High resolution immunophenotypic analysis of chronic lymphocytic leukemic cells by enzymatic amplification staining

Immunophenotypic analysis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells is es sential for the diagnosis of this disorder Unfortunately, surface immunoglo bulin light chains and CD79b are expressed faintly or not at all by CLL cel ls from many patients. We developed an enzymatic amplification staining pro cedure that amplifies the fluorescent signal by 10- to 100-fold. By using t his technology, we have been able to resolve immunoglobulin light chain exc lusion and CD79b expression on the cells from most cases. This new capabili ty can be used for high-resolution immunophenotypic analysis of leukemias a nd lymphomas.