Case report: B-cell lymphoma mimics ITP

Thrombocytopenia is commonly found in clinics. Making an accurate diagnosis is very important before initiating a proper treatment. We present a persistent low platelet case without well-identified etiology which led to serious morbidity. After specific treatment, patient was fully-recovered and platelet count was maintained throughout follow-up period.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

  Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can be found in medical, surgical, obstetrical and gynecological patients. This condition may cause venous and arterial thrombosis if not recognized and given prompt management. The diagnosis of HIT needs history taking and laboratory investigation so that drugs of choice can be specified. This article includes incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, laboratory investigation and proper management about HIT to help clinicians understand this disease better

Germline <i>HAVCR2</i> mutations and their relation to the clinical spectrum of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: results from a multicenter study and meta-analysis

Germline HAVCR2 mutations are frequently detected in subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) patients with/without hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) but factors associated with variable manifestations remain undetermined. To evaluate clinical variations and associated factors in SPTCL and/or HLH with/without HAVCR2 mutations, we performed direct sequencing of HAVCR2 exon 2 using DNA from patients with SPTCL or idiopathic HLH/HLH-like systemic illnesses, defined by HLH alone without secondary causes. The systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) level meta-analysis which included the present and previously published studies reporting HAVCR2 mutations in SPTCL with/without HLH populations was subsequently conducted using random-effects meta-analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Among 34 patients enrolled, ten of 28 SPTCL patients developed HLH/HLH-like systemic illnesses. Six cases with HAVCR2Y82C mutation manifested with HLH without panniculitis. Male sex (P=0.03) and age <18 years (P=0.04) were associated with HLH, corresponding to the inverse correlation between age and HLH-2004 score (r=-0.40; P=0.02). Homozygous HAVCR2Y82C mutation was more common in the presence of HLH compared with the absence (75.0% vs. 44.4%; P=0.02). Using IPD from the present and the other three eligible cohorts (N=127), male sex, heterozygous and homozygous/compound heterozygous HAVCR2 mutations were associated with HLH by the adjusted odds ratio of 2.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-7.06), 4.77 (95% CI: 1.05-21.63) and 8.48 (95% CI: 2.98-24.10), respectively. Patients with male sex and/or germline HAVCR2 mutations showed an increased risk of developing HLH. Younger patients tended to manifest with HLH, while older patients typically presented with SPTCL with less frequent HLH/HLH-like systemic illnesses

Implications of TP53 allelic state for genome stability, clinical presentation and outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes

Tumor protein p53 (TP53) is the most frequently mutated gene in cancer1,2. In patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), TP53 mutations are associated with high-risk disease3,4, rapid transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML)5, resistance to conventional therapies6–8 and dismal outcomes9. Consistent with the tumor-suppressive role of TP53, patients harbor both mono- and biallelic mutations10. However, the biological and clinical implications of TP53 allelic state have not been fully investigated in MDS or any other cancer type. We analyzed 3,324 patients with MDS for TP53 mutations and allelic imbalances and delineated two subsets of patients with distinct phenotypes and outcomes. One-third of TP53-mutated patients had monoallelic mutations whereas two-thirds had multiple hits (multi-hit) consistent with biallelic targeting. Established associations with complex karyotype, few co-occurring mutations, high-risk presentation and poor outcomes were specific to multi-hit patients only. TP53 multi-hit state predicted risk of death and leukemic transformation independently of the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R)11. Surprisingly, monoallelic patients did not differ from TP53 wild-type patients in outcomes and response to therapy. This study shows that consideration of TP53 allelic state is critical for diagnostic and prognostic precision in MDS as well as in future correlative studies of treatment response

