title: Applications of imaging flow cytometry in the diagnostic assessment of acute leukaemia.
abstract: Automated imaging flow cytometry integrates flow cytometry with digital microscopy to produce high-resolution digital imaging with quantitative analysis. This enables cell identification based on morphology (cell size, shape), antigen expression, quantification of fluorescence signal intensity and localisation of detected signals (i.e. surface, cytoplasm, nuclear). We describe applications of imaging flow cytometry for the diagnostic assessment of acute leukaemia. These bone marrow malignancies are traditionally diagnosed and classified by cell morphology, phenotype and cytogenetic abnormalities. Traditionally morphology is assessed by light microscopy, phenotyping by conventional flow cytometry and genetics by karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) on interphase nuclei/metaphase spreads of cells on slides. Imaging flow cytometry adds a new dimension to the diagnostic assessment of these neoplasms. We describe three specific applications: From this we conclude that imaging flow cytometry offers benefits over conventional diagnostic methods. Specifically the ability to visualise the cells of interest, the pattern and localisation of expressed antigens and assess cytogenetic abnormalities in one integrated automated high-throughput test. Imaging flow cytometry presents a new paradigm for the diagnostic assessment of leukaemia.
authors.affiliation: Haemato-Oncology Diagnostic Service, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lizz F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Grimwade
authors.affiliation: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, W.A. 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.affiliation: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, W.A. 6009, Australia. Electronic address: wendy.erber@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wendy N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Erber
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D002884:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D007399:Interphase; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000090243:Nucleophosmin; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: C000716967:NPM1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; C093476:promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor alpha fusion oncoprotein; D000090243:Nucleophosmin
keywords: Acute promyelocytic leukaemia; Fluorescence in situ hybridization; Imaging flow cytometry; Leukaemia; Nucleophosmin; Phenotype