With a network of specialized diagnostic laboratories, Karaiskakio Foundation in cooperation with the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM), fulfill the clinical needs of the patients by providing a complete and integrated approach for the diagnosis of haematological malignancies and related diseases.
Immunogenetics Laboratory
The Immunogenetics laboratory at Karaiskakio Foundation ranks high amongst the most modern and state-of-the-art laboratories in the region. It has received accreditation by the European Federation of Immunogenetics (EFI) since 2004. It is equipped with latest technology systems ensuring that the services it provides are of the highest quality and delivered in a timely manner to serve the needs of the patients.
Flow Cytometry Laboratory
The Flow Cytometry Laboratory represents one of the most important core laboratories of the Foundation. It is well equipped and staffed by a highly skilled team. The laboratory is responsible for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease burden and its technical ability and high quality services have rendered it the central reference laboratory for haematological malignancies in Cyprus today.
Molecular Haematology Laboratory
The Molecular Haematology laboratory offers a broad spectrum of molecular testing. This includes specialized tests for the detection of recurrent chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations, which affect the prognosis of certain types of leukemia. Valuable information derived from these tests serves to guide physicians for the detailed evaluation of therapy options as well as timely detection of disease relapse.
CytoGenomics Laboratory
Cytogenetics methods represent a critical tool for the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of haematological malignancies. The Cytogenomics laboratory combines classical cytogenetics and modern cytogenomics methodologies for the study of haematological malignancies such as SKY-FISH and Microarray.
The Karaiskakio Foundation has received funding under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism in the Programming Period 2009-2014, for upgrading part of its infrastructure, advancement of expertise on the subject, promotion of public awareness and enhancement the bone marrow donor registry in Cyprus. Aiming to improve public health and reduce health inequalities, through the proposed project, the Karaiskakio Foundation has enhanced its local health infrastructure with the establishment of a state-of-the art, specialised Childhood Cancer Diagnostic Laboratory which provides diagnostic support to the paediatric and other cancer patients.
The establishment of the Childhood Cancer Diagnostic Laboratory contributes towards:
• Technological progress in the diagnostic field and better understanding of cancer pathology, improvement of patient health and reduction of health inequalities
• Integrated and comprehensive analysis at the early stage of disease identification and classification, management, and treatment
• Structured, systematic and comprehensive laboratory support to patients, hence minimizing the time needed for diagnosis
• Opportunities to young scientists to excel in the field of cancer, invest in people through education
• Increase Social Awareness on cancer.
A parallel objective of the project is the enhancement of the Bone Marrow Donor Registry with new volunteer donors. The challenge is to find the means to attract and to cultivate the feeling of altruism in young adults, through modern means of communication (e.g., apps, social media, self-service stations, short videos etc).
The project further enhances the collaboration of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot Communities in Cyprus.
The Karaiskakio Foundation is already engaged in bi-communal collaboration through the Cyprus Bone Marrow Donor Registry, the greatest in significance and size bi-communal project since 1974. The Kemal Saracoglu Association (a Turkish Cypriot NGO) actively supports the Karaiskakio Foundation in contacting donors and serves as a contact point to help Turkish Cypriot patients and physicians to access the services of the Foundation. Furthermore, the Karaiskakio Foundation is providing both diagnostic and donor search services free of charge to all leukaemia and cancer patients from both the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot community.