Database-guided Flow-cytometry for Evaluation of Bone Marrow Myeloid Cell Maturation

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Immunophenotyping
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is crucial for diagnosing myeloid diseases.
• Standardization of MFC protocols is needed for consistent diagnostic application.
• Existing methods exhibit variability, impacting diagnostic reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To harmonize MFC application for myeloid disease diagnosis in France.
• To develop a standardized protocol for bone marrow sample preparation and data acquisition.
• To establish robust analysis methods for routine diagnostic use.

Main Methods:

• A working group within the French Cytometry Association (AFC) developed a consensus protocol.
• The protocol was implemented across six French diagnostic laboratories from 2013 to 2015.
• Maturation databases for neutrophil, monocytic, and erythroid lineages were created using healthy donor samples.

Main Results:

• Standardized bone marrow sample preparation and data acquisition were achieved.
• A robust analysis method allows comparison of new cases against normal databases.
• Quantitative and qualitative phenotypic abnormalities exceeding 2SD were identified as potentially pathological.

Conclusions:

• The developed MFC protocol provides a standardized approach for myeloid disease diagnosis.
• Comparison against established databases aids in identifying pathological abnormalities.
• Establishing technical validation criteria is essential for improving MFC utility in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) diagnostics.