AML Flashcards
Pathophysiology of APL
The retinoic acid alpha receptor gene (RARA) is encoded by the long arm of chromosome 17. It is mainly expressed in hematopoietic cells and has an important role in regulating gene expression. RAR alpha heterodimerizes with retinoid X receptor (RXR). In the absence of retinoid acid, RARA is bound by nuclear corepressor factor, and this causes transcriptional repression. In the presence of retinoic acid, RARA is activated and terminal differentiation of promyelocytes occurs.
In summary, PML/RARα acts through various mechanisms as a constitutive and potent transcriptional repressor of RARα-target genes
How does ATRA and arsenic work in APL?
ATRA and ATO dissociate the PML/RARa-RXR complex in ways that are dependent on caspases and proteasomes.
The degradation of PML-RARα may lead to release of transcription suppression and restoration of PML nuclear body structure. The blockade of other signaling pathways is also released, and the anti-apoptotic effect of PML-RARα is lost allowing induction of differentiation.
Pathophysiology of differentiation syndrome?
ATRA and ATO induce maturation of promyelocytes and promote tissue infiltration. There is also a systemic inflammatory response associated with increased cytokine expression, endothelial damage with capillary leak syndrome, and occlusion of the microcirculation.
Clinical features of differentiation syndrome?
Onset usually either within first week, or between weeks 3-4
Clinical manifestations:
Fever
hypotension
Weight gain (>5lbs)–> edema, effusions (pericardial, pleural), pulm edema
Dyspnea, hypoxia, CXR infiltrates
Rash (diffuse, erythematous)
Body pain
MOF (e.g., AKI)
Treatment of differentiation syndrome?
IV dexamethasone 10mg BID x minimum of 3 days, then taper
In most cases, continue ATRA, but consider holding if progressive or severe resp failure, renal failure, etc
Others: empiric Abx until r/o concomitant infection; consider diuresis if not hypotensive or in AKI; supplemental O2, mech vent PRN
~30% would die without treatment d/t resp failure or cerebral edema with treatment (steroids), most resolve within 24 hours; ~5% mortality
AML with normal cytogenetics, molecular tests to order prior to alloSCT?
FLT3-ITD
NMP1
Biallelic CEBPA
Others:
C-kit (if inv 16)
BCR-Abl (blast CML)
Morphology features of inv 3?
Abnormal megakaryocytes with increased platelet count
Morphology features of inv 16?
Dysplastic eosinophilia
Morphology features of APL?
Hypergranular vs hypo/microgranular (higher WBC)
Atypical promyelocytes (larger, bilobed/kidney-shaped nuclei, many violet granules, and multiple auer rods/cell)
Describe the WHO features of Acute monocytic leukemia?
Need >20% monoblasts, promonocytes
≥80% leukemic cells monocytic lineage (including monoblasts, promonocytes, monocytes)
Immunophenotyping: There is generally expression of at least two markers characteristic of monocytic differentiation such as CD14, CD4, CD11b, CD11c, CD64, CD68, CD36 and lysozyme. Variably express myeloid antigens CD13, CD33 (often very bright), C015 and C065.
CD34 is positive only in 30% of cases, while CD117 is more often expressed
Almost all HLA-DR+
Monoblasts are typically MPO negative; promonocytes may show some scattered MPO positivity
Auer rods are rare but possible
Describe the WHO features of Acute erythroid leukemia?
“Myeloid Neoplasms w/ Erythroid Predominance”
> 80% immature erythroid precursors w/ >/=30% proerythroblasts and <20% myeloblasts
The erythroblasts do not express markers of myeloid lineage and do not stain with MPO
Describe the WHO features of Acute megakaryocytic leukemia?
≥20% of blasts of which ≥50% are of MK lineage
Excludes cases of AML with: MDS changes
t (1;22), inv (3), t (3;3) – classified as AML w/ recurrent genetic abnormalities
Translocations classified as AML even without 20% blasts?
t(8;21), inv(16), t(16;16), and t(15;17).
Favourable Risk AML 2017 ELN
Updated 2022
t(8;21)(q22;q22.1); RUNX1-RUNX1T1
inv(16)(p13.1q22) or t(16;16)(p13.1;q22); CBFB-MYH11
Mutated NPM1 without FLT3-ITD
bZIP domain mutated CEBPA
Intermediate Risk AML 2017 ELN
Updated 2022
Any FLT3-ITD
t(9;11)(p21.3;q23.3); MLLT3-KMT2A
Cytogenetic abnormalities not classified as favorable or adverse
Poor Risk AML 2017 ELN
Updated for 2022
t(6;9)(p23;q34.1); DEK-NUP214
t(v;11q23.3); KMT2A rearranged
t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2); BCR-ABL1
(8;16) KAT6A::CREBBP
inv(3)(q21.3q26.2) or t(3;3)(q21.3;q26.2); GATA2,MECOM(EVI1)
(3,v) other MECOM
−5 or del(5q); −7; −17/abn(17p)
Complex karyotype, monosomal karyotype
Mutated TP53
SARS BEZUS
Causes of Hip pain post induction
Recurrent/refractory AML / extramedullary (myeloid sarcoma - joint involvement)
Bone marrow necrosis / expansion
Infection (OM, muscle, septic arthritis, etc.)
G-CSF related
Avascular necrosis (more likely ALL due to steroids + asparaginase)
Hemartharosis/hematoma
Inflammatory/Gout
Referred pain (abdominal typhilitis)
Flow phenotype of APL
CD13+, CD33+, MPO+, CD34-, CD117-, HLADR- ; CD11b- (not monocytic)
CD56 = poor prognosis (extramedullary, CNS disease)
hypogranular variant of APL frequently co-expresses CD2, and can sometimes express CD34.
Indication for LP in AML?
- WBC > 40x10^9 some say 50,000/ul
- APL in relapse
- CD56+
- Inv (16) or chrms 11 abnormalities
- AMML (monocytic differentiation)
- Any signs and symptoms of CNS involvement (facial nerve palsy)
? Elevated LDH
What procoagulant and anticoagulants are affected in APL leading to increased risk of thrombosis and bleeding respectively?
Bleeding
1. elevated urokinase-type plasminogen activator
2. Decreased alpha2-antiplasmin
3. Decreased fibrinogen
4. Increased elastase to degrade antiplasmin
Thrombosis
1. Decreased tPA
2. Increased tissue factor
3. Increased PAI-1
4. Release of inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, other cytokines)
5. Decreased thrombomodulin
Reasons to stop ATRA or ATO?
- Arsenic acid toxicity (convulsions, muscle weakness, confusion and ECG abnormality
-Consider chelation therapy (Dimercaprol 3mg/kg IM) + constant heart monitor - APL differentiation syndrome (severe)- usually do not need to DC the drug
- Prolonged Qtc(withholding the drug for a QTc interval >450 msec in men and >460 msec in women)
- Hypersensitivity reaction/anaphylaxis
- Severe leukocytosis
- IIH (idiopathic intracranial HTN), usually will resolve after LP but consider holding if severe.
- Hepatotoxicity
DO not start in pregnancy/nursing mothers.
How does arsenic work in APL?
Binds to the PML moiety of the PML-RARa
At low dose (Synergism with ATRA):
-Induces differentiation
-Degrades PML/RARalpha fusion protein
At high dose:
-Increases apoptosis via caspase activation
Low-coco for APL induction, with doses.
ATRA: 45 mg/m2 per day in two divided doses until complete response.
Arsenic trioxide: 0.15 mg/kg per day until complete response.
Other translocation in APL (beside 15;17)?
1.NPM/RARA and t(5;17)
-responsive to ATRA therapy
2. NuMA/RARA and t(11;17)
-responsive to ATRA therapy
3. PLZF/RARA and t(11;17)
-resistant to ATRA therapy
4. STAT5B/RARA and t(17,17)(q21;q21)
-resistant to ATRA therapy
5.BCOR/RARA and t(X;17)(q11;q21.1)
-resistant to ATRA therapy
6. ZBTB16- RARa
-resistant to ATRA therapy
Please F off Stat bcuz ZBTB
Plzf stat5 bcor zbtb
11, 17, X