EQA - Biomedical Quality Assurance KU Leuven

The EQA scheme Process

The process of EQA is depicted in below. A large number of laboratories are provided with the same material and they submit their results (analysis results as well as written clinical reports) to a coordination center. The results are evaluated by a team of international assessors which are experts in the field. At the end of an EQA scheme, each user receives a general report, assessment tables, individual feedback from the assessors and a certificate of participation.

Ready to put your laboratory to the test?

The Biomedical Quality Assurance research unit organizes yearly EQA programs in collaboration with international experts serving as steering committee members, assessors and reference laboratories. Become a part of our worldwide team by taking part in any of the EQA schemes.

1163

LABORATORIES

2042

USERS

53

EXECUTED SCHEMES

Introduction

About Us

The Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit is housed under the Department of Public Health and Primary Care of the University of Leuven, Belgium. The group is led by Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker, professor at KU Leuven and Quality Manager for the Division Medical Diagnostics of the University Hospitals UZ Leuven.

EQA is defined by the World Health Organization as "a system of objectively checking laboratory results by means of an external agency". Participation in organized inter-laboratory comparisons such as EQA schemes is a requirement to gain accreditation according to ISO 15189:2012 and in some countries it is a governmental requirement for reimbursement of tests.

An EQA scheme must reflect the diagnostic and clinical reality as closely as possible and it is highly recommended to cover the entire test process, including pre - and post-examination procedures. Hence, the type, amount and quality of distributed samples and the turnaround time (TAT) are closely monitored.

The EQA coordination center of the Biomedical Quality Assurance research unit (KU Leuven – University of Leuven) is an ISO 17043 (PT-215) accredited EQA provider. The group organizes EQA schemes for both cystic fibrosis and (hemato)oncology biomarker testing. The EQA scheme is organized by a multidisciplinary team, consisting of medical experts, technical experts, international assessors, and the coordination center (EQA provider). Reference laboratories are added to the EQA team to help with the preparation, validation and distribution of EQA material.

The Biomedical Quality Assurance research unit organizes EQA schemes in collaboration with or for the following partners:

The International Quality Network for Pathology

http://www.iqnpath.org/

The IQN Path mission is to improve clinical implementation of biomarkers through multi-stakeholder cooperation. This central association will enable an exchange of expertise between key opinion leaders, will facilitate the development of multidisciplinary guidelines, develop workshops and training, and will promote EQA. The ESP EQA is one of the founding members of the International Quality Network for Pathology (IQN Path, www.iqnpath.org).

Joint cfDNA EQA scheme

In 2017, the umbrella organisation IQN Path has initiated a collaboration between External Quality Assessment (EQA) providers (AIOM, EMQN, ESP EQA, GenQA (part of UK NEQAS) and Gen&Tiss) to provide a pilot cfDNA EQA scheme to assess the standard of testing EGFR gene mutations in circulating free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma, with the purpose of providing best practice guidelines in this field and promotion of high-quality testing. The pilot scheme demonstrated the feasibility of delivering a cfDNA EQA scheme and the need for such a scheme due to high error rates in detecting low frequency clinically relevant variants. The scheme was followed by an interactive workshop for interested laboratories. A second scheme was run in 2018.

The cfDNA schemes are supported by Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biocartis, Horizon Diagnostics, Merck KGaA, Qiagen, Roche, Sysmex Inostics, Seracare and Thermo Fisher Scientific/Life Technologies.

Steering committee members

Dr. Sandi Deans – The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom (representative for GenQA)
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker. – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (representative for ESP)
Prof. Dr. Nicola Normanno – Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale"-IRCCS, Naples, (representative for Aiom)
Dr. Simon Patton – Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom (representative for EMQN)
Dr. Etienne Rouleau – Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France (representative for Gen&Tiss)

Project manager

Dr. Jennifer Fairley – The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom (GenQA)

Project members

Dr. Melanie Cheetham – Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom (EMQN)
Dr. Sandi Deans – The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom (GenQA)
Prof. Dr. Marc Denis – Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France (Gen&Tiss)
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (for ESP)
Dr. Jennifer Fairley – The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom (GenQA)
Dr. Francesca Fenizia – Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale"-IRCCS, Naples, (Aiom)
Prof. Dr. Nicola Normanno – Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale"-IRCCS, Naples (Aiom)
Dr. Simon Patton – Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom (EMQN)
Dr. Etienne Rouleau – Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France (Gen&Tiss)
Prof. Dr. Ed Schuuring – University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands (for ESP)
Dr. Nicola Wolstenholme – Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom (EMQN)
Members of the BQA Research unit – KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (for ESP and Gen&Tiss)

Reference laboratories

Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
Laboratoire de Biochimie, CHU Hotel Dieu, Nantes, France
University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Centro di Ricerche Oncologiche di Mercogliano (CROM), Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale" IRCCS, Naples, Italy

Assessors for the ESP cfDNA scheme

Prof. Dr. Nicky D’Haene – Erasme Hôpital, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Marc Denis – CHU Hotel Dieu, France
Prof. Dr. Patrick Pauwels – University Hospital of Antwerp, Belgium
Dr. Etienne Rouleau – Gustave Roussy, France
Prof. Dr. Ed Schuuring – University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
Dr. Jan von der Thüsen – Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands
Members of the BQA Research unit – KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

EQA scheme coordination center:
KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care,
Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit,
Kapucijnenvoer 7, block h, box 7001
3000 Leuven, Belgium
E-mail: lung.eqa@kuleuven.be; Tel +32 (0)16 33 01 43

The European Society of Pathology

https://www.esp-pathology.org/

The European Society of Pathology (ESP) established an EQA program for testing biomarker mutations in colorectal cancer in 2009. This program aimed to ensure optimal accuracy and proficiency in biomarker testing in colorectal cancer across all countries. A first European pilot EQA scheme was running May – June 2009. Based on these experiences Regional and European EQA schemes were organized in different countries in 2009 and 2010. Thereafter, a yearly EQA program was organized until 2019.

