Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells
Published on: January 20, 2019
Circulating Plasma Cells in Monoclonal Gammopathies
Background:
Monoclonal gammopathies are characterized by presence of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, although peripheral blood circulating plasma cells can be found in a significant proportion of patients. The number of circulating plasma cells is an independent prognostic marker associated with shorter survival, but it can also help to predict early relapse. The reason and mechanism of plasma cell expansion from the bone marrow to enter peripheral blood is still not entirely clear, but possible changes in the expression of adhesion molecules are probably involved. Multiparametric flow cytometry allows simple and exact enumeration of circulating plasma cells in different types of cell suspensions, even in their low quantity. The phenotype profile and confirmation of clonality regarding to their bone marrow clonal counterparts should be verified as well. There is no uniform method used in clinical laboratories for circulating plasma cells analyses at this moment.
Aim:
Review is focused on use of multiparametric flow cytometry for circulating plasma cells analysis in peripheral blood. It is comparing possibilities of their detection by different methods and on clinical relevance of that assessment. The standardization of analyses is the main goal.
Conclusion:
Multiparametric flow cytometry is a very sensitive method for detection of circulating plasma cells, so using a standardized approach can lead to determination and implementation of the flow cytometry diagnostic threshold in plasma cell leukemia suspicious cases as well as in prognostication of monoclonal gammopathies patients. Moreover, analysis of plasma cells phenotypic profile could probably clarify their future behaviour.Key words: monoclonal gammopathies - circulating plasma cells - plasma cell leukemia - flow cytometry.
Insights
Multiparametric flow cytometry enables sensitive detection of circulating plasma cells in monoclonal gammopathies. Standardization of this method is crucial for accurate diagnosis and prognostication, especially in plasma cell leukemia.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Monoclonal gammopathies involve clonal plasma cells in bone marrow, with peripheral blood presence indicating prognosis.
- Circulating plasma cells (CPCs) number predicts survival and relapse risk in monoclonal gammopathies.
- Mechanisms of CPC expansion from bone marrow are unclear, potentially involving adhesion molecule expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review multiparametric flow cytometry for CPC analysis in peripheral blood.
- To compare CPC detection methods and assess clinical relevance.
- To emphasize the need for standardization in CPC analysis.
Main Methods:
- Multiparametric flow cytometry for enumerating CPCs in peripheral blood.
- Phenotypic profiling and clonality confirmation of CPCs.
- Review of existing detection methods and their clinical utility.
Main Results:
- Multiparametric flow cytometry offers sensitive CPC detection, even at low quantities.
- Standardized analysis can establish diagnostic thresholds for plasma cell leukemia.
- Phenotypic analysis may predict CPC behavior and patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Standardized multiparametric flow cytometry is vital for diagnosing plasma cell leukemia and prognosing monoclonal gammopathies.
- This method's sensitivity aids in identifying circulating plasma cells.
- Further analysis of CPC phenotype can elucidate their role in disease progression.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
01:36Humoral Immune Responses
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
01:31Hybridoma Technology
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation,...