Regional Spotlight National Meeting on Guidelines for Immunophenotyping of Hematolymphoid Neoplasms in India S. Gujral, 1 * P.G. Subramanian, 1 and A. Dasgupta 2 1 Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India 2 SRL, Mumbai, India Key terms: immunophenotyping; guidelines How to cite this article: Gujral S, Subramanian PG, Dasgupta A. National meeting on guidelines for immuno- phenotyping of hematolymphoid neoplasms in India. Cytometry Part B 2009; 76B: 156–157. Immunophenotyping of hematolymphoid neoplasms is being done in many laboratories in India. However no national level external quality program existed. In 2006, six clinical cytometry laboratories from Mumbai joined hands to start an interlaboratory comparison program (ILCP) for immunophenotyping of hematolymphoid neo- plasms by flow cytometry. Though started as a small group, the aim was to establish a national level program (external quality assurance program). These members selected the Hematopathology Laboratory at Tata Memo- rial Hospital, Mumbai as a nodal center to send samples for ILCP. Inputs were followed by formal meetings. Dur- ing this exercise we realized there was a wide variation among laboratories in various aspects of clinical cytome- try, starting from sample collection to processing, analy- sis, and dispatch of final report. Thus we planned the First National Meeting on Guidelines for Immunopheno- typing of Hematolymphoid Neoplasms. Our aim was to achieve uniformity in the laboratory practice regarding antibody panel selection in diagnosing hematolymphoid neoplasms. Members of ILCP group prepared a draft regarding immunophenotypic panel selection for acute leukemias (AL) and chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPDs). This document was based on experience of ILCP group members and on 4-year data of AL and CLPDs from Tata Memorial Hospital. This document was further circulated to national and international cytometrists, hematopathol- ogists, clinical hematologists, and oncologists on January 5, 2008. This document was circulated for written input, suggestions, modifications, and to indicate if any of the recommendations were not acceptable. Acceptable sug- gestions were incorporated while remaining issues were attached as an addendum for further discussion. A prac- tice-based questionnaire was circulated amongst all the participants a month before the meeting. It included a check list of antibodies/reagents used in the current practice. This helped us further in selecting panels for AL and CLPDs. First revised guideline was recirculated on February 20, 2008. Further inputs were incorporated and the second revised guidelines were circulated on March 5, 2008. This was followed by our first National Meeting on Guidelines for Immunophenotyping of Hematolymphoid Neoplasms from March 14 to 15, 2008. The meeting was jointly co-organized by Tata Memorial Hospital (a Gov- ernment Hospital with Department of Atomic Energy), Indian Institute of Immunohematolgy-Indian Council of Medical Research (Government of India), The Cytometry Society (of India), Clinical Cytometry Society (of USA), International Society of Analytical Cytology, and Specialty Ranbaxy Limited, India. Corporate sponsorship was obtained from Beckman Coulter, BD Biosciences, Rea Matrix, Abbott Diagnostics, and Unique Diagnostics. The theme of the meeting was to formulate national guidelines for immunophenotyping of hematolymphoid neoplasms including AL and CLPDs. In addition, we had talks and panel discussion on indications for flow cytom- etry, training of cytometrists, stem cell counts, and qual- ity control issues. Discussions were oriented to comprise *Correspondence to: Sumeet Gujral, MD, Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. E-mail: s_gujral@hotmail.com Received 25 March 2008; Accepted 14 May 2008 Published online 25 August 2008 in Wiley InterScience (www. interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.20433 Cytometry Part B (Clinical Cytometry) 76B:156–157 (2009) q 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society