CD138 Plasma Cell Enrichment for FISH*
*For Research Use Only - not for use in therapeutic or diagnostic procedures
The Complex Landscape of Multiple Myeloma and the Crucial Role of FISH
Multiple myeloma, a complex and often aggressive neoplasm of plasma cells, stands as a profound challenge in the world of medicine. New data brings to light a concerning surge in global diagnoses and this trend highlights the pressing need for advanced diagnostic tools that can quickly identify the disease, thereby offering patients better prognostic outcomes. Important to this diagnostic evolution is the Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, commonly known as FISH.
Renowned for its high sensitivity, FISH can identify even the subtlest of genetic irregularities, which highlights its crucial role in hematology and oncology. This technique has ushered in a transformative era in how medical practitioners interpret genetic variations within cells. Furthermore, its specificity ensures that patients receive not only a precise diagnosis but the one that’s well tailored, giving them a promising insight into their health status.
Yet, for all its advancements, the FISH technique can also be challenging. Multiple myeloma is unique among hematologic malignancies, characterized by a considerable portion of minimally proliferating malignant plasma cells. The scarcity of these cells in bone marrow aspirate further complicates cytogenetic analyses. One of the most significant hurdles is ensuring the high-quality enrichment of CD138 plasma cells, a cornerstone upon which the effectiveness and dependability of FISH rely. This underlines an urgent need for methods and technologies that can consistently deliver high quality samples suitable for analysis.
Traditional techniques can only discern abnormalities in a minority of patients, whereas interphase FISH unveils chromosomal anomalies in almost 90% of cases.1 Alongside these challenges, the task of curating the optimal FISH panel and determining accurate cut-off levels for probes persists. The recent validation of interphase FISH, focusing on CD138 enriched cells as per the European Myeloma Network’s 2012 guidelines, further emphasizes the importance of cell selection and rigorous testing protocols.
1. Kishimoto R., et al, Validation of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH) for multiple myeloma using CD138 positive cells
Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter . 2016 Apr-Jun;38(2):113-20
MARS® Platform: Pioneering the Future of Plasma Cell Enrichment
The MARS® platform emerges as a new solution to these challenges. Its unique in-flow technology, offers unparalleled flexibility in optimizing workflows while also ensuring unmatched purity and recovery rates.
What truly sets the MARS® platform apart is its capability to directly isolate target cells — even those present in small starting percentages — from fresh samples, be it peripheral blood or bone marrow. With its proprietary in-flow immuno-magnetic separation technology, the platform can well isolate CD138+ plasma cells straight from untreated bone marrow samples.
The MARS® platform is all about simplicity. Following the straightforward labeling protocol, the sample undergoes automated, seamless serial MARS® Immunomagnetic separation process. Add to this its array of distinctive features, such as matrix-free cell isolation, affordable consumables, and sterilizable, reusable fluidics. Finally, for those striving for peak efficiency, the option to swiftly re-process samples through the magnetic channel to improve purity while maintaining recovery remains a significant advantage.
Case study: Setting New Standards in Plasma Cell Enrichment
In a latest case study, the MARS® platform demonstrated its superiority, overshadowing conventional methodologies. The findings were of exceptional quality, with all (100%) samples consistently achieving the enrichment benchmarks.
As we prepare to publish the comprehensive case study, we invite you to delve deeper into the strides being made in plasma cell enrichment and explore the potential held by the MARS® platform.
Myeloma CellQuest Grant
Join us in cutting-edge multiple myeloma clinical research through our exclusive grant opportunity.
