Clinical and Biological Diversity of Clonal Hematological Non-Mast Cell Lineage Neoplasms Associated with Mastocytosis.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4976-4976
Author(s):  
Mojdeh Naghashpour ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
Lynn C. Moscinski

Abstract Abstract 4976 Background Mastocytosis has many features in common with other myeloproliferative neoplsms (MPN) and is recognized by the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) as a major subgroup of MPNs. In 20-30% of patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM), an associated clonal hematological non mast cell lineage disease (AHNMD) is also diagnosed, and such an occurrence is recognized by WHO classification system as SM-AHNMD. The latter (AHNMD) includes predominantly myeloid neoplasms, but also rarely non-myeloid hematologic neoplasms. SM-AHMD often creates a clinicopathologic diagnostic challenge due to diverse clinical presentation and sometimes subtle morphologic findings. We reviewed the clinicopathologic features, cytogenetic and molecular findings, and clinical course of eight patients with SM-AHNMD. Methods Approximately 30,000 bone marrow biopsy reports recorded in the institutional electronic database at Moffitt Cencer Center from January 1996 to July 2009 were reviewed. Thirty patients with SM- were identified. Diagnosis was confirmed by bone marrow (BM) histology; SM- and AHNMD-components were classified according to WHO criteria. Immunophenotypic analyses were performed on fresh samples using flow cytometry and on paraffin-embedded samples using immunohistochemistry. Molecular analyses for assessment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chain gene rearrangement and for detection of activating c-Kit D816V point mutation, as well as cytogenetic study by karyotyping and FISH analysis were performed on available skin punch biopsy and bone marrow aspirate samples. Clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging data, therapeutic regimen and clinical course were reviewed. Results SM was diagnosed in 30 bone marrow biopsies (0.1 %). SM-AHNMD was diagnosed in 8 patients (27% of SM) over a 13 year period. The AHNMD was MDS (3 cases: 1 refractory anemia, 2 cases of refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts), MDS/MPN (2 cases, CMML), AML (1 case), marginal zone lymphoma (1 case) and plasma cell myeloma (1 case, IgD monoclonal). Patients ranged in age from 54 to 78 years (average 57), with a male to female ratio of 1:1. At presentation, all patients (8/8) had cytopenia; two patients (2/8) additionally had monocytosis. Cytogenetic abnormalities were identified in 3 cases (3/4) [t(8;21), t(3;5), isochromsme 14, deletion 5q, trisomy 4]. Activating c-Kit (D816V) point mutation was detected in 3 cases (3/4). In six patients (6/8), SM was diagnosed concurrently with the AHNMD and the aberrant mast cell proliferation was observed only after complete histopathologic examination. One patient (1/8) had long-standing indolent SM with cutaneous manifestation, and a second patient (1/8) suffered from recurrent “hives” for 12-15 years which was later diagnosed as cutaneous mastocytosis, prior to the development of an AHNMD. These two patients were treated with Gleevec and/or antihistamines. Upon diagnosis, all patients (8/8) were managed according to standard treatment protocols for their AHNMD. The patient with AML with t(8;21) received daunrubicin and cytarabine induction chemotherapy and intrathecal methotrexate. She achieved remission, followed by multiple relapses. Conclusions SM-AHNMD is uncommon. AHNMD is usually myeloid, but can also be a lymphoid/plasma cell neoplasm. In the majority of our cases, mastocytosis was not clinically suspected and the patient's clinical presentation was related to the associated non-mast cell lineage neoplasm. SM-AHNMD might pose a histopathologic challenge that potentially could be missed; for the most part it is a histological diagnosis based on a combination of morphologic features and ancillary studies. Patients are managed according to the current protocols for their AHNMD. Symptoms related to mastocytosis are treated with antihistamines, as needed. Of note, unlike most patients with AML with t(8;21), the patient in our case series fared poorly with standard chemotherapy. The prognostic relevance and therapeutic implications of detecting SM associated with another hematologic malignancy and warrants further studies and remains to be clarified. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 113 (23) ◽  
pp. 5727-5736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken-Hong Lim ◽  
Ayalew Tefferi ◽  
Terra L. Lasho ◽  
Christy Finke ◽  
Mrinal Patnaik ◽  
...  

