Statistical tools - Limit of Blank/Limit of Detection

| Learning & Resources | Statistical Tools | Limit of Blank/Limit of Detection (EP17-A2)

For automated computation, use the statistical tool below.

In this memo, we describe a method to calculate the LoB and the LoD of a Crystal Digital PCR™ assay adapted from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) EP17-A2 standard (Protocols for Determination of Limits of Detection and Limits of Quantitation; Approved Guideline).

How to calculate the LoB

a) Definition

the 𝐿o𝐵 with a confidence level (1 − 𝛼) is defined as the maximum concentration expected in a well with a probability of 1-α in a sample containing no target sequence. In other words, the LoB is the maximum concentration that is plausible with a 1 − 𝛼 probability (typically 95% for 𝛼 = 5%). The sample used to calculate the LoB, known as a negative control or blank sample, in most cases contains no sequence for any given target. However, the blank sample should be representative of the nature of the samples – for example if the sample to be tested with the assay is circulating tumor (ctDNA) extracted from plasma or FFPE DNA, the blank sample should be a sample with no mutant sequences but with a background of fragmented wildtype DNA such as ctDNA extracted from a wild-type plasma sample.

b) Calculation method:

1. Perform Crystal Digital PCR™ on the naica® system on N ≥ 30 negative control replicates to reach a confidence level of 95%. For higher confidence levels, more blank samples should be analyzed.
2. Using the Crystal Miner software, export the results (chamber concentrations in copies/µL) and order them in ascending concentration order (Rank 1 to N) for each target independently.
3. PLoB, the probability to be a true negative PLOB is equal to 1- α. (If α = 0.05, PLoB = 1-α = 0.95). The rank position X corresponding to this PLoB equals to: X = 0.5 + (N x PLoB)
4. To calculate the LoB, we need to determine the ranks flanking X and their corresponding concentrations C1 and C2.

LoB = C1 + Y *(C2 – C1)
C1 = concentration for rank X1 (X1 = Rank below rank X)
C2 = concentration for rank X2 (X2 = Rank above rank X)
Y = 0.Z; Z corresponds to the digit after the decimal point of X. (For example, if
X=40.4, Y=0.4 or if X= 38.0, Y=0).
If Y=0, X1 =X and LoB = C1 (concentration for rank X)

How to calculate the LoD

a) Definition

the 𝐿o𝐷 with a confidence level (1 − 𝛽) is defined as the minimum concentration for which detecting the target sequence in a well is possible with a probability of 1 − 𝛽. In other words, this is the minimum concentration that can be said to be non-zero and higher than the limit of blank 𝐿𝑂𝐵 with a 1- 𝛽 probability (typically 95% for 𝛽 = 5%).

b) Calculation method

1. Perform Crystal Digital PCR™ on the naica® system on a minimum of five independently prepared Low-Level (LL) samples (LL1, LL2, LL3, LL4 and LL5), performing at least 6 replicates per sample. The LL samples used to calculate the LoD should be representative positive samples or a representative sample matrix with spiked-in target concentrations within a range of one to five times higher than the calculated LoB.
2. Determine the standard deviation SDi for each group of replicates (SD1, SD2, SD3, SD4 and SD5). The quantification variability between LL samples should not be significantly different. The significance of this difference should be checked with a statistical method (Cochran’s test, for example). A significant difference in quantification variability between LL samples suggests either an instability of the reaction or a concentration range too large for the selected LL samples (in which case, repeat the study with more appropriate samples).
3. Calculate the global SD (SDL)

SDi = SD of all results for the ith low level sample
ni = the number of results for the ith low level sample
J = number of LL samples

Note that if all the LL samples contain the same number of replicates, SDL can be calculated with the following formula:

4. Calculate Cp = coefficient to give the 95th percentile of a normal distribution.
   L = total of samples (J x n replicates, n ≥ 6)

The value 1.645 represents the 95th percentile from the normal distribution for  = 0.05. If a different  value is chosen, this multiplier will need to change accordingly.
LoD = LoB + Cp*SD_L

How to determine if a target is quantifiable or detectable

Once the LoB and LoD are calculated for each target of a given assay, use the following decision table to determine if the target concentration obtained for a given real-life sample can be considered as detectable or quantifiable: