Immunophenotyping of Myelodysplasia

Current information regarding immunophenotyping of MDS indicates that several anomalies in the expression of leukocyte differentiation antigens are invaluable for their diagnosis and prognosis. A more thorough and standardized comparison between normal bone marrow and MDS samples, including pattern evaluation rather than as subset enumeration, should soon further provide an efficient tool for the definition and outcome prediction of these diseases. The diagnosis of myelodysplastic disorders (MDS) currently relies on cytological features and karyotypic anomalies. These methods allow using current classifications to discriminate between the various forms of MDS. A review of the literature demonstrates that the past 5 years have seen increasing information regarding multiparametric immunophenotyping of MDS bone marrow by flow cytometry. These approaches, once standardized, should provide an additional valuable tool for the diagnosis and management of MDS patients.