Identifying Leukemia-associated Immunophenotypes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Using Multiparameter Flow

Hadeer Mohamed Rasheed1, Hanaa Mahmoud Donia1, Eman Attia Nadwan2

  • 1Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Oman Medical Journal
|January 13, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs) were identified in 86% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients using multiparameter flow cytometry. Specific LAIP combinations improve minimal residual disease detection, aiding prognosis in AML.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy.
  • Accurate immunophenotyping is crucial for AML diagnosis and monitoring.
  • Leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs) can serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify LAIPs in AML patients at diagnosis using an eight-color multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) panel.
  • To assess alterations in LAIPs in relapsed or refractory AML cases.
  • To optimize LAIP selection for enhanced minimal residual disease (MRD) detection.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an eight-color MFC panel with CD45/side scatter log gating.
  • Analyzed bone marrow samples from 50 AML patients at diagnosis and relapse/refractory stages.
  • Included 20 control bone marrow samples from non-malignant hematological conditions.

Main Results:

  • LAIPs were detected in 86% of AML patients.
  • Most patients (90.7%) exhibited 2-12 aberrant immunophenotypes.
  • Specific combinations (e.g., CD2/CD4/CD56 with CD34 or CD117) yielded strong LAIPs.
  • Refractory cases maintained similar LAIPs; one case showed new LAIPs upon relapse.

Conclusions:

  • LAIP specificity is more critical than frequency for diagnostic utility.
  • Optimized LAIP strategies enhance MFC sensitivity for MRD detection in AML.
  • Accurate MRD assessment via MFC is vital for AML prognosis and clinical management.
Abstract