Laboratory

Bulletin October 2008 UPDATES AND INFORMATION FROM REX PATHOLOGY LABORATORY Issue Number 143

Hemoglobin A1c – Case Study Presentation: The patient is a 46 y/o, 210 pound African- Lower than expected levels of Hgb.A1c can be seen in American female who developed type II diabetes three glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, sickle-cell years ago. She is on 12U of NPH insulin each evening disease (homozygous) or any condition with shorten red after medical nutrition therapy alone was insufficient cell survival. The following table correlates Hgb.A1c and to control her glucose. Over the course of her fasting glucose levels. treatment, her A1c (Hgb.A1c) varied from Hgb.A1c Methods: There are several methods to 5.5 to 6.0%. At the last office visit her Hgb.A1c jumped to 7.5% without change in diet or medications. It was noted Table 1 on the lab report that this sample was run by a reference lab using a different method because the in house routine Hgb.A1c Aver. blood immunoassay was down. The reference lab also reported a (%) Glucose (mg/dl) fetal hemoglobin level of 25%. Her CBC was normal. The 4 60 discordant Hgb.A1c levels are discussed below. 5 90 6 120 What is Hgb.A1c? Glycosylation of hemoglobin occurs 7 150 non-enzymatically during exposure of red blood cells 8 180 to plasma glucose. Hgb.A1c is formed slowly and 9 210 irreversibly during the entire 120-day life span of the 10 240 red cell. Once hemoglobin is glycated, it remains that 11 270 way until the red cell dies. Hemoglobin A1 is actually 12 300 composed of three subtypes: A1a, A1b and A1c. Hgb.A1c 13 330 comprises the predominant glycosylated Hgb.A1 fraction. 14 360 It is used clinically to reflect the average blood glucose level over a several month period. A small decrease or increase in Hgb.A1c may occur after two - three weeks determine HgbA1c in clinical laboratories. The most of a sustained change in blood glucose. The percentage common method used in clinical labs and physician of Hgb.A1c is calculated as the ratio of glycosylated offices is an immunoassay. The turbidimetric inhibition hemoglobin (A1c) divided by the total hemoglobin, times immunoassay is used at Rex Hospital Laboratory. The 100. assay uses an antibody directed to terminal end of the beta chain of hemoglobin molecule. The antibody is able to Hgb.A1c detect A, A1, A2, S, C, O and E that have Hgb.A1c% = ------x 100 been glycosylated. The total hemoglobin is measured as Total separate step. The amount of glycosylated hemoglobin is expressed as a percentage of the total. This method is Correlation with fasting blood glucose: The Hgb.A1c accurate in sickle cell anemia and is a valuable method of monitoring glycemic control in C, E and O because the terminal beta- chains are diabetic patients. The level is proportional to the average identical to hemoglobin A. However, if fetal hemoglobin blood glucose level over the previous four weeks to (Hgb.F) is significantly elevated (more than 10% of the three months. The American College of Endocrinology total Hgb), then the Hgb.A1c level will be artificially low. recommends values below 6.5% while the American Since Hgb.F is composed of two alpha and two gamma Diabetes Association recommends a level below 7.0%. REX PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.A. John D. Benson, M.D. (919) 784-3059 Vincent C. Smith, M.D. (919) 784-3056 Timothy R. Carter, M.D. (919) 784-3058 John P. Sorge, M.D. (919) 784-3062 Stephen V. Chiavetta, M.D. (919) 784-3060 Keith E. Volmar, M.D. (919) 784-2506 Keith V. Nance, M.D. (919) 784-3286 Rhonda Humphrey, F. Catrina Reading, M.D. (919) 784-3255 Practice Manager (919) 784-3063 LB PAGE 2

