Flow cytometry in hematological nonmalignant disorders

Abstract

Summary Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) has become an integral part of the diagnosis and classification of hematological malignancies. However, several nonmalignant or premalignant disorders may benefit from this technology in hematology laboratories. This review provides information on the normal immunophenotypic characteristics of peripheral blood leukocyte subsets and their modifications in several clinical conditions. The usefulness of MFC and the specific markers that can be investigated in hyperlymphocytosis, infection, hypereosinophilia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and large granular lymphocyte disorders is described. Mention is also made of the developments of MFC for analyses of red blood cells or platelets.

Routine flow cytometry approach for the evaluation of solid tumor neoplasms and immune cells in minimally invasive samples

“…Combining CC and flow cytometry a high diagnosis yield (81/96) was reached avoiding more invasive procedures. As previously reported (Béné et al, 2016; Ferreira‐Facio et al, 2021; Gautam et al, 2008), this was not limited to small round cell tumors, but also in other tumors, such as ADC or SCC. FNA biopsy results can also be useful to establish an initial diagnosis or indicate the need to obtain additional samples (Leon et al, 2004).…”

“…Regarding some individual antigens of interest, CD56 expression was positive in neuroblastoma, ES/PNET epithelial neoplasms, comprising small cell carcinomas and neuroendocrime neoplasms as expected (Cornfield et al, 2003; Farinola et al, 2003; Ferreira‐Facio et al, 2013; Kentrou et al, 2011). Nevertheless, CD56 is not specific to neuroendocrine tumors, as demonstrated in this study and others (Béné et al, 2016; Farinola et al, 2003). CD326/EpCAM, which is a transmembrane glycoprotein mediating epithelial specific intracellular cell adhesion that is specifically expressed in epithelial neoplasm, allowing mesothelial cells to be distinguished from epithelial cells (Acosta et al, 2016; Annunziata et al, 2020).…”

“…Use of complementary techniques beyond cytopathology/histopathology may be useful to overcome the limitations of ancillary techniques for malignant tumor diagnosis (Roy‐Chowdhuri et al, 2020). MFC has a well‐established role in the diagnosis, prognosis and follow up of hematolymphoid neoplasms and is successfully performed in peripheral blood, BM, body fluids, and tissue samples (Béné et al, 2016). Out of this context, MFC has been introduced in cancer research (Davidson et al, 2007; Davidson et al, 2012) but few studies are devoted to clinical applications for detection of malignant cells (Acosta et al, 2016; Ferreira‐Facio et al, 2013; Ferreira‐Facio et al, 2021; Gautam et al, 2008; Wong‐Arteta et al, 2020).…”

A standardized immune phenotyping and automated data analysis platform for multicenter biomarker studies

“…In the era of precision medicine, there is an increasing need to rapidly assess complex leukocyte phenotypes in order to stratify patients, assign individualized treatments, and monitor response to therapy. Many studies have used flow cytometry to discover leukocyte-based biomarkers (1)(2)(3) in different disease contexts, but validation of these discoveries and their ultimate transition into routine clinical practice are limited by poor standardization of research-based flow cytometric methods. Consequently, biomarker and immune monitoring studies often rely on centralized and batched analyses of cryopreserved PBMCs to overcome site-and time-dependent variation in reagents, sample processing, and instrument performance.…”

The prognostic value of multiparametric flow cytometry in AL amyloidosis at diagnosis and at the end of first-line treatment

“…1 Underestimation of the plasma cell (PC) compartment by flow cytometry, caused by hemodilution and/or lack of lipid-enriched spicules in the liquid bone marrow sample, 2,3 has led to its underutilization in PC disorders. In multiple myeloma, its use has focused on the assessment of minimal residual disease.…”