scholarly journals Bilateral Facial Paralysis and Deafness in a Child Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Rafael V. Lucena ◽  
Yuri C. F. Fernandes ◽  
Débora B. Pazinatto ◽  
Rebecca C. K. Maunsell

Involvement of the ear and temporal bone in acute leukemias are uncommon. We report a case of atypical mastoiditis with bilateral facial paralysis in a child diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). A 20-month-old male child was diagnosed with ALL and developed otorrhea unresponsive to antimicrobial treatment during the first week of chemotherapy followed by hearing loss, loss of balance, and bilateral facial paralysis. A CT scan of the mastoids showed cortical erosion of the temporal bone and presence of soft tissue contents filling the mastoid cells and external auditory canal bilaterally. Mastoidectomy was performed to collect material for analysis. Histopathologic examination of the material revealed an active chronic inflammatory process, with a moderate amount of plasma cells. Chemotherapy was reintroduced 3 weeks after the surgical procedure, and progressive improvement of otorrhea and imbalance was noted. Grade III House–Brackmann peripheral facial paralysis persisted on 6-month follow-up, and the patient is in rehabilitation program.

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
D F Gluzman ◽  
L M Sklyarenko ◽  
M P Zavelevich ◽  
S V Koval ◽  
T S Ivanivskaya

Classical and up-to-date models of hematopoietic lineage determination are briefly reviewed with the focus on myeloid-based models challenging the existence of the common progenitor for T cells, B cells and NK cells. The analysis of immunophenotype of leukemic blast cells seems to be a promising approach for interpreting some controversies in the schemes of normal hematopoiesis. The liter ature data as well as our own findings in the patients with various types of acute leukemias are in favor of the concept postulating that common myeloid-lymphoid progenitors giving rise to T and B cell branches retain the myeloid potential. The similarity of some immunophenotypic features of blast cells in pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute monoblastic leukemia is consistent with monocyte origin postulated in the studies of normal hematopoiesis. Study of acute leukemias may be the challenging area of research allowing for new insight into the origin of hematopoietic cell lineages.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Larson ◽  
Roland B Walter

The acute leukemias are malignant clonal disorders characterized by aberrant differentiation and proliferation of transformed hematopoietic progenitor cells. These cells accumulate within the bone marrow and lead to suppression of the production of normal blood cells, with resulting symptoms from varying degrees of anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia or from infiltration into tissues. They are currently classified by their presumed cell of origin, although the field is moving rapidly to genetic subclassification. This review covers epidemiology; etiology; classification of leukemia by morphology, immunophenotyping, and cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities; cytogenetics of acute leukemia; general principles of therapy; acute myeloid leukemia; acute lymphoblastic leukemia; and future possibilities. The figure shows the incidence of acute leukemias in the United States. Tables list World Health Organization (WHO) classification of acute myeloid leukemia and related neoplasms, expression of cell surface and cytoplasmic markers for the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia and mixed-phenotype acute leukemia, WHO classification of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, WHO classification of acute leukemias of ambiguous lineage, WHO classification of myelodysplastic syndromes, European LeukemiaNet cytogenetic and molecular genetic subsets in acute myeloid leukemia with prognostic importance, cytogenetic and molecular subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, terminology used in leukemia treatment, and treatment outcome for adults with acute leukemia. This review contains 1 highly rendered figure, 9 tables, and 117 references.


Reports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miller ◽  
Park ◽  
Saxe ◽  
Lew ◽  
Raikar

Lineage switch in acute leukemias is a well-reported occurrence; however, most of these cases involve a switch from either lymphoid to myeloid or myeloid to lymphoid lineage. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old male with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) who initially responded well to standard chemotherapy but then later developed mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) at relapse, likely reflecting a clonal evolution of the original leukemia with a partial phenotypic shift. The patient had a del(9)(p13p21) in his leukemia blasts at diagnosis, and the deletion persisted at relapse along with multiple additional cytogenetic aberrations. Interestingly, the patient presented with an isolated testicular lesion at relapse, which on further analysis revealed both a lymphoid and myeloid component. Unfortunately, the patient did not respond well to treatment at relapse and eventually succumbed to his disease. To our knowledge, an isolated extramedullary MPAL at relapse in a patient with previously diagnosed B-ALL has not been reported in the literature before.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Coccaro ◽  
Luisa Anelli ◽  
Antonella Zagaria ◽  
Giorgina Specchia ◽  
Francesco Albano

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer and accounts for about a quarter of adult acute leukemias, and features different outcomes depending on the age of onset. Improvements in ALL genomic analysis achieved thanks to the implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) have led to the recent discovery of several novel molecular entities and to a deeper understanding of the existing ones. The purpose of our review is to report the most recent discoveries obtained by NGS studies for ALL diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment planning. We also report the first efforts at NGS use for minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment, and early studies on the application of third generation sequencing in cancer research. Lastly, we consider the need for the integration of NGS analyses in clinical practice for genomic patients profiling from the personalized medicine perspective.


