Molecular features of 109 patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia in a single center / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the molecular features of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) . Methods: According to 2022 World Health Organization (WHO 2022) classification, 113 CMML patients and 840 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients from March 2016 to October 2021 were reclassified, and the clinical and molecular features of CMML patients were analyzed. Results: Among 113 CMML patients, 23 (20.4%) were re-diagnosed as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including 18 AML with NPM1 mutation, 3 AML with KMT2A rearrangement, and 2 AML with MECOM rearrangement. The remaining 90 patients met the WHO 2022 CMML criteria. In addition, 19 of 840 (2.3%) MDS patients met the WHO 2022 CMML criteria. At least one gene mutation was detected in 99% of CMML patients, and the median number of mutations was 4. The genes with mutation frequency ≥ 10% were: ASXL1 (48%), NRAS (34%), RUNX1 (33%), TET2 (28%), U2AF1 (23%), SRSF2 (21.1%), SETBP1 (20%), KRAS (17%), CBL (15.6%) and DNMT3A (11%). Paired analysis showed that SRSF2 was frequently co-mutated with ASXL1 (OR=4.129, 95% CI 1.481-11.510, Q=0.007) and TET2 (OR=5.276, 95% CI 1.979-14.065, Q=0.001). SRSF2 and TET2 frequently occurred in elderly (≥60 years) patients with myeloproliferative CMML (MP-CMML). U2AF1 mutations were often mutually exclusive with TET2 (OR=0.174, 95% CI 0.038-0.791, Q=0.024), and were common in younger (<60 years) patients with myelodysplastic CMML (MD-CMML). Compared with patients with absolute monocyte count (AMoC) ≥1×10(9)/L and <1×10(9)/L, the former had a higher median age of onset (60 years old vs 47 years old, P<0.001), white blood cell count (15.9×10(9)/L vs 4.4×10(9)/L, P<0.001), proportion of monocytes (21.5% vs 15%, P=0.001), and hemoglobin level (86 g/L vs 74 g/L, P=0.014). TET2 mutations (P=0.021) and SRSF2 mutations (P=0.011) were more common in patients with AMoC≥1×10(9)/L, whereas U2AF1 mutations (P<0.001) were more common in patients with AMoC<1×10(9)/L. There was no significant difference in the frequency of other gene mutations between the two groups. Conclusion: According to WHO 2022 classification, nearly 20% of CMML patients had AMoC<1×10(9)/L at the time of diagnosis, and MD-CMML and MP-CMML had different molecular features.

Clinical Characteristics and Survival Analysis of Patients with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and efficacy of hypomethylating agent (HMA) in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 37 newly diagnosed patients with CMML was analyzed retrospectively, and their clinical characteristics and the efficacy of HMA were summarized. Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank test were used for univariate survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for multivariate analysis.@*RESULTS@#The median age at diagnosis was 67 years old. Their common manifestations included fatigue, bleeding, abnormal blood routine and fever. Most patients had splenomegaly. According to FAB classification, there were 6 cases of myelodysplastic CMML and 31 cases of myeloproliferative CMML, while according to WHO classification, 8 patients belonged to CMML-0, 9 patients to CMML-1 and 20 patients to CMML-2. At the time of diagnosis, the median white blood cell count was 32.84×109/L, median hemoglobin (Hb) was 101 g/L, median platelet count was 65×109/L, median absolute monocyte count was 9.53×109//L, median absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 11.29×109//L and median lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 374 U/L. Cytogenetic abnormalities were found in 4 cases among the 31 patients who underwent karyotype analysis or fluorescence in situ hybridization detection. There were 12 patients who had analyzable results and gene mutations were identified in 11 cases, including ASXL1, NRAS, TET2, SRSF2 and RUNX1. Among the 6 patients who were treated with HMA and could be evaluated for efficacy, 2 patients achieved complete remission, 1 patient achieved partial remission and 2 patients achieved clinical benefit. Compared with the non-HMA treatment group, overall survival (OS) time was not significantly prolonged in the HMA treatment group. Univariate analysis showed that Hb<100 g/L, ANC≥12×109/L, LDH≥250 U/L and peripheral blood (PB) blasts ≥5% were significantly associated with poor OS, while WHO classification CMML-2, Hb<100 g/L, ANC≥12×109/L, LDH≥250 U/L and PB blasts≥5% were significantly associated with poor leukemia-free survival (LFS) (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that ANC≥12×109/L and PB blasts≥5% were significantly associated with poor OS and LFS (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#CMML has high heterogeneity in clinical characteristics, genetic changes, prognosis and treatment response. HMA can not significantly improve the survival of CMML patients. ANC≥12×109/L and PB blasts≥5% are independent prognostic factors of OS and LFS in patients with CMML.

