Use Of Flow Cytometry To Identify Myelodysplasia In Peripheral Blood

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2774-2774
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Kern ◽  
Richard Schabath ◽  
Tamara Alpermann ◽  
Claudia Haferlach ◽  
Susanne Schnittger ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Flow cytometry (FC) is increasingly used in diagnostic work-up of bone marrow (BM) from patients with suspected or proven myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Data on FC in peripheral blood (PB) is scarce. Aims Evaluate the use of FC for PB in suspected or proven MDS by comparison to BM analyzed during follow-up. Methods PB of 157 patients (pts) with suspected MDS was analyzed by FC applying ELN criteria defined recently for diagnosis of MDS in BM (Westers et al., Leukemia 2012). For all pts during follow-up at least one BM sample was evaluable by morphology, cytogenetics, and FC in parallel to confirm or exclude MDS (according to WHO 2008 criteria). Pts were then grouped according to results obtained from BM analysis during follow-up time points into 1) proven MDS (n=96), 2) no MDS (n=32), and 3) MPN, MDS/MPN, or “MDS possible” (presence of dysplastic features by morphology but not sufficient to diagnose MDS) (n=29) (median time to MDS confirmation, 0.9 months, range, 0.1-53.0; median time to last BM assessment without confirmation of MDS; 0.8 months, range, 0.2-23.0). Results First, results of FC on PB were compared between pts with finally proven MDS (n=96) by BM vs. those with no MDS by BM as diagnosed during follow-up. All 34 pts with myeloid progenitor cells (MPC) by FC in PB had finally proven MDS. However, in addition 62/94 (66.0%) of those without MPC (p<0.0001) also had proven MDS. Thus, the presence of MPC in PB was at least strongly indicative of MDS while there were also cases with MDS without MPC in PB. Moreover, besides the presence of MPC in PB, 17 of these 34 cases in addition displayed an aberrant antigen expression on MPC. Focusing on granulocytes we first analyzed side-scatter (SSC) signals in granulocytes as ratio of mean SSC signals granulocytes/lymphocytes (G/L). While for BM samples a reduced SSC ratio G/L had been described which reflects hypogranulation, we indeed found similar data for PB with a significantly lower SSC ratio G/L in pts with proven MDS as compared to those without (mean±SD 5.7±1.1 vs. 6.3±1.0, p=0.015). More strict, a mean SSC ratio G/L of 3.9 was found to most specifically identify pts with MDS: all 6 cases with a ratio <3.9 had MDS. Regarding aberrant antigen expression in granulocytes, MDS was more frequently diagnosed among cases with vs. without the following features: aberrant CD11b/CD16 expression pattern (43/46 investigated, 93.5% vs. 53/82, 64.6%; p=0.0002), lack of CD10 expression (37/43, 86.0% vs. 59/85, 69.4%; p=0.052), CD56 expression (19/21, 90.5% vs. 77/107, 72.0%; p=0.098). Cumulating this data, ≥2 aberrantly expressed antigens on granulocytes were found indicative of MDS: 42/45 (93.3%) of pts with aberrant expression of ≥2 antigens had MDS while only 54/83 (65.1%) of those with 0 or 1 aberrantly expressed antigen had finally proven MDS (p=0.0003). Regarding aberrant antigen expression in monocytes, pts with the following features more frequently had MDS as compared to those without: reduced expression of HLA-DR, CD13, CD11b, or CD15, aberrant expression of CD2 or CD34 (as single makers all n.s.). However, cumulating this data also resulted in a significant relation to a diagnosis of MDS during follow-up: 31/36 (86.1%) of pts with aberrant expression of ≥2 antigens on monocytes were diagnosed MDS vs. 65/92 (70.7%) of those without (p=0.052). Integrating the data for the different cell compartments, pts were separated according to the presence of the following 4 criteria: 1) presence of MPC in PB by FC, 2) aberrant expression of ≥1 antigen in MPC in PB, 3) aberrant expression of ≥2 antigens in granulocytes in PB, and 4) aberrant expression of ≥2 antigens in monocytes in PB: 68/76 (89.5%) of pts with ≥1 of these criteria had MDS, which was the case in 28/52 (53.8%) of cases fulfilling none of these criteria (p<0.0001). Strengthening the selection to presence of ≥2 of the criteria, all such 36 cases had MDS which was true for 60/92 (65.2%) of those with ≤1 criterion (p<0.0001). Applying these criteria to the set of remaining 