Blood ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Heumann ◽  
G Losa ◽  
C Barras ◽  
A Morell ◽  
V von Fliedner

Abstract gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) is a plasma membrane-associated enzyme present in blasts of certain acute leukemias. We analyzed 90 cases of undifferentiated and differentiated acute leukemias for gamma- GT, using a colorimetric assay. Blasts of all patients with common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and T-ALL were negative for gamma-GT (less than 5 units). In contrast, gamma-GT was significantly elevated in acute myeloblastic or monoblastic leukemia blasts (P less than .001). In 16 cases of acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL) studied, the levels of gamma-GT ranged from 0 to 93 units; in eight cases, gamma- GT was positive (greater than 5 units), and six of these had 2% to 5% Sudan black-positive leukemic cells in the blast-enriched suspension. Combined gamma-GT/TdT analysis revealed that both enzyme markers were mutually exclusive in 75% of AUL cases, suggesting that gamma-GT+/TdT- blasts are of nonlymphoid origin, and gamma-GT-/TdT+ blasts are of lymphoid origin. Two cases were devoid of both enzyme activities and could represent truly undifferentiated leukemia. Thus, combined gamma- GT/TdT analysis underlines the heterogeneity of AUL and appears to be useful in defining the lineage commitment of undifferentiated leukemic blasts.


Blood ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 406-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Fradera ◽  
E Velez-Garcia ◽  
JG White

Abstract The classification of the acute leukemias depends mainly on the morphologic and cytochemical evaluation of the blast forms. One of the main accepted morphologic criteria in the differentiation between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) is the absence of granules in the blast cells of ALL. We evaluated a patient with ALL in whom granules were present in the cytoplasm of 35% of the blast cells, as seen in AML. Cytochemical evaluation was performed, including periodic acid-Schiff reaction, Sudan black B, alpha-naphthyl acetate, alpha-naphthyl butyrate, naphthol AS-D chloroacetate, and acid phosphatase stains. The results of these studies confirmed the morphologic impression and diagnosis of ALL. Ultrastructural evaluation revealed that the granules consisted of many tiny vesicles closely packed together in a proteinaceous matrix, resembling to some extent the inclusions described in lymphocytes in the Chediak-Higashi syndrome, but clearly different. The morphologic, cytochemical, and ultrastructural studies of this unique case are presented in detail. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such granules have been described in blast cells of ALL.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1696-1705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bader ◽  
Hermann Kreyenberg ◽  
Walter Hoelle ◽  
Gregor Dueckers ◽  
Rupert Handgretinger ◽  
...  

Purpose We recently reported that children with acute leukemias who show increasing mixed chimerism (MC) after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation have a significantly enhanced risk of relapse. Here we present the results of a prospective multicenter study to investigate (1) whether relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can be determined in advance by serial analysis of chimerism, and (2) if outcome can be influenced by withdrawal of immunosuppression and/or by low-dose donor lymphocyte infusion when increasing MC is detected. Patients and Methods Serial and quantitative analysis of chimerism was performed using a fluorescent-based short-tandem-repeat–polymerase chain reaction in 163 children with ALL. Results One hundred one patients revealed complete chimerism (CC) or low-level MC (CC/low-level MC); increasing MC was found in 46 patients; and decreasing MC, in 16 patients. Relapse was significantly more frequent in patients with increasing MC (26 of 46) than in patients with CC/low-level MC (eight of 101) or in patients with decreasing MC (0 of 16; P < .0001). The probability of 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 54% for all patients, 66% for patients with CC/low-level MC (n = 101), 66% for patients with decreasing MC (n = 16), and 23% for patients with increasing MC (n = 46; P < .0001). Of the 46 patients with increasing MC, 31 received immunotherapy. This group had a significantly higher 3-year EFS estimate (37%) than the 15 patients who did not receive immunotherapy (0%; P < .001). Conclusion Serial analysis of chimerism reliably identifies patients at highest risk to relapse. The 3-year EFS of patients with increasing MC without immunotherapy was 0%, by which overt relapse could be prevented in a considerable group of patients.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 5033-5033
Author(s):  
Arpita Kundu ◽  
Eric Kowarz ◽  
Jennifer Reis ◽  
Rolf Marschalek

