II human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit produced by trophoblastic and neoplastic cells. Clin Chim Acta 2015; 444:92-100. [PMID: 25681647 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sequence of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ) varies depending on whether hCGβ is encoded by type I or type II genes. Type II genes are upregulated in trophoblast and cancer but hCGβ can be detected in the serum of nonpregnant women and healthy individuals. We aimed to determine whether monoclonal antibody (mAb) FBT11-II specifically detects hCGβ encoded by type II genes (type II hCGβ). METHODS Competitive inhibition assays with synthetic peptides, immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical studies, type II hCGβ dosing immunoassays and sequencing of CGB genes were performed. RESULTS Competitive inhibition assays determined that mAb FBT11-II recognizes the type II hCGβ derived peptide. CGB mRNA sequencing of JEG-3 (trophoblastic) and T24 (bladder) cell lines confirmed that JEG-3 expresses type II genes while T24 expresses exclusively type I. FBT11-II only recognizes JEG-expressed hCGβ. Placenta immunohistochemical studies confirmed that type II hCGβ expression is restricted to the syncytiotrophoblast. Immunoassays detected type II hCGβ in serum of patients with either nontrophoblastic cancers or fetal Down syndrome. CONCLUSION Type II gene expression can be detected using FBT11-II. This specific recognition could improve the clinical usefulness of assays aimed at either managing aggressive tumors or screening for Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Aldaz-Carroll
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Faculté de Pharmacie, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris, Chimie Paristech, 11, rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris France; CNRS, UMR8258, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; INSERM U1022, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France.
| | - S Richon
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Médicament Toxicologie Chimie Environnement (IMTCE), 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France.
| | - V Dangles-Marie
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; Centre de recherche Institut Curie, Recherche Translationnelle, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris France.
| | - M Cocquebert
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR-S 1139, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; INSERM U1139, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; PremUP fundation, Maternité de Port Royal, 53 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris France.
| | - T Fournier
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR-S 1139, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; INSERM U1139, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; PremUP fundation, Maternité de Port Royal, 53 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris France.
| | - F Troalen
- Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, 114 rue Édouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France.
| | - D Stevens
- Institut Curie, Hôpital René Huguenin, Département de santé publique, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint Cloud, France.
| | - B Guery
- Institut Curie, Hôpital René Huguenin, Laboratoire d'Oncobiologie, Département de Biopathologie, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint Cloud, France.
| | - A-M Hersant
- Institut Curie, Hôpital René Huguenin, Laboratoire d'Oncobiologie, Département de Biopathologie, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint Cloud, France.
| | - J Guibourdenche
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR-S 1139, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; INSERM U1139, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; PremUP fundation, Maternité de Port Royal, 53 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris France.
| | - A Nordor
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; Centre de recherche Institut Curie, Recherche Translationnelle, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris France.
| | - A Pecking
- Institut Curie, Hôpital René Huguenin, Laboratoire d'Oncobiologie, Département de Biopathologie, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint Cloud, France.
| | - D Bellet
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Faculté de Pharmacie, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris, Chimie Paristech, 11, rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris France; CNRS, UMR8258, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; INSERM U1022, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris France; Institut Curie, Hôpital René Huguenin, Laboratoire d'Oncobiologie, Département de Biopathologie, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint Cloud, France.
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Berger P, Sturgeon C. Pregnancy testing with hCG--future prospects. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2014; 25:637-48. [PMID: 25246381 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy tests for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) are used widely in hospital and home settings. Assays measuring hCG also have uses in prenatal screening and oncology. The output from three recent international workshops provides a framework for reliable measurement of hCG. Requirements for future hCG assays include use of clear descriptive nomenclature, informed selection of antibodies of well-defined epitope specificities, and design of robust methods. Tests will be precisely characterized and calibrated in SI units using six International Reference Reagents (IRR) for hCG and variants, and the Fifth International Standard for hCG 07/364, making it possible to report clinical results in molar units. These measures will help to increase patient safety by reducing the risk of erroneous or misleading hCG results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Berger
- Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, University of Innsbruck, Rennweg 10, A6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Catharine Sturgeon
- UK NEQAS for Peptide Hormones, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK.
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Berger P, Paus E, Hemken PM, Sturgeon C, Stewart WW, Skinner JP, Harwick LC, Saldana SC, Ramsay CS, Rupprecht KR, Olsen KH, Bidart JM, Stenman UH. Candidate epitopes for measurement of hCG and related molecules: the second ISOBM TD-7 workshop. Tumour Biol 2013; 34:4033-57. [PMID: 24068570 PMCID: PMC3858614 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-013-0994-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Participants of the Second International Workshop (WS) on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) of the International Society of Oncology and Biomarkers Tissue Differentiation 7 (ISOBM TD-7) have characterized in detail a panel of 69 antibodies (Abs) directed against hCG and hCG-related variants that were submitted by eight companies and research groups. Specificities of the Abs were determined using the First WHO International Reference Reagents for six hCG variants, i.e., hCG, hCGn, hCGβ, hCGβn, hCGβcf, and hCGα, which are calibrated in SI units, and hLH. Molecular epitope localizations were assigned to the ISOBM-mAbs by comparing ISOBM-Ab specificity, sandwich compatibility, and mutual inhibition profiles, to those of 17 reference monoclonal (m)Abs of known molecular epitope specificities. It appeared that 48 Abs recognized hCGβ-, 8 hCGα-, and 13 αβ-heterodimer-specific epitopes. Twenty-seven mAbs were of pan hCG specificity, two thereof with no (<0.1 %; epitope β1), 12 with low (<1.0 %; epitopes β2/4), and 13 with high (>>1 %; epitopes β3/5) hLH cross-reactivity. The majority of hCGβ epitopes recognized were located in two major antigenic domains, one on the peptide chain of the tips of β-sheet loops 1 and 3 (epitopes β2–6; 27 mAbs) and the second around the cystine knot (e.g., epitopes β1, β7, and β10; 9 mAbs). Four mAbs recognized epitopes on hCGβcf-only (e.g., epitopes β11 and β13) and six mAbs epitopes on the remote hCGβ-carboxyl-terminal peptide (epitopes β8 and β9 corresponding to amino acids 135–144 and 111–116, respectively). For routine diagnostic measurements, methods are used that either detect hCG-only, hCGβ-only, or hCG together with hCGβ or hCG together with hCGβ and hCGβcf. Sandwich assays that measure hCG plus hCGβ and eventually hCGβcf should recognize the protein backbone of the analytes preferably on an equimolar basis, should not cross-react with hLH and not be susceptible to blunting of signal by nonmeasured variants like hCGβcf. Such assays can be constructed using pairs of mAbs directed against the cystine knot-associated epitope β1 (Asp10, Asp60, and Gln89) in combination with epitopes β2 or β4 located at the top of β-sheet loops 1 + 3 of hCGβ involving aa hCGβ20-25 + 68-77. In summary, the results of the First and Second ISOBM TD-7 WSs on hCG provide the basis for harmonization of specificities and epitopes of mAbs to be used in multifunctional and selective diagnostic hCG methods for different clinical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Berger
- Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, University of Innsbruck, Rennweg 10, A6020, Innsbruck, Austria,
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