We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

BECKMAN COULTER, INC.

Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures and markets laboratory systems, reagents, centrifugation, lab automation, elec... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Minimal Residual Disease Assessed in AL Amyloidosis Patients

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Mar 2020
Amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, also known as primary amyloidosis, is the most common form of systemic amyloidosis in the USA. More...
Despite achieving a hematologic complete response after treatment, many patients with AL amyloidosis do not attain recovery of organ function and/or experience hematologic relapse.

A persistent plasma cell clone producing amyloidogenic light chains at levels below the detection threshold of traditional serologic methods is hypothesized to impede organ response in some patients. Assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) may therefore have clinical importance as a more stringent treatment response tool for patients in a hematologic complete response.

Hematologists at the Boston University School of Medicine (Boston, MA, USA) evaluated a total of 86 patients with AL amyloidosis with hematologic complete response (hemCR) achievement on previous evaluation were tested for MRD. Fresh bone marrow aspirate samples from consenting patients with AL amyloidosis were analyzed between February and November 2019. The scientists used 2-tube, 10-color antibody combination multiparametric flow cytometry to assess for MRD at a minimum sensitivity of 1 in 105 nucleated cells. Specimen processing was performed at PhenoPath Laboratories (Seattle, WA, USA) with a target of two million live cellular events acquired on a Gallios flow cytometer (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA).

The scientists reported that of 65 patients in hematologic complete response, 36 (55%) were found to have a residual clonal plasma cell population in the bone marrow. Comparing the MRD-negative and MRD-positive groups, renal response was observed in 88% versus 64%, cardiac response in 75% versus 59%, and any organ response in 90% versus 75% of patients. Depth of organ response as measured by the percent decrease in 24-hour proteinuria and brain natriuretic peptide was 96% versus 91% and 55% versus 46%, respectively. Notably, the median difference between involved and uninvolved serum free immunoglobulin light chain (dFLC) at diagnosis was significantly higher in the MRD-negative cohort (129 mg/L versus 70 mg/L).

The authors concluded that MRD negativity as a deeper treatment response classification was correlated with higher organ response in patients with AL amyloidosis in hemCR, although differences were not statistically significant. The study was published on March 4, 2020 in the journal Blood Advances.

Related Links:
Boston University School of Medicine
PhenoPath Laboratories
Beckman Coulter



New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Gold Member
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
DH-800 Series
New
Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
LIAISON PLEX Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Left is the original cell image and right is same cell image zoomed in and rendered in the special imaging software (Photo courtesy of FIU)

Brain Inflammation Biomarker Detects Alzheimer’s Years Before Symptoms Appear

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions globally, but patients are often diagnosed only after memory loss and other symptoms appear, when brain damage is already extensive. Detecting the disease much earlier... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now CE-IVDR approved (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Companion Diagnostic Test Identifies HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Europe, with more than 564,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Metastatic breast cancer is rising in younger populations and remains the leading cause... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: An adult fibrosarcoma case report has shown the importance of early diagnosis and targeted therapy (Photo courtesy of Sultana and Sailaja/Oncoscience)

Accurate Pathological Analysis Improves Treatment Outcomes for Adult Fibrosarcoma

Adult fibrosarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy that develops in connective tissue and often affects the limbs, trunk, or head and neck region. Diagnosis is complex because tumors can mimic... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.