chains (Hgb.A = two alpha and two beta chains) the beta glycosylated serum and glycosylated serum chain antibody used in the immunoassay at Rex Hospital albumin can provide an estimate of glycemic control over Laboratory will not detect glycated fetal hemoglobin. the preceding seven to 14 or 14 to 20 days. However, the clinical utility of this measurement is limited for routine Glycosylated Hgb diabetic care. Hgb.A1c% = ------x 100 Total hemoglobin Serum fructosamine assay: The serum fructosamine level also reflects average glucose levels without concern for hemoglobinopathies. The serum fructosamine test Mayo Reference Laboratory: Rex Hospital’s reference is not available at Rex Lab but can be sent to the Mayo lab uses a similar but different immunoassay that provides Reference Laboratory. accurate results for the most common hemoglobinopathies. This includes hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin Discussion of Case: The most recent Hgb.A1c is provided the level of hemoglobin F is less than 30%. The elevated and discordant with the previous values. The hemoglobin A1c test is #82080 and requires one lavender- patient’s glycated fetal hemoglobin was not included in top (EDTA) tube. (An interesting side bar regarding this the A1c calculation when measured by immunoassay test is that hemoglobin Raleigh interferes with the A1c method in the previous visits. The current elevated result. Dr. William Dunlap described the first patient with level of 7.5% (reference lab method) is a measurement hemoglobin Raleigh in the mid 1970’s. He stills sees the of the total glycosylated hemoglobin. This patient is patient today.) asymptomatic, has a normal CBC and had no history of a . The finding of a fetal hemoglobin level HPLC method: The HPLC (high performance liquid of 25% was fortuitous. The level of Hgb.A1c of 7.5% is chromatography) method measures Hgb.A1c by ion higher than goal for this patient. The reference laboratory exchange. The method utilizes the difference in molecular method uncovered a hemoglobinopathy that was weight and charge to separate hemoglobins on a column. previously undetected. This level of fetal hemoglobin is The HPLC method is able to distinguish between glycated consistent with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin. and nonglycated fetal hemoglobin and hemoglobin A. This condition is innocuous and found almost exclusively The HPLC method is not affected by the presence of high in African Americans. levels of Hgb.F. Accordingly, HPLC is the most accurate method to measure Hgb.A1c in patients with very high Monitoring this patient’s Hgb.A1c requires the reference Hgb.F (>30%). However, HPLC is more technically laboratory method. In general, all patients who are at difficult to perform and requires specialized equipment. risk for a hemoglobinopathy should have a hemoglobin Furthermore, patients with sickle cell anemia (SS), electrophoresis at least once during their care to rule out homozygous CC or EE have no hemoglobin A and HPLC an interfering hemoglobin variant or . cannot determine Hgb.A1c levels. Most reference labs no The most common heterozygous hemoglobinopathies i.e. longer use HPLC to measure Hgb. A1C. Hgb AS, AC and AE, do not interfere with the standard immunoassay for Hgb.A1c performed at Rex Hospital Clinical sources of error: Certain clinical states can Laboratory. Hgb.A1c by in a patient with hereditary cause an elevation in fetal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin F persistence of fetal hemoglobin can be done at Mayo elevation can occur in pregnancy during the 23rd to 31st Reference Laboratory (MML test # 82080) by specific week of gestation. This is a result of selective alteration of request. erythropoiesis and not from transplacental bleeding from the . Also, many primary hematologic malignancies, Stephen V. Chiavetta, MD anemias and hemoglobinopathies may be associated with increases in fetal hemoglobin. References: 1. Daniel Sabath, M.D., Case Study: Artifactually Low Hemoglobin A1c in a Increased red cell turnover (shorter red cell lifespan) as Patient with High Hemoglobin F, Clinical Diabetes, Vol.18, no. 4, 2000. 2. Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemias, Laboratory Methods and Clinical seen in hemolytic anemias will result in decreased levels of Cases, by Virgil Farbanks, M.D., Brian Decker publisher, 1980, p67-70. Hgb.A1c. Beta-thalassemia and acute blood loss will also 3. H. Tran et. al., Case Study: Potential Pitfalls of Using Hemoglobin A1c decrease the Hgb.A1c level because of the shortened red as the Sole Measure of Glycemic Control, Clinical Diabetes 22:141-143, cell lifespan. Other conditions lead to falsely elevated A1c 2004. levels. These include alcoholism, lead poisoning, opiate 4. Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia) Glycosylated hemoglobin, http:// en.wikipedia.org/wili/HbA1c. addiction and excessive use of salicylates. The increase 5. Li Chai, et. al. Hemoglobin A1c measurements: Methods, Interpretation from these conditions is often small and not clinically and Effect of Hemoglobinopathies, Yale University School of Medicine, relevant. Department of Laboratory Medicine Lab News, Dec. 2000, vol. 40 No. 1. 6. Chang J, Hoke C., et. al., Evaluation and interference study of hemoglobin Besides hemoglobin, several serum proteins with shorter A1c measurements by turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay. Am. Journal of Clinical Pathology 1998;109:274-278. half lives, such as albumin, also become glycosylated 7. Personal communication with Dr. William Dunlap. in the presence of elevated glucose levels. The total 8. Mayo Medical Laboratories Test Catalog, 2008 p.341. LB PAGE 3

Comparison of Immunohistochemical (IHC) Estrogen and Progesterone results with the Genomic Health Oncotype Dx RT-PCR method.