Factors Associated with Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Hyporesponsiveness Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Anemia is one of the most common problems in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In several cases, despite comprehensive investigations, definite causes of anemia frequently remain unknown. We aimed to analyze the factors that possibly affect anemia in CKD patients who were referred for hematology consultation. A total of 87 patients were retrospectively included in the cohort. Forty-four cases were excluded, 30 cases with unavailable intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) data, 11 cases with bone marrow diseases (8 Pure red cell aplasia, 3 Myelodysplastic syndrome) and 3 cases with thalassemia. Totally, 43 patients were analyzed. Patients with high iPTH had significantly lower Hemoglobin (Hb) level and required higher dose of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) compared with normal iPTH group (Hb 8.29 vs. 9.24 mg/dL, p = 0.032 and ESAs dose of 16,352.94 vs. 12,444.44 U/ week, p = 0.024). In univariate followed by stepwise multivariate analysis, serum phosphate (PO4) was significantly associated with lower Hb level (p = 0.01 and p = 0.013, respectively). Hb level was inversely correlated with iPTH and PO4 level (r = −0.54, p &lt; 0.001 and r = −0.47, p = 0.05; respectively). Mineral disequilibrium is an important factor associated with anemia in ESA hyporesponsive CKD. Hyperphosphatemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism are significantly correlated with low Hb. Therefore, we strongly suggest correction of these mineral disequilibrium factors prior to performing bone marrow study

Detection of Red Blood Cell Membrane Proteins in Myelodysplastic Syndromes Using Eosin-5-Maleimide (EMA) Staining by Flow Cytometry

Background: Eosin-5-Maleimide (EMA)-based flow cytometry binds to red blood cell (RBC) membrane-associated proteins which can be used to detect red blood cell (RBC) membrane disorders. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are stem cell disorders resulting in ineffective hematopoiesis which is commonly present with anemia and erythroid dysplasia. Objectives: We aimed to study RBC membrane defects in MDS using flow cytometry for EMA staining. Methods: We enrolled anemic patients who were diagnosed with low-risk MDS (R-IPSS score &le; 3.5), RBC membrane disorders [hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and Southeast Asian ovalocytosis (SAO)], and normal controls. Complete blood count (CBC) and flow cytometry for EMA staining were performed. Results: There were 16 cases of low-risk MDS, 6 cases of RBC membrane disorders, and 15 control cases. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of EMA binding test in the RBC membrane disorders was significantly lower than controls (17.6 vs. 24.3, p &lt; 0.001), but the EMA binding test in the low-risk MDS was not significantly different than the controls (26.5 vs. 24.3, p = 0.08). Conclusion: the RBC membrane defect in low-risk MDS was not demonstrated as having detection ability using EMA binding test with flow cytometry

Comparison of Molecular International Prognostic Scoring System (M-IPSS) and Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (R-IPSS) in Thai patients with myelodysplastic neoplasms

Risk stratification is essential for treatment decision in myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS). Molecular international prognostic scoring system (M-IPSS) has been recently developed combining somatic mutations and clinical information being used in the revised international prognostic scoring system (R-IPSS). We aimed to explore the performances of M-IPSS and R-IPSS in Thai patients with MDS. MDS patients were stratified into risk categories using R-IPSS and M-IPSS scores. The performance of both models were evaluated for prognostic prediction. One hundred and sixty-two MDS patients were recruited from the multicenter study. Survival analysis revealed that both R-IPSS and M-IPSS were good prediction models with the Concordance Index (C-index) of 0.71 (95% Confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.78) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.69–0.80), respectively (p = 0.22). Comparing the two, 13 of 162 (8%) cases were re-staged between lower and higher risks which would have affected treatment decisions. Our study showed that R-IPSS score can be used for risk stratification in most Thai patients. A prediction model using somatic mutations specifically in Asian patients should be formulated in the future.</p

Analysis of Clonal Hierarchy Shows That Other Ancestral Events May Precede Evolution of Del(5q) in Myeloid Neoplasms

Abstract The molecular pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasms characterized by 5q deletion (del(5q)) has not been completely elucidated. While some pathomorphologic features including e.g., megakaryocytic and erythroid dysplasia, have been associated with specific genes within minimal common deleted regions (CDR), genes responsible for clonal advantage and expansion have not been identified. It is not clear if haploinsufficiency of one or multiple genes within del(5q) is responsible for clonal evolution or whether mutations in those genes or other genes located in other genomic areas are present. Moreover, with the recognition of intra-tumor diversity and hierarchical clonal architecture, it may be possible to establish whether del(5q) or other lesions, including common somatic mutations, constitute the ancestral event in the pathophysiologic cascade. We performed a comprehensive mutational screen in 124 patients with del(5q), including 59 patients studied by whole exome sequencing (WES) and 65 by targeted deep NGS of genes within the deleted area and the other most commonly mutated genes as previously determined in WES cohorts. To identify pathogenic genes, those most consistently found to be haploinsufficient in del(5q) were matched for the presence of mutations in diploid cases. For the purpose of this study haploinsufficiency was quantitated based on the number of cases with del(5q) showing <60% expression of the corresponding genes. E.g.,HDAC3 in 81%, PPP2CA in 62% and RPS14 in 14% of cases with del(5q). For all somatic mutations, we also describe the clonal composition based on deep sequencing in serial samples and analyses of variant allelic frequency. Finally, we compare the clonal size for individual mutations with that of del(5q). The latter was accomplished by calculation of clonal size based on allelic imbalance for informative SNPs present within deleted regions in heterozygous configurations in germ line samples. The average deviation from the ideal 50/50 distribution in tumor samples allowed for precise calculation of the proportion of cells in the sample affected by the deletion. Using this approach, there was a good correlation to the size of del(5q) clone by FISH (r=.94) Our results demonstrate that 10/14 genes were haploinsufficient within the CDR, but only 2 hemizygous somatic mutations were identified. However, 12 mutations in 7 genes (MATR3, SH3TC2, CSNK1A1, PDGFRB, CD74, FAT2 and G3BP1) were present with the area corresponding to the CDR in diploid cases. TP53 mutations were more commonly associated with del(5q) (73%, vs. 27% in diploid 5, p<.001) and were particularly frequent in patients affected with 2 commonly retained regions (CRR1;5q11.1-5q14.2 and CRR2; 5q34-qter), where they were found in 81% of cases (30/37) vs. 19% (7/30) among CDR deletions (p<.001). In lower-risk MDS, mutations were detected in 11% of deletion cases, whereas they were only found in 5% of diploid chr5 (p<.0001). In higher-risk MDS, TP53 mutation were found in 42% of del(5q) vs. 4% of diploid chr5 (p<.0001). Similarly, 45% patients with concomitant -7/del(7q) and del(5q) had TP53 mutations. The most common mutation associated with del(5q) was TP53, while mutations of FLT3, NRAS or TET2 were significantly mutually exclusive (p=0.03, 0.04 and 0.03; respectively). Next we determined the earliest somatic event by comparing of clonal size of the associated lesions. Del(5q) was present in 17-98% of tumor cells. We identified three theoretical possibilities as to the clonal architecture of del(5q) myeloid neoplasms: i) Tumors in which driver somatic mutations precede del(5q) (35%), ii) those in which del(5q) appears to precede any other somatic mutation (6%) and iii) the succession cannot be determined because of very expanded clones of similar size (“clonal saturation”) i.e., these cases were not informative. For cases in which del(5q) was a secondary lesion, TP53 was the ancestral event 64% of the time, and DNMT3A 27% of the time. The TP53 mutation was detected as a secondary event in 1 of 2 samples in which del(5q) was found to be ancestral. In sum, our results suggest that del(5q) is not universally an ancestral event. The TP53 mutation is the most common mutation in del(5q) and may also serve as ancestral event. While UPD17p and hemizygocity for TP53 can be found in 33% of TP53 mutant cases, most of the detected TP53 mutations were likely to heterozygous, and therefore the clonal size was not overestimated. Disclosures Sekeres: Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer-Ingelheim Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees

Haploinsufficiency and Deletions of G3BP1 on Chromosome 5q Result in Induction of TP53