Abstract Clinical phenotype in systemic mastocytosis (SM) is markedly variable, which complicates prognostication and decision making regarding the choice and timing of therapy. In a retrospective study of 342 consecutive adult patients with SM seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1976 and 2007, disease subdesignation according to the World Health Organization (WHO) proposal was indolent (ISM) in 159 (46%), with associated clonal hematologic non–mast cell lineage disease (SM-AHNMD) in 138 (40%), aggressive (ASM) in 41 (12%), and mast cell leukemia in 4 (1%). KITD816V was detected in bone marrow–derived DNA by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 68% of 165 patients evaluated (ISM, 78%; ASM, 82%; SM-AHNMD, 60%; P = .03); JAK2V617F was detected in 4%, all in SM-AHNMD. Compared with those with nonindolent SM, life expectancy in ISM was superior and not significantly different from that of the age- and sex-matched US population. In addition, multivariable analysis identified advanced age, weight loss, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and excess bone marrow blasts as independent adverse prognostic factors for survival. The current study validates the prognostic relevance of the WHO subclassification of SM and provides additional information of value in terms of both risk stratification and interpretation of clinical presentation and laboratory results.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4831-4831
Author(s):  
Dhatri Kodali ◽  
Hector Mesa ◽  
Ajay Rawal ◽  
Pankaj Gupta

Abstract Thrombocytosis at presentation is uncommon in the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and its influence on the clinical course of the disease and on prognosis is uncertain. To determine the clinical course and long-term outcomes of patients (pts) with thrombocytosis at initial diagnosis of MDS, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 503 pts diagnosed with MDS between Jan 1966 and July 2006 at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Original bone marrow and peripheral blood slides and reports were reviewed with a hematopathologist (H.M.) in all pts with high platelet counts (> 400 × 103/μL) and evidence of dysplasia. Clinico-pathological correlation was obtained by chart review. Patients with inadequate data, secondary causes of thrombocytosis, transient thrombocytosis, and those without evidence of dysplasia were excluded. Of 503 pts, 41 (8.2%) were found to have thrombocytosis at presentation. Their median age was 74 years. The spleen was enlarged (by imaging) in 6 pts. Peripheral blood counts (mean; range) at diagnosis were: hemoglobin (10.9 g/dL; 7.4 – 17.1), absolute neutrophils (7.9 × 103/μL; 0.8 – 30.7) and platelets (627 × 103/μL; 402 – 1231). The cases were re-classified according to the WHO classification of myeloid disorders as follows: chronic myelomonocytic leukemia-1 (CMML-1) = 17 (41%), refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RARS-T) = 13 (32%) and others = 11 (27%; including 2 pts each with RA, MDS/myeloproliferative disorder-unclassified [MDS/MPD-U] and 5q- syndrome, and 1 pt each with RA with excess blasts [RAEB-1], therapy related MDS [tMDS], refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia [RCMD], MDS-U and atypical chronic myeloid leukemia [Aty CML]). Bone marrow fibrosis was increased in 3 pts with CMML-1 and 1 with RARS-T, and was normal or only focally increased in all other pts. The IPSS risk category was Low in 15 pts, Int-1 in 3 pts and Int-2 in 2 pts. Cytogenetic data was not available in the other pts. Jak-2 mutation analysis was positive in 2 pts with RARS-T, negative in 1 pt each with RARS-T and MDS/MPD-U, and is pending in others. On follow-up, 2 pts with CMML-1 and 1 pt with Aty CML transformed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and both pts with 5q- syndrome transformed to CMML-2. Two pts with RARS-T progressed to RAEB-2 and 1 pt with CMML-1 progressed to CMML-2. One pt with CMML-1 developed marked myelofibrosis. Marked thrombocytosis required hydroxyurea treatment in 5 pts. One MDS-U pt received 5-azacytidine. Four of 41 (10%) pts experienced major bleeding events; 3 were receiving aspirin. Five pts required ongoing red cell transfusions. The median survival (MS) was 36 months in RARS-T, 60 months in CMML-1 and 27 months in others; the MS of all 41 pts was 48 months. Causes of death were AML in 3 pts, cytopenias due to MDS in 6 pts and unrelated/unknown in 21 pts. Eleven pts are currently alive. In conclusion, the majority of pts presenting with myelodysplasia and thrombocytosis fall in the MDS/MPD category of the new WHO classification (most commonly CMML or RARS-T), be older, and have low-risk features (IPSS Low or Int-1). The risks of spontaneous bleeding, transformation to AML, progression of disease or myelofibrosis are low, and the overall prognosis is relatively favorable. Platelet counts may reach levels requiring cytoreductive therapy. This study helps better understand the natural history and prognosis of this varied spectrum of MDS and overlap syndromes.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2836-2836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Animesh Pardanani ◽  
Christy Finke ◽  
Terra L Lasho ◽  
Ayalew Tefferi

