EuroMRD Ph+ALL 2026

EuroMRD Ph⁺ALL EQA scheme 2026

Task 6: BCR::ABL1 RQ-PCR in Philadelphia chromosome positive ALL

Task 6 focuses on RQ-PCR based minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph⁺ALL).

In the spring EQA round, which is the educational component of the Ph⁺ALL EQA scheme, 10 patient cases are presented as electronic files for the correct interpretation of BCR::ABL1 RQ-PCR data.

The autumn EQA round is the wet lab part, for which samples based on lyophilized cells are distributed to the participants. Participants are asked to quantify the minor-BCR::ABL1 fusion transcript, the major-BCR::ABL1 fusion transcript, and the transcript of the housekeeping genes ABL1 and GUS in lyophilized cells. In addition, an ABL1-tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutation test is performed on cDNA.

BCR::ABL1 RQ-PCR based MRD

Six samples of lyophilized cells are distributed to perform MRD detection by RQ-PCR of minor-BCR::ABL1 (3 samples), major BCR::ABL1 (3 samples), and housekeeping gene(s) with in-house methods. The MRD results should be analyzed according to the EuroMRD guidelines.

ABL1-TKD mutation analysis

Analysis of the BCR::ABL1 kinase domain mutation status should be performed with in-house methods in one sample according to the instructions provided by the organizers.

Performance evaluation and report

Certificates of participation and performance in EQA rounds will be distributed after the EuroMRD meeting of the same calendar year. Certificates will be based on z-scores (a maximum deviation from the mean of two SDs is allowed for BCR::ABL1 RQ-PCR).

After release of the certificates, participants can submit an appeal if they feel that a mistake was made in the assessment of their performance. If applicable, certificates will be adapted based on received appeals.

EQA Educational meeting

During the ESLHO week in November, the annual EuroMRD meeting is organized. At this meeting, the results of all EuroMRD EQA schemes are shown (pseudonymized) and discussed with all EuroMRD participants, in small discussion groups as well as during plenary sessions.

The participants can discuss during the EuroMRD meeting if additional tasks should be implemented in the next year’s rounds.

Registration and participation fee

The EuroMRD Ph⁺ALL EQA scheme is only available for participants of the EuroMRD Consortium that are part of the Ph⁺ALL section. The participation fee is € 300 for both rounds (it is not possible to register for only one round of this scheme). In addition, the EuroMRD annual fee is charged once to every EuroMRD participant.

Organization

The Ph⁺ALL EQA scheme is organized by ESLHO (EQA Program Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Jacques J.M. van Dongen) in collaboration with the EuroMRD EQA Committee (Ph⁺ALL scheme lead: Dr. Heike Pfeifer). The members of the EuroMRD EQA Committee are participants of the EuroMRD Consortium. The EuroMRD subject-matter experts provide support for:

• Pre-round: Case selection, production of cells, determination of consensus results

• Post-round: Data analysis, performance evaluation, reporting

Details on the task division can be found below.

Task division