CombiFlow: Flow cytometry-based identification and characterization of genetically and functionally distinct AML...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Cancers, including leukemias, are often dynamic oligoclonal diseases characterized by multiple genetically distinct cell populations.
• Identifying and isolating these specific clones is crucial for understanding disease progression and developing targeted therapies.
• Current methods may lack the precision needed for prospective isolation of distinct clones for functional analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the CombiFlow protocol, a combinatorial flow cytometry-based approach.
• To demonstrate the utility of CombiFlow in identifying and isolating genetically distinct cancer clones.
• To enable functional studies on live sorted cell populations and visualize clonal evolution.

Main Methods:

• The study details the CombiFlow protocol, a combinatorial flow cytometry technique.
• This method allows for the identification and prospective isolation of distinct cellular clones.
• The protocol is adaptable for various research applications and functional analyses.

Main Results:

• CombiFlow successfully enables the identification and isolation of distinct cancer clones.
• The protocol facilitates the visualization of clonal evolution throughout disease progression.
• CombiFlow can identify potential relapse-inducing cells at minimal residual disease (MRD) time points.

Conclusions:

• CombiFlow is an effective tool for studying oligoclonal cancers, offering precise identification and isolation of distinct clones.
• The protocol supports the visualization of cancer clonal dynamics and aids in identifying cells responsible for relapse.
• CombiFlow enables crucial functional studies on live sorted populations, advancing cancer research and therapeutic strategies.