Malignant Nonhematological Effusion Characterization by Flow Cytometry

With the exception of hematological malignancies, flow cytometry (FC) is infrequently applied as an ancillary tool in the diagnosis of malignant effusions in most institutions. However, FC may be effectively used to differentiate between epithelial cells, mesothelial cells and leukocytes using antibodies against both cell surface and intracellular proteins, offering the advantage of quantitative analysis. Additionally, FC may be applied to the quantitative detection of cancerassociated molecules, including stem cell markers, as well as assessment of critical cellular processes, such as proliferation and apoptosis. Some of the latter tests may have relevance for monitoring treatment response in the presence of metastatic disease, although this does not constitute routine practice to date. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the application of FC to serous effusions in the diagnostic setting, as well as in research into cancer biology focusing on clinical specimens. The studies published to date suggest a role for this method in the clinical setting in the context of diagnosis, prediction and prognosis. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel Received: April 12, 2016 Accepted after revision: June 13, 2016 Published online: August 18, 2016 Correspondence to: Prof. Ben Davidson Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital Norwegian Radium Hospital Montebello, NO–0310 Oslo (Norway) E-Mail bend @ medisin.uio.no © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel 0001–5547/16/0604–0365$39.50/0