Abstract
BackgroundThe diagnosis of malignant hematologic diseases has become increasingly complex during the last decade. It is based on the interpretation of results from different laboratory analyses, which range from microscopy to gene expression profiling. Recently, a method for the analysis of RNA phenotypes has been developed, the nCounter technology (Nanostring® Technologies), which allows for simultaneous quantification of hundreds of RNA molecules in biological samples. We evaluated this technique in a Swiss multi-center study on eighty-six samples from acute leukemia patients.MethodsmRNA and protein profiles were established for normal peripheral blood and bone marrow samples. Signal intensities of the various tested antigens with surface expression were similar to those found in previously performed Affymetrix microarray analyses. Acute leukemia samples were analyzed for a set of twenty-two validated antigens and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient for nCounter and flow cytometry results was calculated.ResultsHighly significant values between 0.40 and 0.97 were found for the twenty-two antigens tested. A second correlation analysis performed on a per sample basis resulted in concordant results between flow cytometry and nCounter in 44–100% of the antigens tested (mean = 76%), depending on the number of blasts present in a sample, the homogeneity of the blast population, and the type of leukemia (AML or ALL).ConclusionsThe nCounter technology allows for fast and easy depiction of a mRNA profile from hematologic samples. This technology has the potential to become a valuable tool for the diagnosis of acute leukemias, in addition to multi-color flow cytometry.
Highlights
Diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma is in part based on the recognition of surface antigens expressed by the tumor cells
Over 360 hematopoietic membrane markers have been classified as ‘‘clusters of differentiation’’ (CD), and the study of various combinations of these antigens by flow cytometry is used in the work-up of patients with a suspected hematologic neoplasia
Belov L et al reported the analysis of the simultaneous expression of eighty-two antigens in 733 patients with a variety of leukemias and lymphomas, achieving a high degree of diagnostic consensus between established criteria and the results of an antibody microarray (93.9% for peripheral blood and 97.6% for bone marrow aspirates) [3]
Summary
Diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma is in part based on the recognition of surface antigens expressed by the tumor cells. Belov L et al reported the analysis of the simultaneous expression of eighty-two antigens in 733 patients with a variety of leukemias and lymphomas, achieving a high degree of diagnostic consensus between established criteria and the results of an antibody microarray (93.9% for peripheral blood and 97.6% for bone marrow aspirates) [3]. This approach potentially offers the possibility to analyze in parallel several hundreds of antigens, the drawbacks are the limitation to surface proteins and the rather low sensitivity, since more than 20% of blasts have to be present in a sample in order to recognize its malignant signature. We evaluated this technique in a Swiss multi-center study on eighty-six samples from acute leukemia patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
