Updated flow cytometry protocols streamline ALL diagnosis and MRD monitoring
The study reports standardized laboratory protocols for flow cytometric immunophenotyping in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, covering initial diagnostic characterization and minimal residual disease monitoring. Investigators outline procedures for peripheral blood and bone marrow preparation, fluorochrome-conjugated antibody labeling, and immunophenotypic data analysis, with specific considerations for patients receiving CD19-targeted therapies. These methodological updates provide clinical laboratories with practical workflows to improve diagnostic accuracy and MRD tracking. The protocols support routine implementation of flow cytometry in leukemia management and post-therapeutic monitoring.
The original study
Flow Cytometric Immunophenotyping of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
- Authors
- Delgado D, Cardinali JL, DiGiuseppe JA
- Journal
- Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
- Type
- Journal Article
- PMID
- 42814326
Original abstract
Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry is an important component in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This technique further permits the detection of minimal residual disease after therapy, a robust prognostic factor that may guide individualized treatment. We describe here laboratory methods for both the initial characterization of lymphoblasts at diagnosis and the detection of rare leukemic lymphoblasts after treatment. In addition to antibody combinations suitable for diagnosis and detection of minimal residual disease, we describe procedures for peripheral blood and bone marrow sample preparation, procedures for labeling of cell-surface and intracellular proteins with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies, and approaches to analysis of immunophenotypic data, including those obtained in patients following CD19-targeted therapies.