Recommended reporting format for flow cytometry diagnosis of acute leukemia

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Cytometry

Background:

• Flow cytometry is increasingly utilized for diagnosing hematologic malignancies.
• Current reporting formats for acute leukemia immunodiagnosis are often imprecise and vague, stemming from outdated guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an easy-to-understand and clear reporting format for the immunological diagnosis of acute leukemia.
• To provide standardized technical guidelines for acute leukemia cytometry reports as part of a larger series by the Italian Society of Cytometry (GIC).

Main Methods:

• Development of 13 distinct recommendations covering all essential aspects of an acute leukemia cytometry report.
• Inclusion of specific elements such as patient demographics, specimen details, analytical procedures, immunophenotype, and diagnostic conclusions.
• Presentation of a case example of acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21) translocation to illustrate the proposed reporting format.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive checklist of 13 essential components for acute leukemia cytometry reports has been formulated.
• The proposed format ensures clarity and precision in reporting, addressing patient identification, sample details, analytical methods, and diagnostic outcomes.
• The recommendations cover crucial aspects like cell counts, sample quality, gating procedures, blast cell immunophenotype, surrounding cell descriptions, and minimal residual disease detection.

Conclusions:

• The proposed 13-point checklist offers a standardized and clear framework for reporting acute leukemia immunodiagnosis via flow cytometry.
• Adoption of these recommendations will enhance the precision and consistency of diagnostic reports, improving communication and patient care.
• This initiative by the Italian Society of Cytometry aims to elevate the quality and interpretability of flow cytometry data in hematologic oncology.