The contribution of CD200 to the diagnostic accuracy of Matutes score in the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in limited resources laboratories

Abstract

Flow cytometry immunophenotyping has an essential role in distinguishing chronic lymphocytic leukemia from other B-chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. Recently, CD200 is considered as a relatively consistent marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We retrospectively assessed CD200 expression in 252 patients with B chronic lymphoproliferative disorders with four-color flow cytometry. CD200 expression estimation included the proportion of positive cells (≥30%) and the mean fluorescence intensity ratio. Additionally, we have incorporated CD200 into Matutes score, also replaced FMC7 and CD79b in an attempt to improve the score discriminative power. Of 252 patients enrolled, 199(79%) patients were classified as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and 53 (21%) as other B-chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. All chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases and 20 of 53 (37.7%) of other B-chronic lymphoproliferative disorders demonstrated high CD200 expression (≥30%). Further, CD200 (≥30%) revealed a higher accuracy in comparison to other markers in Matutes score (range: 51%–92.5%). Also, CD200 addition to the Matutes score has correctly recognized all 199 chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases including 10 atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases. As for non-CLL cases, 20 of 53 attained a higher score, yet keeping the original diagnosis. Moreover, CD200 enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of Matutes score to 100%, and when included in a simplified 4-markers score, showed an accuracy of 99.8% compared to 99.4% of Matutes score. In conclusion, CD200 is an accurate diagnostic marker for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and can refine the modified Matutes score accuracy when added with other markers.