29 pts with MPN, MDS/MPN, or possible MDS, 17 (58.6%) of them fulfilled ≥1 criterion which was true for 8/32 (25.0%) of pts not diagnosed MDS (p=0.010). Conclusions FC reveals MDS-related findings in PB samples using a specific panel targeting 10 antigens and may be used to identify pts with a high probability of MDS. Further studies with direct comparison of PB and BM should clarify the role of PB analysis by FC in the diagnostic work-up of pts with suspected MDS. Disclosures: Kern: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schabath:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Alpermann:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schnittger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 5152-5152
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Kern ◽  
Susanne Schnittger ◽  
Tamara Alpermann ◽  
Claudia Haferlach ◽  
Torsten Haferlach

Abstract Abstract 5152 Background: Immunophenotyping by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is increasingly used in the diagnostic work-up of patients with cytopenias and suspected myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) comprise a group of diseases with some features of MDS and is separately classified in the current WHO system. While the immunophenotype of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia has been described in detail, data is scarce on the use of MFC in myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms, unclassifiable (MDS/MPNu) as well as on refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RARS-T), which is a provisional entity in the current WHO classification. Aim: To assess patients with MDS/MPNu and RARS-T for MDS-related aberrant immunophenotypes in the context of a comprehensive diagnostic work-up including cytomorphology, cytogenetics, and molecular genetics. Patients and Methods: A total of 91 patients were analyzed in parallel by cytomorphology, cytogenetics, and MFC applying an antibody panel designed to diagnose MDS. MFC was used to detect expression of mature antigens in myeloid progenitors; abnormal CD13-CD16- and CD11b-CD16-expression patterns, aberrant expression of myeloid markers and reduced side scatter signal in granulocytes; reduced expression of myelomonocytic markers in monocytes; aberrant expression of CD71 in erythroid cells; as well as expression of lymphoid markers in all myeloid cell lines. In 77/91 patients molecular genetic markers were investigated. The median age of the patients was 75.1 years (range, 35.3–87.4). The male/female ratio was 60/31. Six patients had RARS-T and 85 had MDS/MPNu. Results: In 54/91 (59.3%) patients MFC identified an MDS-immunophenotype. This was true in 4/6 (66.7%) RARS-T and in 50/85 (58.8%) MDS/MPNu (n.s.). Cases with MDS-immunophenotype displayed aberrancies significantly more frequently than those without as follows: in myeloid progenitor cells (number of aberrantly expressed antigens, mean±SD: 0.5±0.6 vs. 0.2±0.4, p=0.002), granulocytes (2.7±1.3 vs. 1.2±1.1, p<0.001), and monocytes (1.7±1.2 vs. 0.5±0.7, p<0.001). Accordingly, there was a significant difference in the total number of aberrantly expressed antigens (4.9±2.4 vs. 2.0±1.4, p<0.001). The presence of an aberrant karyotype was not related to an MDS-immunophenotype which was observed in 11/18 (61.1%) cases with aberrant karyotype and in 43/73 (58.9%) with normal karyotype (n.s.). Mutations in RUNX1 and TET2 as well as FLT3-ITD were predominantly present in cases with an MDS-immunophenotype (10/33, 30.3%) and occurred less frequently in cases without (1/7, 9.1%, n.s.). In detail, RUNX1 mutations were present in 4/26 (10.3%) vs. 0/2, TET2 mutations were present in 4/6 (66.7%) vs. 1/2 (50%), and FLT3-ITD was present in 3/29 (10.3%) vs. 0/5. Accordingly, in cases with RUNX1 or TET2 mutations or with FLT3-ITD a significantly higher number of aberrantly expressed antigens was observed as compared to cases with none of these mutations (mean±SD, 6.4±2.0 vs. 4.4±2.5, p=0.024). In contrast, JAK2V617F mutations occurred at identical frequencies in patients with and without MDS-immunophenotype (11/38, 28.9% vs. 9/31, 29.0%). Regarding prognosis, the presence of an MDS-immunophenotype had no impact on overall survival. Conclusions: These data demonstrates that MDS-related aberrant antigen expression is present in the majority of patients with RARS-T and MDS/MPNu. While there is