The Application Value of Flow Cytometry-Based Peripheral Blood Leukocyte Classification in Screening for Acute Leukemia and Posttreatment Monitoring.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the application value of flow cytometry (FCM) for peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) classification in acute leukemia (AL) screening and monitoring.

METHODS

Analyzed EDTA-K2-anticoagulated blood from 100 nonhematological patients, 42 newly diagnosed AL patients, and 50 posttreatment leukemia patients using FCM, blood cell analyzers (BCA), and manual microscopy.

RESULTS

FCM and BCA showed significant positive correlations in classifying and counting neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes (r = 0.994, 0.671, 0.946, 0.987, and 0.849, respectively; p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was observed between FCM and manual methods in counting blast cells (r = 0.882, p < 0.01). Using microscopy as the reference standard and a cutoff value of ≥ 1% blast cells, FCM demonstrated 100% sensitivity, 85.7% specificity, and 97.8% accuracy in detecting blast cells. The type of peripheral blood blast cells provided by FCM showed good consistency with the clinical diagnosis of leukemia (Kappa value = 0.834). Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the detection rates of bone marrow and peripheral blood blast cells using FCM in posttreatment patients with leukemia (rs = 0.860, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

FCM-based PBL classification is precise and efficient for detecting blasts, providing rapid subtype identification. Its strong correlation with marrow findings underscores its clinical utility in AL screening and monitoring.