The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a spectrum of clonal bone marrow diseases with heterogeneous presentations. The classic triad for MDS includes 1 or more cytopenias, defective differentiation (dysplasia) of 1 or more blood cell lines and marrow hypercellularity. Over time, there is an increased rate of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These secondary AML cases carry a worse prognosis than de novo AML cases. Furthermore, there are myeloid neoplasms that share overlapping characteristics with both MDS and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated these diseases separately as MDS/MPNs, distinct from either MDS or MPNs.1
According to the 2016 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines, the overall incidence of MDS is approximately 5/100,000 per year, primarily in adults. MDS is rare in patients under the age of 40, but much more common in older patients. The incidence of MDS among patients 70-79 years of age is 30/100,000, and in patients > 80 years the incidence is 60/100,000.2
MDS has historically been classified by a combination of traditional laboratory techniques, such as demonstration of stable cytopenias by complete blood count, microscopic examination of a bone marrow biopsy, and bone marrow cytogenetic (conventional karyotype) studies. Other than the clinical feature of the number of cytopenias and specific cytogenetic changes found recurrently in MDS, all other diagnostic criteria in MDS rely upon light microscopy findings. These include the number of dysplastic changes on 1 or more cell lineages, of megakaryocytes, erythrocytes and granulocytes; increased myeloblasts; and/or presence ringed sideroblasts. Low-risk MDS is associated with dysplasia affecting only 1 cell lineage, with or without ringed sideroblasts, and isolated deletions involving the long arm of chromosome 5 (5q-). High-risk disease is associated with dysplasia across multiple lineages, increased blast percentages, and complex karyotype.
Neither the 2016 WHO Classification of MDS, the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) nor the Revised IPSS (IPSS-R) require the use of additional MDS-associated mutations to establish a diagnosis of MDS. As noted in NCCN 2017 Guidelines, “Bone marrow or peripheral blood cells may be assayed for MDS-associated gene mutations. These can establish the presence of clonal hematopoesis which can help exclude benign causes of cytopenia with non-diagnostic morphology but do not establish the diagnosis of MDS in the absence of clinical diagnostic criteria.”
Cytogenetic Testing (Chromosome Analysis)
Conventional cytogenetic testing (routine chromosome analysis) is also referred to as karyotyping and is the most important special study for the diagnosis of MDS. The identification of clonal cytogenetic abnormalities, except for +8, del(20q) and -Y, can serve as presumptive evidence of MDS. In decreasing order of frequency, the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities associated with MDS are: -7 or del(7q), -5 or del(5q), +8 and del(20q). A more comprehensive list of chromosomal abnormalities associated with MDS is available from the WHO.3
Cytogenetic studies are used to detect numerical and/or structural chromosome abnormalities in metaphase cells in constitutional conditions, such as congenital conditions (Down’s syndrome) and acquired conditions associated with neoplastic or cancer processes. Conventional chromosome analyses require some form of cell culture, followed by chromosome harvesting, chromosome banding, microscopic analysis and karyotype production. Depending on the application, detection of structural chromosome changes, resulting in a loss or gain of genetic material by these methods, is estimated to be limited to those of 4-6 mb (megabase) in size.
FISH Testing
Molecular cytogenetic testing (aka FISH) may be utilized to address specific, focused clinical questions and is available for a variety of clinical application including the assessment of both constitutional and acquired chromosomal aberrations. FISH testing is a method by which an assessment is made for the presence, absence, relative position and/or copy number of specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) segments by fluorescence microscopy. FISH involves hybridization of a fluorochrome-labeled DNA probe to an in situ chromosomal target. Metaphase preparations from cultured cells that are routinely used for cytogenetic analysis are considered the “gold standard” because morphology and position of the fluorescent signals can be visualized directly. A major advantage of FISH is that it can be performed on non-dividing interphase cells, affording a rapid screen for specific chromosome rearrangements or numerical abnormalities associated with hematologic malignancies. Interphase analysis can be performed on bone marrow cell suspensions routinely used for conventional cytogenetics, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, or disaggregated cells from paraffin blocks, bone marrow, blood smears and touch-preparations of cells from lymph nodes or solid tumors.