no association between the presence of an MDS-immunophenotype and the detection of JAK2 mutations cases with an MDS-immunophenotype tended to more frequently carry mutations in RUNX1 and TET2 as well as FLT3-ITDs. These data therefore suggests that MDS/MPNu may be subdivided based on molecular genetics and on the immunophenotype into cases with MDS-related features and those without. Further analyses are needed to validate these findings and their potential significance in RARS-T. Disclosures: Kern: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schnittger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Alpermann:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1671-1671
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Kern ◽  
Manja Meggendorfer ◽  
Claudia Haferlach ◽  
Susanne Schnittger ◽  
Torsten Haferlach

Abstract Introduction: The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has been clearly defined by the WHO classification but remains a challenge in a significant number of cases with cytomorphologically borderline findings and normal karyotype. Furthermore, flow cytometry is capable of identifying MDS-specific aberrant antigen expression yet its value in these borderline cases as well as in those even without cytomorphologic findings of myelodysplasia remains to be clarified. Follow-up analyses as well as extension of diagnostic work-up to screening for molecular mutations may give further insight. Aims: Assess the significance of cytomorphologically borderline dysplastic changes and of flow cytometric MDS-related findings in the absence of a clear-cut diagnosis of MDS by screening for molecular mutations and by diagnostic reassessment during follow-up. Patients and methods: Bone marrow samples of 322 patients were assessed for suspected MDS by cytomorphology, flow cytometry and cytogenetics in parallel from 08/2005 to 11/2014 which 1) did not reveal a definite diagnosis of MDS by cytomorphology, 2) had a normal karyotype and 3) had at least one follow-up bone marrow assessment. By cytomorphology, 159 (49%) cases had borderline dysplastic findings while 163 (51%) had no sign of MDS. By flow cytometry, 138 (43%) cases had findings in agreement with MDS according to ELN criteria (Westers et al., Leukemia 2012; at least three aberrantly expressed antigens), 141 (44%) had borderline findings (one or two aberrantly expressed antigens) and 43 (13%) had no signs of MDS. A total of 699 follow-up samples were analyzed (median 2/patient). The median follow-up amounted to 3.0 years. In 147/322 patients (46%) screening for molecular mutations was performed on the initial samples, respectively, targeting a total of 20 genes (median 4 genes/patient, range 1-20). Analyzed genes were ASXL1, TET2, RUNX1, SRSF2, BCOR, DNMT3A, IDH2, NPM1, SF3B1, TP53, ZRSR2, CBL, CSF3R, ETV6, KDM6A, KRAS, MLL, SETBP1, SMC3 and U2AF1. Results: A total of 145 patients (45%) were diagnosed with MDS by cytomorphology during follow-up. The median duration until diagnosis amounted to 3.4 years. Regarding initial cytomorphology, more cases with borderline dysplastic findings were diagnosed MDS at follow-up than those without any dysplastic findings (82/159 (52%) vs 63/163 (39%), p=0.025). However, the duration until diagnosis of MDS did not differ significantly between the two groups (median 2.6 vs 3.4 years). Regarding initial flow cytometry, more cases with findings in agreement with MDS were diagnosed MDS by cytomorphology at follow-up than those without (80/138 (58%) vs 65/184 (35%), p<0.001) while there was no difference between cases with one or two aberrantly expressed antigens at initial assessment vs those with none (51/141 (36%) vs 14/43 (33%), n.s.). The duration until diagnosis of MDS significantly differed between the groups as defined by flow cytometry and was shortest in cases in agreement with MDS at initial assessment and longest in those without any aberrantly expressed antigen (median 1.9 vs 4.1 vs 5.6 years, p<0.001). Overall survival (OS) for all cases was 80% at 5 years. While initial cytomorphologic results revealed no impact on OS, patients with an initial flow cytometric result in agreement with MDS tended to have a shorter OS (5 year OS 70% vs 88%, p=0.12). Molecular screening revealed mutations in 21/147 patients (14%) at initial assessment. Mutated genes included ASXL1 (mutated in 6 patients), TET2 (6), RUNX1 (3), SRSF2 (3), as well as 2 cases each for BCOR, DNMT3A, IDH2, NPM1, SF3B1, TP53 and ZRSR2 and 1 case each for CBL, CSF3R, ETV6, KDM6A, KRAS, MLL, SETBP1, SMC3 and U2AF1. The percentage of patients with at least one mutation did not differ between cases with borderline dysplastic findings by cytomorphology as compared to those without any dysplastic findings. In contrast, significantly more cases with findings in agreement with MDS by flow cytometry had at least one mutation as compared to those with one or two aberrantly expressed antigens as well as to those with none (15/71 (21%) vs 6/58 (10%) vs 0/18, p=0.012). Conclusions: This data strongly supports the need to define the role of flow cytometry in the diagnostic work-up in suspected MDS and argues for an integrated approach with cytomorphology and cytogenetics. Implementation also of molecular data on mutations may further improve the validity of MDS diagnostics. Disclosures Kern: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Meggendorfer:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schnittger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 2389-2389
Author(s):  
Sonja Althammer ◽  
Andreia de Albuquerque ◽  
Niroshan Nadarajah ◽  
Manja Meggendorfer ◽  
Susanne Schnittger ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the karyotype and the molecular mutation profile are the strongest parameters for classification and prognostication. Yet, diagnostic analyses rely on chromosome analysis and sequencing of a constantly growing number of genes. Aim: To evaluate whether whole exome sequencing (WES) can reliably identify copy number states and molecular mutations in a single-step procedure. Patients and Methods: The cohort included 24 AML with an aberrant karyotype at initial diagnosis (ID) who achieved cytogenetic remission (CR) after chemotherapy. Patients showed complex karyotype (n=6), 11q23/MLL-rearrangement (n=4), t(15;17)(q24;q21) (n=4), inv(16)(p13q22) (n=4), t(8;21)(q22;q22) (n=3), and 3q26/EVI1-rearrangement (n=3). For WES DNA was extracted from bone marrow and treated with the TruSeq Exome enrichment kit targeting 201,071 exons. 2x100 bp paired-end sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq machine (Illumina, San Diego, CA) at Fasteris (Geneva, Switzerland). After mapping the sequenced reads with Burrows-Wheeler Aligner [Li&Durbin, Bioinformatics, 2009], variants where called with GATK [McKenna et al., Genome Res., 2010] and copy number variations (CNV) were detected by Excavator [Magi et al., 2013, Genome Biol.]. For validation of the detected variants, 21 leukemia related genes were screened by amplicon sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, or Roche 454, Branford, CT). Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) using 12x270K microarrays (Roche NimbleGen, Madison, WI) or 4 x 180K microarray slides (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA) was performed on all samples. We called CNV using default settings as well as fixed thresholds on the probe medians (0.3 for gains and -0.5 for losses on probe medians and at least 10 probes per segment). Results: The targeted regions were covered by 86 reads on average, while 90% of the bases were covered by at least 15 reads. By comparing ID and CR we detected an average of 15 somatic single nucleotide variants and short indels per patient (range 4-25), affecting 303 genes in total, including genes involved in leukemogenesis. After excluding polymorphisms we screened the mutated genes for recurrence among all cases. Four genes were mutated in at least 3 samples: WT1 (n=5), TP53 (n=4), NRAS (n=3) and TNS1 (n=3). Fourteen genes were mutated in 2 samples: ASXL2, DSCAM, GATA2, IDH2, KIT, OR4C5, POU4F1, LOC93432, RPTOR, SMC1A, SYNE2, TET2, TTN and USP9X. Mutations in OR4C5, LOC93432, SYNE2, TTN and USP9X have not been associated with AML yet. They were rated as damaging according to the SIFT algorithm [Ng and Henikoff, Genome Res., 2003]. In a prior diagnostic work-up 21 different genes had been screened and revealed 16 mutations affecting 7 genes. WES identified 14 mutations correctly (the 2 remaining mutations were covered by reads only insufficiently) and did not call any mutation in genes classified as negative in the routine diagnostic work-up. We further compared CNV derived from WES and aCGH in all 24 patients. Gains and losses detected by aCGH involved 2.65 and 1.40 billion bp, respectively. 