Standardization of flow cytometry in myelodysplastic syndromes: report from the first European LeukemiaNet working conference on flow cytometry in myelodysplastic syndromes.
The myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell diseases characterized by cytopenia(s), dysplasia in one or more cell lineages and increased risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recent advances in immunophenotyping of hematopoietic progenitor and maturing cells in dysplastic bone marrow point to a useful role for multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM) in the diagnosis and prognostication of myelodysplastic syndromes. In March 2008, representatives from 18 European institutes participated in a European LeukemiaNet (ELN) workshop held in Amsterdam as a first step towards standardization of FCM in myelodysplastic syndromes. Consensus was reached regarding standard methods for cell sampling, handling and processing. The group also defined minimal combinations of antibodies to analyze aberrant immunophenotypes and thus dysplasia. Examples are altered numbers of CD34(+) precursors, aberrant expression of markers on myeloblasts, maturing myeloid cells, monocytes or erythroid precursors and the expression of lineage infidelity markers. When applied in practice, aberrant FCM patterns correlate well with morphology, the subclassification of myelodysplastic syndromes, and prognostic scoring systems. However, the group also concluded that despite strong evidence for an impact of FCM in myelodysplastic syndromes, further (prospective) validation of markers and immunophenotypic patterns are required against control patient groups as well as further standardization in multi-center studies. Standardization of FCM in myelodysplastic syndromes may thus contribute to improved diagnosis and prognostication of myelodysplastic syndromes in the future.
van de Loosdrecht
Arjan A
AA
Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.vandeloosdrecht@vumc.nl
Alhan
Canan
C
Béné
Marie Christine
MC
Della Porta
Matteo G
MG
Dräger
Angelika M
AM
Feuillard
Jean
J
Font
Patricia
P
Germing
Ulrich
U
Haase
Detlef
D
Homburg
Christa H
CH
Ireland
Robin
R
Jansen
Joop H
JH
Kern
Wolfgang
W
Malcovati
Luca
L
Te Marvelde
Jeroen G
JG
Mufti
Ghulam J
GJ
Ogata
Kiyoyuki
K
Orfao
Alberto
A
Ossenkoppele
Gert J
GJ
Porwit
Anna
A
Preijers
Frank W
FW
Richards
Stephen J
SJ
Schuurhuis
Gerrit Jan
GJ
Subirá
Dolores
D
Valent
Peter
P
van der Velden
Vincent H J
VH
Vyas
Paresh
P
Westra
August H
AH
de Witte
Theo M
TM
Wells
Denise A
DA
Loken
Michael R
MR
Westers
Theresia M
TM
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012015:Reference Standards
D015703:Antigens, CD