Abstract Abstract 2836 Background: The clinical phenotype of systemic mastocytosis (SM) is highly variable; establishing prognosis in terms of overall survival or risk of transformation to aggressive disease for those with non-indolent and indolent disease variants, respectively, is not trivial. Similar to other clonal hemopathies, mast cell (MC) activation and/or stromal response to clonal MC expansion likely results in a dysregulated immuno cellular/cytokine profile; analysis of this aspect of SM may provide additional prognostic information within the context of well established parameters such as the World Health Organization (WHO) SM classification system. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of circulating cytokines/chemokines with clinicopathologic and clinical outcome correlations in a cohort of SM patients seen at our institution. Methods: The diagnosis of SM and its subclassification were established according to WHO criteria. Inclusion in this study required availability of archived plasma, bone marrow biopsy, and cytogenetic information at the time of first referral. Follow up information including data on survival and disease progression were updated in July 2012. Concentrations of plasma cytokines were analyzed in duplicate by using Multiplex Bead-Based Luminex technology (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). Results: Forty six SM patients met the above stipulated criteria; 25 (54%) were male and the median age at referral was 61 years (range 21–85). Subclassification of patients per WHO criteria was: indolent SM (ISM) 23 (50%), aggressive SM (ASM) 8 (17%) and SM with associated clonal hematological non-MC lineage disease (SM-AHNMD) 15 (33%). When the distribution of 30 cytokines was considered across the 3 SM sub groups, only interleukin (IL)-8 was significantly different (SM-AHNMD > ISM/ASM; p=0.0002). For ISM patients, increased levels of sIL-2R were associated with presence of B-findings (p=0.0046) including splenomegaly (p=0.001) and serum tryptase levels >200 ng/mL (p=0.0046), and decreased levels of IL-8 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with MC mediator-release symptoms (p <0.05). Increased levels of sIL-2R (r2=0.6; p<0.0001) and RANTES (r2=0.37; p=0.0013) were correlated with bone marrow MC burden, and sIL-2R (r2=0.34; p=0.004) and MIG (r2=0.42; p=0.0012) with serum tryptase levels in ISM patients; similar findings were noted for the overall cohort. At a median follow up of 28 months (range 0–116), 20 (43%) deaths, and 3 (13%) and 1 (2%) transformations to ASM and mast cell leukemia, respectively, were recorded for the overall cohort. In univariate analysis, increased sIL-2R levels were predictive for inferior overall survival (p=0.005); this prognostic significance was maintained in multivariate analysis after adjusting for other known prognostic variables individually (i.e. WHO SM subtypes, age >65 years, hemoglobin <10 g/dL, thrombocytopenia, weight loss or hypoalbuminemia) (all p <0.05). Increased sIL-2R (>75th percentile) effectively stratified patients in the overall cohort into 2 well-delineated risk groups for overall survival (median survival 109 vs. 26 months; p=0.0004) (Figure). This sIL-2R threshold was also able to risk stratify patients within ISM (median survival not reached vs. 38 months) and non-ISM (median survival 31 vs. 5 months) categories (p <0.0001). Conclusions: The current study demonstrates s-IL2R to be a key inflammatory cytokine in SM; it is significantly correlated with a phenotype of high systemic MC burden and in this regard, is an attractive surrogate for treatment response in clinical practice, if validated. The predictive value of sIL-2R for overall survival is akin to similar observations in primary myelofibrosis and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; in this study, it was noted to be independent of conventional measures of organopathy from MC infiltration, and thus may reflect a novel pathogenetic process in SM, mediated by dysregulated inflammatory and/or immuno cellular pathways. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2020 ◽  
pp. 01-06
Author(s):  
Erisa Kola ◽  
Jorida Memini ◽  
Ina Kola ◽  
Daniela Nakuci ◽  
John Ekladous ◽  
...  

