Open AccessFlow cytometry‐based characterization of underlying clonal B and plasma cells in patients with light chain amyloidosis
Author(s) -
Lisenko Katharina,
Schönland Stefan O.,
Jauch Anna,
Andrulis Mindaugas,
Röcken Christoph,
Ho Anthony D.,
Goldschmidt Hartmut,
Hegenbart Ute,
Hundemer Michael
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.725
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin light chain , clone (java method) , al amyloidosis , flow cytometry , amyloidosis , pathology , bone marrow , plasma cell , lymphatic system , monoclonal , amyloid (mycology) , immunohistochemistry , b cell , medicine , biology , monoclonal antibody , antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , gene , biochemistry
Systemic amyloid light chain ( AL ) amyloidosis is a life‐threatening protein deposition disorder; however, effective therapy can dramatically improve the prognosis of AL patients. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of the underlying hematologic disease is important. Multi‐parameter flow cytometry ( MFC ) is a reliable method to analyze lymphatic neoplasias and to detect even a small lymphatic clone. We analyzed the presence of clonal plasma cell ( PC ) and B cells in the bone marrow of 63 patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis by MFC . We compared the results with the levels of monoclonal protein, the histopathology and cytogenetic results. As reference of light chain restriction, we used the immunohistochemical results of κ or λ positive amyloid deposits in various tissues. MFC identified underlying clonal lymphatic cells in all but two patients (61 of 63, 97%). Sixty‐one patients harbored malignant PC s, whereas B‐cell lymphomas were identified in two patients. Furthermore, MFC indicated at least one putative immunotherapeutical target ( CD 20, CD 38, CD 52, or SLAMF 7) on malignant PC s in all but one patient. These results demonstrate that MFC is a reliable tool for an accurate diagnosis of the underlying hematologic disease and the detection of potential immunotherapeutical targets in patients with AL amyloidosis.