A Case of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: the Onset of which was Manifestedby Hypokalemia and Hypocalcemia / 罕见病研究

Intractable hypokalemia and hypocalcemia are rare complications in leukemia patients. This article reports a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)with refractory hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypochloridemia, hypomagnesemia-a 48-year-old man complained of fatigue, nausea, and face numbness for over one month. The number of monocytosis in peripheral blood and bone marrow increased remarkably. At the same time, the patient developed hypokalemia, hypochloridemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, metabolic alkalosis, massive proteinuria, and increase in plasma aldosterone and renin. After two coursea of treatment using Azacitidine therapy, complete remission of bone marrow was achieved and the electrolyte disturbance was almost corrected, except hypomagnesemia. We summarize the clinical characteristics of the patient so as to raise the clinical awareness of such cases.

Chronic myeloid leukemia with a significant increase of monocytes and rare karyotype: A case report and literature review / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Chronic myeloid leukemia with a significant increase of monocytes is rare and difficult to identify from chronic myelo-monocytic leukemia in clinic. A 31-year-old male patient with systemic pain was initially diagnosed as chronic myelo-monocytic leukemia, who was finally diagnosed as chronic myeloid leukemia by fusion gene and chromosome examination. In addition to the typical Ph chromosome, a rare chromosome translocation t(2; 7)(p13; p22) was observed. The detection of monocyte subsets by multi-parameter flow cytometry is a diagnostic marker to distinguish the above 2 diseases. The relationship between fusion genes and mononucleosis is not clear. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be used in the treatment for this disease.

Decitabine combined with arsenious acid in the treatment of patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of decitabine combined with arsenious acid in the treatment of patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia(CMML). METHODS: Totally 39 patients with MDS and 8 patients with CMML received the treatment of decitabine and arsenious acid from April 2016 to December 2018. Decitabine [20 mg/(m~2·d)] and arsenious acid [0.15 mg/(m~2·d)] were administered intravenously for 5 consecutive days every 4-6 weeks. Patients who achieved complete or partial remission entered into the consolidation cycle. Efficacy and influencing factor were analyzed. RESULTS: Clinical response were observed in 31 patients after a median of 2 courses(ranging 1-12) of treatment. The overall response rate(ORR) was 66.0%. The median duration of response was 16 weeks(ranging 2-52 weeks). There were 8 cases(17.0%) of complete remission(CR), 10 cases(21.3%) of partial remission(PR),12 cases(25.5%) of hematological improvement(HI), 1 case(2.1%) of marrow complete remission(mCR), 8 cases(17.0%) of stable disease(SD), and 1 case(2.1%) of progressive disease(PD). By next generation sequencing, 25 genes mutated with 70 times in 33 cases. The mutation frequency of epigenetic regulators(57.6%) was higher than splicing factors(33.5%), transcription factors and kinase signaling(54.5%),and TP53(21.2%)(P<0.01). There was no significant difference in response rates among these patients(47.4%, 54.5%, 50.0% and85.7%, P=0.977). Gene mutation frequency(VAF) of patients who responded to the regimen declined significantly(16.67% vs. 10.26%,P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Decitabine combined with arsenious acid has significant effect in the treatment of patients with higher-risk MDS and CMML and is well-tolerated. Gene mutation test results by next generation sequencing might be related to clinical response.

Poor Prognostic Implication of ASXL1 Mutations in Korean Patients With Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

BACKGROUND: Molecular genetic abnormalities are observed in over 90% of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) cases. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the negative prognostic impact of ASXL1 mutations in CMML patients. We evaluated the prognostic impact of ASXL1 mutations and compared five CMML prognostic models in Korean patients with CMML. METHODS: We analyzed data from 36 of 57 patients diagnosed as having CMML from January 2000 to March 2016. ASXL1 mutation analysis was performed by direct sequencing, and the clinical and laboratory features of patients were compared according to ASXL1 mutation status. RESULTS: ASXL1 mutations were detected in 18 patients (50%). There were no significant differences between the clinical and laboratory characteristics of ASXL1-mutated (ASXL1+) CMML and ASXL1-nonmutated (ASXL1−) CMML patients (all P>0.05). During the median follow-up of 14 months (range, 0–111 months), the overall survival (OS) of ASXL1+ CMML patients was significantly inferior to that of ASXL1− CMML patients with a median survival of 11 months and 19 months, respectively (log-rank P=0.049). An evaluation of OS according to the prognostic models demonstrated inferior survival in patients with a higher risk category according to the Mayo molecular model (log-rank P=0.001); the other scoring systems did not demonstrate a significant association with survival. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that ASXL1 mutations, occurring in half of the Korean CMML patients examined, were associated with inferior survival. ASXL1 mutation status needs to be determined for risk stratification in CMML.

