Detecting CD56+/NB84+/CD45- immunophenotype in the bone marrow of patients with metastatic neuroblastoma using flow cytometry.
BACKGROUND
In order to identify neuroblastoma cells infiltrating the bone marrow, a triple-color flow-cytometric assay was developed combining CD56 and CD45 with the intracellular anti-NB84 specific antibody.


METHODS
The bilateral aspirates obtained from 27 consecutive children over the age of one year with stage 4 neuroblastoma were evaluated.


RESULTS
Neuroblastoma cells were detected in the bone marrow of 17/27 (63%) and 19/27 (70%) cases using cytomorphology and triple-color flow-cytometry, respectively. Using cytometry, the percentage of CD56+/NB84+/CD45-cells infiltrating the bone marrow ranged from 0.02% to 65%. Five out of eight patients without bone marrow involvement according to cytometry are in continuous complete remission, while only 3 out of 19 patients whose bone marrow gave positive results are still alive.


CONCLUSIONS
By combining CD45 and CD56 with the specific antibody, NB84, directed against neuroblastoma cells, we developed a rapid and reliable cytometric assay that can be associated with conventional cytomorphological bone marrow evaluation to detect infiltrating neuroblastoma cells, especially in cases of dubious positivity.
Bozzi
Fabio
F
Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Pediatrics, "C" Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy. fabio.bozzi@istitutotumori.mi.it
Gambirasio
Felicita
F
Luksch
Roberto
R
Collini
Paola
P
Brando
Bruno
B
Fossati-Bellani
Franca
F
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens