Acute visual change as first symptom of B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia.

Nil.

Venetoclax induces deep and durable minimal residual disease-negative remission in high-risk TP53 disrupted B prolymphocytic leukaemia.

B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (B-PLL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoproliferative disease with few clinically proven targeted treatments. Due to the rarity of the condition, there is a paucity of clinical trial data and none that involve targeted inhibitors. We present a unique case of relapsed refractory B-PLL treated to a sustained minimal residual disease-negative remission with venetoclax monotherapy, to add to the current evidence base and rationale for future studies using BCL-2 inhibitors in B-PLL.

B-prolymphocytic leukemia: Is it time to retire this entity?

B-prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) is included as a distinct entity in the current World Health Organization classification of hematolymphoid neoplasms. However, the diagnosis of B-PLL has presented several challenges since its conception, and over the past decades investigations of B-PLL have revealed substantial biologic and molecular heterogeneity. These data have shown that many B-PLL cases present many similarities with other types of small B-cell lymphomas, and that small B-cell lymphomas can undergo prolymphocytoid transformation. As a result, the frequency of B-PLL has markedly decreased, and currently B-PLL is a very rare entity. Most recent studies focused on B-PLL cases have been conducted on limited cohorts, precluding robust conclusions. In this article, we provide a concise historical review of B-PLL and describe the diagnostic and clinical challenges associated with establishing this diagnosis. We also argue that cases currently classified as B-PLL are unlikely to be a unique biologic entity, but rather represent a state of morphologic transformation characterized by many prolymphocytes that is shared by various types of small B-cell lymphoma.

[Adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias: Conclusions of the Russian prospective multicenter study ALL-2009]. / Ostrye V-limfoblastnye leikozy vzroslykh: vyvody iz Rossiiskogo prospektivnogo mnogotsentrovogo issledovaniia OLL-2009.

AIM: To analyze the efficiency and reproducibility of the ALL-2009 protocol within the Russian prospective multicenter study based on different principles of cytostatic effects (non-intensive, but continuous cytotoxic treatment and a small number of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The ALL-2009 (NCT01193933) study conducted in April 2009 to December 2016 included 194 patients (95 males and 99 females) aged 15 to 55 years (median age 28 years) with Ph-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). There was early pre-B-cell ALL in 54 patients, common ALL in 101, pre-B ALL in 39, initial leukocytosis in 9.4·109/l (0.4-899.0), lactate dehydrogenase in 901 IU (31-13 059), an initial central nervous system lesion in 17 (8.7%), mediastinal injury in 3 (1.5%), and splenomegaly in 111 (57.2%). The results of standard cytogenetic analysis are known in 113 (60.4%) patients. Normal karyotypes were detected in 49 (54.5%) out of the patients; t(4;11) in 9 (5.4%), t(1;19) in 2 (1.2%), and other karyotypic abnormalities in 53 (46.9%). Thirteen (7.8%) patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first complete remission (CR); their proportion did not differ in the federal and regional centers. RESULTS: The frequency of CR achievement was the same in the federal and regional centers and generally amounted to 87.5%. Early (8.8%) and CR (9.6%) mortality rates remained high despite the low aggressiveness of cytotoxic action, necessitating the improvement of auxiliary treatment. The five-year overall survival (OS) rates vary considerably in the federal and regional centers (72.6 and 43.8%), the relapse-free survival (RFS) (70.2 and 53.4%) and recurrence risk (23.1 and 36.5%) are comparable. This suggests that the non-intensive, but continuous exposure principle built in the ALL-2009 protocol makes it possible to reproduce the envisaged treatment program and to achieve satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: The ALL-2009 protocol allows both the federal and regional centers to obtain the long-term results comparable with those of current foreign studies: OS (54.2%), RFS (56.5%); and relapse risk (35.4%). Multivariate analysis has identified age (over 30 years), initial leukocytosis (30·109/l and more) and t(4;11) among the main clinical prognostic factors. Gene mutation detection evaluated in a small number of patients (8/36) is not a poor prognostic sign. There is a need for further investigations with centralized evaluation of the mutation status of leukemic cells and the clearance of minimal residual disease.

Prolymphocytic Leukemia: New Insights in Diagnosis and in Treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We aimed to produce a comprehensive update on clinical and biological data regarding two rare lymphoid neoplasms, B and T prolymphocytic leukemias, and assess therapeutic management in the light of new molecular insights and the advent of targeted therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: B cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) diagnosis remains challenging in the absence of clear immunophenotypic or cytogenetic signature and overlap with mantle cell lymphoma. New molecular defects have been identified in T cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), especially in the JAK STAT pathway. Like in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), B-PLL treatment depends on the presence of TP53 dysfunction. In T-PLL, alemtuzumab still remains the standard of care. Allogeneic transplantation is the only curable option. Thanks to reduced intensity conditioning regimens, it has become accessible to a larger number of patients. PLL prognosis remains poor with conventional therapies. However, great advances in the understanding of both T- and B-PLL pathogenesis lead to promising new therapeutic agents.

Prognostic impact of epigenetic classification in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: The case of subset #2.

Based on the methylation status of 5 single CpG sites, a novel epigenetic classification of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was recently proposed, classifying CLL patients into 3 clinico-biological subgroups with different outcome, termed memory like CLL (m-CLL), naïve like CLL (n-CLL), and a third intermediate CLL subgroup (i-CLL). While m-CLL and n-CLL patients at large corresponded to patients carrying mutated and unmutated IGHV genes, respectively, limited information exists regarding the less defined i-CLL group. Using pyrosequencing, we investigated the prognostic impact of the proposed 5 CpG signature in a well-characterized CLL cohort (135 cases), including IGHV-mutated and unmutated patients as well as clinically aggressive stereotyped subset #2 patients. Overall, we confirmed the signature's association with established prognostic markers. Moreover, in the presence of the IGHV mutational status, the epigenetic signature remained independently associated with both time-to-first-treatment and overall survival in multivariate analyses. As a prime finding, we observed that subset #2 patients were predominantly classified as i-CLL, probably reflecting their borderline IGHV mutational status (97-99% germline identity), though having a similarly poor prognosis as n-CLL patients. In summary, we validated the epigenetic classifier as an independent factor in CLL prognostication and provide further evidence that subset #2 is a member of the i-CLL group, hence supporting the existence of a third, intermediate epigenetic subgroup.

