“Acute myelogenous leukemia like” translocations in CML blast crisis: Two new cases of inv(16)/t(16;16) and a review of the literature

Abnormal eosinophils with immature eosinophilic granules in chronic myeloid leukemia in accelerated phase

Abnormal eosinophils with immature eosinophilic granules are typically observed in acute myeloid leukemia with inv (16) (p13.1q22) or t (16;16) (p13.1;q22) but can also be seen in chronic myeloid leukemia without inv (16) or t (16;16).

Co-existence of mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms and their clinical significance: a prognostic approach

OBJECTIVE

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders that may occur after one or more mutations in hematopoietic progenitor cells. In this study, we will review the co-existence of mutations (especially dual mutations) in MPNs and its effect on the prognosis of patients.

METHODS

To find relevant published papers, we systematically searched six major international indexing databases, namely PubMed/Medline, EmBase, Cochrane central, ISI web of science, and Scopus from Feb. 2000 until Jan. 2020. We included the following keywords in the analyzes: Myeloproliferative Disorders, Mutation, Co-existence of Mutations, Acute myeloid leukemia.

RESULTS

Co-existence of several mutations in MPNs is mainly associated with a poor prognosis compared with the unimutated MPN disorders. There are several effective factors such as sequence of mutations, incidence of mutations in one cell or different cells, mutation, and MPN type.

CONCLUSION AND EXPERT COMMENTARY

It seems that monitoring the status of mutations in MPNs and recognizing the co-existence of mutations (especially dual mutations) in order to determine prognosis and possibility of progression to acute form of leukemia can lead to the prediction of prognosis in MPN patients as well as establishment of better and more reliable therapeutic strategies for patients.

Chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis presented with AML of t(9;22) and t(3;14) mimicking acute lymphocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND

Clinically, 90%-95% of cases of CML have the characteristic t(9;22) (q34.1;q11.2) translocation that leads to the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. Rarely, patients with CML can present directly in a blast crisis (BC). While most blast crises are of myeloid origin, myeloid BC with ALL-like morphologic features and Ph-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is rare, especially at the time of CML diagnosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 20-year-old man presented with Ph chromosome-positive AML mimicking acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Bone marrow (BM) aspiration revealed AML with ALL-like morphologic features. The results of the immunophenotypic analysis suggested AML. Cytogenetic analysis of the BM cells revealed a 46,XY,t(3;14)(q21;q32),t(9;22)(q34;q11.2)[20] karyotype. Thus, we called the condition AML mimicking ALL. The patient was diagnosed with myeloid BC based on the combination of clinical, cytologic, and cytogenetic studies.

CONCLUSION

To date, no case reports of a patient diagnosed with CML BC presented with Ph chromosome-positive AML mimicking ALL have been reported. We present the case given its rarity, easy misdiagnosis, and poor prognosis. It is important to combine clinical, cytologic, and cytogenetic analyses in distinguishing CML BC from de novo AML with the t(9;22)，and further cases should be accumulated to explore how to improve the prognosis of the patients.

BCR-ABL-positive acute myeloid leukemia: a new entity? Analysis of clinical and molecular features

BCR-ABL-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare subtype of AML that is now included as a provisional entity in the 2016 revised WHO classification of myeloid malignancies. Since a clear distinction between de novo BCR-ABL+ AML and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) blast crisis is challenging in many cases, the existence of de novo BCR-ABL+ AML has been a matter of debate for a long time. However, there is increasing evidence suggesting that BCR-ABL+ AML is in fact a distinct subgroup of AML. In this study, we analyzed all published cases since 1975 as well as cases from our institution in order to present common clinical and molecular features of this rare disease. Our analysis shows that BCR-ABL predominantly occurs in AML-NOS, CBF leukemia, and AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. The most common BCR-ABL transcripts (p190 and p210) are nearly equally distributed. Based on the analysis of published data, we provide a clinical algorithm for the initial differential diagnosis of BCR-ABL+ AML. The prognosis of BCR-ABL+ AML seems to depend on the cytogenetic and/or molecular background rather than on BCR-ABL itself. A therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib is reasonable, but-due to a lack of systematic clinical data-their use cannot be routinely recommended in first-line therapy. Beyond first-line treatment of AML, the use of TKI remains an individual decision, both in combination with intensive chemotherapy and/or as a bridge to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In each single case, potential benefits have to be weighed against potential risks.