The 2016 WHO versus 2008 WHO Criteria for the Diagnosis of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

The 2016 WHO diagnostic criteria for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) require both absolute and relative monocytosis (≥1×10⁹/L and ≥10% of white blood cell counts) in peripheral blood. Moreover, myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) features in bone marrow and/or MPN-associated mutations tend to support MPN with monocytosis rather than CMML. We assessed the impact of the 2016 WHO criteria on CMML diagnosis, compared with the 2008 WHO criteria, through a retrospective review of the medical records of 38 CMML patients diagnosed according to the 2008 WHO classification. Application of the 2016 WHO criteria resulted in the exclusion of three (8%) patients who did not fulfill the relative monocytosis criterion and eight (21%) patients with an MPN-associated mutation. These 11 patients formed the 2016 WHO others group; the remaining 27 formed the 2016 WHO CMML group. The significant difference in the platelet count and monocyte percentage between the two groups indicated that the 2016 WHO criteria lead to a more homogenous and improved definition of CMML compared with the 2008 WHO criteria, which may have led to over-diagnosis of CMML. More widespread use of molecular tests and more sophisticated clinical and morphological evaluations are necessary to diagnose CMML accurately.

Relevancia del xantogranuloma juvenil en pacientes con neurofibromatosis tipo 1: Revisión de un caso clínico / The relevance ofjuvenile xanthogranuloma in neurofibromatosis type i patients. Aclinical case

El xantogranuloma juvenil es una forma de histiocitosis de células no Langerhans que suele afectar a los niños y niñas dentro de los primeros años de vida. Su principal relevancia radica en la posible asociación a neurofibromatosis tipo 1, ya que su presentación conjunta conlleva un mayor riesgo de desarrollo de leucemia mielomonocítica crónica juvenil. Se presenta el caso de un lactante diagnosticado con neurofibromatosis tipo 1 en que se detectan lesiones múltiples compatibles con xantogranuloma juvenil.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a form of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis which usually affects boys and girls in their early years. Its importance stemsfrom its possible association with neurofibromatosistype 1 asthe combined presentation brings a heightened risk of developing chronic juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. We present the case of an infant diagnosed with neurofibromatosistype I who was found to have multiple lesions compatible with the diagnosis of juvenile xanthogranuloma.

Leucemia mielomonocítica crónica / Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

La leucemia mielomonocítica crónica es un desorden clonal de las células progenitoras hematopoyéticas clasificado como neoplasia mielodisplásica mieloproliferativa. Se caracteriza por la presencia de monocitosis absoluta y persistente en la sangre periférica (> 1.0 x 10 9/L) con la presencia de displasia celular y mieloproliferación en la médula ósea. Los pacientes presentan síntomas relacionados a las citopenias y al estado de hipercatabolismo y al examen físico se encuentra esplenomegalia. El diagnóstico se establece con la combinación del examen de la lámina de sangre periférica, el aspirado medular y la biopsia de médula ósea, el inmunofenotipaje y el estudio molecular de las anomalías que se presentan. El pronóstico de la enfermedad es malo. El tratamiento de elección es el trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos con régimen de acondicionamiento de toxicidad reducida. En alrededor del 30 por ciento de los pacientes la enfermedad se transforma en una leucemia mieloide aguda...

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder classified as a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm. It is characterized by absolute monocytosis (>1.0 x 10(9)/ L) in the peripheral blood that persists for at least 3 months, with dysplastic and myeloproliferation in the bone marrow. Patients may show symptoms related to cytopenias and hypercatabolic state with splenomegaly. The diagnosis is established by combination of complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, bone marrow aspirate, bone marrow biopsy, immunophenotypic profile and study of molecular abnormalities. The prognosis is bad. The treatment of election is the hematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation with regimen of reduced toxicity. In around 30 percent of these patients the disease transforms to acute myeloid leukemia...

SRSF2 gene mutation and myeloid malignancies / 中国病理生理杂志

[ ABSTRACT] The splicing factors were characterized for their crucial roles in pre-mRNA splicing of eukaryons. SRSF2 is a member of the SR protein family which is one of the most common splicing factors, and it is believed to be a key element in pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA transcription, regulation of the DNA stability and cell proliferation.SRSF2 gene mutation is detected frequently in myeloid malignancies ( like MDS and CMML) and may be associated with the phenotype and prognosis of these malignancies.The paper makes a review for the latest research progression on SRSF2 gene mutation and its relationship with myeloid malignancies.