A probabilistic approach for the evaluation of minimal residual disease by multiparameter flow cytometry in leukemic B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders.
Multiparameter flow cytometry has become an essential tool for monitoring response to therapy in hematological malignancies, including B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD). However, depending on the expertise of the operator minimal residual disease (MRD) can be misidentified, given that data analysis is based on the definition of expert-based bidimensional plots, where an operator selects the subpopulations of interest. Here, we propose and evaluate a probabilistic approach based on pattern classification tools and the Bayes theorem, for automated analysis of flow cytometry data from a group of 50 B-CLPD versus normal peripheral blood B-cells under MRD conditions, with the aim of reducing operator-associated subjectivity. The proposed approach provided a tool for MRD detection in B-CLPD by flow cytometry with a sensitivity of < or =8 x 10(-5) (median of < or =2 x 10(-7)). Furthermore, in 86% of B-CLPD cases tested, no events corresponding to normal B-cells were wrongly identified as belonging to the neoplastic B-cell population at a level of < or =10(-7). Thus, this approach based on the search for minimal numbers of neoplastic B-cells similar to those detected at diagnosis could potentially be applied with both a high sensitivity and specificity to investigate for the presence of MRD in virtually all B-CLPD. Further studies evaluating its efficiency in larger series of patients, where reactive conditions and non-neoplastic disorders are also included, are required to confirm these results.
Pedreira
C E
CE
Faculty of Medicine and COPPE-PEE Engineering Graduate Program, UFRJ/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Costa
E S
ES
Almeida
J
J
Fernandez
C
C
Quijano
S
S
Flores
J
J
Barrena
S
S
Lecrevisse
Q
Q
Van Dongen
J J M
JJ
Orfao
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity