Leukemia, Lymphoma, & White Cell Disorders Flashcards
> 20% blasts found on bone marrow aspirate/biopsy confirms the diagnosis of _____
AML
In AML, myeloblasts express stem cell marker _____, as well as HLA-DR, and markers of granulocyte maturation such as ____ and _____
CD34; CD33, CD13
What translocation is associated with the diagnosis of AML with maturation, and is the most frequent abnormality in kids with AML?
t(8;21)
Involves RUNX-AML1 gene which encodes core-binding factor required for hematopoiesis
May be accompanied by loss of a sex chromosome, or a del(9q) with loss of 9q22
T/F: t(8;21) is associated with a favorable px in adults, but a poorer px in children
True
_____ and _____ are cytogenetic changes associated with Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia (AMML)
Inv(16) and t(16;16)
[breakpoint occurs in CBFB gene and affects RUNX1/AML1 pathway regulating hematopoeisis]
Leukemia characterized by abnormal eosinophils including large irregular basophilic granules and positive reactions with PAS and chloroacetate esterase
AMML
AMML with inv(16) and t(16;16) is associated with a good px with intensive chemotherapy, but prognosis is worse if _____ mutation is also present
KIT
Translocation associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia
t(15;17)
Involves disturbance of retinoic acid receptor resulting in PML-RARA fusion —> RA repression via HDAC-dependent chromatin remodeling
APL with t(15;17) translocation is sensitive to therapy with ______________
Mutations that cooperate with PML-RARA are _____ internal tandem duplications (ITDs)
All-trans retinoic acid
FLT3
FLT3-ITD mutations may occur in any AML subtype but most commonly in ____ and AML with a normal karyotype. These mutations are associated with a _____ prognosis
APL; poor
NPM1 mutations most commonly involve exon 12 leading to alterations at C-terminus, replacement of tryptophan at position 288 and 290 causing the protein to be aberrantly localized to the cytoplasm. What do NPM1 mutations in AML tell you about the prognosis?
Associated with a favorable px in the absence of FLT3 mutations
2 major risk factors for development of AML
History of radiation or benzene exposure
History of chemotherapy with alkylating agents
Condition in which leukemic blasts occlude microcirculation leading to complications such as respiratory failure and cerebral dysfunction
Leukostasis syndrome
Presentation of AML including locations of extramedullary invasion
Nonspecific sxs such as fatigue, pallor from anemia, bleeding issues like bruising and petechiae (d/t underlying thrombocytopenia), increased infections, variable degree of LAD and HSM
Extramedullary invasion of gingivae, skin, and meninges [gingival hypertrophy typically associated w/M4 and M5 variants of AML]
Common complaint is “bone pain”
Clinical/lab findings associated with AML
Elevated leukocyte count
Anemia
Thrombocytopenia
Blasts on peripheral smear
3 phases of tx for AML
Phase 1 = Induction — 3 days of anthracycline (daunorubicin or idarubicin), 7 days of continuous infusion of cytarabine
Phase 2 = Consolidation — High dose Ara-C (HDAC)
Phase 3 = Maintenance — ATRA (given only if APL subtype)
Major risk associated with induction phase of AML tx
Tumor lysis syndrome — characterized by abrupt necrosis of large mass of leukemia cells and release of their contents into circulation; pancytopenia, infections, bleeding complications
t(15;17) translocation, proliferation of promyelocytes with their primary granules
Presents with significant bleeding d/t fibrinolysis and DIC
APL
Tx for APL is initiated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), what are the 2 major purposes of this tx?
Induces maturation of promyelocyte
Ameliorates DIC
3 phases of APL tx
- Induction with ATRA + arsenic trioxide
- Consolidation with HDAC
- Maintenance with ATRA
Most common rearrangement in adult ALL
t(9;22) —> BCR-ABL1 fusion (Ph chromosome)
ALL is usually of B cell lineage (CD10, CD19, TdT), but can have myeloid markers including CD13 and CD33. BCR-ABL1 fusion may be associated with _____ gene alterations, which typically indicate ____ px
IKZF1; poor
What translocation is associated with ALL in which cells have cytoplasmic Ig, CD10+, CD19+, CD34-, and CD9+
t(1;19)
Implications of t(8;14) translocation in ALL
Indicates mature B cell ALL — typically associated with high incidence of CNS involvement and/or abdominal nodal involvement at dx
Poor outcome; improved with high intensity chemotherapy
Implications of t(4;11) in ALL
Denotes translocation involving KMT2A
Associated with very immature immunophenotype and poor px
Symptoms and PE findings associated with ALL
More common in kids, but may occur in adults (usually 7th decade)
Circulating lymphoblasts and progressive marrow failure
Presents w/fatigue, dyspnea, bleeding, and infection-related fever. LAD and HSM are common; CNS involvement may occur
Severe cytopenias and metabolic derangements d/t tumor lysis syndrome are also common
3 tx phases for ALL
- Induction — anthracycline, cincristine, L-asparaginase, and a glucocorticoid
- Consolidation — multiple agents + CNS prophylaxis (MTX or Ara-C)
- Maintenance — 6-MP and MTX
What are treatment considerations regarding the risks of CNS involvement and tumor lysis syndrome in ALL?
