Flow cytometry is an essential tool for studying the tumor microenvironment. It allows us to quickly quantify and identify multiple cell types in a heterogeneous sample. A brief overview of flow cytometry instrumentation and the appropriate considerations and steps in building a good flow cytometry staining panel are discussed. In addition, a lymphoid tissue and solid tumor leukocyte infiltrate flow cytometry staining protocol and an example of flow cytometry data analysis are presented.
Keywords: Compensation; Flow cytometry (FCM); Fluorescence minus one (FMO); Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS); Immune cell infiltrate; Intracellular staining; Isotype control; Multi-parameter; Solid tumor; Spillover; Staining panel; Tumor microenvironment.