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FMOD expression in whole blood aids in distinguishing between chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other leukemic lymphoproliferative disorders. A pilot study
Author(s) -
Sorigue Marc,
Junca Jordi,
Ferra Christelle,
Marce Silvia,
RuizXivillé Neus,
Pinyol Laia,
Cabezon Marta,
Espasa Andrea,
Dominguez Diana,
LopezViaplana Laia,
Ruiz Rocio,
Buch Joan,
Plensa Esther,
Mostacedo SilviaZdenka,
Aranda Jessica,
Vergara Sara,
Raya Minerva,
Granada Isabel,
Tapia Gustavo,
Navarro JoseTomas,
Beà Silvia,
Zamora Lurdes
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cytometry part b: clinical cytometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1552-4957
pISSN - 1552-4949
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.b.21890
Subject(s) - chronic lymphocytic leukemia , lymphoproliferative disorders , medicine , immunology , interquartile range , cd5 , ighv@ , leukemia , flow cytometry , immunophenotyping , lymphoma
Background Within the hematopoietic compartment, fibromodulin (FMOD) is almost exclusively expressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) lymphocytes. We set out to determine whether FMOD could be of help in diagnosing borderline lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD). Methods We established 3 flow cytometry‐defined groups (CLL [ n = 65], borderline LPD [ n = 28], broadly defined as those with CLLflow score between 35 and −20 or discordant CD43 and CLLflow, and non‐CLL LPD [ n = 40]). FMOD expression levels were determined by standard RT‐PCR in whole‐blood samples. Patients were included regardless of lymphocyte count but with tumor burden ≥40%. Results FMOD expression levels distinguished between CLL (median 98.5, interquartile range [IQR] 37.8–195.1) and non‐CLL LPD (median 0.012, IQR 0.003–0.033) with a sensitivity and specificity of 1. Most borderline LPDs were CD5/CD23/CD200‐positive with no loss of B‐cell antigens and negative or partial expression of CD43. 16/22 patients with available cytogenetic analysis showed trisomy 12. In 25/28 (89%) of these patients, FMOD expression levels fell between CLL and non‐CLL (median 3.58, IQR 1.06–6.21). Discussion This study could suggest that borderline LPDs may constitute a distinct group laying in the biological spectrum of chronic leukemic LPDs. Future studies will have to confirm these results with other biological data. Quantification of FMOD can potentially be of help in the diagnosis of phenotypically complex LPDs.