Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Bone Marrow Failure Flashcards
What are myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)?
Biologically heterogeneous group of acquired haemopoietic stem cell disorders (~ 4 per 100,000 persons).
What is MDS characterised by?
Development of a clone of marrow stem cells with abnormal maturation resulting in functionally defective blood cells + a numerical reduction.
What does the development of a clone of marrow cells with abnormal maturation in MDS result in?
Cytopenia(s)
Qualitative (functional) abnormalities of erythroid, myeloid + megakaryocytic maturation
Increased risk of transformation to leukaemia (AML)
What is the epidemiology of MDS?
Typically disorder of elderly.
Sx + signs are those of general marrow failure.
Develops over weeks + months.
List 5 blood and bone marrow morphological features of MDS?
- Pelger-Huet anomaly (bilobed neutrophils)
- Dysgranulopoieses of neutrophils
- Dyserythropoiesis of red cells
- Dysplastic megakaryocytes e.g. micromegakaryocytes
- Increased proportion of blast cells in marrow (normal < 5%)
What is this?
Normal neutrophils
Multilobed with granules in cytoplasm
What is this?
Pelger-Heut anomaly
Only 2 lobules, connected by thin bridge of cytoplasm
What is this?
Refractory anaemia dysgranulopoiesis
Abnormal lack of granules in neutrophils
What is this?
Myelokathexis
Condensed nuclei with thin intrasegmented filaments + vacuoles
What is this?
Refractory anaemia-dyserythropoiesis
What is this?
Refractory anaemia-dyserythropoiesis
What is this?
Ringed sideroblasts
What is this?
Myeloblasts with Auer rods
What are Auer rods a sign of?
AML
Which prognostic variables are included in the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) in MDS (2012)?
BM blasts (%)
Karyotype
Hb (g/L)
Platelets (x10^9/L)
Neutrophils (x10^9/L)
How is the IPSS-R score interpreted?
The higher the score, the lower the survival + time to progress to AML.
Which driver mutations in MDS carry prognostic significance?
TP53, EZH2, ETV6, RUNX1, ASXL1
Others: SF3B1, TET2, DNMT3A
In which group of MDS patients are the majority of common mutations found in?
More frequently in high risk MDS than low risk
What is the sequelae of disease in MDS?
Deterioration of blood counts: Worsening consequences of marrow failure.
Development of AML:
- Develops in 5-50% < 1y (depends on subtype)
- Some cases of MDS are much slower to evolve
- AML from MDS has an extremely poor prognosis + is usually not curable
Why is AML from MDS much harder to treat than those with AML without prior MDS?
Those without prior MDS more likely to have normal stem cells in BM
What is the rule of thumb for outcomes of MDS progression?
⅓ die from infection (low neutrophils, can’t fight)
⅓ die from bleeding (low platelets)
⅓ die from acute leukaemia
What is the treatment of MDS?
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT)
Or
Intensive chemotherapy
(Only minority of patients can benefit from these, as most are too old/ frail)
What supportive care can be given to those with MDS?
Blood product support: transfusions
Abx for infections
Growth factors to enhance residual BM activity
What growth factors can be given to those with MDS? What cell lineage is each given to enhance?
EPO: Hb
G-CSF: Neutrophils
Thrombopoetin (TPO) receptor agonists: Platelets
What biological modifiers are used in the treatment of MDS?
Immunosuppressive therapy
Hypomethylating agents: Azacytidine + Decitabine
Lenalidomide