Chromosomal translocations are genetic rearrangements where a chromosomal segment is transferred to a non-homologous chromosome which give rise to novel chimeras. Chromosomal rearrangements play a significant role in the development of acute leukemias (acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML)). Chromosomal translocation events occurring at 11q23 involving the KMT2A or Mixed-Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene (n=102) can be diagnosed in about 5-10% of all acute leukemia patients (Marschalek Ann Lab Med 2016), especially prevalent in infant acute leukemias (up to 70% of cases). Different chromosomal translocation partner genes (such as AF4, AF6, AF9orENL and ELL) account for the majority of leukemia cases and have their genomic breakpoints within a major breakpoint cluster region (BCR intron 9-11; Meyer et. al. Leukemia 2018). Some rearrangements are specifically associated with particular disease phenotype e.g. the majority of ALL patients (~ 90%) are mainly caused by the following gene fusions, MLL-AF4, MLL-AF9, MLL-ENL. We are interested in a rare but yet drastic chromosomal translocation t(6;11)(q27;q23) which fuses KMT2A/MLL to Afadin (AFDN/AF6) gene. This chromosomal rearrangement has a very poor prognosis (survival-rate is ~10%) and is predominantly diagnosed in patients with high-risk AML. In this project, we investigate the molecular consequences of two different MLL-AF6 fusions and their corresponding reciprocal AF6-MLL fusions. MLL-AF6 fusions are mainly occurring within MLL intron 9 to 11 and are associated with an AML disease phenotype, while the same fusion occurring within the minor breakpoints region in MLL intron 21 until exon (ex) 24 are mainly diagnosed with T-ALL (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia) disease phenotype. The molecular mechanism that determines the resulting disease phenotype is yet unknown. Therefore, we cloned all of these t(6;11) fusion proteins in order to investigate the functional consequences of the two different breakpoints (MLLex1-9::AF6ex2-30, AF6ex1::MLLex10-37; MLLex1-21::AF6ex2-30, AF6ex1::MLLex22-37). All 4 fusion genes were introduced into our inducible Sleeping Beauty system (Ivics et. al. Mobile DNA 2010; Kowarz et. al. Biotechnol J. 2015) and stably transfected reporter cell lines. Basically, these 4 fusion proteins differ only in the presence or absence of their Plant homeodomain 1-3/Bromodomain (PHD1-3/BD) domain (see Figure 1). The PHD domain regulates the epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory functions of wildtype MLL. Subsequently, we analyzed gene expression differences by the MACE-Seq (Massive Analyses of cDNA Ends). MACE data revealed fundamental differences in gene expression profiles when analyzing the two different sets of t(6;11) fusion genes. The resulting profiles have similarities to either AML or T-ALL and might give a rational explanation for the different lineages in these t(6;11) patients. Altogether, these results notably indicate that our study will provide a novel insight into this type of high-risk leukemia and subsequently will be useful for developing of novel and appropriate therapeutic strategies against acute leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Karle ◽  
Niels Ebbe Hansen ◽  
Sven-Aage Killmann

Abstract Intracellular lysozyme (muramidase) activity was measured in leukemic blasts and mature neutrophilic granulocytes from 20 patients with acute myeloblastic and myelomonocytic leukemia and in 11 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after differential centrifugation of cells in Ficoll and extraction of lysozyme with n-butanol. Considerable abnormalities in cellular lysozyme activity were found both in qualitative and quantitative terms. In contrast to normal myeloblasts, leukemic blasts of the myeloid series contained lysozyme in a considerable number of cases. Although no clear-cut distinction was seen, those patients with positive blast lysozyme reactivity tended to have the highest plasma lysozyme levels, whereas no good correlation was found between morphologic differentiation along myeloblastic or monocytoblastic lines of blasts and lysozyme reactivity. Calculations of the magnitude of lysozyme production in acute leukemias with high plasma lysozyme concentration was compatible with the hypothesis that in these cases lysozyme must be secreted by intact blasts and that, consequently, plasma lysozyme activity reflects the total leukemic cell mass. In mature neutrophilic granulocytes from patients with acute myeloblastic and myelomonocytic leukemia in relapse, the mean lysozyme activity was significantly decreased, although a great deal of variation was found. In remission, neutrophil lysozyme activity seemed to increase; among several possibilities this might be a reflection of different clones being operative in relapse and remission. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lysozyme activity in neutrophils was constantly low in relapse and increased to normal following induction of remission, which may be the main explanation of the low plasma lysozyme activity found in this type of acute leukemia. It is unexplained and puzzling why intraneutrophil lysozyme activity is low in a leukemic type where the myeloid cells are not believed to be primarily leukemic; one possible reason might be an effect of cell-to-cell interaction with the leukemic cell population.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document