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Simplified flow cytometric immunophenotyping panel for multiple myeloma, CD56/CD19/CD138(CD38)/CD45, to differentiate
Tae-Dong Jeong1, Chan-Jeoung Park, Hyoeun Shim
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
A simplified flow cytometry panel, including CD56, CD19, CD138 (CD38), and CD45, effectively identifies neoplastic plasma cells in multiple myeloma (MM). CD19 is particularly valuable for distinguishing these cells in MM patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Flow cytometric immunophenotyping is crucial for identifying neoplastic plasma cells in multiple myeloma (MM).
- Previous studies utilized various antigens (CD38, CD138, CD56, CD117, CD52, CD19, CD45) for plasma cell differentiation.
- A need exists for a simplified, effective immunophenotyping panel for MM analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a simplified immunophenotyping panel for the analysis of multiple myeloma.
- To determine the utility of a specific panel in distinguishing neoplastic from reactive plasma cells.
Main Methods:
- Multiparametric flow cytometric immunophenotyping was performed on 70 patients with multiple myeloma (62 newly diagnosed, 8 treated).
- Monoclonal antibodies targeting CD56, CD19, CD138 (CD38), and CD45 were used.
- Analysis focused on differential counts and antigen expression rates in neoplastic myeloma cells.
Main Results:
- Neoplastic plasma cells constituted 3.6-93.2% of nucleated cells in bone marrow samples.
- Positive expression rates for CD56, CD138, and CD45 were high in both untreated and treated MM cases.
- CD19 expression was consistently negative in neoplastic myeloma cells across all analyzed cases.
Conclusions:
- The simplified panel (CD56/CD19/CD138(CD38)/CD45) is effective for distinguishing neoplastic myeloma cells from reactive plasma cells.
- CD19 is identified as the most valuable antigen for the identification of neoplastic myeloma cells in MM patients.
- This simplified panel aids in clinical practice for MM diagnosis and monitoring.
Background:
Flow cytometric immunophenotyping has been used to identify neoplastic plasma cell populations in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Previous reports have described the use of several antigens, including CD38, CD138, CD56, CD117, CD52, CD19 and CD45, to distinguish distinct populations of plasma cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate a simplified immunophenotyping panel for MM analysis.
Methods:
A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the study, 62 of which were newly diagnosed with MM (untreated), whereas the remaining 8 were undergoing bone marrow assessment as part of follow-up after treatment (treated). Treated cases included 3 patients with relapse and 5 patients with persistence of MM. Multiparametric flow cytometric immunophenotyping was performed using monoclonal antibodies against CD56, CD19, CD138 (CD38), and CD45.
Results:
In differential counts, plasma cells in bone marrow (BM) accounted for 3.6-93.2% of the total nucleated cell count. The positive expression rates of CD56, CD19, CD138, and CD45 in neoplastic myeloma cells were 83.9%, 0%, 98.4%, and 37.1%, respectively, among the 62 untreated cases, and 75.0%, 0%, 87.5%, and 37.5%, respectively, among the 8 treated cases. CD19 expression of neoplastic plasma cells was negative in both untreated and treated cases.
Conclusion:
The simplified immunophenotyping panel, CD56/CD19/CD138(CD38)/CD45, is useful for distinguishing neoplastic myeloma cells from reactive plasma cells in clinical practice. In addition, CD19 represents the most valuable antigen for identifying neoplastic myeloma cells in patients with MM.