In 2012, an additional EQA scheme was organized to ensure optimal accuracy and proficiency in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) biomarker testing across all countries.

From 2017, the organization of the ESP EQA programs is performed together with the ESP-QA foundation, which works in close contact with Prof. Dr. Raed Al Dieri, scientific director of the ESP.

The ESP Lung EQA schemes were / are supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), AstraZeneca Belgium (for PD-L1), Roche Belgium, Roche Turkey, Roche Macedonia, Pfizer Poland, Pfizer Croatia, Pfizer Serbia and Central Balkan Countries (Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo), and Pfizer Czech Republic/Hungary/Slovakia, Amgen Europe (for molecular DNA).

ESP LUNG EQA SCHEMES

Steering committee members

Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Ales Ryska – Charles University Medical Faculty and Faculty Hospital in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Prof. Dr. Ed Schuuring – University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
Dr. Jan von der Thüsen – Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Medical/technical experts

Prof. Dr. Ales Ryska – Charles University Medical Faculty and Faculty Hospital in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Prof. Dr. Ed Schuuring – University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
Dr. Jan von der Thüsen – Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Dr. Vasiliki Siozopoulou – UZA University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium

Reference laboratories

Charles University Medical Faculty Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

Assessors

Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Ales Ryska – Charles University Medical Faculty and Faculty Hospital in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Prof. Dr. Ed Schuuring – University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
Dr. Jan von der Thüsen – Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Dr. Izidor Kern – The University Clinic of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Slovenia
Prof. Dr. Federica Pezzuto – University of Padova, Italy
Dr. Vasiliki Siozopoulou – UZA University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium
Dr. Glenn Broeckx – UZA University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium
Members of the BQA Research unit – KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

EQA scheme coordination center
KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care,
Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit,
Kapucijnenvoer 7, block h, box 7001
3000 Leuven, Belgium
E-mail: lung.eqa@kuleuven.be; Tel +32 (0)16 33 01 43

ESP EQA schemes invoice information
EQA.lung-registrationfee@esp-pathology.org
admin@esp-pathology.org

ESP COLON EQA SCHEMES

Steering committee members (2009-2019)

Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – KU Leuven, Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Marjolijn Ligtenberg – Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Han van Krieken – Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands

Medical/technical experts

Prof. Dr. Marjolijn Ligtenberg – Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Han van Krieken – Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands

Reference laboratories

Department of Pathology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands – Dr. Marjolijn Ligtenberg
Pathologische Ontleedkunde, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Assessors

Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – KU Leuven, Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, Belgium
Dr. Leonie Kroeze – Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Marjolijn Ligtenberg – Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Nicola Normanno, Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy
Dr. Sara Vander Borght – Department of Pathology, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Han van Krieken – Radboud university medical center, The Netherlands
Members of the BQA Research unit – KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

EQA scheme coordination center
KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care,
Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit,
Kapucijnenvoer 7, block h, box 7001
3000 Leuven, Belgium
E-mail: colon.eqa@kuleuven.be; Tel +32 (0)16 33 01 43

The Cystic Fibrosis Network (in collaboration with EMQN)

The European Cystic Fibrosis Thematic Network was a project approved under the 5th framework program from the European Union, coordinated from the Center for Human Genetics of the University Hospital of Leuven, Belgium. The philosophy of the network has grown out of the experience gained from the BIOMED-2 CF concerted action which showed the needs for closer interaction between the patient organizations and the clinical professions as well as those involved in fundamental research on Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

The European network brought together all parties involved in the same quest "the fight against CF", with the aim of making information more easily available to everybody.

The CF network works in close collaboration with the EuroGentest Network of Excellence and the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN) in order to improve harmonization of External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes within Europe.

The CF Network collaborates with the HGSA/RCPA Quality Assurance Programs (QAP) for the registration of Australasian laboratories. These laboratories should enroll through the HGSA/RCPAQAP.

EQA program

Medical/technical experts

Dr. Marie-Pierre Audrézet – Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, CHU Brest, Brest, France
Dr. Caroline Raynal – Institut Universitaire de Recherche Clinique, Public Health, Hospital Medical School, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Montpellier, France

Reference laboratory

Center of human genetics – University hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

Assessors

Dr. Celia Badenas – Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Unit, Centre de Diagnostic Biomedic, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Dr. Marie-Pierre Audrézet – Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, CHU Brest, Brest, France
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker– Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Dr. Valentina Giannone – Laboratorio di Genetica Medica – Settore di Genetica Molecolare, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico – Clinica Mangiagalli, Milano, Italy
Dr. Caroline Raynal – Institut Universitaire de Recherche Clinique, Public Health, Hospital Medical School, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Montpellier, France
Dr. Heike Torkler – MVZ Dr. Eberhard & Partner Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
Dr. Raina Yamamoto – MVZ Dr. Eberhard & Partner Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
Dr. Lea Marie Fuchs – MVZ Dr. Eberhard & Partner Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
Members of the BQA Research unit – KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

EXAMPLE REPORTS CASES 2023

Example report case 1 CF EQA 2023

Example report case 2 CF EQA 2023

Example report case 3 CF EQA 2023

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

EQA scheme coordination center
KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care,
Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit,
Kapucijnenvoer 7, block h, box 7001
3000 Leuven, Belgium
E-mail: cf.network@kuleuven.be; Tel +32 (0)16 33 01 43

The Gen&Tiss consortium

http://www.genetiss.org/

Depuis 2008, les plateformes françaises de génétique moléculaire des cancers sont sollicitées pour l’analyse de mutations dans plusieurs tumeurs solides (poumon, côlon, mélanome, ovaire).

