Self-invented testing method for refined measurement of hormonal changes

Dr Kam Kin-ting, Richard
Scientific Officer (Medical)
Prince of Wales Hospital

Children and adults affected by growth hormone disorders may suffer from short stature and brain tumours respectively. To determine whether a patient is suffering from growth hormone disorders, a serum insulin‑like growth factor I (IGF-I) test have to be performed. However, given its low accuracy, the IGF-I test is always prone to false-negative or false‑positive results. So the patient needs to be admitted to hospital and taken another 10 vials of blood for diagnosis.

Applying the mass spectrometry technology and leveraging on his own research experiences, Dr Richard Kam, has successfully invented an innovative testing method in just half a year. This novel testing method significantly increases the accuracy of the test result and shortens the diagnosis time, with only a single vial of blood required. This allows doctor to determine the best treatment for patient more quickly. In the meantime, the workload of frontline staff and demand pressure for hospital beds arisen from the admission for growth hormone profile testing can be alleviated. He explains that mass spectrometry assay is commonly used to analyse small molecules, but never protein, which is 100 times larger, in a clinical setting. Therefore, he decided to take a long shot by extracting IGF-I protein from blood, and then examine the specimen using the mass spectrometry assay. The spectrum has clearly shown the IGF-I level, and the testing accuracy is significantly higher than that of the traditional one. Since the introduction of this new testing method in 2016, more than 7,000 patients are benefited from the service improvement.

The testing method invented by Dr Kam is the first self-developed IGF-I mass spectrometry test in Asia-Pacific Region and the third around the globe. It has received widespread attention from pathology laboratories in China and Australia. Moreover, he is often invited to international seminars to share his experience on chemical pathology and mass spectrometry technology to enhance the professional competence of his fellow medical and healthcare practitioners.