Immunophenotypic Profile and Measurable Residual Disease Monitoring in Multiple Myeloma: A Prospective Study From a Tertiary Care Centre in Southern India.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) immunophenotyping (IPT) and measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring by flow cytometry is a surrogate for progression-free survival and overall survival in clinical trials. However, plasma cell enumeration is challenging owing to morphological discrepancies and plasma cell (PC) loss during the sample processing.

Methods: In (n=87) newly diagnosed MM patients, we evaluated the immunophenotype of PCs at baseline, and for a subset of 35 patients MRD at post-induction was quantified and analyzed for association with outcomes and survival.

Quantification of circulating clonal plasma cells by multiparametric flow cytometry as a prognostic marker in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Background: Studies have shown that the quantification of circulating clonal plasma cells (cCPCs) in peripheral blood using flow cytometry could be used as a prognostic predictor of poor outcome in multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: In 66 newly diagnosed MM, cCPCs were quantified (cCPC%) and analysed for association with outcome and survival. Single-tube combined surface (CD45/CD19/CD138/CD38/CD56/CD27/CD81 as per availability) and cytoplasmic (kappa/lambda) staining was done using pre-titrated volumes of antibodies.