Depuis 2012, le projet national Gen&Tiss, initié par l’Institut National du Cancer (INCa) a pour objet l’évaluation externe de la qualité (EEQ) des examens de génétique moléculaire sur tissus tumoraux. Gen&Tiss permet une comparaison nationale inter-laboratoires. Dans une démarche d’amélioration continue des pratiques, des recommandations techniques et organisationnelles seront élaborées sur la base des résultats de ce contrôle. Dans le cadre de l’accréditation ISO 15189, le programme Gen&Tiss permet aux laboratoires de justifier d’un contrôle qualité externe obligatoire pour accréditer les analyses réalisées.

En se rapprochant de la pratique courante avec l’utilisation de matériel fixé en paraffine, l’objectif est aussi d’évaluer toutes les étapes des examens de génétique moléculaire impliquant l’organisation de la plateforme entre les activités de pathologie et de génétique moléculaire.

Le groupement des organisateurs du contrôle qualité tient compte des trois axes de ce contrôle qualité: l’anatomopathologie (AFAQAP) la génétique moléculaire (GFCO – Gustave Roussy)et la gestion de la qualité (Université Catholique de Louvain). Un laboratoire européen externe est impliqué dans la validation des échantillons envoyés (Bruxelles, ULB-Hôpital Erasme).

Steering committee members

Dr. Cecile Aube – Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Dr. Helene Blons – Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
Dr. Anne Cayre – Centre Jean Perrin Clermont-Ferrand, France
Jean-Francois Coté – Hôpital Tenon, Service d'anatomie pathologique, Paris, France
Prof. Dr. Marc Denis – CHU Hotel Dieu, France
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Belgium
Dr. Clotilde Descarpentries – Plateforme de Biologie Moléculaire des cancers de la Région Nord Pas de Calais, Lille, France
Dr. Jean-francoise Emile – Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Boulogne-Billancourts, France
Prof. Dr. Alexandre Harlé – CHRU de Nancy, Nancy, France
Prof. Paul Hofman – CHU de Nice, Hôpital Pasteur, Laboratoire de Pathologie Clinique et Expérimentale, Nice, France
Dr. Cedric Lemarechal – CHU Brest, Brest, France
Dr. Antoinette Lemoine – Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
Dr. Fréderique Penault-Llorca – Centre Jean Perrin Clermont-Ferrand, France
Dr. Isabelle Quintin-Roué – CHU de Brest, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France
Dr. Etienne Rouleau – Gustave Roussy, France
Dr. Jean-Christophe Sabourin – Laboratoire de génétique somatique des tumeurs, Rouen, France
Dr. Isabelle Soubeyran – Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France

Medical/technical experts

Prof. Dr. Marc Denis – CHU Hotel Dieu, France
Dr. Etienne Rouleau – Gustave Roussy, France
Prof. Dr. Isabelle Salmon – ULB-Hôpital Erasme, Belgique
Dr. Claude Van Campenhout – ULB-Hôpital Erasme, Belgique

Reference laboratory

Service d’Anatomie Pathologique, ULB-Hôpital Erasme, Bruxelles, Belgique

Assessors

Dr. Etienne Rouleau – Gustave Roussy, France
Dr. Aude Lamy –Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rouen, France
Prof. Dr. Alexandre Harle – Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, France
Dr. Ludovic Lacroix – Gustave Roussy, France
Prof. Dr. Karen Leroy – Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, France
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Belgium
Members of the BQA Research unit – KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

EQA scheme coordination center
KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care,
Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit,
Kapucijnenvoer 7, block h, box 7001
3000 Leuven, Belgium
E-mail: gentiss.eqa@kuleuven.be; Tel +32 (0)16 33 01 43

Scheme administration
AFAQAP, Hôpital d'Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France

Prof. Dr. Jean-Pierre Bellocq
Dr. Caroline Egele
Dr. Dominique Fetique
Anne Gaire
secretariat@genetiss.org

The EuroClonality Consortium

http://www.euroclonality.org/

In many hemato-oncology and pathology laboratories, IG/TR clonality testing is part of the daily diagnostic work-up for samples with suspected lymphoproliferations or lymphoma. Standardization of PCR protocols for the detection of clonal proliferations in lymphoproliferative disease was established by the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality Consortium (JJM van Dongen et al., Leukemia 2003:17:2257-2317, for publications and support see the EuroClonality website). The protocols are now well established in many laboratories, partly due to their commercial availability. These kits have made the technical performance of these protocols relatively uncomplicated. However, the technical interpretation is less straightforward since the reporting of these assays requires knowledge of T-cell receptor (TR) and immunoglobulin (IG) gene rearrangements, multiple rearrangement patterns and cross-lineage rearrangements.

To improve the standardization and reporting of clonality analysis, The EuroClonality Consortium started a series of quality assessment (QA) schemes in 2008. The EuroClonality Consortium is comprised of more than 20 laboratories across Europe with considerable technical experience with the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality primers and protocols.

Two different kinds of QA rounds were organized: paper trials and trials with DNA extracted from different hematological and histological cases. Participants analyzed these cases according to their routine diagnostic PCR practice (GeneScan and/or heteroduplex analysis) based on the suspected diagnosis. Paper trials focused on the interpretation of GeneScan and/or heteroduplex results, while DNA trials assessed both the correct generation of PCR results as well as their interpretation. Participants were asked to submit results for individual loci tested, to give an overall molecular interpretation and a final clinical interpretation where appropriate. These schemes resulted in the published guidelines for the analysis, interpretation and reporting of the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality assays (Langerak et al., Leukemia 2012;26:2159-2172, see the EuroClonality website). To further standardize clonality reporting, language specific translations of these guidelines are available on the EuroClonality website (under "Support"). However, as these guidelines start from an immunobiological concept, it should be stressed that they can be applied to any clonality result, whether or not generated with the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality protocols.

The practical organization of this EQA program is realized in collaboration with Dr. Bart Lubbers (ESLHO), Dr. Elke Boone and Dr. Paula Gameiro. The scheme organizers are participants of the EuroClonality Consortium and are in close contact with the EQA scheme coordination center.

Medical/technical expert team

Dr. Paula Gameiro (Coordinator: Lead paper cases) – Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Lisbon, Portugal
Dr. Elke Boone (Coordinator) – AZ Delta Hospital, Roeselare, Belgium
Dr. Millaray Marincevic Zuniga (Lead wet cases) – Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden

Reference laboratories

Dr. Paula Gameiro (Coordinator) – Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Lisbon, Portugal
Dr. Elke Boone (Coordinator) – AZ Delta Hospital, Roeselare, Belgium
Dr. Millaray Marincevic Zuniga – Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
Dr. Patricia Groenen – Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Dr. Liz Hodges – Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom
Dr. María Eugenia Sarasquete – Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain
Dr. Benedict Milner – NHS-Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Nicola Meakin FRCPath – University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom

Assessors

Dr. Elke Boone – AZ Delta Hospital, Roeselare, Belgium
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker – Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Dr. Paula Gameiro – Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Lisbon, Portugal
Dr. Millaray Marincevic Zuniga – Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
Dr. Patricia Groenen – Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Dr. Liz Hodges – Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom
Dr. María Eugenia Sarasquete – Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain
Dr. Benedict Milner – NHS-Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Nicola Meakin FRCPath – University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Dr. Bart Lubbers – ESLHO, Zutphen, The Netherlands
Members of the BQA Research Unit – KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

EQA scheme coordination center:
KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care,
Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit,
Kapucijnenvoer 7, block h, box 7001
3000 Leuven, Belgium
E-mail: clonality@kuleuven.be; Tel +32 (0)16 33 01 43

Administrative support

Dr. Bart Lubbers – ESLHO, Zutphen, The Netherlands b.r.lubbers@eslho.org
Gonny van Muiswinkel – ESLHO, Zutphen, The Netherlands g.c.j.vanmuiswinkel@eslho.org
Marieke Bitter – ESLHO, Zutphen, The Netherlands w.m.bitter@eslho.org

Our EQA schemes

CF2027

Open now!

The Cystic Fibrosis External Quality Assessment scheme 2027 is organised by the European CF Network. This network works in close collaboration with EuroGentest / ESHG and the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN).

Registration for this scheme will be open from 01/07/2026 – 30/11/2026

You will receive two DNA samples (labeled CF27-1 and CF27-2) and one virtual case with clinical information (cases).
The online datasheet for submitting answers will be open from January/February 2027 - April 2027.
Within the datasheet the laboratory should indicate which genotypes were found and which assay was used to test the EQA samples.
In addition, the laboratory should upload written reports, including interpretation, and the raw data of the analysis.
All submitted datasheets are evaluated by a team of assessors.
Genotype results are released in April 2027.
A general evaluation report and individual comments before the appeal phase will be available online from June/July 2027.
Once the General Report (before appeal) is published online, participants have one month to submit any appeals. Appeals must be sent via email to cf.network@kuleuven.be. Upon receipt, we will confirm the submission of the appeal by email. All appeals are forwarded to the two assessors who scored the reports, who have one month to respond. Afterwards, all appeals and the assessors' responses are reviewed once more by the full assessor team. After this period, the General Report (after appeal) is updated if necessary and published online. Participants are then notified by email of the updated report and the outcomes of their appeals.
Certificates will be given to all participating laboratories after the appeal phase. The certificate will specify whether participation was successful or not. In addition, the certificate will mention the genotype, interpretation and clerical score.
Invoices can be expected after closure of registration: December 2026 - January 2027. The invoice will be sent to your invoice contact person electronically from no.reply@basware.com.

CF 2027 EQA timeline

January/February 2027: Distribution of the samples to the registered participants
January/February - April 2027: Datasheet open; submission of genotype results and written clinical reports
April 2027: Release of expected genotypes after all participants have submitted their results.
May/June 2027: Assessment of the results
June/July 2027: General evaluation report and individual comments of the CF EQA scheme are available online before the appeal phase.
July/August 2027: Appeal phase
September 2027: General evaluation report, individual comments and the certificates for the CF EQA scheme are available online after the appeal phase.

The participation, raw data and individual reports are confidential between the individual laboratory and the European EQA coordinator. All persons involved signed a confidentiality agreement. Laboratories are not under any circumstances allowed to disclose the general report to other parties

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send an email to cf.network@kuleuven.be.

Register now

CF2026

The Cystic Fibrosis External Quality Assessment scheme 2026 is organised by the European CF Network. This network works in close collaboration with EuroGentest / ESHG and the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN).

Registration for this scheme will be open from 01/07/2025 – 28/11/2025

You will receive two DNA samples (labeled CF26-1 and CF26-2) with clinical information (cases). New this year is that we will included also one virtual case.
The online datasheet for submitting answers will be open from January/February 2026 - 03/04/2026.
Within the datasheet the laboratory should indicate which genotypes were found and which assay was used to test the EQA samples.
In addition, the laboratory should upload written reports, including interpretation, and the raw data of the analysis.
All submitted datasheets are evaluated by a team of assessors.
Genotype results are released in April 2026.
A general evaluation report and individual comments before the appeal phase will be available online from June/July 2026.
Once the General Report (before appeal) is published online, participants have one month to submit any appeals. Appeals must be sent via email to cf.network@kuleuven.be. Upon receipt, we will confirm the submission of the appeal by email. All appeals are forwarded to the two assessors who scored the reports, who have one month to respond. Afterwards, all appeals and the assessors' responses are reviewed once more by the full assessor team. After this period, the General Report (after appeal) is updated if necessary and published online. Participants are then notified by email of the updated report and the outcomes of their appeals.
Certificates will be given to all participating laboratories after the appeal phase. The certificate will specify whether participation was successful or not. In addition, the certificate will mention the genotype, interpretation and clerical score.
Invoices can be expected after closure of registration: December 2025 - January 2026. The invoice will be sent to your invoice contact person electronically from no.reply@basware.com.

CF 2026 EQA timeline

January/February 2026: Distribution of the samples to the registered participants
January/February - April 2026: Datasheet open; submission of genotype results and written clinical reports
April 2026: Release of expected genotypes after all participants have submitted their results.
May/June 2026: Assessment of the results
June/July 2026: General evaluation report and individual comments of the CF EQA scheme are available online before the appeal phase.
July/August 2026: Appeal phase
September 2026: General evaluation report, individual comments and the certificates for the CF EQA scheme are available online after the appeal phase.

The participation, raw data and individual reports are confidential between the individual laboratory and the European EQA coordinator. All persons involved signed a confidentiality agreement. Laboratories are not under any circumstances allowed to disclose the general report to other parties

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send an email to cf.network@kuleuven.be.

EuroClonality IG/TR 2026

General Information – EuroClonality EQA 2026 scheme for IG/TR Clonality Testing in Suspected Lymphoproliferations/Lymphoma

Aim of the scheme

The aim of the EQA schemes for IG/TR clonality testing in suspected lymphoproliferations/lymphoma is to assess the capability of each participating laboratory to correctly identify and interpret immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) gene rearrangement patterns in suspected lymphoproliferations.

Analysis of the wet cases should be performed by using the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality multiplex PCR ‘tubes’ or another technique that allows an evaluation per IG/TR gene locus (such as amplicon of capture based NGS). This allows laboratories to identify issues with their wet lab performance.

Paper cases based on GeneScan patterns acquired with the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality multiplex PCR assays are part of this EQA as they allow to identify problems with only the interpretation of clonality patterns according to the EuroClonality guidelines (Langerak et al., Leukemia 2012;26:2159-71).

Practical organization

The EQA schemes are organized by the Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit of the University of Leuven led by Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker (the EQA scheme coordination center) in collaboration with the EuroClonality EQA Committee (general coordination by Dr. Paula Gameiro). The members of the EuroClonality EQA Committee are participants of the EuroClonality Consortium and will be in close contact with the EQA scheme coordinator. The EQA schemes are accredited by BELAC conform the ISO 17043 (PT-215), which is the international standard for conformity assessment of proficiency testing.

Samples

Five IG cases and five TR cases will be distributed. Each IG/TR EQA round is composed of 5 paper-based cases and 5 DNA samples extracted from a variety of different suspected lymphoproliferations/ lymphoma cases. A rotation system applies so that every 2 years 5 paper-based cases and 5 DNA samples for each of the 2 schemes (IG and TR) are distributed.

Participants need to test and/or interpret the EQA samples according to their laboratory’s routine practice, with the aim to improve and standardize diagnostic practices. Samples are presented as clinical cases and relevant clinical, flow cytometry and/or immunostaining data will be provided. As both hemato-oncology and pathology labs perform clonality analysis, sometimes for different clinical investigations, typical sample types (e.g. peripheral blood or FFPE tissue) will be included on a regular basis. The scheme organizers prepare the samples and distribute them to the participants. Cases are pretested by at least 4 laboratories of the EuroClonality EQA Committee members to obtain an initial consensus on the correct result. Coordination and evaluation of the results is done by the EQA scheme coordination center together with the EuroClonality EQA Committee.

This year, participants will receive the following cases:

2026 IG scheme: 2 DNA samples and 3 paper-based cases
2026 TR scheme: 3 DNA samples and 2 paper-based cases

The materials distributed are provided as specimens for the sole purpose of enabling external quality assessment at the recipient’s laboratory during the current distribution and must not be tested for any other target than that which is requested by the EQA scheme. They do not constitute in vitro medical diagnostic devices (IVDs), and no claim is made that they may be suitable for any other purpose or at any other point in time.

Registration

Laboratories can register either for the IG scheme, the TR scheme, or both. A fee of € 460 per gene target (IG or TR) or € 920 for both will be asked to the participants for the organization cost, preparation and sending of the samples, assessment of the results and preparation of the report. Formal participants of the EuroClonality Consortium receive a discount and are charged € 275 per target.

Evaluation

The EQA scheme coordination center in Leuven will coordinate the evaluation of the submitted results. Results of the EQA schemes will be announced after discussion within the EuroClonality EQA Committee. These results will be made available anonymously among the participants but each participating laboratory will receive individual feedback.

Only information about IG/TR targets IGH and IGK (in the IG scheme) and TRB and TRG (for the TR scheme) will be evaluated. Regarding TRG, even though results from the two-tube assay (TRG tube A and B) can still be submitted, in 2026 these tubes will not be pre-tested anymore because the one-tube TRG assay has been available for more than 5 years and is the recommended assay to analyze the TRG locus.

Scoring will be done on the final “Molecular Interpretation/Conclusion” of each case and not on the interpretation of the individual PCR results, allowing laboratories who use non-EuroClonality protocols also to participate. However, in the final report, results of EuroClonality PCR targets will be discussed in detail and feedback will be given.