Co-expression of the CBFβ-MYH11 and BCR-ABL fusion genes in chronic myeloid leukaemia / Coexistenţa genelor de fuziune CBFβ-MYH11 şi BCR-ABL în leucemia mieloidă cronică

The coexistence of t(9;22) and inv(16) has been described in a very limited number of cases of CML, de novo or therapy-related AML. We report a patient with CML who presented both inversion of chromosome 16 and Philadelphia chromosome and evolved towards the blast phase under treatment with Imatinib. Laboratory diagnosis and monitoring was made by flow cytometry, conventional cytogenetics and molecular genetics techniques. The inv(16), detected by karyotyping in the Philadelphia chromosome positive clone at the moment of the blast transformation, was retrospectively assessed by means of real-time PCR, and was proved to have been present since diagnosis. The bone marrow biopsy performed in the blast phase of CML confirmed the presence of blasts belonging to the myeloid lineage, with indications of monocytic differentiation, frequently associated with inv(16). Moreover, the case also associated a F359V tyrosine kinase domain mutation, resulting in intermediate resistance to Imatinib and Nilotinib, which imposed therapy-switch to Dasatinib. In our case the evolution was progressive, followed by death due to lack of response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, 18 months after diagnosis. The coexistence of t(9;22) and inv(16) in CML seems to be associated with an aggressive clinical evolution and resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Due to the very small number of cases described in literature, therapeutic decisions are still difficult for patients displaying these abnormalities

Core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: Heterogeneity, monitoring, and therapy

Core binding factor acute myelogenous leukemia (CBF AML) constitutes 15% of adult AML and carries an overall good prognosis. CBF AML encodes two recurrent cytogentic abnormalities referred to as t(8;21) and inv (16). The two CBF AML entities are usually grouped together but there is a considerable clinical, pathologic and molecular heterogeneity within this group of diseases. Recent and ongoing studies are addressing the molecular heterogeneity, minimal residual disease and targeted therapies to improve the outcome of CBF AML. In this article, we present a comprehensive review about CBF AML with emphasis on molecular heterogeneity and new therapeutic options.

Characteristics of hematologic malignancies with coexisting t(9;22) and inv(16) chromosomal abnormalities

Background

The coexistence of t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) and inv(16)(p13q22) chromosomal abnormalities is extremely uncommon, and only a small number of such cases have been reported. Here, we characterized 7 cases of hematologic malignancy exhibiting t(9;22) and inv(16) coexistence.

Methods

We reviewed the cytogenetic data for hematologic malignancies treated at the Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center between January 2004 and June 2013. We identified 7 cases exhibiting t(9;22) and inv(16) coexistence. In addition, we analyzed mutations in the IKZF1, NPM1, FLT3, N-RAS, K-RAS, c-KIT, and TP53 genes.

Results

Four cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML; 1 chronic phase, 2 accelerated phase, and 1 blast phase) and 3 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 1 de novo and 2 therapy-related) were identified. The percentages of circulating blasts and bone marrow eosinophils were higher in AML cases than in CML cases (53% vs. 5% and 30% vs. 5.5%, respectively). The proportions of each chromosomal abnormality were used along with follow-up karyotyping results to identify secondary changes. In BCR/ABL, a p210 fusion transcript was associated with CML, whereas a p190 fusion transcript was associated with AML. One patient with AML harbored 2 mutations: c-KIT D816V and TP53 E11Q. All patients except 1 with CML blast phase sustained clinical remission after treatment, which included an imatinib mesylate regimen.

Conclusion

This study shows that observations of bone marrow morphology, initial and follow-up cytogenetic studies, and karyotyping of BCR/ABL1 and CBFB/MYH11 provide valuable information for characterizing hematologic malignancies exhibiting t(9;22) and inv(16) coexistence.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of using azacitidine vs. decitabine in treating patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

OBJECTIVE

Azacitidine and decitabine are used to treat patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the United States (US). This study sought to assess their relative cost-effectiveness.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The authors developed a cost-effectiveness Markov model (1-month cycles) tracking hypothetical cohorts of MDS patients treated with azacitidine or decitabine over 2 years. The model used a US payer perspective and 2009 costs. Health states modeled included MDS with Transfusion Dependence, MDS with Transfusion Independence, Progression to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), and Death. Incremental cost-effectiveness outcomes included cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), cost per life year (LY), cost per patient-month of transfusion independence, and cost per case of AML progression avoided. One-way sensitivity analyses were performed on key model parameters.

RESULTS

Compared to decitabine, azacitidine was associated with better survival (1.512 LYs vs 1.292), more QALYs gained (1.041 vs 0.870), more patient-months with transfusion independence (8.328 vs 6.224), and a greater proportion of patients avoiding progression to AML (50.9% vs 28.5%). Total per-patient costs over 2 years for azacitidine were lower than for decitabine ($150,322 vs $166, 212).

LIMITATIONS

To inform and update the model over time, it will be important that randomized or observational clinical studies be conducted to directly compare azacitidine and decitabine, provide new information on how these medicines are used, and on their relative clinical effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate that azacitidine provides greater clinical benefit and costs less than decitabine across all key outcomes. These results accentuate the positive role of azacitidine in providing cost-effective care for MDS.