Risk of CNS involvement often requires intrathecal chemoprophylaxis
Risk of tumor lysis syndrome requires IV fluid hydration and allopurinol
Significance of t(9;22) in CML
BCR-ABL fusion — results in truncated Chr 22 (Philadelphia Chromosome)
Leads to production of a unique tyrosine kinase protein
Common symptoms and clinical findings with CML
Presents w/ fatigue, lethargy, low-grade fever, and weight loss
Splenomegaly may be striking and associated with early satiety, abdominal distention, or LUQ pain
PE may reveal pallor and splenomegaly (LAD uncommon)
Phases in disease course of CML
Chronic phase = pts usually present in this phase; may do well for years w/o treatment
Accelerated (blast) phase = characterized by progressive leukocytosis and splenomegaly, extreme thrombocytosis or thrombocytopenia, and systemic symptoms resistant to treatment
Transformation phase = CML typically transforms into AML, but may also transform into ALL
2 main treatment options for CML
Imatinib = inhibition of Ph chromosome tyrosine kinase —> reduced leukocyte count, shrinks spleen, and clears bone marrow of Ph chromosome-positive cells [newer agents include dasatinib and nilotinib]
Most definitive cure for CML is allogeneic BMT — but risks are high including mortality d/t graft vs. host disease
How long is the course of imatinib tx for CML?
Imatinib must be given indefinitely
Significance of trisomy 12, hypogammaglobulinemia, and autoimmune antibodies in CLL
Trisomy 12 = component of CML genotype
Hypogammaglobulinemia = immune defect predisposing to infectious complications, most commonly with encapsulated organisms (e.g., streptococcus pneumoniae)
Autoimmune antibodies = increased risk for autoimmune disease, most commonly autoimmune thrombocytopenia
What is Richter syndrome?
Transformation of CLL to DLBCL
Significance of CD38 and ZAP-70 in CLL
CD38 is expressed in B-CLL; likely denotes worse px
ZAP-70 expression is also associated with worse px
Rai staging system and prognostic implications for CLL
Stage 0 = asymptomatic with lymphocytosis (ALC > 10,000); survival >10 years (150 mos)
Stage 1 = Lymphocytosis + LAD; survival 6-9 yrs (101 mos)
Stage 2 = Lymphocytosis + LAD + HSM; survival 6-9 years (71 mos)
Stage 3 = Lymphocytosis, LAD, HSM, anemia (Hb < 11); survival <2 yrs (22 mos)
Stage 4 = Lymphocytosis, LAD, HSM, anemia, thrombocytopenia; survival <2 years (11 mos)
Treatment goals for CLL include slowing the rate of progression, inducing a period of remission, and controlling symptoms/complications. Young pts may be considered for HSC transplant. What are the typical tx options offered for CLL?
Purine analogs — fludarabine, pentostatin
Alkylating agents — chlorambucil, bendamustine, cyclophosphamide
Monoclonal Abs against CD20 — rituximab, ofatumumab
What is the significance of TRAP stain, CD11c, soluble CD25, and BRAF V600E in hairy cell leukemia?
TRAP stain = tests for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase expressed by tumor cells
CD11c = part of HCL immunophenotype
Soluble CD25 = excellent tumor marker for monitoring disease activity
BRAF V600E = activation mutation found in most cases
HCL commonly presents with ______ and pancytopenia. Bone marrow aspirate may reveal a _______ due to increased reticulin and bone marrow fibrosis. Monocytopenia leads to a predisposition for ______ infections
Splenomegaly; dry-tap; mycobacterial
General tx approaches for HCL
Splenectomy may prolong remission
Nucleosides (cladribine, deoxycoformycin) are highly active but associated with immunosuppression
IFN-alpha also works but less effective than nucleosides
Chemotherapy-refractory pts may respond to vemurafenib
Hodgkin lymphoma and non-hodgkin lymphoma can only be definitively diagnosed by what method?
Tissue biopsy
[typically excisional bx is preferred so that pathologist can evaluate architecture AND morphology]
Mutations in the _____ oncogene (most commonly t(8;14)) is associated with highly aggressive Burkitt lymphoma
c-MYC
Elevated LDH raises suspicion for _____
NHL
All pts suspected of having NHL should be evaluated with a tissue biopsy as well as what other tests?
Immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry
CBC, CMP, serum calcium, serum uric acid, LDH, HIV test, Hep B and C test, PET/CT scan