First described by Nettleship et al. in 1869 [1], mastocytoses are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the pathologic accumulation of mast cells in various tissues [2-5]. Mastocytosis can be confined to the skin as in cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), or it can involve extracutaneous tissues such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes, as in systemic mastocytosis [6]. Mastocytosis is a World Health Organization-defined clonal mast cell disorder characterized by significant clinicopathologic heterogeneity [7]. Keywords: Cutaneous mastocytosis; Systemic mastocytosis; Systemic involvement; Mast cells; Mastocytosis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Pezzolo ◽  
Deborah Saraggi ◽  
Luigi Naldi

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare variant of leukemia with an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis. The cutaneous involvement in PCL is very rare either at clinical presentation of leukemia, namely “leukemia cutis”, or in the metastatic PCL to the skin. We present a case of eruptive multiple cutaneous nodules in a 56-year-old man with metastatic PCL. Histologically, a diffuse dermal and subcutaneous infiltration of ovoid cells with amphophilic cytoplasm and eccentrically located nucleus consistent with plasmacytoid morphology was observed. Neoplastic cells showed strong immunoexpression for CD138 and CD38 consistent with plasma cells phenotype, and loss of expression of CD56. Kappa light chain restriction similar to the phenotype of his PCL was demonstrated. We suggest that the evaluation of new skin lesions in leukemic patients should include a histopathologic examination to establish the diagnosis as soon as possible and a correct management of the disease.


Blood ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 923-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Falini ◽  
I De Solas ◽  
AM Levine ◽  
JW Parker ◽  
RJ Lukes ◽  
...  

Immunologic and histologic studies were performed in 10 cases of myeloma that showed progression to a more aggressive proliferation, designated as immunoblastic sarcoma of B-cell type (B-IBS). Several patterns of clinical presentation were observed: eight patients showed typical multiple myeloma, four developed B-IBS within the bone marrow, and four developed B-IBS in multiple extramedullary sites; the remaining two patients had relatively localized myeloma, but also showed development of extramedullary B-IBS. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to their prognostic import and their relationship to current concepts of plasma cell development.


Blood ◽  
1960 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD W. VILTER ◽  
THOMAS JARROLD ◽  
JOHN J. WILL ◽  
JOHN F. MUELLER ◽  
BEN I. FRIEDMAN ◽  
...  

Abstract 1. The hematologic syndrome called refractory anemia with hyperplastic bone marrow, aregenerative anemia, chronic bone marrow failure, pseudo-aplastic anemia, and many other terms, has been separated into five types on the basis of clinical and hematologic studies on 23 patients carried out over a period of 16 years. These groupings are probably highly artificial but are made to facilitate presentation and description. As more is learned of the chemistry of the bone marrow cells in patients with refractory anemia, a more satisfactory classification will be possible. 2. Type 1 is characterized by bizarre chromatin in the normoblasts, mast cell hyperplasia, hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis and a tendency for spontaneous remissions to occur. 3. Type 2 is at first typified by complete or almost complete erythroid aplasia. Hyperplasia of erythroid cells with maturation arrest and bizarre chromatin pattern may occur later, and finally spontaneous remission may appear with considerable frequency. Mast cell hyperplasia, thymoma and hemosiderosis have been noted. 4. Type 3, associated with exogenous toxins and the preleukemia state, is characterized by pancytopenia and a bizarre chromatin pattern in the normoblasts. Some of these patients may he classified as "DiGuglielmo syndrome." 5. Type 4 also is typified by pancytopenia and hyperplasia of bone marrow but with cells of normal appearance. These patients responded partially or completely when splenectomy was performed, and probably represent a variant of the "hypersplenism" syndrome. 6. Type 5 is refractory megaloblastic anemia with typical cytologic changes evident in all cell types similar to those found in pernicious anemia. 7. Hypotheses are proposed to explain these various types of anemia on the basis of abnormalities in the metabolism of nucleic acids, particularly DNA. Deficiencies of metabolites, inhibition of metabolic reactions by exogenous or endogenous toxins, or by immune mechanism in which DNA serves as haptene, are possible explanations.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6588-6588
Author(s):  
M. Schatz ◽  
G. Verhoef ◽  
N. Gattermann ◽  
O. G. Ottmann ◽  
T. Schimansky ◽  
...  

6588 Background: SM is a clonal hematologic disorder associated with a constitutive activation of c-kit based on point mutations of this tyrosine kinase and is characterized by mast cell infiltration of extracutaneous organs. AMN107 is a novel aminopyrimidine which potently inhibits Bcr-Abl, as well as the PDGFR and c-kit kinases. Methods: This phase II, open-label study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AMN107 (400 mg bid). SM pts meeting specific disease criteria and with a clinical indication for treatment were enrolled. Preliminary data are presented for the first 23 pts accrued prior to September 1, 2005. Results: The median age was 49 (range 33–78) yrs and the median time from diagnosis of SM was 27 (range 1 to 292) months. For those with data available, 13/17 pts had a c-kit D816V mutation in bone marrow cells. The median exposure to AMN107 was 144 days. Treatment is ongoing for 18 (78%) pts; 5 (22%) discontinued, 3 (13%) for adverse events and 2 (9%) withdrew consent. Three (13%) responses were reported (2 incomplete remissions and 1 minor response), based on serum tryptase, bone marrow mast cell infiltration and improvement of clinical symptoms. Baseline mutation data are available for 2 of the 3 responding pts and revealed the c-kit D816V mutation. Anemia was reported in 2 (9%) pts. Non-hematologic toxicities in ≥10% of pts were headache in 12 (52%) pts (Gr 3/4 in 2; 9%), fatigue in 9 (39%) pts (Gr 3/4 in 1; 4%), nausea in 8 (35%) pts, vomiting in 7 (30%) pts, pruritus in 7 (30%) pts (Gr 3/4 in 2; 9%), muscle spasms in 6 (26%) pts (Gr 3/4 in 1; 4%), diarrhea in 5 (22%) pts (Gr 3/4 in 1; 4%), upper abdominal pain, rash in 5 (22%) pts each, dizziness, pain in extremities in 4 (17%) pts each (Gr 3/4 in 1; 4% each), dyspnea, myalgia, in 4 (17%) pts each, increased ALAT in 4 (17%) pts (Gr 3/4 in 2; 9%), bone pain, abdominal pain, cough, hard feces, pustular rash in 3 (13%) pts each, and hypotension in 3 (13%) pts (Gr 3/4 in 2; 9%). There were no deaths. Conclusions: These data suggest that AMN107 has clinical activity and an acceptable safety and tolerability profile in pts with SM. [Table: see text]


