Leukemia Flashcards
leukemia
definition
Leukemia is a malignancy of the blood
Increased production and proliferation of abnormal leukocytes and leukocyte precursors in the bone marrow and in circulating blood
lines of leukemia
- Myelogenous leukemias arise from the granulocyte
(neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes), erythrocytes and platelets.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) - Lymphocytic leukemias involve the lymphocyte lineage
T and B lymphocytes.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
leukemia
patho
Uncontrolled/dysfunctional multiplication of one or more types of leukocytes, resulting in the presence of undifferentiated, immature, nonfunctional cells in the bone marrow.
Malignant transformation occurs at different levels of cell differentiation
Acute leukemias
High proportion of immature and nonfunctional cells
Blast cells
Chronic leukemias
Higher proportion of mature cells
Some of these cells have reduced function
Acute vs chronic leukemia
Acute leukemias
High proportion of immature and nonfunctional cells
Blast cells
Chronic leukemias
Higher proportion of mature cells
Some of these cells have reduced function
Sub-types of Leukemia
chronic leukemias tend to have leukocytosis (increase in leukocytes)
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
General
aka small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
CLL/SLL is considered one disease with different manifestations
CLL = disease primarily manifesting in the blood
SLL = disease involvement primarily nodal
- Characterized by the progressive accumulation of a population of small mature B lymphoctyes
Most common form of adult leukemia
Median age of diagnosis is 70
CLL has a strong familial predisposition
No definitive causative factors are associated with CLL
CLL/SLL
Clinical manifestations & Physical Examination
Asymptomatic (with incidental findings on a CBC)
Fatigue
Dyspnea on exertion
Increased incidence of infections
Lymphadenopathy
Splenomegaly
“B” symptoms – Fevers, night sweats, weight loss
Appetite loss
Unusual bruising/bleeding
CLL/SLL
Workup/Diagnosis
CBC with differential
Leukocytosis
Lymphocytosis (high)
Anemia
Thrombocytopenia
Peripheral smear – “smudge cells” - classic for CLL
Hypogammaglobulinemia
Flow cytometry immunophenotyping
Increased number of circulating lymphocytes that are monoclonal B cells expressing CD5 antigen
Cytogenetic studies (FISH, etc.)
Lymph node biopsy
CT scans
+/- bone marrow biopsy
CLL
CLL
factors to consider for Tx
May develop
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Autoimmune thrombocytopenia
Initiation of therapy dependent on several factors
Lymphocyte doubling time- looking at CBCs to see how fast WBC count doubles.
Disease stage
Age
Comorbidities
Symptoms
ACFatigue
Symptomatic lymphadenopathy
Therapy goal in most patients is palliation
CLL
Tx
Early stage
Observation
Targeted biologics- not chemo
Anti-CD20 agent (Rituximab{Rituxan}, Obinutuzumab{Gazyva}) + one of the following:
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor:
Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
BCL-2 targeted agent:
Venetoclax (Venclexta)
Curative therapy (allogeneic transplant) is reserved for younger patients with aggressive symptomatic disease
Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
general
BTK Inhibitor
Inhibits Bruton tyrosine kinase leading to inhibition of malignant B cell proliferation
Dosing: 420mg PO daily
Caution with CYP3A inhibitors
Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
Side effects
Side effects:
Lymphocytosis (increases by 2-3x before it goes down)
HTN
Cardiac arrhythmias
Rash
Infections
Bleeding risk in conjunction with Warfarin (Coumadin)
Venetoclax (Venclexta)
general
BCL-2 Inhibitor
Inhibits B-cell lymphoma 2 protein leading to restoration of apoptosis
Dosing: 400mg PO daily (slow titration to max dosing)
Venetoclax (Venclexta)
side effects
Side Effects:
Tumor lysis syndrome
May need hospitalization for first cycle
Neutropenia
Infection