B-324 Pilot Study Result of EQA for Fecal Immunochemical Test for Hemoglobin Using a Novel Ready-to-Use Sample Material
Authors: Takehara S , Virtanen K , Yamada M , Eklund S , Pelanti J , Berghäll H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The primary screening method for colorectal cancer is fecal immunochemical test (FIT) detecting human hemoglobin (Hb) in feces. There are several tests on the market both for automated analyzers and point-of-care testing (POCT). To ensure high quality results, the tests should be monitored with appropriate quality assessment procedures including participation in external quality assessment (EQA) programs. By participating in an EQA program using a stool-like material, clinical laboratories and POCT sites can fulfil the ISO 15189 requirements of monitoring the complete laboratory process from pre- to postanalytical phases in addition to the quantitative analytical phase of FIT. Here we present the first results of an international EQA pilot study for quantitative FIT using a novel ready-to-use stool-like material, performed by EQA provider Labquality.

Methods
40 participants from 8 countries using 9 different FIT reagents were recruited for the pilot study performed in 2023. A set of artificial stool samples containing human hemoglobin uniformly was shipped to the participants at ambient temperature. The sample material is developed by HECTEF (Health Care Technology Foundation, Japan). The participants were instructed to collect the sample with their test specific sample collection kit and perform analysis according to the manufacturer’s instructions as a regular patient sample. Quantitative results (µg Hb/g feces) and qualitative interpretations (positive/negative) were reported in Labquality’s electronic platform LabScala. The quantitative target value was a method group consensus mean. A questionnaire regarding the usability of the sample material was sent to all participants.

Results
Sample S001 contained no Hb and all participants (40/40) reported a result corresponding to the lower detection limit of their test in use or a low numeric result most likely explained by unspecific background. All reported a negative interpretation. Sample S002 was a high positive sample for Hb. The measured value exceeded the upper detection limit of 4/9 tests (Exdia iFOB, Precision Biosensor; Fecal Occult Blood (iFOB) Neo, Boditech; FOB Test, VedaLab; NADAL FOB Quant test, Nal von Minden). The mean values and CV% were 116 µg/g and 8% for iFOBT, Aidian; 192 ug/g and 4% for Standard iFOB FIA, SD Biosensor; 144 µg/g and 45% for FOB assay kit FOB Gold, Sentinel Diagnostics (different clinical chemistry analyzers used); 91 µg/g and 26% for OC-Sensor FIT, Eiken Chemical. All participants responded a positive qualitative clinical interpretation. The majority of the responders on the feedback questionnaire (26/35) found the samples to be easy to use including comments of the sample being user-friendly and ready-to-use, resembling a patient sample and easy to apply with the test specific sample collection kit.

Conclusions
The fecal-like sample used in this Labquality’s EQA pilot study evaluates the complete analytical process including the preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical phases. An EQA scheme using this sample material is more compliant to ISO 15189 requirements compared to schemes where liquid or lyophilized samples are used. The new sample material used on this pilot study was positively received by most of the participants and it was compatible with all tests included in the study.