96% of bp involved in these CNV were also detected by WES. Of the regions in which WES could not reproduce CNV calls, 15% did not contain exons. WES called gains and losses covering in total 2.56 and 1.47 billion bp, respectively. With aCGH we detected 98% of the gains and 86% of the losses. Regions missed by aCGH did show concordant signal that did not pass the fixed thresholds. However, while relaxing the thresholds to default settings, aCGH reproduces 99% of the WES results. Thus, an excellent concordance was observed (R = 0.99, p < 2.2e-16). We further analysed 19 cytogenetically balanced rearrangements that caused 42 breakpoints in affected chromosomes in 17 patients. As most breakpoints occur in non-coding regions, WES in general is limited in detecting these balanced rearrangements. However, short CNV were detected by WES in 10 cases and confirmed by aCGH. Conclusion: WES was capable of delineating molecular mutation profiles and of robustly detecting copy number states in AML at diagnosis. We suggest that WES in combination with multiplex RT-PCR-based techniques for the detection of recurrent fusion transcripts is a promising approach for a future diagnostic work-up for AML classification and prognostication. This project has been funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n. 306242. Disclosures Althammer: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding. de Albuquerque:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding. Nadarajah:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding. Meggendorfer:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding. Schnittger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding. Kern:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership; Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013): Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2758-2758
Author(s):  
Claudia Haferlach ◽  
Susanne Schnittger ◽  
Wolfgang Kern ◽  
Torsten Haferlach

Abstract Abstract 2758 Introduction: The ETV6 gene (formerly TEL) is located in the chromosomal band 12p13 and is a frequent target of deletions and chromosomal translocations in both myeloid and lymphoid leukemias. In ALL the most frequent partner gene of ETV6 is RUNX1. ALL with ETV6-RUNX1 fusions are observed in 20% of childhood ALL and are associated with favorable outcome. In contrast ETV6 rearrangements are less frequent and not well described in myeloid malignancies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze ETV6 rearrangements in myeloid malignancies with respect to frequency, partner genes and impact on prognosis. Patients/Methods: 55 cases with ETV6 rearrangements were identified in a total cohort of 9,550 cases (0.5%) with myeloid malignancies (de novo AML: n=3,090, s-AML: 486, t-AML: 222, MDS: n=3,375, MDS/MPN overlap: n=210, CMML: n=447, MPN: n=1,720) which had been sent to our laboratory between 08/2005 and 07/2010 for diagnostic work-up. In all cases chromosome banding analysis was performed and in cases with abnormalities involving 12p13 FISH was carried out in addition to verify the ETV6 rearrangement. Results: ETV6 rearrangements were observed in 31 patients with de novo AML (1.0% of investigated cases), 8 with s-AML (1.7%), 5 with t-AML (2.3%), 6 with MDS (0.2%) and 5 with MPN (0.3%). No ETV6 rearrangements were detected in the cohorts of MDS/MPN or CMML. ETV6 rearrangements were significantly more frequent in s-AML and t-AML as compared to de novo AML (p<0.001). Median age in AML was 59.9 years. In 15 cases with de novo AML FAB-subtypes were available: M0: n=8, M1: n=4, M2: n=1, M4: n=1, and M7: n=1. Thus, ETV6 rearrangements are closely related to immature AML subtypes. In 25/55 cases (45.5%) the ETV6 rearrangement was the sole abnormality. Recurrent additional abnormalities were 7q-/-7 in 10 cases and del(5q) in 8 cases. 