Immunophenotyping of myelodysplastic syndromes by flow cytometry and its potential clinical application

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is a heterogeneous group of clone bone marrow disorders. The diagnosis of MDS can be challenging when dysplastic features are minimal and cytogenetic analysis shows no abnormalities. The high sensitivity of flow cytometry (FCM) in the detection of dysplasia in myeloid lineages makes it a valuable tool to distinguish possible clonal causes of cytopenia(s) from non-clonal causes. Due to the heterogeneity and absence of specific FCM markers for MDS, the immunophenotyping of MDS by FCM remains a big difficulty. Here we will focus on how to perform immunophenotyping of MDS by FCM and the potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value of FCM in MDS. (Chin J Lab Med, 2016, 39: 332-335) Key words: Myelodysplastic syndromes; Immunophenotyping; Flow cytometry