The Genomic Health Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay assay by both methods. The fourth discordant progesterone is a 21 based reverse transcriptase polymerase chain receptor result involved a case of both intraductal and reaction (RT-PCR) method that initially was utilized for invasive ductal carcinoma. The estrogen receptor assays testing estrogen receptor positive, node negative breast were positive in both assays, but the progesterone receptor cancer patients to determine risk of recurrence and IHC result was negative and the Genomic Health RT-PCR responsiveness to therapy. This testing has subsequently test was positive. A closer look at the case demonstrated a expanded to postmenopausal node positive and estrogen negative progesterone receptor IHC result in the invasive receptor positive patients. Beginning February 1, ductal carcinoma component of the tumor, whereas the 2008, Oncotype DX reports have included estrogen intraductal carcinoma was positive. This case illustrates and progesterone receptor scores based upon RT-PCR the value of morphologic confirmation by the IHC method evaluation for estrogen and progesterone receptor RNA compared to a molecular method, which measures receptor genetic expression. Similar to the original Oncotype DX status as a tissue extract of the paraffin section. breast cancer assay, the test involves RNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. With any two laboratory methods or measurements, An estrogen receptor score of ≥ 6.5 indicates a positive absolute agreement is highly unlikely. In this case, there result, whereas a progesterone score of ≥ 5.5 is considered is good correlation between the Rex and Genomic Health positive. Oncotype estrogen and progesterone receptor evaluation. The findings are similar to other reportable comparisons Since February 2008 we have compared the findings from between IHC and the Genomic Health RT-PCR methods Genomic Health Oncotype DX Breast cancer assay with (Figure 1). 1-3 the immunohistochemical (IHC) Dako Assay performed at Rex Hospital. To date, a total of 55 cases were available John P. Sorge, MD for review. Fifty three of fifty five (96.4%) estrogen receptor results correlated, whereas fifty one of fifty five References: (92.7%) progesterone results agreed. The two discordant 1. Badve S.S. et al. ER and PR assessment in ECOG 2197: comparison estrogen receptor results involved two borderline or “low of locally determined IHC with central IHC and quantitative RT-PR. positive” estrogen receptor IHC staining with negative Presented at the ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium. September 7-8, 2007. Genomic Health RT-PCR. The progesterone receptor San Francisco, CA. Abstract #87. results for both cases were negative by both methods. 2. Baehner F.L. et al. A Kaiser-Permanente population-based study of ER and Three of the four progesterone receptor discordant results PR expression by the standard immunohistochemistry (IHC), compared to a new method, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction involved borderline or “low positive” progesterone (RT-PCR). Presented at the ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium. September receptor IHC staining with negative Genomic Health 7-8, 2007. San Francisco, CA. Abstract #88. RT-PCR results. The estrogen receptor IHC results for the 3. Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay Quantitative Gene Scores. http://www. three cases were strongly positive for estrogen receptor genomichealth.com/oncotype/role/singlegene.aspx

Figure 1: Comparison Data for IHC estrogen and progesterone receptor results with Genomic Health RT- PCR Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay

IHC vs Oncotype DX ECOG Study1 Kaiser Study2 Rex Laboratory Estrogen Receptor 93% 96% 96.4% Progesterone Receptor 90% 90% 92.7% Number of Cases 769 607 55 LB PAGE 4

Prostate Cancer Awareness at Rex Senior Center

September was National Prostate Cancer Awareness PSA value is normal or abnormal based on the gentleman’s Month, and 372 men were screened for prostate cancer age and race. DuWayne Engman then uses the data to on Saturday, Sept. 27 as part of Rex Healthcare’s annual generate letters and envelopes that will be mailed to celebration. The screening event took place at the Rex each gentleman. These letters include the PSA value, its Senior Health Center and included opportunities for men interpretation (normal or abnormal) and the DRE findings and their families to find life-saving health information, recorded by the physician on the day of the screening. and to enjoy live music and food in a festival-like atmosphere. I would like to especially thank Sonia Atkinson and DuWayne Engman who served as my co-chairs for the “We de-emphasize the cold, clinical aspect of the screening event and special thanks to all the laboratory volunteers and turn it into a community event,” said Dr. Leroy who worked very hard to make the event a success: Darkes, medical director of the Senior Health Center. “It Dawn Walker Briana Walker creates a comfortable and supportive environment for Capathia Jordan Nga Moore everyone involved.” Dee Rodseth Marion Channer Tricia Wilkerson Janet Johnson Now in its eleventh year of free prostate screenings, the Diane Young Karen Brown Rex Senior Health Center has detected at least one case Robin Ivosic Kori Horsley of prostate cancer each year. In 2007, Rex Healthcare Bernice Jernigan Linda Holder screened 342 men. Augie Carbonell

A prostate specific antigen (PSA) was included Pam Hughes, MT(ASCP) as part of the screening. All participates have a tube of blood drawn by one of our volunteer phlebotomists and the Rex Laboratory analyses and reports the data to the Point of Care Testing Department who determines whether the

Rex Healthcare Laboratory (919) 784-3040. Telephone extensions are: Pathologists’ Direct Line (3063), Robin Ivosic (Customer Service and Outreach Manager 3053), Elaine Patterson (Core Lab and Microbiology Manager 3054), Diane Young (Anatomic Pathology Manager 3888) Nora Giglio (Laboratory Billing & Registration Manager 3318), David McCoy (Rex Blood Services Manager 4763) Judy Allen (Blood Bank Manager 2192). Client Response Center (919) 784-6000 (phone) (919) 784-6299 (fax) Copyright 2008 Rex Healthcare/Rex Pathology Associates (919) 784-3040. All rights reserved.