• Specialised oncology and haematology testing facility

Oncology and Haematology Testing

Oncolab is a specialised oncology and haematology testing facility which provides specialised diagnostics in haematological malignancies and solid tumours that is often outside the scope of practice of other diagnostic laboratories. Its services are geared towards clinical haematologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and the broader pharmaceutical industry. Oncolab currently supports some of South Africa’s largest oncology and haematology practices.

access to the latest pharmaceutical agents for our patients

“We are continually looking to provide better access to complex tests and diagnostic tools for South Africa’s healthcare practitioners and patients, in addition to providing companion diagnostics in order to streamline treatment decisions and ensure access to the latest pharmaceutical agents for our patients.”

Dr Robyn Marshall, Oncolab’s head haematologist.

Oncolab Reports & Screening

Oncolab’s reports are able to guide selection of optimum therapy in cancers that are all haematolymphoid malignancies (leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma) as well as in selected solid tumours (colorectal carcinoma, breast carcinoma, lung carcinoma). We also perform broad cancer screening (pan-cancer NGS). 

 

 

World-class laboratory equipment

To achieve this, the Oncolab facility boasts world-class laboratory equipment. Its specialised equipment includes a flow sorter, magnetic bead sorting, 10-colour flow cytometers and next generation sequencing. 

Oncolab’s tests are designed to provide clinically actionable and relevant results that can provide direct insights into patient management. The 15-strong Oncolab team is made up of pathologists, geneticists, scientists, technologists, technicians and administrative clerks. They have access to the latest international guidelines and clinical trials enabling Oncolab to provide clinicians with up-to-date treatment information that is patient-, disease- and test-specific. 

Oncolab also liaises directly with medical schemes and invoices them directly thus allowing patients to focus primarily on their treatment and recovery rather than worrying about costs.

Services 

Oncolab offers a number of services. These include: 

  • Routine haematology testing (full blood counts, reticulocytes, white cell differentials)
  • Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
  • Cytochemistry
  • Cytogenetics
  • Cell culture
  • Fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH)
  • Flow cytometry
  • Flow cytometrical sorting of target populations
  • Magnetic isolation of target populations
  • Minimal residual disease assessment (flow cytometry, molecular testing)
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • Pre-transplant genotyping
  • Post-transplant chimerism monitoring
  • HLA typing
  • Next generation sequencing.

TESTING

  • Haematology:
    • Full blood count
    • Reticulocyte count and immature platelet fraction
    • Manual differential and buffy coats
    • ABO typing (forward and reverse)
    • Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy
  • Cytochemistry 
    • Full range for haematological malignancies
  • Cytogenetic karyotyping of leukaemia and lymphoma
  • Cell culture for CFU-GM assay and others 
  • FISH – an extensive range including:
    • Myeloma panel on sorted plasma cells
    • Populations of interest may be isolated upon request
  • Flow cytometry:
    • Leukaemia and lymphoma immunophenotyping
    • Myeloma phenotyping
    • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH) testing
    • Minimal residual disease estimation (AML, B-ALL, T-ALL, Myeloma, Lymphoma, CLL)
  • PCR (various kinds):
    • BCR/ABL RQ-PCR
    • Genotyping through RT-PCR
    • Chimerism monitoring through RT-PCR
  • Next generation sequencing:
    • TP53 mutation
    • BRCA1/2
    • Myeloid assay
    • Lymphoma assay
    • ALL assay
    • Aneuploidy testing
    • HLA typing
    • IGH / TCR clonality testing
    • IGHV mutational testing (CLL)
    • Minimal residual disease in lymphoid malignancies
    • Cell-free colon assay
    • Cell-free lung assay
    • Cell-free breast assay
    • Cell-free pan-cancer assay and
    • Solid tumour focus assay (FFPE tissue).
    • HLA-typing (high resolution only)
    • More assays are available upon request.

 

Oncolab also offers consultation services to clinicians to discuss test results.