The majority of probes used for clinical FISH testing are considered analyte-specific reagents, i.e., reagents that are produced under good manufacturing practice guidelines set forth by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), but their safety and efficacy must be established by the user. When a new analyte-specific reagent probe is introduced in the lab, specific validation of the probe itself (probe validation) and validation of the procedures using the probe (analytical validation) is needed. Known normal and abnormal cases are used to validate a FISH test. A variety of FISH probes are available:
- Enumeration probes (e.g., 1 color chromosome 8 α-satellite centromere probe; 2 color X/Y probes)
- Dual-color, dual-fusion probes (e.g., BCR/ABL1; IGH/BCL2; PML/RARA)
- Single-fusion, extra signal (ES) probes (e.g., ETV6/RUNX1; BCR/ABL1 ES)
- Break-apart probes (e.g., CBFB, MLL)
Interpretation of the various groups of probes requires significant experience. Most labs require 2 technologists to score routine FISH evaluations. For metaphase FISH, it is recommended that clinical FISH tests include control probes to tag the chromosomes of interest. Such probes provide a limited level of quality control by providing an internal control of hybridization efficiency. The interpretation of FISH results should include consideration of the reason for referral for testing and, when available, additional laboratory findings including conventional cytogenetic analysis, histology and immunophenotype.
FISH probes are available for the common chromosomal abnormalities associated with MDS as FISH panels. Advantages of FISH over standard cytogenetics are:
- FISH testing can be performed on archived paraffin-embedded clot bone marrow clot sections,
- Results are available more quickly, and
- Sensitivity is superior
However, cytogenetics is sufficiently sensitive to detect these abnormalities in most instances, such that FISH is rarely indicated.
Diagnostic Report
The diagnostic report should clearly indicate both the diagnostic and prognostic significance of the FISH findings. It should also contain a statement as to the normalcy/abnormalcy of a FISH result, as well as the percentage of abnormal and normal cells, and whether the results are from metaphase or interphase cells or from both. Specific naming of the probes used to obtain results, including the name of the manufacturer, MUST be included in the written report. Any specific limitations of the assay, some of which may be described in the probe manufacturer’s package insert should be included in the patient report.
MDS Testing Algorithm
Many laboratories adhere to a MDS testing algorithm to determine the necessity for FISH testing. More than 20 metaphases and a resolved karyotype preclude FISH testing. Mayo Medical Laboratories (MML) specifies that “MDS FISH does not increase the detection of MDS if chromosome analysis is successful and >20 metaphases are analyzed.”7 They specify that MDS FISH studies should be ordered at the discretion of the cytogeneticist if <20 metaphases are identified, if there is an unresolved karyotype, or if only 1 abnormal metaphase is indicated. MML also supports use of a FISH study with a specific probe, but without chromosome analysis for follow-up of a bone marrow for a previously diagnosed MDS with a specific genetic anomaly.
A number of studies support a MDS testing algorithm that a conventional karyotype is often all that is needed in the diagnostic process3,4,5,6 and that MDS FISH studies should only be performed when there are fewer than 20 metaphases available for analysis.
The Mayo Clinic has used a diagnostic algorithm in its practice and it supports this approach. A recent published article by Mayo7 concludes “….supports this assumption and showed that MDS-FISH studies provide little additional value beyond conventional karyotype studies if that study is adequate (defined by at least 20 metaphases available for analysis)."
The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) has endorsed this practice pattern in its practice recommendations in its “Choosing Wisely” program.8 The ASCP notes that the added value of MDS FISH on bone marrow is extremely low when a satisfactory karyotype is obtained (≥20 interpretable metaphases). They also note that MDS FISH can be performed post hoc in the event of an unsatisfactory karyotype.
Indications and Limitations of Coverage
Indications
FISH testing is indicated in the evaluation of patients whose bone marrow examination are suggestive of MDS and who have had a failed or inadequate cytogenetic assessment (conventional karyotype).
Limitations
- When the results of conventional cytogenetics are adequate, FISH testing is not reasonable and necessary and not a Medicare benefit;
- When conventional karyotyping is inadequate, Medicare will limit initial FISH testing to 4 probes (studies) as specified above in this policy;
- Reflex FISH testing may be indicated when the initial 4 probes are negative;
- Molecular next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing alone (for myeloid mutations) or in combination with FISH testing is not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis of MDS, and is not a Medicare benefit;
- When a patient has a bone marrow suggestive of another disorder (e.g., a plasma cell disorder), MDS-FISH is not indicated;
- Delay in diagnosis is not a legitimate reason for performing more than 4 initial FISH studies followed by step-wise reflex testing;
- Repeat FISH testing by another laboratory on the same specimen is not reasonable and necessary.