Clinical features and diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia.

Significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) have recently been made. Improved distinction of HCL from its mimics though clinical presentations, morphologic and immunophenotypic features, and more recently molecular biology, has highlighted marked differences in treatment response and overall prognosis between these disorders. As our understanding of the unique pathobiology of HCL has grown, exciting new avenues of treatment as well as insight into immune function have been obtained. This review provides an overview of the clinical features and diagnostic attributes of HCL, with contrast to other mature B cell lymphoproliferative disorders with overlapping features.

Mononeuritis multiplex in a patient with B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia: a diagnostic challenge.

B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (BPLL) is a haematological malignancy defined as lymphocytosis and splenomegaly with >55% circulating cells being clonal prolymphocytes of B-cell origin. The evolution of this disease is more aggressive than chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. We reported a case of a 62-year-old man with BPLL who, on treatment, attained cytological, immunophenotypic and complete cytogenetic remission. He subsequently developed an asymmetric sensorimotor neurological disorder, suggestive of lymphomatous infiltration (neurolymphocytosis). Repetition of the MRI and the electromyography was essential for diagnosis. Progressive mononeuritis multiplex in B-cell leukaemias/lymphomas is rare and may be the only presenting symptom of relapsed or progressive disease. Repeat imaging studies based on judicious evaluation of the clinical scenario for exclusion of other causes of neurological symptoms is necessary. This can be challenging in patients with long-standing malignancies who have received multiple courses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Diagnostic problems among chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other indolent B-cell leukemias in a Japanese population.

OBJECTIVE: Japanese chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) provides a diagnostic dilemma due to the low incidence and the heterogeneity shown in its morphology and immunophenotype. We clarified the diagnostic problems in Japanese CLL through our retrospective observation. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2011, we found a total of 48 cases with CLL and other indolent B-cell leukemias. We made a diagnosis of true CLL based on clinical, laboratory, immunophenotypic and cytogenetic data. RESULTS: Among the 48 cases, only 28 cases (58.3%) were diagnosed with true CLL. Morphologic evaluation using a forced-air dried preparation alone is not helpful to distinguish CLL from other indolent B-cell leukemias, including hairy cell leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and splenic marginal zone lymphoma. CLL immunophenotypic score should be more strictly applied in Japan than in Western countries. CONCLUSION: Fluorescence in situ hybridization for CCND1/IGH, the presence of leukocytosis and lymphadenopathy at diagnosis, and the morphological evaluation using naturally air dried preparations are important clues to make a correct diagnosis of Japanese CLL.

[Successful treatment of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) with FCR-Lite (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab) protocol]. / B-sejtes prolymphocytás leukaemia (B-PLL) sikeres kezelése FCR-Lite (fludarabin, cyclophosphamid, rituximab) protokoll alkalmazásával.

B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) is a rare disorder characterized by marked lymphocytosis in the peripheral blood, matured lymphocytic infiltration in the bone marrow and splenomegaly. It has a distinct immunophenotype (CD19, CD20, CD22, FMC7, intensive surface immunoglobulin positivity) which helps to differentiate from other lymphoproliferative malignancies. It has a poor prognosis and its treatment is unsettled. The authors present a case of a patient with typical B-PLL treated with FCR-Lite (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab) protocol achieving complete hematological (and immunophenotypic) remission. The treatment was well tolerated. Neither major infective complication nor tumor lysis syndrome was observed. According to the author's experience the FCR-Lite protocol can not only be used in patients with CLL but it also can be effective in patients with B-PLL. No clinical experience has been reported yet in the literature with this protocol.

[CD5-positive B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia].

CD5 is a T-cell marker that is expressed in mature B cell malignancies and other B cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders, but the biologic function of CD5 is unknown. We report a 68-year-old woman with B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) expressing CD5 antigen. On admission, jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly were noted. Hematological examination demonstrated a platelet count of 2.8 x 10(4)/microl and a white blood cell count of 19,900/microl with 69% PLL cells. Surface marker analysis of the PLL cells was positive for CD5, CD19, CD20, sIgM, and was negative for CD23, and cyclin D1 was negative in immunostaining.

[Splenic irradiation as a successful treatment for an elderly patient with B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia].

We report a case of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) that was treated successfully with splenic irradiation (SI). An 86-year-old man underwent a medical examination for lumbago and general fatigue at another hospital in June 2007. A compressed lumbar fracture and splenomegaly were found using computed tomography (CT). Thereafter, the patient consulted our hospital because of leukocytosis. Peripheral blood showed hemoglobin level 9.8 g/dl and white blood cell count 38.1x10(9)/l with 91% atypical cells. Surface marker analysis demonstrated that atypical cells were positive for CD20, CD22, FMC7, surface IgM, surface IgD and kappa, but were negative for CD5, TdT and lambda. The morphology of these cells was compatible with prolymphocytes with prominent nucleoli and condensed nuclear chromatin. A diagnosis of B-PLL was made. SI (total dose 20 Gy) was chosen for the treatment and a single course of SI was very effective without causing any significant adverse events. This case demonstrates that SI may remain valuable for the treatment of B-PLL in an elderly patient.