Eccentricity of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutation: a case report

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most prevalent type of acute leukaemia in adults, with a heterogenous cytogenetics landscapes. NPM1 mutated AML was designated as a provisional entity in 2008 World Health Organisation (WHO) Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. In 2017, fourth edition was revised and AML was recognised as a distinct entity with distinctive cytological, molecular and clinicopathological features. For example, AML with NPM1 mutation is strongly associated with acute myelomonocytic and acute monocytic leukemia. In recent studies, AML with both NPM1 and FLT3- ITD mutations, had been associated of blasts with cup-like nuclei. We described this characteristical morphology in a 68-year-old female who was diagnosed with AML alongside NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutation. She presented with a short history of fever and laboratory findings of hyperleukocytosis, mild anemia and thrombocytopenia. A diagnosis of AML was proposed from the cytological and flow cytometry examinations. The full blood picture and bone marrow aspirate showed some of the blasts with cup-like nuclei and the flow cytometry examination showed characteristical feature which was suggestive of AML with NPM1 mutation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected mutation in FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) and NPM1. This patient was treated with AML protocol but succumbed due to sepsis. This case highlighted the importance of recognising this clinicopathological presentations to provide rapid diagnosis and guide for the appropriate molecular testing. In this study, new treatment modalities available for this type of AML and literature review of previous studies were also discussed

Concomitant BCR-ABL and JAK2 V617F in a patient with myeloproliferative neoplasm: a case report

Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is a clonal proliferation of the haematopoietic stem cells leading to activated tyrosine kinase signaling activity. Myeloproliferative neoplasm is classified into BCR-ABL positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and BCR-ABL negative MPN which harbors JAK2 V617F mutation in most cases. The genetic combination of BCR-ABL and JAK2 V617F mutation is rare with estimated frequency of 0.4% based on recent study. Herein, we reported a case of a man diagnosed with CML detected by fluorescence in-situ hybdridisation (FISH) showing atypical BCR-ABL fusion pattern in 29% nucleated cells (cut-off levels ≥5% for positive signals) in the presence of JAK2 V617F mutation. However, the BCR-ABL transcript was not detected by the conventional reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method which was specific for major fragments. Interestingly, complete hematological remission was not achieved despite initiation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (Imatinib). In conclusion, it is imperative to scrutinise CML cases for concomitant JAK2 V617F mutation especially patients with atypical clinical or laboratory findings. Therefore, close monitoring with clinical and ancillary technique especially FISH and molecular methods such as DNA sequencing were crucial to help achieve complete hematological, cytogenetic and deep molecular response alongside targeted therapy

Primary Bone Marrow Lymphoma with Secondary Central Nervous System Involvement: a case report

Primary bone marrow lymphoma (PBML) is a rare condition. Most PBMLs are B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs), where predominated by the diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas affects extranodal sites in one-third of cases. Secondary central nervous system lymphoma (SCNSL) is a rare state which is defined as secondary central nervous system (CNS) involvement in patients with systemic lymphoma. In this report, we described a case of primary bone marrow lymphoma with secondary involvement of the CNS. Patient presented with neurological deficit. Peripheral blood film showed presence of abnormal mononuclear cells. Histopathological examination of the brain tissue showed features of DLBCL with CD10 positivity. Bone marrow examination showed presence of lymphoma cells. He was commenced with Rituximab, methotrexate, vincristine and procarbazine (R-MPV). However, he succumbed after two cycles of chemotherapy

Clinical Management of Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Thrombotic manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome are often a therapeutic dilemma and challenge. Despite our increasing knowledge of this relatively new disease, many issues remain widely unknown and controversial. In this review, we summarise the latest literature and guidelines on the management of thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome. These include the laboratory assays involved in antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) testing, the use of direct oral anticoagulants in secondary prevention, management of recurrent thrombosis, individuals with isolated aPL, and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Treatment aims to prevent the potentially fatal and often disabling complications of APS with antithrombotic and cardiovascular risks prevention strategies. Some insights and updates on topical issues in APS are provided. We also include our current practice, which we believe is the pragmatic approach based on the currently available evidence

Clinical Management of Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Thrombotic manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome are often a therapeutic dilemma and challenge. Despite our increasing knowledge of this relatively new disease, many issues remain widely unknown and controversial. In this review, we summarise the latest literature and guidelines on the management of thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome. These include the laboratory assays involved in antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) testing, the use of direct oral anticoagulants in secondary prevention, management of recurrent thrombosis, individuals with isolated aPL, and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Treatment aims to prevent the potentially fatal and often disabling complications of APS with antithrombotic and cardiovascular risks prevention strategies. Some insights and updates on topical issues in APS are provided. We also include our current practice, which we believe is the pragmatic approach based on the currently available evidence

Ascites in a patient with hairy cell leukaemia and carcinoma of breast : a diagnostic challenge

Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare indolent B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. We report a diagnostic challenge in detecting the cause of ascites, which is a rare, unique manifestation of HCL. A 72-year-old lady presented with 1-month-history of pain in left upper abdomen and loss of weight. There was hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy, anaemia, and lymphocytosis. She was diagnosed as HCL, based on morphology, immunophenotyping of peripheral blood and bone marrow biopsy examination. In 2009, she was diagnosed as carcinoma of breast when she presented with a mass in left breast; and she received treatment. For HCL, she received intermittent chemotherapy (Chlorambucil+ Prednisolone). Her HCL was stable until 2018 when she presented with recurrent ascites which needed frequent, regular peritoneal paracentesis. Since she had HCL and carcinoma of breast, determining the aetiology of ascites was challenging. Possible causes of her ascites included metastatic carcinoma of breast, HCL, cirrhosis of liver with portal hypertension and peritoneal tuberculosis. Cytology of peritoneal fluid showed mature-looking lymphocytes but no malignant cells. Interestingly, flow cytometry analysis of peritoneal fluid showed the presence of clonal B cell population with lambda light chain restriction. Therefore, it was concluded that her ascites was a manifestation of HCL. A few months later, she succumbed to septicaemia. Impact of ascites on disease course of HCL included rapid disease progression, poor prognosis and shortened survival. We highlight the important role of immunophenotyping in addition to cytomorphology to guide us in confirming the aetiology of ascites in a patient with haematological and solid organ malignancies