Abstract Interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5 (del(5q)) is the most common chromosomal abnormality in MDS. The extent of individual defects vary, which may account for observed clinical diversity. Del(5q) pathogenesis has been related to haploinsufficiency of genes contained in the common deleted regions (CDR), including RPS14, miR-145/146a and SPARC. Driver mutations or pathogenic microdeletions were not identified for these genes, suggesting that multiple genes must function in combination to promote clonal evolution and phenotypic heterogeneity. Hence, we performed a comprehensive analysis of somatic mutations in genes located on chromosome 5 (chr5), both in patients with diploid 5q and in those with del(5q), to clarify the role of germline and somatic mutations in disease pathogenesis. In parallel, expression analysis was performed to correlate haploinsufficiency with the frequency of mutational events, in particular for diploid 5q cases. Applying SNP-array karyotyping to samples from 146 patients with del(5q), the lesion was identified in 5q31.1q33.1. Two retained regions (CRRs) were also observed in q11.1q14.2 (CRR1) and q34qter (CRR2). Lower-risk MDS is frequently affected by CDR, while in higher-risk MDS and secondary AML CRR1/2 are commonly co-involved. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified 11 hemizygous mutations located within the deleted area in del(5q) (N=59), while in cases diploid for 5q (N=330), 243 heterozygous mutations were found. One of the mutations discovered on chr5q afflicted a gene G3BP1 (5q33.1), located within the CDR and present in 2 patients. Both were missense mutations (one heterozygous and the other homo/hemizygous). A mutant case showed good responses to lenalidomide even though diploid 5. In addition, other somatic mutations of driver genes including TET2, CUX1 and EZH2 were concomitantly observed. Whole transcriptome sequencing demonstrated hemizygous loss of G3BP1 resulting in haploinsufficiency. G3BP1 was haploinsufficient in 48% of RAEB as well as low-risk MDS cases with del(5q). Overall, defective G3BP1 is associated with shorter overall survival (P<.001) in AML, consistent with the reports that del(5q) is a worse prognostic factor in myeloid neoplasms with aggressive phenotype. G3BP1 is a nuclear RNA-binding protein and is ubiquitously expressed in bone marrow, CD34+ progenitors and leukemic cell lines. Furthermore, G3BP1 binds to TP53 and its expression leads to the redistribution of TP53 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Similar to RPS14, haploinsufficient of G3BP1 resulted in TP53 up-modulation. Moreover, low expression of G3BP1 in diploid 5q cases was indeed associated with higher TP53 expression. Next, we generated haploinsufficient G3BP1 cell lines using shRNA transduction. Decreased expression of G3BP1 led to growth inhibition and impaired colony formation by transduced cells lines and hematopoietic progenitor cells, respectively. Knockdown of G3BP1 in K562 cell line increased TP53 in the nucleus, and when treated with CPT11, DNA-damaged induced G1-arrest was more prominent in knockdown cells. Furthermore, after knockdown of G3BP1 in TP53-null HL60 cells, we observed increased aneuploidy, suggesting that the loss of function of G3BP1 and TP53 may result in chromosomal instability. Most significantly, G3bp1-/+ mice showed lower blood counts and defective, dysplastic hematopoiesis, similar to lower-risk MDS. As previously described, TP53 defects are associated with advanced disease but recently it became apparent that TP53 may be one of the most common somatic lesions found in the context of del(5q). We stipulate that loss of TP53 function might overcome TP53 tumor suppressor effects and induce leukemic evolution in the defective G3BP1 status. In our cohort, TP53 mutations were more frequently present in high-risk phenotype with G3BP1 haploinsufficient expression. In conclusion, novel somatic mutations of G3BP1 suggest that it could be a candidate gene associated with the clonal evolution of del(5q). Loss of function or low expression of G3BP1 has been shown to up-modulate TP53 and result in dysplasia and growth inhibition, hallmarks of early stages of MDS. Additional events constitute loss of function of TP53, resulting in chromosomal instability, which is associated with leukemogenesis. Disclosures Sekeres: Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer-Ingelheim Corp: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees