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Monitoring of minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma after allo-SCT: flow cytometry vs PCR-based techniques

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 41, pages 913–916 (2008)Cite this article

We are conducting a program of allo-SCT after nonmyeloablative or dose-reduced preparative regimens to treat multiple myeloma (MM) patients.1 Recent evidence indicates that minimal residual disease (MRD) in BM is a major prognostic factor after this therapy.2 Since MRD might often efficiently be treated by donor lymphocyte infusions,3 highly sensitive and efficient monitoring of MRD is crucial in the post transplant period.4

Monitoring of molecular remission is most often performed by qualitative PCR with allele-specific oligonucleotides-PCR(ASO-PCR) based on the design of specific primers detecting the IgH rearrangement for the individual patient.4 This is, however, a time-consuming procedure, which may not be successful for each patient. Sarasquete et al.5 extensively compared sensitivity, specificity and applicability of ASO-PCR with a novel flow cytometry method (FCM). On the basis of their study, the authors concluded that both techniques provide similar prognostic information. The FCM is well accepted in the diagnosis of MRD in MM.6, 7 In a recent review, Bataille et al.8 focused on phenotypic markers for malignant and normal plasma cells (PC) and confirmed CD138 as a universal PC marker, whereas overexpression of CD56 along with lack of both CD19 and CD45 is typical only for myelomatous PC.

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References

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Acknowledgements

We thank Svetlana Asenova for excellent assistance with data research. This work was supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe grant 70-3133-Kr1 to NMK.

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  1. Clinic for Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

    M Lioznov, A Badbaran, B Fehse, U Bacher, A R Zander & N M Kröger

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  1. M Lioznov
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  2. A Badbaran
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Correspondence to M Lioznov.

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Lioznov, M., Badbaran, A., Fehse, B. et al. Monitoring of minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma after allo-SCT: flow cytometry vs PCR-based techniques. Bone Marrow Transplant 41, 913–916 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2008.14

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