Highly sensitive single tube B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma minimal/measurable residual disease test robust to surface antigen directed therapy

Minimal residual disease assessment following CD19-targeted therapy in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia using standardized 12-color flow cytometry: A EuroFlow study

Detection of minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) is a critical prognostic marker in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). The EuroFlow Consortium previously developed an 8-color flow cytometric MRD protocol, effective for >98% of BCP-ALL patients treated with chemotherapy. This study aimed to enhance MRD detection, particularly for patients treated with CD19-targeted therapies, by expanding the EuroFlow protocol to a 12-color panel. This new panel incorporates additional B-cell markers and exclusion T/NK-cell markers (CD3 and CD7). Through an evaluation of 237 diagnostic BCP-ALL samples, CD22, CD24, and HLA-DR were selected as additional B-cell gating markers. Two 12-color tubes were technically optimized and clinically validated across 101 patient follow-up samples, demonstrating excellent concordance with molecular MRD levels (R 2 = 0.88). The 12-color BCP-ALL MRD tubes were compatible with the previously developed 8-color automated gating and identification (AGI) tool and demonstrated good reproducibility. Our findings indicate that the 12-color panel performs comparably to the 8-color BCP-ALL MRD panel, including both CD19-positive and CD19-negative cases. However, it offers an improved definition of the B-cell lineage, particularly for expert-guided manual data analysis, and provides additional information on the expression of the targetable marker CD22.

Comprehensive Analysis of High-Sensitive Flow Cytometry and Molecular Mensurable Residual Disease in Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Leukemia

Monitoring measurable residual disease (MRD) is critical for the management of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). While a quantitative assessment of BCR::ABL1 transcripts is standard for Philadelphia chromosome-positive cases (Ph+ ALL), a multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM) is commonly used for MRD detection in other genetic subtypes. A total of 106 B-ALL patients underwent genetic and phenotypic analyses. Among them, 27 patients (20 adults and 7 children) harbored the t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2) translocation and/or the BCR::ABL1 rearrangement. A high correlation between the BCR::ABL1 transcript levels (PCR-MRD) and a standardized FCM-based method for MRD detection (FCM-MRD) was observed (r = 0.7801, p < 0.001), with a concordance rate of 88% (κ = 0.761). The FCM detected MRD in 82.9% of the samples with transcript levels of > 0.01%. The CD34+CD38-/dim blast pattern was significantly more frequent in Ph+ ALL (77.7%), compared to other B-ALL cases (20.2%, p < 0.0001). Additionally, Ph+ ALL exhibited a higher expression of CD66c+/CD73+ (94.0% vs. 56.9%), CD66c+/CD304+ (58.8% vs. 6.9%), and CD73+/CD304+ (75.5% vs. 15.5%) than the other B-ALL subtypes (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this high-sensitivity FCM-MRD demonstrated comparable performance to the PCR-MRD, serving as a complementary tool for MRD assessment in Ph+ ALL. Moreover, a distinct leukemia-associated immunophenotype was identified, highlighting potential biomarkers for MRD monitoring.

How I Investigate Measurable Residual Disease in B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia After Therapy With Bi-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies and 19CAR-T Cells

INTRODUCTION

Measurable residual disease (MRD) in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) following anti-CD19 targeted therapies requires specific strategies to identify residual blast cells due to loss or reduced CD19 expression that makes it inconsistent as a primitive marker for B-cell gating.

OBJECTIVE

Due to the increased access of BCP-ALL patients to therapies with CD3/CD19 bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTe) and CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-Cell (CAR-T), it is essential that flow cytometry laboratories are prepared to evaluate therapeutic responses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Here, validated strategies for MRD detection in the context of anti-CD19 therapies are described, accessible to flow cytometry laboratories according to their different facilities. The paper includes an 8-color flow cytometry (FC) strategy for BCP-ALL MRD based on alternative gating without the use of additional markers (Euroflow protocol), as well as other strategies using alternative markers to CD19, comprising 2 protocols using 8 colors, one using 10 colors and another 14 colors/15 markers.

CONCLUSION

Different strategies are needed to detect MRD without using CD19 for B-cell population gating after CD19-targeted therapies. However, it is essential that validated protocols are used according to the available resources to ensure reliable results for clinical decision-making.

Multilineage involvement in KMT2A-rearranged B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: cell-of-origin, biology, and clinical implications

AIMS

B lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma (B-ALL) is thought to originate from Pro/Pre-B cells and the genetic aberrations largely reside in lymphoid-committed cells. A recent study demonstrated that a proportion of paediatric B-ALL patients have BCR::ABL1 fusion in myeloid cells, suggesting a chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)-like biology in this peculiar subset of B-ALL, although it is not entirely clear if the CD19-negative precursor compartment is a source of the myeloid cells. Moreover, the observation has not yet been extended to other fusion-driven B-ALLs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study we investigated a cohort of KMT2A-rearranged B-ALL patients with a comparison to BCR::ABL1-rearranged B-ALL by performing cell sorting via flow cytometry followed by FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis on each of the sorted populations. In addition, RNA sequencing was performed on one of the sorted populations. These analyses showed that (1) multilineage involvement was present in 53% of BCR::ABL1 and 36% of KMT2A-rearranged B-ALL regardless of age, (2) multilineage involvement created pitfalls for residual disease monitoring, and (3) HSPC transcriptome signatures were upregulated in KMT2A-rearranged B-ALL with multilineage involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, multilineage involvement is common in both BCR::ABL1-rearranged and KMT2A-rearranged B-ALL, which should be taken into consideration when interpreting the disease burden during the clinical course.

The Evolving Landscape of Flowcytometric Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring in B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) is a major independent prognostic marker in the clinical management of pediatric and adult B-cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL), and risk stratification nowadays heavily relies on MRD diagnostics. MRD can be detected using flow cytometry based on aberrant expression of markers (antigens) during malignant B-cell maturation. Recent advances highlight the significance of novel markers (e.g., CD58, CD81, CD304, CD73, CD66c, and CD123), improving MRD identification. Second and next-generation flow cytometry, such as the EuroFlow consortium's eight-color protocol, can achieve sensitivities down to 10-5 (comparable with the PCR-based method) if sufficient cells are acquired. The introduction of targeted therapies (especially those targeting CD19, such as blinatumomab or CAR-T19) introduces several challenges for flow cytometric MRD analysis, such as the occurrence of CD19-negative relapses. Therefore, innovative flow cytometry panels, including alternative B-cell markers (e.g., CD22 and CD24), have been designed. (Semi-)automated MRD assessment, employing machine learning algorithms and clustering tools, shows promise but does not yet allow robust and sensitive automated analysis of MRD. Future directions involve integrating artificial intelligence, further automation, and exploring multicolor spectral flow cytometry to standardize MRD assessment and enhance diagnostic and prognostic robustness of MRD diagnostics in BCP-ALL.

Deciphering stage 0 hematogones by flow cytometry in follow-up bone marrow samples of pediatric B-Acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases: A potential mimicker of residual disease after anti CD19 therapy

CD19 is frequently targeted for immunotherapy in B cell malignancies, which may result in loss of CD19 expression in leukemic cells as an escape mechanism. Stage 0 hematogones (Hgs) are normal CD19-negative very early B cell precursors that can be potentially mistaken for CD19 negative residual leukemic cells by flow cytometry (FCM) in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) cases treated with anti CD19 therapy. Our main objective was to characterize and study the incidence of stage 0 hematogones in follow-up bone marrow samples of pediatric BCP-ALL cases. We analyzed the flow cytometry standard files of 61 pediatric BCP-ALL cases treated with conventional chemotherapy and targeted anti-CD19 therapy, for identifying the residual disease and normal B cell precursors including stage 0 Hgs. A non-CD19 alternate gating strategy was used to isolate the B cells for detecting the residual disease and stage 0 Hgs. The stage 0 Hgs were seen in 95% of marrow samples containing CD19+ Hgs. When compared with controls and posttransplant marrow samples, the fraction of stage 0 Hgs was higher in patients receiving anti CD19 therapy (p = 0.0048), but it was not significant when compared with patients receiving chemotherapy (p = 0.1788). Isolated stage 0 Hgs are found in samples treated with anti-CD19 therapy simulating CD19 negative residual illness. Our findings aid in understanding the stage 0 Hgs and its association with CD19+ Hgs in anti CD19 therapy and conventional chemotherapy. This is crucial as it can be potentially mistaken for residual disease in patients treated with anti CD19 therapy.

Quantification of Measurable Residual Disease Detection by Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Clonality Testing in B-Cell and Plasma Cell Neoplasms

Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring in post-treatment settings can be crucial for relapse risk stratification in patients with B-cell and plasma cell neoplasms. Prior studies have focused on validation of various technical aspects of the MRD assays, but more studies are warranted to establish the performance characteristics and enable standardization and broad utilization in routine clinical practice. Here, the authors describe an NGS-based IGH MRD quantification assay, incorporating a spike-in calibrator for monitoring B-cell and plasma cell neoplasms based on their unique IGH rearrangement status. Comparison of MRD status (positive or undetectable) by NGS and flow cytometry (FC) assays showed high concordance (91%, 471/519 cases) and overall good linear correlation in MRD quantitation, particularly for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (R = 0.85). Quantitative correlation was lower for plasma cell neoplasms, where underestimation by FC is a known limitation. No significant effects on sequencing efficiency by the spike-in calibrator were observed, with excellent inter- and intra-assay reproducibility within the authors' laboratory, and in comparison to an external laboratory, using the same assay and protocols. Assays performed both at internal and external laboratories showed highly concordant MRD detection (100%) and quantitation (R = 0.97). Overall, this NGS-based MRD assay showed highly reproducible results with quantitation that correlated well with FC MRD assessment, particularly for B-cell neoplasms.

15-color highly sensitive flow cytometry assay for post anti-CD19 targeted therapy (anti-CD19-CAR-T and blinatumomab) measurable residual disease assessment in B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma: Real-world applicability and challenges

OBJECTIVES

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is the most relevant predictor of disease-free survival in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We aimed to establish a highly sensitive flow cytometry (MFC)-based B-ALL-MRD (BMRD) assay for patients receiving anti-CD19 immunotherapy with an alternate gating approach and to document the prevalence and immunophenotype of recurrently occurring low-level mimics and confounding populations.

METHODS

We standardized a 15-color highly-sensitive BMRD assay with an alternate CD19-free gating approach. The study included 137 MRD samples from 43 relapsed/refractory B-ALL patients considered for anti-CD19 immunotherapy.

RESULTS

The 15-color BMRD assay with CD22/CD24/CD81/CD33-based gating approach was routinely applicable in 137 BM samples and could achieve a sensitivity of 0.0005%. MRD was detected in 29.9% (41/137) samples with 31.7% (13/41) of them showing <.01% MRD. Recurrently occurring low-level cells that showed immunophenotypic overlap with leukemic B-blasts included: (a) CD19+CD10+CD34+CD22+CD24+CD81+CD123+CD304+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells, (b) CD73bright/CD304bright/CD81bright mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (CD10+) and endothelial cells (CD34+CD24+), (c) CD22dim/CD34+/CD38dim/CD81dim/CD19-/CD10-/CD24- early lymphoid progenitor/precursor type-1 cells (ELP-1) and (d) CD22+/CD34+/CD10heterogeneous/CD38moderate/CD81moderate/CD19-/CD24- stage-0 B-cell precursors or ELP-2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We standardized a highly sensitive 15-color BMRD assay with a non-CD19-based gating strategy for patients receiving anti-CD19 immunotherapy. We also described the immunophenotypes of recurrently occurring low-level populations that can be misinterpreted as MRD in real-world practice.

19-color, 21-Antigen Single Tube for Efficient Evaluation of B- and T-cell Neoplasms

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a heterogeneous disease, encompassing a wide variety of individually distinct neoplastic entities of mature B-, T-, and NK-cells. While they constitute a broad category, they are the most common hematologic malignancies in the world. The distinction between different neoplastic entities requires a multi-modal approach, such as flow cytometric immunophenotyping, which can exclude a neoplastic proliferation and help narrow the differential diagnosis. This article describes a flow cytometric test developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to assess B-, T-, and NK-cells in a single tube, 21-antibody, 19-color assay. The assay can identify most B- and T-cell NHLs with high specificity and sensitivity and significantly narrow the differential when a specific diagnosis cannot be made. The basic protocol provides a detailed operational procedure for sample processing, staining, and cytometric acquisition. The support protocol provides typical steps and caveats for data analysis in lymphoproliferative disorders and in discriminating a variety of specific disease entities from each other and normal lymphoid populations. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Processing, staining, and cytometric analysis of samples for B- and T-cell assessment Support Protocol: Analysis and interpretation of the B- and T-cell lymphocyte assay.