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 4044-4044
Author(s):  
Wesley Witteles ◽  
Ronald Witteles ◽  
Michaela Liedtke ◽  
Sally Arai ◽  
Richard Lafayette ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4044 Background: Conventionally, multiple myeloma is believed to coexist in approximately 10% of AL amyloidosis patients. However, it is unclear whether this figure is too low based on current World Health Organization criteria. These criteria, mainly created to differentiate myeloma from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, include the presence of ≥ 10% plasma cells on a bone marrow biopsy or aspirate as being diagnostic of myeloma. Aims: To define the frequency and relevance of a concomitant diagnosis of myeloma in patients with AL amyloidosis. Methods: Records from consecutive patients with biopsy-proven AL amyloidosis treated at the Stanford University Amyloid Center were reviewed. Plasma cell percentages were determined by manual counts from bone marrow aspirate smears and by CD138 immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed on bone marrow core biopsies. Results: A total of 41 patients (median age 61 years, 32% female) were evaluated. The median number of organs involved with amyloidosis was 2 (range 1–4), with 28 patients (68%) having cardiac involvement, 22 patients (54%) having renal involvement, 15 patients (37%) having gastrointestinal involvement, 12 patients (29%) having soft tissue involvement, and 10 patients (24%) having nervous system involvement. All patients had bone marrow biopsies and aspirates performed at the time of amyloid diagnosis, with most undergoing both manual counts of plasma cells from aspirates and IHC from core biopsies. Based on conventional criteria, manual aspirate counts defined 15/28 (54%) patients as having myeloma, and IHC defined 26/31 (84%) patients as having myeloma (p=0.01). Only nine patients had a detectable serum paraprotein on immunofixation (median 1.1 g/dl, range 0.4–2.6). 81% of patients had an elevated serum free light chain (85% lambda), with a median level of 37.3 mg/dl (range 8.6–256 mg/dl). Compared to the frequency of elevated plasma cells, the prevalence of anemia (29%), hypercalcemia (14%), impaired kidney function (21%), and lytic lesions (7%) was low. After a median follow-up of 13 months (range 1–127 months), the one-year overall survival (74% vs. 58%) and three-year overall survival (50% vs. 50%) was not significantly different between patients with ≥10% plasma cells and patients with <10% plasma cells (p=NS). Discussion: As defined by bone marrow plasma cell involvement, a strikingly high percentage (84%) of AL amyloidosis patients would be considered to have concurrent myeloma. This figure is much higher than has been traditionally quoted in the literature, likely due to the utilization of newer methods of counting plasma cells. There was a low prevalence of myeloma-associated end-organ effects (hypercalcemia, anemia, renal insufficiency, lytic bone lesions), and a myeloma diagnosis had no impact on survival. Conclusion: In this cohort of AL amyloid patients, concomitant myeloma was present in the vast majority of patients using modern diagnostic techniques. The significance of this diagnosis appears to be minimal – calling into question whether the diagnostic criteria for myeloma should be redefined in this population. Disclosures: Witteles: Celgene: Research Funding. Liedtke:Celgene: Lecture fee, Research Funding. Schrier:Celgene: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3803-3803
Author(s):  
Mrinal M. Patnaik ◽  
Curtis A Hanson ◽  
Nanna Sulai ◽  
Janice M Hodnefield ◽  
Ryan A Knudson ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3803 Background: Ring sideroblasts (RS) represent abnormal mitochondrial iron deposits that are commonly present in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The presence of ≥15% RS, by definition (World Health Organization-WHO) is necessary for a diagnosis of a MDS-RS; with refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (RARS) being a specific morphologic category. RS can also be seen with other morphologic categories such as; refractory cytopenias with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD), MDS-unclassifiable (MDS-U) and refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB-1/2). Amongst these categories, RARS is generally believed to have the best survival rate with the lowest risk of leukemic transformation and this has been attributed to the absence of associated dysplasia in more than one lineage. However, it has not been systematically shown whether or not the exact percentage of RS provides additional prognostic information in the context of an accurate morphologic categorization and risk stratification by karyotype or the revised IPSS (IPSS-R). Methods: 200 patients with primary MDS without excess blasts and ≥1% RS were seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1997 through 2007. All patients underwent bone marrow (BM) examination and cytogenetic evaluation at diagnosis and the pathology slides, including iron stains, were centrally re-reviewed to accurately quantify bone marrow (BM) RS percentage and to confirm WHO morphologic categories. Molecular profiling included analysis for IDH1, IDH2, JAK2 and MPL mutations. For the purposes of this study patients were divided into 4 categories based on the RS percentage; <5%, 5–14%, 15–50% and >50%. In addition, each patient was assigned IPSS and IPSS-R prognostic scores at diagnosis and risk stratified by karyotype according to the IPSS-R cytogenetic risk categories. Cox proportional regression method was used for multivariable analysis. Results: Of the overall 200 study patients, 140 (70%) were male and median age was 71 years (range, 17–90 years). At presentation, 34 (17%) patients were red cell transfusion-dependent. There were 56 (28%) patients with <5% RS (RCMD-52, MDS-U-14), 32 (16%) with 5–14% RS (RCMD-29, MDS-U-3), 79 (39%) with 15–50% RS (RARS-43, RCMD-29, MDS-U-2) and 33 (16%) with >50% RS (RARS-13, RCMD-17, MDS-U-3). Three patients (2%) were IDH1 mutant (RARS-1, RCMD-2), 17 (8%) IDH2 mutant (RARS-1, RCMD-14, MDS-U-2), 5 JAK2 V617F (3%) mutant (RARS-2, RCMD-3) and one patient with RCMD had the MPL W515L mutation. At a median follow-up of 33 months, 156 (73%) deaths and 24 (12%) leukemic transformations were documented. Median survivals were 63 months for MDS with >50% RS, 43 months for MDS with 15–50% RS, 35 months for MDS with 5–14% RS, and 14 months for MDS with <5% RS (p=0.005). In univariate analysis, additional risk factors included decreased hemoglobin, decreased platelet count, increased circulating blasts, WHO morphologic categories, red cell transfusion need, IPSS, IPSS-R and cytogenetic risk categories per IPSS-R. On a multivariable analysis only the IPSS-R prognostic score (p<0.0001) and the WHO morphologic categories (p=0.02 for RARS) retained significance. Univariate analysis disclosed significantly inferior leukemia-free survival (LFS) in patients with RCMD, thrombocytopenia, increased circulating blasts, and poor IPSS and IPSS-R prognostic scores. On multivariable analysis once again only the IPSS-R prognostic scores (p=0.02) and WHO morphologic categories (p=0.02) retained their significance. In other words, RS percentage, independent of WHO classification, as a continuous or categorical variable (i.e.: <5%, 5–14%, 15–50% & >50%) did not affect either overall survival or LFS. Conclusions: In MDS without excess blasts, once an accurate WHO morphologic categorization is made based on the presence or absence of multi-lineage dysplasia, there is no additional prognostic value for quantifying bone marrow ring sideroblasts. WHO classification and IPSS-R prognostic scores remain the most important factors in assessing patients with MDS. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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