36 different partners of ETV6 were observed, recurrent partners were located on 3q26 (EVI1, n=11), 5q33 (PDGFRB, n=4), 22q12 (n=3), 2q31 (n=2), 5q31 (ACSL6, n=2), 12p12 (n=2), 17q11 (n=2). Molecular analysis was performed in addition in AML with ETV6 rearrangements for mutations in NPM1 (n=26 investigated), FLT3-ITD (n=33), FLT3-TKD (n=11), MLL-PTD (n=25) and RUNX1 (n=7). NPM1-mutations were observed in 5 cases (19.2%), FLT3-ITD in 3 cases (9.1%), FLT3-TKD in 2 cases (18.2%), MLL-PTD in 1 case (4%) and RUNX1 mutations in 4 cases (57.1%), respectively. Clinical follow-up data was available of 47 cases. No differences in overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were observed in cases with ETV6 rearrangement whether or not additional cytogenetic abnormalities or 7q-/-7 or del(5q) were present. Next 30 de novo AML with ETV6 rearrangement were compared to 819 AML without ETV6 rearrangement. Based on cytogenetics cases were assigned into 9 subgroups: 1) t(15;17)(q22;q21), n=48; 2) t(8;21)(q22;q22), n=29; 3) inv(16)(p13q22)/t(16;16)(p13;q22), n=19; 4) 11q23/MLL abnormalities, n=28; 5) inv(3)(q21q26)/t(3;3)(q21;q26), n=6; 6) normal karyotype, n=424; 7) complex karyotype, n=71; 8) other abnormalities, n=194 and 9) ETV6 rearrangements, n=30. Median OS was not reached for groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 and was 10.6 mo, 11.8 mo, 32.2 and 26.3 mo for groups 5, 7, 8, and 9 respectively. OS at 2 yrs was 95.6%, 96.3%, 76.6%, 64.9%, 26.7%, 63.3%, 23.9%, 58.5% and 60.1% for groups 1–9, respectively. The respective data for median EFS were: not reached for groups 1 and 2 and 15.9 mo, 13.5 mo, 5.1 mo, 16.6 mo, 7.5 mo, 12.5 mo and 14.0 mo for groups 3–9, respectively. Conclusions: ETV6 rearrangements are rare in myeloid malignancies. ETV6 is rearranged with a large variety of partner genes. The highest frequency of ETV6 rearrangements was observed in s-AML and t-AML. OS and EFS of AML with ETV6 rearrangements are comparable to AML with normal karyotype. Thus, the detection of ETV6 rearrangements is associated with in intermediate prognosis. Disclosures: Haferlach: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Schnittger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kern:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (03) ◽  
pp. 197-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivar van Asten ◽  
Roger Schutgens ◽  
Rolf Urbanus

AbstractThe laboratory diagnostics of (inherited) platelet function disorders mainly comprises aggregation and secretion assays, which may be suitable for diagnosing some specific severe platelet function disorders, but are not reliable enough for diagnosing mild platelet function disorders or disorders associated with low platelet count. Flow cytometric assessment of platelet reactivity will expectedly provide additional value during the diagnostic work-up of platelet function disorders because it only requires a small volume of whole blood and allows the measurement of platelet function in thrombocytopenic samples. Flow cytometry has frequently been used to evaluate platelet function in the research setting, and therefore, these assays will require clinical validation before they can be used as routine diagnostic tools. The main challenge in the validation of innovative platelet function diagnostic tests is the lack of a gold standard test for mild platelet function disorders. This review aims to address the many applications of flow cytometry in the current diagnostic work-up of platelet function testing and to discuss the challenges in introducing new tools for diagnosing platelet function disorders.


Author(s):  
Galina Yordanova ◽  
Violeta Iotova ◽  
Kalin Kalchev ◽  
Krasimir Ivanov ◽  
Boyan Balev ◽  
...  

AbstractAdrenal oncocytoma is an extremely rare neoplasm, which is mostly non-functional. Only five cases of childhood adrenal oncocytoma have been described so far, all of which were hormonally active. Currently, guidelines for management and follow-up are not available. We report a 9-year-old girl with benign adrenal oncocytoma, presenting with severe short-term virilization. After diagnostic work-up the patient underwent laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomy. For the first 2 weeks following surgery she suffered marked mood swings, irritability and fatigue. There were no other clinical and/or laboratory abnormalities except the rapid drop-down of androgen levels to normal values. Follow-up showed no signs of recurrence and in the absence of signs of adrenal insufficiency, we speculate that, the rapid drop of androgen levels after removal of the tumor might be the reason for the deteriorated psychoemotional condition of our patient.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4327-4327
Author(s):  
James Croft ◽  
Andrew Hall ◽  
Amy L Sherborne ◽  
Katrina Walker ◽  
Sidra Ellis ◽  
...  

