Abstract
Multiple myeloma is characterized by proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells (PCs), mostly in the bone marrow. The proliferative rate of the malignant plasma cell is an important determinant of the disease biology and can be measured as the percentage of PCs in the S-phase of the cell cycle. This percentage, or PC labeling index, can be measured using a slide-based immuno- fluorescence method using an antibody against 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, which is actively incorporated by DNA of the dividing PCs. This technique, which can be performed using bone marrow or peripheral blood specimens, also utilizes concurrent cytoplasmic staining against immunoglobulin as well as κ and λ light chains. Employment of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin staining allows more specific identification of PCs as well as confirmation of the monoclonal nature of the PC population. The staining procedure, which can be done manually or using an automated stainer, as well as the process of reading and interpreting these slides is described in detail. The bone marrow peripheral blood labeling index is an important clinical test, providing valuable diagnostic and prognostic information.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Witzig T. E., Gonchoroff N. J., Katzmann J. A., Therneau T. M., Kyle R. A., and Greipp P. R. (1988) Peripheral blood B cell labeling indices are a measure of disease activity in patients with monoclonal gammopathies. J. Clin. Oncol. 6, 1041–1046.
Greipp P. R., Witzig T. E., and Gonchoroff N. J. (1985) Immunofluorescent plasma cell labeling indices (LI) using a monoclonal antibody (BU-1). Am. J. Hematol. 20, 289–292.
Greipp P. R. and Kyle R. A. (1983) Clinical, morphological, and cell kinetic differences among multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and smoldering multiple myeloma. Blood 62, 166–171.
Gonchoroff N. J., Katzmann J. A., Currie R. M., et al. (1986) S-phase detection with an antibody to bromodeoxyuridine: role of DNase pretreatment. J. Immunol. Methods 93, 97–101.
Witzig T. E., Dhodapkar M. V., Kyle R. A., and Greipp P. R. (1993) Quantitation of circulating peripheral blood plasma cells and their relationship to disease activity in patients with multiple myeloma. Cancer 72, 108–113.
Greipp P. R., Witzig T. E., Gonchoroff N. J., et al. (1987) Immunofluorescence labeling indices in myeloma and related monoclonal gammopathies. Mayo Clin. Proc. 62, 969–977.
Witzig T. E., Gonchoroff N. J., Ahmann G. A., Katzmann J. A., and Greipp P. R. (1991) T cell depletion using anti-CD2 coated magnetic beads simplifies the detection of peripheral blood plasma cells. J. Immunol. Methods 144, 253–256.
Durie B. G., Salmon S. E., and Moon T. E. (1980) Pretreatment tumor mass, cell kinetics, and prognosis in multiple myeloma. Blood 55, 364–372.
Greipp P. R., Katzmann J. A., O’Fallon W. M., and Kyle R. A. (1988) Value of beta 2-microglobulin level and plasma cell labeling indices as prognostic factors in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. Blood 72, 219–223.
Greipp P. R., Lust J. A., O’Fallon W. M., Katzmann J. A., Witzig T. E., and Kyle R. A. (1993) Plasma cell labeling index and beta 2-microglobulin predict survival independent of thymidine kinase and C-reactive protein in multiple myeloma. Blood 81, 3382–3387.
Pettersson D., Mellstedt H., and Holm G. (1980) Monoclonal B lymphocytes in multiple myeloma. Scand. J. Immunol. 12, 375–382.
Witzig T. E., Kimlinger T. K., Ahmann G. J., Katzmann J. A., and Greipp P. R. (1996) Detection of myeloma cells in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Cytometry 26, 113–120.
Billadeau D., Greipp P., Ahmann G., Witzig T., and Van Ness B. (1995) Detection of B-cells clonally related to the tumor population in multiple myeloma and MGUS. Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 194, 9–16.
Berenson J., Wong R., Kim K., Brown N., and Lichtenstein A. (1987) Evidence for peripheral blood B lymphocyte but not T lymphocyte involvement in multiple myeloma. Blood 70, 1550–1553.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2005 Humana Press Inc.
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Greipp, P.R., Kumar, S. (2005). Plasma Cell Labeling Index. In: Brown, R.D., Ho, P.J. (eds) Multiple Myeloma. Methods in Molecular Medicine™, vol 113. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-916-8:25
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-916-8:25
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-392-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-916-5
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols