Approach to Diagnosis of BCR::ABL1-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
CC BY 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2023; 44(06): 585-591
DOI: DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769489
Introduction
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are defined by clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells leading to uncontrolled proliferation of mature myeloid cells, which are hypersensitive to cytokine stimulation for proliferation, cell survival, and differentiation.[1] The incidence of MPNs is 2.3 to 2.8 per 100,000 persons/year and it is primarily a disease of elderly and slightly more common in males.[2] All the entities have distinguishing features based on affected cell lines and fibrosis in the bone marrow compartment.[3]
Authors' Contributions
M.S. was involved in writing–original draft and data curation. A.H.L.P. contributed to conceptualization, resources, and writing of the original draft.
Publication History
Article published online:
27 November 2023
© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Introduction
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are defined by clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells leading to uncontrolled proliferation of mature myeloid cells, which are hypersensitive to cytokine stimulation for proliferation, cell survival, and differentiation.[1] The incidence of MPNs is 2.3 to 2.8 per 100,000 persons/year and it is primarily a disease of elderly and slightly more common in males.[2] All the entities have distinguishing features based on affected cell lines and fibrosis in the bone marrow compartment.[3]
Chronicle
In 1951, Dameshek gave concept of MPNs and described MPNs as conditions with increased production of mature blood cells as a result of uncontrolled proliferation of hematopoietic precursors in the bone marrow. In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) classification coined the term “neoplasm” to highlight the clonal nature of these disorders.
In 2017, revised classification included following entities in MPNs:[1]
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); BCR::ABL1+
Polycythemia vera (PV)
Essential thrombocythemia (ET)
Primary myelofibrosis (PMF)
Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL)
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), not otherwise specified
MPN, unclassifiable.
Recently, a remarkable advancement in the molecular understanding of MPNs led to the inclusion of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) in MPNs in 5th edition of the WHO classification; however, the International Consensus Classification for myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia has not included this entity in the classification.[4] [5]
The BCR::ABL1-negative MPNs are a family of hematologic neoplasms with overlapping clinicopathological features and are characterized by excess accumulation of one or more mature cell lineages of myeloid, erythroid, or megakaryocytic origin. The risk of occurrence of complications such as thromboembolic phenomena or the progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) differs between these types of MPNs and hence, correct diagnosis is imperative for effective management and long-term follow-up.[6]
Classical MPNs include three entities, namely, ET, PV, and PMF. Although the clinical features of these entities are different in their typical forms, the majority of the cases have overlapping clinicopathologic and morphologic features; hence, accurate diagnosis is often challenging.[7]
Historically, CML has been studied separately due to unique underlying molecular abnormality and specific targeted therapy (that is, tyrosine kinase inhibitors). CNL, CEL, and JMML are other MPNs, discussed separately due to different molecular pathogenesis and variable presentation.
Molecular Evolution
The BCR::ABL1 fusion transcript in CML was identified in 1982, and since then advanced genomics has provided major insight into the understanding of several subtypes of MPNs via the discovery of principal pathogenetic causative mutations. Since then continuous advances have been made in the field of myeloid disorders.[8]
BCR::ABL1-negative MPNs are characterized by numerous somatic mutations which impact the patient outcome and disease progression. These mutations are JAK2, CALR, or MPL. Understanding of molecular pathogenesis of these disorders became easy after the identification of a single gain of function, point mutation in the Janus kinase2 (JAK2) gene in 2005.[7]
At present, JAK2V617F mutation is the most common molecular feature in classical BCR::ABL1-negative MPNs, observed in 95%-of cases with PV and 55 to 60%- of cases of PMF and ET. Cases of PV which are negative for JAK2V617F often harbor JAK2 exon12 mutation.
CALR mutations are not seen in cases of PV but are observed in up to one-fourth of cases of ET or PMF. Similarly, mutations in MPL are observed in about 10%-of cases of ET or PMF. “Triple negative MPNs” are cases of ET and PMF in which all three mutations (JAK2, MPL, and CALR) are not detected and these constitute 15%- of all cases.[3] [8]
The latest WHO classification update is solely based on the incorporation of molecular markers as diagnostic criteria for the majority of hematological malignancies. This forms the basis of routine testing for these mutations in any suspected case of MPN, starting always with BCR::ABL1 as its absence is a major criterion for classical MPNs.[3]
Newer techniques in use like next-generation sequencing (NGS) have shown some additional somatic mutations which are observed in patients aforementioned three mutations (JAK2, MPL, or CALR) and these include RNA splicing factors, transcriptional regulators, and epigenetic modifiers. These mutations are not directly related to the pathogenesis of MPNs but they do influence the clinical course.[8]
Characteristic mutations of JMML are somatic mutations in PTPN11, KRAS, NRAS, or RRAS. Germline mutations in NF1 or clinical diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1, loss of heterozygosity of CBL, and germline CBL mutation are other pointers towards JMML.[9]
Diagnosis of CEL needs exclusion of certain mutations, including BCR::ABL1, JAK2, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, FLT3, or FGFR1. However, clonal cytogenetic abnormality and/or other somatic mutations can be observed.[9]
The genetic signature of CNL is the mutations in the colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R). However, additional mutations such as SETBP1, ASXL1, SRSF2, and signaling mutations may be found in many cases.[9]
2022 Revision of the WHO Classification of Classical MPNs
Anomalies in blood cell counts, bone-marrow morphology of hematopoietic components in the background of the above mutations form the basis of the WHO diagnostic criteria for classical MPNs ([Table 1]).[9]
Polycythemia vera (PV) |
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) |
Primary myelofibrosis (PMF)—early/prefibrotic stage (pre-PMF) |
PMF, overt fibrotic stage: |
---|---|---|---|
Major criteria: 1. Elevated hemoglobin concentration: 16.5 g/dL in men and 16.0 g/dL in women; or elevated hematocrit of 49%-in men and 48%- in women, or increased red blood cell (RBC) mass of 25%-above mean normal predicted value. Increased RBC mass, however, has been removed as a component of major criteria in WHO 5th ed. [WHO 5 ed] 2. Presence of JAK2 V617F or JAK2 exon 12 mutation 3. Bone marrow (BM) biopsy showing age-adjusted hypercellularity with trilineage proliferation (panmyelosis), including prominent erythroid, granulocytic, and increase in pleomorphic, mature megakaryocytes without atypia |
Major criteria 1. Platelet count > 450 × 109 /L 2. BM biopsy showing proliferation mainly of the megakaryocytic lineage, with increased numbers of enlarged, mature megakaryocytes with hyperlobulated staghorn-like nuclei, infrequently dense clusters; no significant increase or left shift in neutrophil granulopoiesis or erythropoiesis; no relevant BM fibrosis 3. Diagnostic criteria for BCR::ABL1-positive CML, PV, PMF, or other myeloid neoplasms are not met 4. JAK2, CALR, or MPL mutation |
Major criteria 1. BM biopsy showing megakaryocytic proliferation and atypia,* BM fibrosis grade, increased age-adjusted BM cellularity, granulocytic proliferation, and (often) decreased erythropoiesis 2. JAK2, CALR, or MPL mutation or presence of another clonal marker or absence of reactive BM reticulin fibrosis 3. Diagnostic criteria for BCR::ABL1-positive CML, PV, ET, myelodysplastic syndromes, or other myeloid neoplasms are not met |
Major criteria 1. BM biopsy showing megakaryocytic proliferation and atypia,* accompanied by reticulin and/or collagen fibrosis grades 2 or 3 2. JAK2, CALR, or MPL mutation or presence of another clonal marker or absence of reactive myelofibrosis. 3. Diagnostic criteria for ET, PV, BCR::ABL1-positive CML, myelodysplastic syndrome, or other myeloid neoplasms are not met |
Minor criterion: Subnormal serum erythropoietin level |
Minor criteria Presence of a clonal marker or absence of evidence of reactive thrombocytosis |
Minor criteria: Anemia not attributed to a comorbid condition leukocytosis >11 × 109 /L, palpable splenomegaly, lactate dehydrogenase level above the above the reference range |
Minor criteria Anemia not attributed to a comorbid condition leukocytosis $ 11 3 109 /L palpable splenomegaly lactate dehydrogenase level above the above the reference range leukoerythroblastosis |
Diagnosis requires either all 3 major criteria or the first 2 major criteria plus the minor criterion Note: BM biopsy may not be required in patients with sustained absolute erythrocytosis (hemoglobin concentrations of 18.5 g/dL in men or 16.5 g/dL in women and hematocrit values of 55.5% in men or 49.5% in women) and the presence of a JAK2 V617F or JAK2 exon 12 mutation |
Diagnosis requires either all major criteria or the first 3 major criteria plus the minor criteria |
The diagnosis of pre-PMF or overt PMF requires all 3 major criteria and at least 1 minor criterion confirmed in 2 consecutive determinations |
Morphological feature |
MPN |
Differential diagnosis |
---|---|---|
• Cellularity(age-adjusted) • Myeloid-to-erythroid ratio • Dense megakaryocyte clusters • Megakaryocyte size • Megakaryocyte nuclear lobulation • Reticulin fibrosis, grade1 b |
ET Normal Normal Rare Large/giant Hyper lobulation Grade 1b very frequent |
Pre-PMF with Increased Increased Frequent Variable Bulbous/hypolobulated More frequent |
• Features of dysplasia • Monocytosis • Mutation profile |
PV withmonocytosis Absent Not a strict criterion JAK2 |
CMML More often seen Persisting >3 months (TET2, SRSF2, ASXL1, and SETBP1) |
PMF leukoerythroblastic reaction Eosinophilia or basophilia present Grade 2-3 fibrosis Granulocytic hyperplasia Absence of lymphoid aggregates Dysplastic features may be seen |
Nonclonal myelofibrosis (AIMF) Rarity or absence Absence Mild degree of BMF (usually MF1). Absence of osteosclerosis and bone changes Presence of hypercellular marrow characterized by erythroid and megakaryocytic hyperplasia Presence of lymphoid aggregates Absence of dysplastic features in any of the lineages, especially the megakaryocytes |
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