A Flow Cytometric Scoring System in the Diagnosis of Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the contribution of flow cytometry (FC) analysis in patients with a histopathological diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and to develop a reliable scoring system. Materials and Methods: We assessed the results of FC analysis in peripheral blood or bone marrow samples of 36 patients diagnosed with MCL by histopathological evaluation. Multivariate analysis identified 5 variables associated with MCL: CD23 negativity, CD5/19 common positivity, CD20/22 common bright positivity, FMC7 positivity, and clonal sIg bright positivity. A 5-point scoring system was devised using these parameters. Results: Twenty-five patients (69.4%) scored 5 points, 8 (22.2%) scored 4 points, and 3 (8.4%) scored 3 points. The diagnosis of MCL was confirmed by FC immunophenotyping in 91.6% of the patients. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a quintet diagnostic scoring system, which is considered to be reliable in the diagnosis of MCL, could make a substantial contribution to diagnosis and should be more widely introduced in practice.

Full text

ORIGINAL
INVESTIGATION
25
1Clinic of Hematology,
Kayseri Training and Research
Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
2Department of Immunology,
Erciyes University School of
Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
3Department of Hematology,
Erciyes University School of
Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
4Flow Cytometry Unit,
Erciyes University School of
Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
Submitted
24.02.2015
Accepted
18.01.2016
Correspondance
Dr. Muzaffer Keklik,
Kayseri Eğitim ve Araştırma
Hastanesi, Hematoloji Kliniği,
Kayseri, Türkiye
Phone: +90 352 336 88 84
e.mail:
muzafferkeklik@yahoo.com
©Copyright 2016
by Erciyes University School of
Medicine - Available online at
www.erciyesmedj.com
A Flow Cytometric Scoring System in the
Diagnosis of Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Muzaffer Keklik1, M. Yavuz Köker2, Serdal Korkmaz1, Serdar Şıvgın3, Leylagül Kaynar3, Demet Çamlıca4,
Bülent Eser3, Mustafa Çetin3, Ali Ünal3
ABSTRACT
Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the contribution of flow cytometry (FC) analysis in patients with a histopathological diagnosis
of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and to develop a reliable scoring system.
Materials and Methods: We assessed the results of FC analysis in peripheral blood or bone marrow samples of 36 patients
diagnosed with MCL by histopathological evaluation. Multivariate analysis identified 5 variables associated with MCL: CD23
negativity, CD5/19 common positivity, CD20/22 common bright positivity, FMC7 positivity, and clonal sIg bright positivity.
A 5-point scoring system was devised using these parameters.
Results: Twenty-five patients (69.4%) scored 5 points, 8 (22.2%) scored 4 points, and 3 (8.4%) scored 3 points. The diag-
nosis of MCL was confirmed by FC immunophenotyping in 91.6% of the patients.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that a quintet diagnostic scoring system, which is considered to be reliable in the diagnosis
of MCL, could make a substantial contribution to diagnosis and should be more widely introduced in practice.
Keywords: Flow cytometry, mantle cell lymphoma, scoring system
Erciyes Med J 2016; 38(1): 25-8 • DOI: 10.5152/etd.2016.0009
INTRODUCTION
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is classified in the B-cell lymphoma group; the genetic marker of the disease t(11;14)
translocation leads to the overexpression of cyclin D1, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of MCL.
The incidence rate is approximately 0.2 to 0.3 individuals per 100,000 person-years. The median age at diagno-
sis is approximately 60 years. Patients usually present with lymphadenopathy, commonly with the involvement
of the bone marrow, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract. Patients with MCL have a much worse prognosis than
those with other lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). Because flow cytometry (FC) has started to be used for the
identification of acute and chronic leukemia, it has become an increasingly used immunophenotyping technique in
the assessment of chronic LPDs. However, a misleading condition can occasionally be observed in the differential
diagnosis between MCL and other LPDs. In this context, Matutes et al. (1) proposed a scoring system using immu-
nophenotyping for the differential diagnosis of LPDs in 1994. The authors focused on differentiating MCL from
LPDs, particularly from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Classical CLL is distinguished from MCL on the im-
munophenotype as it usually expresses CD23, has weak cell surface expression of immunoglobulin (sIg), and lacks
the expression of FMC7 and CD22. These markers were subsequently revised (with the replacement of CD22 by
CD79b) by Moreau et al. (2). MCL most commonly has the phenotypes CD5+, CD23−, FMC7+, CD79b+, and
sIg strong positive (3). However, who could not achieve full points in the scoring systems were considered as having
atypical LPD (4). For instance, the prevalence of CD23+ MCL has been reported as 15–55% (5-7), while there are
a considerable number of CD23− CLL patients (8). As confusion in immunophenotypic scoring remained, Medd
et al. (9) proposed a scoring system that included 4 markers, platelet count, CD20 and CD38 positivity, and CD23
negativity, in 2011. Subsequently, Juncà et al. (10) reported a new quartet scoring system that included CD11c
negativity instead of platelet count. Herein, our aim was to investigate the contribution of FC with the most reliable
markers for the diagnosis of patients with histopathologically proven MCL and to select a quintet scoring system.