Background Treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains challenging as durable remissions are achieved in patient sub-groups only. Identifying patients that are likely to benefit prior to or early after starting relapse treatments remains an unmet need. MUKseven is a trial specifically designed to investigate and validate biomarkers for treatment optimization in a 'real-world' RRMM population. Design In the randomized multi-center phase 2 MUKseven trial, RRMM patients (≥2 prior lines of therapy, exposed to proteasome inhibitor and lenalidomide) were randomized 1:1 to cyclophosphamide (500 mg po d1, 8, 15), pomalidomide (4 mg days 1-21) and dexamethasone (40 mg; if ≥75 years 20 mg; d1, 8, 15, 21) (CPomD) or PomD and treated until progression. All patients were asked to undergo bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) bio-sampling at baseline, cycle 1 day 14 (C1D14, on-treatment) and relapse. For biomarker discovery and validation, IGH translocations were profiled by qRT-PCR, copy number aberrations by digital MLPA (probemix D006; MRC Holland), GEP by U133plus2.0 array (Affymetrix), PD protein markers by IHC and PB T-cell subsets by flow cytometry for all patients with sufficient material. Primary endpoint was PFS, secondary endpoints included response, OS, safety/toxicity and biomarker validation. Original planned sample size was 250 patients but due to a change in UK standard of care during recruitment with pomalidomide becoming available, a decision was made to stop recruitment early. Results In total, 102 RRMM patients were randomized 1:1 between March 2016 and February 2018. Trial entry criteria were designed to include a real-world RRMM population, permitting transfusions and growth factor support. Median age at randomization was 69 years (range 42-88), 28% of patients had received ≥5 prior lines of therapy (median: 3). Median follow-up for this analysis was 13.4 months (95% CI: 12.0-17.5). 16 patients remained on trial at time of analysis (median number of cycles: 19.5; range 8-28). More patients achieved ≥PR with CPomD compared to PomD: 70.6% (95% CI: 56.2-82.5%) vs. 47.1% (CI: 32.9-61.5%) (P=0.006). Median PFS was 6.9 months (CI: 5.7-10.4) for CPomD vs. 4.6 months (CI: 3.5-7.4) for PomD, which was not significantly different as per pre-defined criteria. Follow-up for OS is ongoing and will be presented at the conference. High-risk genetic aberrations were found at following frequencies: t(4;14): 6%, t(14;16)/t(14;20): 2%, gain(1q): 45%, del(17p): 13%. Non-high risk lesions were present as follows: t(11;14): 22%, hyperdiploidy: 44%. Complete information on all high-risk genetic markers was available for 71/102 patients, of whom 12.7% had double-hit high-risk (≥2 adverse lesions), 46.5% single-hit high-risk (1 adverse lesion) and 40.8% no risk markers, as per our recent meta-analysis in NDMM (Shah V, et al., Leukemia 2018). Median PFS was significantly shorter for double-hit: 3.4 months (CI: 1.0-4.9) vs. single-hit: 5.8 months (CI: 3.7-9.0) or no hit: 14.1 months (CI: 6.9-17.3) (P=0.005) (Figure 1A). GEP was available for 48 patients and the EMC92 high-risk signature, present in 19% of tumors, was associated with significantly shorter PFS: 3.4 months (CI: 2.0-5.7) vs. 7.4 (CI: 3.9-15.1) for EMC92 standard risk (P=0.037). Pharmacodynamic (PD) profiling of cereblon and CRL4CRBN ubiquitination targets (including Aiolos, ZFP91) in BM clots collected at baseline and C1D14 is currently ongoing. Preliminary results for the first 10 patients demonstrate differential change of nuclear Aiolos (Figure 1C), with a major decrease in Aiolos H-scores in 7/10 patients from baseline to C1D14 and reconstitution at relapse. T-cell PB sub-sets were profiled at baseline and C1D14 by flow cytometry. Specific sub-sets increased with therapy from baseline to C1D14, e.g. activated (HLA-DR+) CD4+ T-cells, as reported at last ASH. CD4+ T-cell % at baseline was associated with shorter PFS in these analyses in a multi-variable Cox regression model (P=0.005). PD and T-cell biomarker results will be updated and integrated with molecular tumor characteristics and outcome. Discussion Our results demonstrate that molecular markers validated for NDMM predict treatment outcomes in RRMM, opening the potential for stratified delivery of novel treatment approaches for patients with a particularly high unmet need. Additional immunologic and PD biomarkers are currently being explored. Disclosures Croft: Celgene: Other: Travel expenses. Hall:Celgene, Amgen, Janssen, Karyopharm: Other: Research funding to Institution. Walker:Janssen, Celgene: Other: Research funding to Institution. Pawlyn:Amgen, Janssen, Celgene, Takeda: Other: Travel expenses; Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Oncopeptides: Honoraria; Amgen, Celgene, Takeda: Consultancy. Flanagan:Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Karyopharm: Other: Research funding to Institution. Garg:Janssen, Takeda, Novartis: Other: Travel expenses; Novartis, Janssen: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Couto:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Wang:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Boyd:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Pierceall:Celgene: Employment. Thakurta:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Cook:Celgene, Janssen-Cilag, Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen, Takeda, Sanofi, Karyopharm, Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squib, GlycoMimetics, Seattle Genetics, Sanofi: Honoraria. Brown:Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Karyopharm: Other: Research funding to Institution. Kaiser:Takeda, Janssen, Celgene, Amgen: Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses; Celgene, Janssen: Research Funding; Abbvie, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen, Amgen, Abbvie, Karyopharm: Consultancy.


