Flow Cytometry Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Predictive Biomarker for Leukemia Transformation in Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the prognostic value of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in predicting the progression of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

METHODS

MSC-like cells were analyzed using flow cytometry in a cohort of 49 MDS patients, including transformed and non-transformed groups.

RESULTS

A non-hematopoietic CD13-bright cell population, enriched for MSC markers CD105 and CD90, was identified in 80% of patients at diagnosis. Elevated of these MSC-like cells were significantly associated with earlier progression to leukemia and reduced overall survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed MSC content as an independent predictor of leukemia transformation.

CONCLUSION

MSC-like cell content at MDS diagnosis may serve as a novel biomarker of predicting malignant transformation to AML. Further validation in larger cohorts and better phenotypic characterization of this cell population are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The authors have confirmed clinical trial registration is not needed for this submission.