Hierarchical clustering analysis of the 20 markers tested on CD45^lo blast cells from patients with MDS.

(A) Hierarchical clustering tree of the markers tested on BM CD45^lo blast cells of MDS patients. (B) The same clustering analysis was performed after introducing the percentage of blast cells (blasts %) on BM smears. Clustering was performed after median centering and normalizing the fluorescence ratios. Analysis was achieved with the 149 patients for whom at least 16 of the 20 markers of the panel had been tested, the number of events in the CD45^lo/SS blast electronic gate was above 2000, and contamination of this gate with CD36⁺/CD11c⁻erythroblasts was below 20%.