Detection of Nonhematologic Neoplasms by Routine Flow Cytometry Analysis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Flow cytometry (FC) is a standard diagnostic tool for hematologic neoplasms.
• Nonhematologic neoplasms (non-HN) are typically diagnosed using different methods.
• The potential of routine FC panels to detect non-HN is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of standard hematologic flow cytometry antibody panels in detecting nonhematologic neoplasms.
• To identify non-HN within diagnostic samples using CD45-negative event analysis.
• To assess the frequency and types of non-HN detectable by routine FC.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 4,000 diagnostic FC analyses.
• Identification of aberrant, viable CD45-negative neoplastic populations.
• Utilized antibody panels routinely employed for hematologic neoplasm diagnosis.

Main Results:

• 57 diverse non-HNs (1.4%) were identified.
• Neuroendocrine tumors (33/57) and carcinomas (9/57) were the most common types.
• CD56 (84.3%), CD117 (44.1%), and CD138 (18.2%) were frequently expressed markers.

Conclusions:

• Routine flow cytometry can identify nonhematologic neoplasms.
• Careful inspection of CD45-negative events is crucial for non-HN detection.
• This approach can expedite further diagnostic workup for non-HN.