The correct “Molecular Interpretation/Conclusion” will be determined by at least 4 EuroClonality laboratories during a pretesting phase. However, a case might be withdrawn from the EQA scoring in case high discordant results are obtained by the participants. The IG/TR clonality EQA scheme allows participants to react on the score and/or comments they received. All appeals should be sent via email to clonality@kuleuven.be before the deadline for appeals that is indicated in the general report. The appeals will be collected and will be discussed by the assessors. The laboratories will receive an individual answer and after this, the marks become final. Laboratories who are requested to submit a corrective action plan are required to do so within the timeframe stipulated in the report. All participants will receive an individual laboratory report stating their performance in this EQA scheme and of the last two EQA schemes. After two years, at least 9 out of 10 cases of each target should have been correctly assessed as determined by the “European Consensus Conference for External Quality Assessment in Molecular Pathology” (van Krieken et al., Virchows Arch 2013;462:27-37). Laboratories that participated successfully, will be listed on the website if consent was given during the registration.

Once the Individual and General Reports (before appeals) are published online, participants have 21 days to submit any appeals. Appeals must be sent via email to clonality@kuleuven.be. Upon receipt, we will confirm the submission of the appeal by email. All appeals are forwarded to the EuroClonality EQA Committee members, including the assessors who determined the consensus scores, who have one month to respond. The response is drafted and approved by the EQA Committee members together. After this period, the Reports (after appeals) are updated and published online. Participants are then notified by email of the updated report and the outcomes of their appeals.

Timeline:

January 12 - February 20, 2026: Online registration
June 15, 2026: Open paper-based scheme and wet sample distribution
August 28, 2026: Deadline for results submission
September – October 2026: Assessment phase
November 2026: EuroClonality meeting
December 2026: Release of results to participants

CF2025

The Cystic Fibrosis External Quality Assessment scheme 2025 is organised by the European CF Network. This network works in close collaboration with EuroGentest / ESHG and the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN).

Registration for this scheme will be open from 01/07/2024 – 31/10/2024.

You will receive 3 DNA samples (labeled CF25-1 to CF25-3) with clinical information (cases). New this year is that we will included also some educational paper cases. Which you are free to give feedback or not. No additional charges for this.
The online datasheet for submitting answers will be open from January 2025 - 03/03/2025.
Within the datasheet the laboratory should indicate which genotypes were found and which assay was used to test the EQA samples.
In addition, the laboratory should upload written reports, including interpretation, and the raw data of the analysis.
For the educational cases you can choose if you would like to upload your answers.
All submitted datasheets are evaluated by a team of assessors.
Genotype results are released in March 2025.
A general evaluation report and individual comments will be available online from May/June 2025.
Certificates will be given to all participating laboratories. The certificate will specify whether participation was successful or not. In addition, the certificate will mention the genotype, interpretation and clerical score.
Invoices can be expected after closure of registration: December 2024 - January 2025. The invoice will be sent to your invoice contact person electronically from no.reply@basware.com.

CF 2025 EQA timeline

January 2025: Distribution of the samples to the registered participants
January - March 2025: Datasheet open; submission of genotype results and written clinical reports
March 2025: Release of expected genotypes
April 2025: Assessment of the results
May - June 2025: General evaluation report and individual comments of the CF EQA scheme are available online before the appeal phase.
July - August 2025: Appeal phase
September 2025: General evaluation report, individual comments and the certificates for the CF EQA scheme are available online after the appeal phase.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send an email to cf.network@kuleuven.be.

EuroClonality IG/TR 2025

General Information – EuroClonality EQA 2025 scheme for IG/TR Clonality Testing in Suspected Lymphoproliferations/Lymphoma

Aim of the scheme

The aim of the EQA schemes for IG/TR clonality testing in suspected lymphoproliferations/lymphoma is to assess the capability of each participating laboratory to correctly identify and interpret immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) gene rearrangement patterns in suspected lymphoproliferations.

Analysis of the wet cases should be performed by using the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality multiplex PCR ‘tubes’ or another technique that allows an evaluation per IG/TR gene locus. This allows laboratories to identify issues with their wet lab performance.

Paper cases based on GeneScan patterns acquired with the BIOMED-2/EuroClonality multiplex PCR assays are part of this EQA as they allow to identify problems with only the interpretation of clonality patterns according to the EuroClonality guidelines (Langerak et al., Leukemia 2012;26:2159-71).

Practical organization

The EQA schemes are organized by the Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit of the University of Leuven led by Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker (the EQA scheme coordination center) in collaboration with the EuroClonality EQA Committee (general coordination by Dr. Paula Gameiro). The members of the EuroClonality EQA Committee are participants of the EuroClonality Consortium and will be in close contact with the EQA scheme coordinator. The EQA schemes are accredited by BELAC conform the ISO 17043 (PT-215), which is the international standard for conformity assessment of proficiency testing.

Samples

Five IG cases and five TR cases will be distributed. Each IG/TR EQA round is composed of 5 paper-based cases and 5 DNA samples extracted from a variety of different suspected lymphoproliferations/ lymphoma cases. A rotation system applies so that every 2 years 5 paper-based cases and 5 DNA samples for each of the 2 schemes (IG and TR) are distributed.

Participants need to test and/or interpret the EQA samples according to their laboratory’s routine practice, with the aim to improve and standardize diagnostic practices. Samples are presented as clinical cases and relevant clinical, flow cytometry and/or immunostaining data will be provided. As both hemato-oncology and pathology labs perform clonality analysis, sometimes for different clinical investigations, typical sample types (e.g. peripheral blood or FFPE tissue) will be included on a regular basis. The scheme organizers prepare the samples and distribute them to the participants. Cases are pretested by at least 4 laboratories of the EuroClonality EQA Committee members to obtain an initial consensus on the correct result. Coordination and evaluation of the results is done by the EQA scheme coordination center together with the EuroClonality EQA Committee.

This year, participants will receive the following cases:

2025 IG scheme: 3 DNA samples and 2 paper-based cases
2025 TR scheme: 2 DNA samples and 3 paper-based cases

The materials distributed are provided as specimens for the sole purpose of enabling external quality assessment at the recipient’s laboratory during the current distribution and must not be tested for any other target than that which is requested by the EQA scheme. They do not constitute in vitro medical diagnostic devices (IVDs), and no claim is made that they may be suitable for any other purpose or at any other point in time.

Registration

Laboratories can register either for the IG scheme, the TR scheme, or both. A fee of € 460 per gene target (IG or TR) or € 920 for both will be asked to the participants for the organization cost, preparation and sending of the samples, assessment of the results and preparation of the report. Formal participants of the EuroClonality Consortium receive a discount and are charged € 275 per target.

Evaluation

The EQA scheme coordination center in Leuven will coordinate the evaluation of the submitted results. Results of the EQA schemes will be announced after discussion within the EuroClonality EQA Committee. These results will be made available anonymously among the participants but each participating laboratory will receive individual feedback.

Scoring will be done on the final “Molecular Interpretation/Conclusion” of each case and not on the interpretation of the individual PCR results, allowing laboratories who use non-EuroClonality protocols also to participate. However, in the final report, results of EuroClonality PCR targets will be discussed in detail and feedback will be given.

The correct “Molecular Interpretation/Conclusion” will be determined by at least 4 EuroClonality laboratories during a pretesting phase. However, a case might be withdrawn from the EQA scoring in case high discordant results are obtained by the participants. The IG/TR clonality EQA scheme allows participants to react on the score and/or comments they received. All appeals should be sent via email to clonality@kuleuven.be before the deadline for appeals that is indicated in the general report. The appeals will be collected and will be discussed by the assessors. The laboratories will receive an individual answer and after this, the marks become final. Laboratories who are requested to submit a corrective action plan are required to do so within the timeframe stipulated in the report. All participants will receive an individual laboratory report stating their performance in this EQA scheme and of the last two EQA schemes. After two years, at least 9 out of 10 cases of each target should have been correctly assessed as determined by the “European Consensus Conference for External Quality Assessment in Molecular Pathology” (van Krieken et al., Virchows Arch 2013;462:27-37). Laboratories that participated successfully, will be listed on the website if consent was given during the registration.

Timeline:

January 21 - February 25, 2025: Online registration
June 17, 2025: Open paper-based scheme and wet sample distribution
August 29, 2025: Deadline for results submission
September – October 2025: Assessment phase
November 2025: EuroClonality meeting
December 2025: Release of results to participants

Gen&Tiss 2024

The GenTiss EQA scheme of 2024

Les programmes proposés cette année sont les suivants :

Programme « Analyse multiparamétrique sur tissus (NGS) - côlon, poumon, mélanome » : Évaluation de plusieurs marqueurs en parallèle (KRAS, NRAS, EGFR, BRAF, KIT et PIK3CA) favorisant l’étude du génotype complet et l'analyse des variants ayant un impact médical;
Programme « Analyse bio-informatique des données NGS » en complément au programme Analyse multiparamétrique sur tissus (NGS)
Programme « Méthodes ciblées par gène » Évaluation du génotype à partir de copeaux tissulaires (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, MSI (instabilité des microsatellites) + Méthylation du promoteur du gène MLH1)
Programme « Ovaire BRCA1/BRCA2 ». Ce programme évalue la capacité à détecter les variants délétères sur les gènes BRCA1 et BRCA2 dans le contexte du cancer de l’ovaire.
Programme « Testing de la déficience du mécanisme de la recombinaison homologue (HRD) » en complément au programme Ovaire. Ce programme évalue le score d’instabilité génomique (GIS).
Programme « ADN tumoral circulant » Détection des mutations sur le gène EGFR.
Programme « ADN tumoral circulant - autres gènes» Détection des mutations sur les gènes BRAF et KRAS/NRAS.
Programme « Transcrits de fusion » Basé sur 4 échantillons de tumeurs qualifiés comprenant les principales fusions identifiées dans le cancer du poumon (RET, ALK, ROS1, NTRK1/2/3).

Nous prévoyons de vous envoyer les derniers EEQ aux échéances suivantes :

9 juillet 2024 – Programmes « Analyse Multiparamétrique », « Méthodes ciblées par gène » et « Ovaire »
17 septembre 2024 – Programmes « ADN tumoral circulant » et « Transcrits de fusion »

Gen&Tiss 2023

Les programmes proposés cette année sont les suivants :

Programme « Analyse multiparamétrique sur tissus (NGS) - côlon, poumon, mélanome »
Programme « Analyse bio-informatique des données NGS » en complément au programme Analyse multiparamétrique sur tissus (NGS)
Programme « Méthodes ciblées par gène » Évaluation du génotype à partir de copeaux tissulaires (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, MSI (instabilité des microsatellites) + Méthylation du promoteur du gène MLH1)
Programme « Ovaire BRCA1/BRCA2 ». Ce programme évalue la capacité à détecter les variants délétères sur les gènes BRCA1 et BRCA2 dans le contexte du cancer de l'ovaire.
Programme « Testing de la déficience du mécanisme de la recombinaison homologue (HRD) » en complément au programme Ovaire. Ce programme évalue le score d’instabilité génomique (GIS) sur un classement binaire élevé ou bas dans le cancer de l’ovaire.
Programme « ADN tumoral circulant » Détection des mutations sur le gène EGFR.
Programme « ADN tumoral circulant » Détection des mutations sur les gènes BRAF et KRAS/NRAS.
Programme « Transcrits de fusion - Poumon » Basé sur 4 échantillons de tumeurs qualifiés comprenant les principales fusions identifiées dans le cancer du poumon (RET, ALK, ROS1, NTRK1/2/3).

Nous prévoyons de vous envoyer les derniers EEQ aux échéances suivantes :

22 mai 2023 – tous les programmes sauf ovaire / fusion
12 juin 2023 – programme ovaire et fusion

Our educational programs

TILs & PD-L1 Training Course

Dear colleagues,

We are happy to invite you to participate in our first combined “TILs and PD-L1 Training Course”.

This initiative was initiated considering the increasing importance of TILs and PD-L1 in daily and trial practices, mostly for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). This online educational course provides pathologists training materials on the assessment of TILs. In addition, we provide access to the existing PD-L1 training tools. You will be able to exercise on the same set of digitalized H&E- and PDL1-stained slides of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). These slides have been stained with the three most often used PD-L1 assays, namely SP263, SP142 and 22C3. You will be able to evaluate all slides simultaneously.

This training course will be followed later this year by the first External Quality Assessment (EQA) on TILs ever conducted. Both the training and the EQA are organized by the Biomedical Quality Assurance (BQA) Research Unit (University of Leuven, Belgium) in a partnership with the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group (also called the TILs Working group).

We invite all interested persons in TILs and PD-L1 assessment to participate in this TILs and PD-L1 Training Course. The course will be open for at least three months. Please transfer this invitation to all those you think may derive benefit from our course.

Participation is free! Please visit https://tils.agoko.be/ and consult the instruction manual for a detailed guidance.

Once you have fully completed the training, you will be able to download your certificate of participation.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

THE BIOMEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE (BQA) RESEARCH UNIT:
- Email: til.eqa@kuleuven.be
- Phone: +32 16 33 01 43
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY BIOMARKER WORKING GROUP:
- Email: info@tilsinbreastcancer.org
- Website: https://www.tilsinbreastcancer.org/

On behalf of the BQA Research Group and the TILs Working Group,

Biomedical Quality Assurance (BQA) Researched Unit – Scheme Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Els Dequeker (BQA Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium)
Dorien Ceusters (BQA Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium)

International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group (TILs WG) – Expert Team
Roberto Salgado (Department of Pathology, ZAS-Hospitals, Antwerp, Belgium and Division of Research, Peter Mac Callum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia)
John Bartlett (Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, UK)
David Rimm (Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA)
Balazs Acs (Department of Oncology and Pathology, CCK and Department of Clinical Pathology and Cytology, Karolinska University Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden)
Giuseppe Floris (Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Translational Cell & Tissue Research and Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.)
Stefan Michiels (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay and Oncostat U1018, Inserm, University Paris-Saclay, labeled Ligue Contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France)
Dieter Peeters (CellCarta NV, Antwerp, Belgium and Department of Pathology, AZ Sint-Maarten, Mechelen, Belgium)
Hugo Horlings (Division of Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Kalliopi Siziopikou (Department of Pathology, Section of Breast Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL)
Carolien van Deurzen (Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center- Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands)
Carsten Denkert (University Marburg and University Hospital Marburg (UKGM), Marburg, Germany)
Dimitrios Zardavas (BMS Oncology Clinical Development)
Mustimbo Roberts (Translational Medicine, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA)
Ely Scott (Translational Medicine, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA)
Johan Hartman (Department of Oncology and Pathology, CCK and Department of Clinical Pathology and Cytology, Karolinska University Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden)

This work has been supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Bristol Myers Squibb.

The participation, raw data and the individual report are confidential between the individual laboratory and the EQA coordinator. All persons involved signed a confidentiality agreement. Laboratories are not under any circumstances allowed to disclose the general report and assessment tables to other laboratories not involved in the EQA scheme. Results may be disclosed to other parties with the purpose of quality improvement (e.g. accreditation bodies).

This website replaces the old applications since 1 September 2019.
Laboratories may access their previous participation details (assessment tables, certificates, individual comments and invoices) at the following resources:

Lung.eqascheme.org for the ESP Lung EQA schemes and IQN Path ctDNA schemes
Kras.eqascheme.org for the ESP colon EQA schemes and EurClonality EQA schemes
Cf.eqascheme.org for the Cystic Fibrosis EQA schemes

The EQA coordination center of the Biomedical Quality
Assurance research unit (KU Leuven – University of Leuven)
is an ISO 17043 (PT-215) accredited EQA provider,
which is the international standard for conformity assessment
of proficiency testing.

Members of the Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit

Prof. dr. Els Dequeker

Head of the research unit, head EQA coordinator

Nele Laudus

EQA co-coordinator, PhD student

Hilal Cakmak

EQA co-coordinator

Medina Kalimualaeva

PhD student

External Quality Assessment

The EQA scheme Process

Ready to put your laboratory to the test?

Introduction

About Us

Joint cfDNA EQA scheme

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

ESP LUNG EQA SCHEMES

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

ESP COLON EQA SCHEMES

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

EQA program

EXAMPLE REPORTS CASES 2023

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

Our EQA schemes

Our educational programs

The EQA coordination center of the Biomedical QualityAssurance research unit (KU Leuven – University of Leuven)is an ISO 17043 (PT-215) accredited EQA provider,which is the international standard for conformity assessmentof proficiency testing.

Members of the Biomedical Quality Assurance Research Unit

The EQA coordination center of the Biomedical Quality
Assurance research unit (KU Leuven – University of Leuven)
is an ISO 17043 (PT-215) accredited EQA provider,
which is the international standard for conformity assessment
of proficiency testing.