Faculty Collaboration Database

The immunophenotypic stability of plasma cell myeloma by flow cytometry. Int J Lab Hematol 2011 Oct;33(5):483-91

Date

04/08/2011

Pubmed ID

21470371

DOI

10.1111/j.1751-553X.2011.01317.x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-80051926755 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   10 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Flow cytometry (FC) has become increasingly utilized in the diagnosis and monitoring of plasma cell myeloma (PCM), though few studies have evaluated the longitudinal stability of antigen expression.

METHODS: We studied 45 PCM patients by four-color FC for shifts in CD19, CD20, CD38, CD45, CD56, and cytoplasmic light chain expression, between diagnostic/first encounter and positive follow-up analyses. An immunophenotypic (IP) change was defined as gain, loss, or ½ log shift of antigen expression.

RESULTS: An IP change was observed in 14/45 (31%) patients, with single IP changes in 9/14, two changes in 2/14, and three changes in 3/14. 3/14 reverted from an aberrant to a normal plasma cell IP, while remaining light chain-restricted. Changes in expression of CD45 occurred in 9/45 (20%), CD19 in 5/45 (11.1%), CD20 in 2/45 (4.4%), and CD56 in 5/45 (11.1%).

CONCLUSION: Approximately 1/3 of PCM cases show IP changes over time, with CD45 the least stable antigen. Recognition of this relative instability is important to avoid narrow targeting of follow-up FC analyses, especially for minimal residual disease monitoring.

Author List

Spears MD, Olteanu H, Kroft SH, Harrington AM

Authors

Alexandra M. Harrington MD Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Steven Howard Kroft MD Chair, Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Bone Marrow Cells
Female
Flow Cytometry
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Immunophenotyping
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Myeloma
Plasma Cells