Computational flow cytometry as a diagnostic tool in suspected-myelodysplastic syndromes

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23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The diagnostic work-up of patients suspected for myelodysplastic syndromes is challenging and mainly relies on bone marrow morphology and cytogenetics. In this study, we developed and prospectively validated a fully computational tool for flow cytometry diagnostics in suspected-MDS. The computational diagnostic workflow consists of methods for pre-processing flow cytometry data, followed by a cell population detection method (FlowSOM) and a machine learning classifier (Random Forest). Based on a six tubes FC panel, the workflow obtained a 90% sensitivity and 93% specificity in an independent validation cohort. For practical advantages (e.g., reduced processing time and costs), a second computational diagnostic workflow was trained, solely based on the best performing single tube of the training cohort. This workflow obtained 97% sensitivity and 95% specificity in the prospective validation cohort. Both workflows outperformed the conventional, expert analyzed flow cytometry scores for diagnosis with respect to accuracy, objectivity and time investment (less than 2 min per patient).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)814-824
Number of pages11
JournalCytometry Part A
Volume99
Issue number8
Early online date2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021

Keywords

  • diagnostic test
  • flow cytometry
  • hematological malignancies
  • machine learning
  • myelodysplastic syndromes

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