1987 ◽  
Vol 26 (02) ◽  
pp. 79-82
Author(s):  
H. Maier ◽  
H. Bihl

ln a prospective study (59 patients) the pattern of 67Ga-uptake of the large salivary glands (LSG) in the course of typical disorders of the glands was investigated. Inflammatory and granulomatous disorders revealed - dependent on their acuity - an identical pattern of Ga-uptake. Extraglandular uptake was found in some instances of tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and myoepithelial sialadenitis. Among the benign LSG tumors all cystadeno- lymphomas showed intensive uptake while all pleomorphic adenomas did not. In 75% of the malignant LSG tumors Ga-uptake was pathologically increased, particularly in all adenocarcinomas of the series. 67Ga scintigraphy seems to be useful in the follow-up of inflammatory and granulomatous LSG disorders and in the differential diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma versus cystadenolymphoma. Extraglandular uptake may give valuable hints for diagnostic work-up.


VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Czihal ◽  
Christian Lottspeich ◽  
Ulrich Hoffmann

Abstract. Nowadays noninvasive vascular imaging has an important role in the diagnostic work-up of the large vessel vasculitides (LVV), most importantly giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis. Among the imaging modalities available, ultrasound (US) has several important advantages, including low costs, rapid and repetitive availability without exposure to radiation, and high spatial resolution for assessment of large and medium-sized arteries. Therefore, US can be regarded the first line imaging method in suspected LVV. In patients with suspected GCA, US can replace temporal artery biopsy in certain clinical scenarios, and the application of US early in the diagnostic work-up of suspected GCA in specialized fast track clinics has been suggested to reduce the rate of visual ischaemic complications and associated costs. In other LVV such as Takayasu arteritis and chronic periaortitis, the diagnostic accuracy in comparison to other noninvasive imaging methods has not been formally tested but can be considered to be excellent. However, quality of US is highly dependent on the operator’s experience, and assessment of the thoracic aorta which is frequently involved in GCA and TA is limited. The role of US in the follow-up of LVV under treatment is unclear. In view of the promising data supporting its value on the one hand and several uncertainties and controversies on the other hand, the present review article provides a comprehensive overview on current evidence for the application of US in the diagnosis and follow up of LVV. Recent multicentre study results and emerging trends such as the application of compression sonography in the diagnosis of GCA and the use of contrast enhanced ultrasound in disease activity assessment in Takayasu arteritis are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5061-5061
Author(s):  
Anne Sofie Friberg ◽  
Klaus Brasso ◽  
Elisabeth Wreford Andersen ◽  
Signe Benzon Larsen ◽  
John Thomas Helgstrand ◽  
...  

5061 Background: Little is known about the psychological impact of undergoing evaluation for prostate cancer (PCa). We investigated the risk of developing a depression following PCa work-up with benign and malignant findings, respectively, compared with cancer-free men. Methods: A nationwide cohort of men who underwent prostate needle biopsies in Denmark from 1997–2011 was identified through the Danish Prostate Cancer Registry. Primary outcome was indication of moderate to severe depression defined as hospital contact for depression or first redemption of a prescribed antidepressant. For comparison, we selected a minimum of five age-matched cancer-free men per man who had undergone PCa specific diagnostic work-up. We excluded men with other cancer, major psychiatric disorder or use of antidepressants up to three years before study entry. Information on outcome and covariates (age, period, cohabitation status, income quintile and comorbidity) were retrieved from National Danish registries. We illustrated the risk of depression by cumulative incidence functions. Data were analyzed using Cox models adjusted for possible confounders. Results: We identified 54,766 men who underwent work-up including transrectal biopsies of the prostate, among these, 21,419 biopsy sets were benign and 33,347 men were diagnosed with PCa. We found an increasing cumulative incidence of depression in all groups. However, men diagnosed with PCa had a significantly higher risk throughout up to 18 years of follow-up. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of depression in men diagnosed with PCa was increased throughout follow-up with the highest risk in the two years following diagnosis (HR 2.77, 95% CI 2.66–2.87). After undergoing biopsies, men with benign results had an increased risk of depression (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.14–1.31) in the first two years compared with cancer-free men; hereafter, we found no difference. Conclusions: We found an increased risk of depression in men following diagnostic work-up for PCa compared with a matched background population. In men diagnosed with PCa, the risk remained increased throughout the study period. Future studies are needed to further analyze the impact of stage and treatment modalities.


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