Bone marrow plasma cells characterization is key for diagnosing and monitoring hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). In MM patients, plasma cell numbers can vary, from less than 0.01% to as much as 100% of the total cell population, depending on the stage of the disease. Accurate detection and analysis of plasma cells are especially important in the stages of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD), as it is essential for understanding disease progression, developing best treatment strategies, and predicting patient outcomes.
Circulating plasma cells (CPCs) identified in peripheral blood can also be used as a prognostic marker in MM patients. Although the CPC burden in peripheral blood has been reported to be more than 100-fold lower than in bone marrow, the blood sample collection is less invasive than bone marrow aspiration, making CPC detection a valuable tool. Efficient enrichment will enhance the detection of the rare plasma cells and improves the disease analysis. MARS® BAR platform uses its unique column-free magnetic cell separation technology to demonstrate plasma cell enrichment from both bone marrow and peripheral blood collected from patients.
