EuroFlow consortium was founded in 2005 as 2U-FP6 funded project and launched in spring 2006. At first, EuroFlow was composed of 18 diagnostic research groups and two SMEs (small/medium enterprises) from eight different European countries with complementary knowledge and skills in the field of

flow cytometry Flow cytometry (FC) is a technique used to detect and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells or particles. In this process, a sample containing cells or particles is suspended in a fluid and injected into the ...

and

immunophenotyping Immunophenotyping is a technique used to study the protein expressed by cells. This technique is commonly used in basic science research and laboratory diagnostic purpose. This can be done on tissue section (fresh or fixed tissue), cell suspensio ...

. During 2012 both SMEs left the project so it obtained full scientific independence. The goal of EuroFlow consortium is to innovate and standardize flow cytometry leading to global improvement and progress in diagnostics of haematological malignancies and individualisation of treatment.

Background

Since the '90s

(staining cells with antibodies conjugated with fluorochromes and detection with flow cytometer) became the preferred method in diagnostics of haematological malignancies. The advantages of this method are speed and simplicity, possibility to measure more than 6 parameters at a time, precise focusing on malignant population and also broad applicability in diagnostics. Because there is a great progress in development of

antibodies An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as bacteria and viruses, including those that caus ...

, fluorochromes and multicolor digital flow cytometers, it became a question of how to interpret cytometric data and how to achieve comparable results between facilities. Even though a consensus of recommendations and guidelines was established, standardization was only partial because there was no regard of different antibody clones, fluorochromes and their optimal combinations or of sample preparation. On that account cytometry is perceived as method highly dependent on level of expertise and with limited reproducibility in multicentric studies.

Goals of Euroflow

These goals were set out in the journal ''Leukemia'' in 2012. * Development and evaluation of new antibodies * Establishment of new immunobead assay technology * Development of new software tools followed by new analysing approaches for recognition of complex immunofenotype patterns. * Design of new multicolor protocols and

standard operating procedures A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance, while reducing misc ...

(SOPs) * Development and standardization of fast, accurate and highly sensitive flow cytometry

Achievements

During passed few years EuroFlow achieved most of its goals. Eight-color panels for diagnoses, and classification and follow-up of haematological malignancies were established. Panels, consisting of screening tube and supplementary characterisation tubes, are based on experiences and knowledge from literature but further optimised and tested in multiple research centers on large collection of samples impeaching on selection of fluorochromes and standardization of instrument settings and SOPs. Antibody clones, fluorochromes and other reagencies from different companies underwent detailed testing and comparison. Simultaneously a new software for analysing of more complex and extensive data files was developed, capable of multidimensional statistical comparison of normal data samples and patient samples. Also new antibody clones against rigorously selected

epitope An epitope, also known as antigenic determinant, is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells. The part of an antibody that binds to the epitope is called a paratope. Although e ...

s of

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...

s involved in

chromosomal translocation In genetics, chromosome translocation is a phenomenon that results in unusual rearrangement of chromosomes. This includes "balanced" and "unbalanced" translocation, with three main types: "reciprocal", "nonreciprocal" and "Robertsonian" transloc ...

s were developed for detection of most frequent

fusion protein Fusion proteins or chimeric (kī-ˈmir-ik) proteins (literally, made of parts from different sources) are proteins created through the joining of two or more genes that originally coded for separate proteins. Translation of this '' fusion gene'' ...

s in acute leukemia and

chronic myeloid leukemia Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, is a cancer of the white blood cells. It is a form of leukemia characterized by the increased and unregulated growth of myeloid cells in the bone marrow and the accumula ...

. Also detection of fusion proteins using immunobead assays was introduced.

References

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External links

EuroFlow
Flow cytometry