Blood cancer patients across Taiwan (including AML, CML, MDS, etc.) and their attending physicians; currently 32 medical institutions across Taiwan submit specimens for molecular diagnostic services.
Division of Hematology in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital was established in 1978 by Professor Lee-Yung Shih. The research laboratory was founded in 1990, and the Blood Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory in 2009, followed by consecutive flawless CAP accreditations. We provide the highest volume blood cancer service in Taiwan, sharing resources with associate hematologists across the island. We serve as the core laboratory for Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group, Taiwan CML Study Group, and Taiwan AML Study Group, leading the establishment of unified national treatment guidelines and providing world-class care.
Concentrated equipment and techniques focused on blood cancer research and diagnostics - unique worldwide. 2. International accreditations: consecutive flawless CAP, international BCR-ABL1 IS conversion factor from Australia SA Pathology, 2015 MDS Foundation Center of Excellence. 3. Continuous innovation: pioneer in Taiwan applying NGS for MRD quantification. 4. Nationwide service: 32 institutions receive molecular diagnostics, with free testing for pediatric ALL and Taiwan AML patients. 5. Led establishment of national CML and AML treatment guidelines. 6. Outstanding translational research: world's first reports of FLT3-TKD and CEBPA mutations, discovered 3 MLL partner genes and multiple leukemia genetic mutations in Nature, Cancer Cell, Nature Genetics, Blood, Leukemia.
100% active notification of positive results to attending physicians (phone, SMS, email); positive result notification rate at 100% for three consecutive years (2012-2014); standardized test development and validation; MRD detection sensitivity 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁵.
Service volume exceeds 50% nationwide: 60% of ALL patients (76% pediatric ALL), 64% of AML patients under 70, 50% of CML patients; physician satisfaction at "satisfied" and "very satisfied" exceeds 90% annually.
Laboratory divided into 2 zones: Zone 1 includes data room, open experiment area, independent operation rooms, MRD flow cytometer, FISH equipment, analysis room; Zone 2 includes PCR area, PCR major equipment room, secondary PCR room, electrophoresis photography room. Equipped with next-generation sequencers, multicolor flow cytometers, real-time quantitative PCR.
15 attending physicians in hematologic malignancies (adult and pediatric); 8 lab staff (1 acting deputy technical director, 3 medical technologists, 2 technicians, 1 administrative staff and assistant researcher); CAP-standardized procedures; established MRD detection protocols for ALL.
Physician satisfaction (satisfied + very satisfied) exceeds 90% for four consecutive years (2011-2014); 100% active positive result notification.
Professor Lee-Yung Shih won the MOST Outstanding Research Award three times (2003, 2009, 2014) and the Outstanding Cancer Clinical Research Award from Taiwan Society of Cancer. Highly praised at APSA CML MPN Advisory Board Meeting in Singapore. Offers 37 testing items, comparable to MD Anderson (36), exceeding University of Michigan (17), Oxford (18) and NTUH (8). MRD technology comparable to St. Jude.