Maryalice Stetler-Stevenson, M.D., Ph.D.

Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Biomarkers

The Flow Cytometry Laboratory is a clinical laboratory that provides state-of-the-art diagnostic clinical flow cytometric immunophenotyping of hematolymphoid neoplasia for National Institutes of Health (NIH) patients and essential support for NCI clinical protocols. Specimens are submitted for primary diagnosis, sub-classification, staging, to detect therapeutic targets (e.g., antibody-based therapy), prognostication, to evaluate changing signs or symptoms (e.g., new onset of neurological symptoms in a patient with lymphoma), and to follow response to therapy under protocol dictated schedules (NCI patients only). The majority of flow cytometric testing performed by the Laboratory involves detection of minimal residual disease (patients are status post therapy at outside institution prior to enrollment on NCI protocol) and measurement of specific tumor cell characteristics mandated by various clinical protocols. The Lab also provides specialized unique protocol mandated tests that are not available from commercial laboratories and develops new tests as required to support NCI clinical protocols.