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The ERN Preceptorship experience in the AUSL Romagna- Presidio Ospedaliero di Ravenna

2023-02-12
The ERN Preceptorship experience in the AUSL Romagna- Presidio Ospedaliero di Ravenna

Discover the experience of the coordinator and the participants!

Last November 2022, 21st - 22nd, the Preceptorship on Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has been held. This educational activity was organized by Prof. Francesco Lanza, M.D. at the AUSL Romagna- Presidio Ospedaliero di Ravenna.

During the preceptorship, the 2 participants had the opportunity to:

  1. To acquire the theoretical and practical basis for the use of diagnostic tools and follow-up of patients with suspected B and T-cell ALL
  2. To standardize antibody panels, reagents and gating strategies for ALL immunophenotyping in different phases of the disease
  3. To validate high sensitivity analysis for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection and subclones analysis
  4. To discuss the role of molecular biology, cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in detecting blast abnormalities
  5. To discuss treatment options in ALL, including experimental drugs

In the following lines, you will find the outcomes of this ERN-EuroBloodNet Preceptorship experience from both sides:

«In November 2022, our institution (Hematology Institute and Romagna Transplant Network- Ravenna-Italy) hosted the preceptorship in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The faculty was made up of experts in clinical haematology, clinical trials management, flow cytometry and molecular biology. 8 faculty members have mentored 2 scholars. During the course, we discussed several topics related to ALL, including clinical features, flow cytometry, and molecular diagnosis. Moreover, It was an opportunity to discuss the results of ongoing clinical trials for ALL and learn about recent advancements in the field. Overall, it was a unique and fantastic opportunity for haematologists to increase awareness of haematology and attract young talents to this field. In the molecular biology laboratory we have also initiated a training program to train technical staff in molecular genetics methods to meet a need in the community for such personnel I do hope that our commitment to helping practising haematologists to provide quality care to patients, continues their professional development, and enhance their knowledge and expertise in the area of rare diseases, has been appreciated by scholars. » Prof. Francesco Lanza, M.D., Coordinator of the Preceptorship (AUSL Romagna- Presidio Ospedaliero di Ravenna).

«We had the opportunity to participate in the preceptorship on acute lymphoblastic leukaemias thanks to the ERN Mobility Exchange Program. We were hosted by Professor Lanza, director of the Hematology Unit of Ravenna. He illustrated the functioning of his Unit, a unique case in Italy, characterized by the centralization of the laboratory, which serves three hospitals, allowing fast and thorough diagnostic testing. We could visit the actual laboratories and interact with the technicians and biologists involved, who explained to us how the actual diagnostic techniques are performed and showed us how the machinery works. Professor Lanza also focused his preceptorship on the new classification, prognosis and therapy of lymphoblastic leukaemia. In particular, Dr Marconi and he presented to us the future prospects and the wide range of experimental treatments they are able to offer to his patients since their centre is licenced for phase I and II studies. This experience has been invaluable for us, a clinician and laboratory biologist, as we had a chance to compare the different ways of work of our home hospital and Professor Lanza's, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of our methodology. We could talk in-depth with experts, in a very friendly environment that enabled inspiring and instructive conversations. This preceptorship surely added a plus value to our professional education and we would advise the participation in such an engaging initiative.» Michele Wieczorek and Ilaria Giaretta, Participants (San Bortolo Hospital - Vicenza).

Other exchanges, in the frame of the Exchange Mobility Program (Ecorys Agency), have been organised by the ERN-EuroBloodNet. Stay tuned to our social media channels to discover the following preceptorship experiences!

You will find all the information about the ERN-EuroBloodNet preceptorships on our website!