Multiparametric Flow Cytometry in the Evaluation of Plasma Cell Proliferative Disorders: Current Paradigms for Clinical Practice

Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2023 Nov 27:S2152-2650(23)02184-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2023.11.006. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDiagnosis of plasma cell proliferative disorders (PCPDs) is primarily based on the demonstration of monoclonal protein (M-Protein) in blood and/ or urine which often precedes clinical manifestations of the disease. The basic pathophysiology behind the M-protein presence is the proliferation of clonal plasma cells (PCs) in bone marrow or extramedullary sites and is assessed using cytomorphology and immunophenotyping. The role of multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) for PC identification is technically the most valuable tool in this context as it characterizes as well as quantifies the clonal PCs based on differential expression of various immunophenotypic (IPT) markers. From a diagnostic perspective, MFC is critical in the definite identification of the clonal PCs and delineates benign and borderline entities at one end of the spectrum (MGUS, SMM) with lower clonal PC% and, malignant diseases at the other end (MM and PCL) with higher clonal PC fraction. The role of MFC in assessment of measurable residual disease (MRD) and monitoring of progression in MM and various PCPDs has been validated in multiple clinical studies and is probably one of the most promising tools for predicting treatment outcomes. Furthermore, MFC also plays a crucial role in disease prognostication based on specific IPT profiles. An additional role of MFC in the current clinical sce...
Source: Clinical Lymphoma and Myeloma - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research