X-ZELL takes centre-stage at German cytopathology meeting

Prof. Dr. Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik lecturing in Halle, Germany

Halle, November 2024 – The 2024 Seminar on Clinical Cytology in Pulmonology in Halle, Germany, made history by featuring Cryoimmunostaining™ in the official scientific program for the first time. The groundbreaking session marked a significant milestone in advancing multiplexed immunostaining as a leading innovation in cytopathology.

Co-hosted by the German Respiratory Society (DGP) and the German Society of Cytopathology (DGZ), the event showcased independent reviews of the novel technology by early adopters from Germany and Slovenia, as well as a roundtable discussion on the design of multiplex antibody panels for use in routine cytopathology.

New study from Slovenia

As part of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik and Dr. Simona Miceska from the Institute of Oncology in Ljubljana, Slovenia, shared interim data from a new study comparing X-ZELL’s Cryoimmunostaining™ technology with conventional immunohistochemistry (IHC) – indicating significant potential to establish X-ZELL as a data-rich, time- and resource-efficient alternative to the current standard. The corresponding publication will come out in Q1 2025.

New user in Germany

The session also featured DGZ Vice President Dr. Ralf Heine, chief physician for pulmonology, hematology, oncology, and palliative medicine at St. Elisabeth & St. Barbara Hospital Halle; as well as Dr. Antje Hölsken, lead pathologist at Martha-Maria Hospital Halle, who detailed their joint journey of testing Cryoimmunostaining™ in a clinial routine laboratory – highlighting the simplicity and time-efficiency of the protocol.

New use case for formalin

Prof. Dr. Stathis Philippou, chief pathologist at Augusta Hospital Bochum, discussed his efforts to adapt the technology for formalin-fixated sample material, having utilized Cryoimmunostaining™ since late 2023.

New data from pioneering laboratory

Dr. Achim Battmann, who pioneered the use of Cryoimmunostaining™ in Europe, shared insights from reviewing over 400 cases with Cryoimmunostaining™ in his role as chief pathologist at MVZ Frankfurt. He also unveiled preliminary results from a blinded 213-patient study conducted with Northwest Hospital Frankfurt.

The study demonstrated a significant reduction in inconclusive diagnoses, potentially sparing patients from anxious waiting, repeat testing and delayed treatment. The final data is set to be published in 2025 and has previously been teased at the 2024 European Congress of Cytology in Leipzig, Germany.

New push for standardised panel design

The historic Cryoimmunostaining™ session in Halle concluded with an engaging discussion on the development of standardized multiplex antibody panels for routine cytopathology. This initiative holds the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges of using immunohistochemistry in cytopathology, including the lack of standardization and comparability, high failure rates and limited data output.

More information to come.

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Media Contact
Sebastian Grote
Managing Director, X-ZELL
sebastian.g@x-zell.com

About X-ZELL
X-ZELL is an award-winning medical technology company pioneering the field of next-generation cytology. The company’s mission is to transform cancer diagnostics by fusing novel laboratory technology with digital imaging to detect and visualise individual atypical cells in minimally invasive body liquids and digitize them for instant on-screen analysis. Founded by Y Combinator finalist, Dr Sebastian C.P. Bhakdi, X-ZELL was ranked second-most innovative healthcare start-up in the world in 2020 and has since won the coveted MedTech Innovator APAC competition as well as the Abstract Award at the 2021 European Conference of Cytology.

About Cryoimmunostaining™
Cryoimmunostaining™ is a novel immunostaining method utilising proprietary X-ZELL technology to simultaneously apply up to eight diagnostic antibodies on a single microscope slide to maximise diagnostic yield and sample utilisation. The technology platform required to perform Cryoimmunostaining™ is referred to as the Next-Generation Cytology (NGC) platform and includes the relevant laboratory hardware, all relevant reagents and consumables as well as the X-ZELL Hybrid Microscope to enable digital cytopathology in a clinical routine environment.