Aligning the flow cytometric evaluation with the diagnostic need: an evidence-based approach
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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer
Published on: September 13, 2022
Dawn Williams-Voorbeijtel1, Francisco Sanchez2, Christine G Roth1
1Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Aims:
Elimination of non-value added testing without compromising high-quality clinical care is an important mandate for laboratories in a value-based reimbursement system. The goal of this study was to determine the optimal combination of flow cytometric markers for a screening approach that balances efficiency and accuracy.
Methods:
An audit over 9 months of flow cytometric testing was performed, including rereview of all dot plots from positive cases.
Results:
Of the 807 cases in which leukaemia/lymphoma testing was performed, 23 were non-diagnostic and 189 represented bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. Of the remaining 595 cases, 137 (23%) were positive for an abnormal haematolymphoid population. Review of the positive cases identified minimum requirements for a screening tube as well as analysis strategies to overcome the diagnostic pitfalls noted. It is estimated that 38% fewer antibodies would be used in a screening approach, representing an opportunity for significant cost savings.
Conclusions:
We provide a framework for developing an evidence-based screening combination for cost-effective characterisation of haematolymphoid malignancies, promoting adoption of 'just-in-time' testing systems that tailor the evaluation to the diagnostic need.
