Usefulness of the CLLflow score.

BACKGROUND: The CLLflow score was recently suggested as an improvement over the Moreau score (MS) for the diagnosis and classification of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (B-LPD).

METHODS: We determined the CLLflow score in peripheral blood or bone marrow of a series of cases with an inconclusive immunophenotype, including samples with a MS of 3 (n = 52) and CD5-positive with a score of 2 (n = 38). As controls, B-LPD with a MS of 0-1 (n = 95), CD5-negative score 2 (n = 24), and score 4-5 (i.e., chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL], n = 166) were included.

RESULTS: The CLLflow score was positive (suggestive of CLL) in all CLL cases and negative in all MS <2, regardless of CD200-positivity, which occurred in 31% (29/95) of cases. The CLLflow score was positive in 71%, 29%, and 8% of samples with a MS 3, CD5-positive score 2, and CD5-negative score 2, respectively.

DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that the CLLflow is useful in the differential diagnosis of cases with inconclusive immunophenotype. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society.