FLOCK cluster analysis of mast cell event clustering by high-sensitivity flow cytometry predicts systemic mastocytosis.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Dorfman D, LaPlante C, Pozdnyakova O, Li B |
| Journal | Am J Clin Pathol |
| Volume | 144 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pagination | 764-70 |
| Date Published | 11/01/2015 |
| ISSN | 1943-7722 |
| Keywords | Cluster Analysis, Flow Cytometry, Mast Cells, Mastocytosis, Systemic |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVES: In our high-sensitivity flow cytometric approach for systemic mastocytosis (SM), we identified mast cell event clustering as a new diagnostic criterion for the disease. METHODS: To objectively characterize mast cell gated event distributions, we performed cluster analysis using FLOCK, a computational approach to identify cell subsets in multidimensional flow cytometry data in an unbiased, automated fashion. RESULTS: FLOCK identified discrete mast cell populations in most cases of SM (56/75 [75%]) but only a minority of non-SM cases (17/124 [14%]). FLOCK-identified mast cell populations accounted for 2.46% of total cells on average in SM cases and 0.09% of total cells on average in non-SM cases (P < .0001) and were predictive of SM, with a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 86%, a positive predictive value of 76%, and a negative predictive value of 85%. CONCLUSIONS: FLOCK analysis provides useful diagnostic information for evaluating patients with suspected SM, and may be useful for the analysis of other hematopoietic neoplasms. |
| DOI | 10.1309/AJCP87EYMCYUSDZV |
| PubMed ID | 26486741 |