Reagents of clinical utility in the evaluation of plasma cell disorders
| Reagent . | Normal distribution . | Clinical utility in plasma cell neoplasms . | Comments . |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD19 | All B cells including lymphoblasts, mature B-lymphoid cells, and most plasma cells. | PCN often CD19−, mature B-cell lymphoid neoplasms with plasmacytic differentiation+. | Aberrant expression on myeloid cells. |
| CD38 | Precursor B cells (hematogones), normal follicle center B cells, immature and activated T cells, plasma cells (bright intensity), myeloid and monocytic cells, and erythroid precursors. | Identification of plasma cells with bright intensity staining, often in combination with dim to negative CD45. | Not specific for plasma cells. |
| CD45 | All B cells (weaker intensity on precursors and some plasma cells), all T cells (weaker intensity on precursors). | Identification of plasma cells often in combination with CD38. | — |
| CD56* | NK cells, NK-like T cells. | May be aberrantly expressed in PCN. | CD56− PCN more often leukemic. |
| CD10* | Immature T cells and B cells, subset of mature T cells and B cells, and neutrophils. | May be aberrantly expressed in PCN. | |
| CD117* | Immature myeloid, mast cells. | May be aberrantly expressed in PCN. | Also described in MGUS. |
| CD138* | Plasma cells. | Identification of plasma cells. | More specific than CD38, but not as sensitive. |
| Kappa and* lambda, cytoplasmic | Plasma cells. | Light chain restriction in cells with plasmacytic differentiation. | Most flow cytometric assays detect surface and cytoplasmic Ig. |
| Reagent . | Normal distribution . | Clinical utility in plasma cell neoplasms . | Comments . |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD19 | All B cells including lymphoblasts, mature B-lymphoid cells, and most plasma cells. | PCN often CD19−, mature B-cell lymphoid neoplasms with plasmacytic differentiation+. | Aberrant expression on myeloid cells. |
| CD38 | Precursor B cells (hematogones), normal follicle center B cells, immature and activated T cells, plasma cells (bright intensity), myeloid and monocytic cells, and erythroid precursors. | Identification of plasma cells with bright intensity staining, often in combination with dim to negative CD45. | Not specific for plasma cells. |
| CD45 | All B cells (weaker intensity on precursors and some plasma cells), all T cells (weaker intensity on precursors). | Identification of plasma cells often in combination with CD38. | — |
| CD56* | NK cells, NK-like T cells. | May be aberrantly expressed in PCN. | CD56− PCN more often leukemic. |
| CD10* | Immature T cells and B cells, subset of mature T cells and B cells, and neutrophils. | May be aberrantly expressed in PCN. | |
| CD117* | Immature myeloid, mast cells. | May be aberrantly expressed in PCN. | Also described in MGUS. |
| CD138* | Plasma cells. | Identification of plasma cells. | More specific than CD38, but not as sensitive. |
| Kappa and* lambda, cytoplasmic | Plasma cells. | Light chain restriction in cells with plasmacytic differentiation. | Most flow cytometric assays detect surface and cytoplasmic Ig. |
Reagents included in this table were recommended in the consensus guidelines.
— indicates not applicable.
These reagents may be considered for secondary evaluation, after other reagents listed have been used in the initial evaluation.