MATERIALS and METHODS
Patient specimens
We evaluated the results of FC analysis in the peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of 36 patients who
presented to the Hematology Unit of Erciyes University, School of Medicine and who were diagnosed as having
MCL by histopathological evaluations between January 2011 and January 2013. FC was performed at the time
of initial diagnosis before treatment. The diagnosis of MCL was made by evaluating biopsy materials obtained from

the lymph node, bone marrow, and other tissues (lung, muscle,
stomach, intestines, etc.). Written informed consent was obtained
from the patients. In all patients, the diagnosis was confirmed
by demonstrating positive cyclin D1 expression in immunohisto-
chemical analysis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. A
fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) test (LSI IGH/CCND1 XT
Dual color, Dual fusion Translocation Probe, Abbott/Vysis, UK)
was performed to detect t(11;14) (q13;q32) in all patients’ periph-
eral blood at the time of diagnosis.
Flow cytometry analysis
Flow cytometry analysis was performed on cell suspensions ob-
tained from the peripheral blood or bone marrow specimens. A
combination of 4- and 6-color immunophenotype analyses were
performed using a FACSCanto II flow cytometer (BD Bioscienc-
es, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). Peripheral blood and bone mar-
row specimens were incubated for 15 min after staining with a
monoclonal antibody. Then, the samples were incubated for 10
min in 10% ammonium chloride in the dark. The combinations
of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE), peridinin
chlorophyll protein, PECY-7, allophycocyanin, and APCCY-7
fluorochrome were used for the antibodies. The target antigens
and monoclonal antibody clones included HLA DR, CD45, CD10
(HI10a), CD5 (L17F12), CD19 (SJ25C1), CD20 (L27), CD22 (S-
HCL-1), CD23 (EBVCS-5), FMC7, kappa (TB28-2), and lambda
(1-155-2). All antibodies were purchased from BD Biosciences.
After centrifugation of a cell suspension, the supernatant was re-
moved and the specimen was washed with washing solution twice.
Pellets were re-suspended in 0.5 mL of specimen, and upon the
acquisition of 25,000 lymphocytes per tube, all collected events
were analyzed using the BD Diva software. Cell populations of
interest were gated using either CD45/side-scatter or CD19/side-
scatter dot plots. A daily calibration was performed using BDFACS
7-color setup beads (BD Biosciences). Isotypes (IgG1-FITC and
IgG2-PE) were used as the negative controls.
The diagnostic scoring criteria were defined as follows: CD 5/19
common positivity, CD 23 negativity, CD 20/22 common bright
positivity, FMC7 positivity, and clonal sIg bright positivity. The
fluorescence intensity was measured using a logarithmic scale with
signal intensity ranging from 100 to 104. A weak expression was
defined when majority of the population was in the 1st log per-
centile above the control, whereas a strong expression was when
majority of the population was in the 2nd log percentile or higher
above the control. For the results of the analysis, 100–101 was de-
fined as weak positivity, 101–102 as moderate positivity, and >102
as bright positivity.
Statistical analysis
To test data normality, Shapiro–Wilk’s test was used, and the his-
togram and q-q plots were examined. Chi-square analysis was used
to compare differences between the categorical variables, while an
independent sample t test and Mann–Whitney U tests were used
for continuous variables. The Spearman rank test was used for
correlation analysis. The values were expressed as frequencies,
percentages, mean and standard deviation or median, and the
25th–75th percentiles. Statistical analyses were performed using
IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 (SPSS Inc.; New York, USA) software.
P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
There were 36 patients diagnosed as MCL histopathologically.
Cyclin D1 was positive in all patients. Of the patients, 20 were
men (55.6%) and 16 were women (44.4%), with a mean age of
61.5±10.5 years (range: 32–85 years). Table 1 lists the labora-
tory data of the patients. In majority of the patients, diagnosis was
made not only by bone marrow biopsies (19 patients) but also by
biopsies of the lymph nodes (10 patients) or other tissue types,
such as lung, gastrocnemius muscle, skin, bowel, stomach, and
nasopharynx (7 patients). FISH t (11;14) testing was positive in 24
patients (66.6%).
Flow cytometry analysis was performed in 17 peripheral blood
(47.2%) and 19 bone marrow (52.8%) samples. In the FC analysis,
25 patients (69.4%) met all criteria with 5 points. Figure presents
the results of the FC analysis in a patient who achieved 5 points
(Figure 1). In addition, 8 patients (22.2%) scored 4 points, while
3 patients (8.3%) scored 3 points. Of the 8 patients who scored 4
points, there was no CD5/19 common positivity in 4, while nega-
tive FMC7 and positive CD23 were detected in 2 patients. Of 3
patients who scored 3 points, there was weak CD23 positivity but
no CD5/19 common positivity in 1 patient. In another patient,
there was weak CD23 positivity but no CD20/22 bright positivity.
In addition, FMC7 was negative and there was no clonal sIg bright
positivity in the remaining patient who scored 3 points (Table 2).
The diagnosis of MCL had been confirmed in 25 patients who
scored 5 points in diagnostic scoring system. Eight patients were
considered as having atypical MCL, and 3 who scored 3 points
were interpreted as having unclassified lymphoma according to FC
analysis. Thus, the diagnosis of MCL was confirmed in 33 patients
(91.6%) who scored 4 or 5 points by FC scoring system. When
data of the remaining 3 patients were evaluated, it was found that
the diagnosis of MCL was made by the histopathological evaluation
of biopsy materials obtained from bone marrow, nasopharynx and
gastrocnemicus muscle. The statistical analysis in these 3 patients
was similar to those who scored 4 or 5 points, with the lower FMC7
being the exception. In the analysis of peripheral blood samples, it
was seen that of 17 patients, 13 (76.5%) scored 5 points, while 3
(17.6%) scored 4 points and 1 (5.9%) scored 3 points. In the analysis
26 Keklik et al. Flow Cytometry for Mantle Cell Lymphoma Erciyes Med J 2016; 38(1): 25-8
Table 1. Laboratory data of patients
Variables Median (range) Reference ranges
Hb (g/dL) 12.0 (10-14) 12-18
WBC (109/L) 16.0 (5.6-45.0) 4.8-10.8
Plt (109/L) 245 (168-380) 130-400
BUN (mg/dL) 21 (14-45) 7.9-21
Cre (mg/dL) 0.9 (0.64-1.88) 0.84-1.44
AST (u/L) 33 (24-57) 0-35
ALT (u/L) 40 (27-65) 0-45
LDH (u/L) 275 (148-396) 140-280
Hb: hemoglobin; WBC: white blood cells; Plt: platelet count; BUN: blood
urea nitrogen; Cre: creatinine; AST: aspartate transaminase; ALT: alanine
transaminase; LDH: lactic dehydrogenase

of bone marrow samples, it was seen that of 19 patients, 12 (63.2%)
scored 5 points, while 5 (26.3%) scored 4 points and 2 (10.5%)
scored 3 points. No significant finding was obtained by the results
of analysis performed in either bone marrow or peripheral blood.
In the statistical analysis, no significant differences were detect-
ed between groups regarding age, gender, CD5, CD19, CD20,
CD22, CD23, and Kappa and Lambda values. Also, it was found
that FMC7 values were significantly lower in the group including
patients who scored 3 points when compared to those who scored
4 or 5 points (p=0.027; Fisher’s exact test). However, it was found
that age, platelet count and Hb values in the group including pa-
tients who scored 3 points were similar to those who scored higher
points. Using the Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher exact test, no
significant difference other than FMC7 values were detected be-
tween the groups. In conclusion, the diagnosis was confirmed by
FC in 91.6% of the patients who were diagnosed as histopatho-
logically proven MCL.
DISCUSSION
In the present study, we aimed to select a quintet scoring system
using FC with the most reliable markers in patients with a histo-
pathological diagnosis of MCL. Most studies in the literature gen-
erally address quartet scoring systems, but there is a contradiction
regarding reliable markers (9, 10). However, it has been reported
that CD23 negativity and CD20 strong expression are the most re-
liable markers (11). In our study, we did not only assess CD20 posi-
tivity, but also the common and strong expression of CD20/22.
In the diagnosis of MCL, CD20/22 common bright positivity is
an important marker in addition to CD23 negativity. This find-
ing allows discrimination of MCL from CLL in some part, since
CD20/22 common positivity can be observed in CLL, but it leads
to a weak florescent intensity.
In fact, there are numerous markers that could be used in the im-
munophenotypic diagnosis of MCL. In a study by Junca et al. (10),
CD38 positivity and CD11c negativity were particularly empha-
sized and these markers may have a major role to play in the di-
agnosis of MCL. However, as cost is an important issue in our
healthcare system, we have to use the smallest number of markers
in FC analysis as possible. Thus, we selected a scoring system by
identifying 5 markers considered to be the most reliable ones in
the diagnosis of MCL. We think that this scoring system should
enable accurate diagnosis with feasible costs. The antibodies used
in the study allowed us to discriminate MCL from both CLL and
other LPDs.
The availability of immunohistochemical markers has considerably
improved the results of diagnosis in the last few years (12, 13).
Due to the presence of variable phenotypes of MCL, there is no
consensus on the selection of specific markers. For example, there
are CD5+/CD10− MCL as well as CD5+/CD10+ MCL patients.
Moreover, there may be CD5−/CD10− MCL patients. Similarly,
the FMC7 marker, which is considered to be important in the di-
agnosis of MCL, may be negative in some MCL patients as seen
in the unclassified group that scored 3 points in our study (14). In
our study, CD5 negativity was detected in 5 patients (13.9%). In
the literature, there are CD5− MCL patients (10–30%), which is
consistent with our findings (15-18).
27
Keklik et al. Flow Cytometry for Mantle Cell LymphomaErciyes Med J 2016; 38(1): 25-8
Table 2. Results of flow cytometric analysis
Diagnostic score
5 4 3
CD5/19 common positive patients 25 4 2
CD23 negative patients 25 6 2
CD20/22 common bright
positive patients 25 8 2
FMC7 positive patients 25 6 1
Clonal sIg bright positive patients 25 8 2
Diagnoses MCL Atypical Unclassified
MCL Lymphoma*
MCL: mantle cell lymphoma
*Of 3 patients who scored 3 points, there was weak CD23 positivity
but no CD5/19 common positivity in 1. In another patient, there was
weak CD23 positivity but no CD20/22 bright positivity. In addition,
FMC7 was negative, and there was no clonal sIg bright positivity in the
remaining patient who scored 3 points.
Figure 1. Flow cytometric features of a patient with MCL
MCL: mantle cell lymphoma

The t(11;14) translocation by FISH, which is accepted as the gold
standard in the diagnosis of MCL, was found to be positive in
66.6% of our patients (19-22). Medd et al. (9) addressed the dif-
ferential diagnosis of FISH-negative MCL patients in addition to
MCL patients confirmed by FISH positivity. The authors empha-
sized that other LPDs, such as atypical CLL or splenic lymphoma,
should be considered in the differential diagnosis. As our study in-
cluded patients with MCL confirmed by histopathological evalua-
tion, we think that FISH negative patients did not affect the results.
In fact, the finding of FISH negativity in 33.3% of the patients is
consistent with that in the literature.
CONCLUSION
The confirmation of the diagnosis of MCL in 91.6% of the patients
by a quintet scoring system is the key success point of our study.
In MCL, diagnosis and in particular, differential diagnosis are ex-
tremely important as it has a much worse prognosis than other
LPDs. In this context, the contribution of an FC scoring system,
which is a convenient and practical method, becomes increasing-
ly important in the diagnosis of hematological malignancies and
should not be neglected. By developing an international scoring
system, MCL can be diagnosed, and its management can be initi-
ated as soon as possible. In conclusion, we think that diagnostic
scoring systems for MCL should be standardized and generalized
for daily practice.
Ethics Committee Approval: Ethics committee approval was received for
this study.
Informed Consent: Written informed consent was obtained from patients
who participated in this study.
Author Contributions: Conceived and designed the experiments: MK,
MYK, SS, AU. Performed the experiments: MK, DC, BE. Analyzed the
data: SK, LK. Wrote the paper: MK, MC. All authors have read and ap-
proved the final manuscript.
Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study has received no
financial support.
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