Abstract
Simple SummaryThe prognostic role of multi-lineage dysplasia is still debated in acute myeloid leukemia. The aim of our work was to study dysplasia by a technique alternative to the conventional morphological method, which is multi-parameter flow cytometry. To this end, we used an immune-phenotypic score (IPS), able to estimate dysplasia by the extent of deviation from normal profile, obtained in a control group. IPS provided no insight into prognosis when considered overall nor within well-defined genetic categories. Of interest, IPS-related dysplasia conveyed significant prognostic information when we focused on genetically undefined patients, triple-negative for NPM1, FLT3 and CEBPA. This category still represents a non-negligible fraction of patients, that lack specific molecular features either for targeted drugs or for proper risk assessment. In this context, our data could help address the relative unmet needs in treatment strategy, and provide insight into response prediction in the rapidly evolving therapeutic scenario of AML.Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) “with myelodysplasia-related changes (MRC)” is considered a separate entity by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms. While anamnestic and cytogenetic criteria provide objective attribution to this subset, with clear unfavorable prognostic significance, the actual role of multi-lineage dysplasia (MLD) as assessed by morphology is debated. The aim of our work was to study MLD by a technique alternative to morphology, which is multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC), in a large series of 302 AML patients intensively treated at our Center. The correlation with morphology we observed in the unselected analysis reiterated the capability of the MFC-based approach at highlighting dysplasia. MLD data, estimated through an immune-phenotypic score (IPS), provided no insight into prognosis when considered overall nor within well-defined genetic categories. Of interest, IPS-related dysplasia conveyed significant prognostic information when we focused on genetically undefined patients, triple-negative for NPM1, FLT3 and CEBPA (TN-AML). In this context, the lack of dysplastic features (IPS_0) correlated with a significantly higher CR rate and longer survival compared to patients showing dysplasia in one or both (neutrophil and erythroid) cell lineages. The impact of IPS category maintained its validity after censoring at allogeneic HSCT and in a multivariate analysis including baseline and treatment-related covariates. In a subgroup featured by the lack of genetic determinants, our data could help address the relative unmet needs in terms of risk assessment and treatment strategy, and provide insight into prediction of response in the rapidly evolving therapeutic scenario of AML.
Highlights
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) “with myelodysplasia-related changes (MRC)” is considered a separate entity by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms [1,2].The attribution to this category would point out the clonal evolution of AML from a previous myeloid disorder, a process that generally indicates an unfavorable prognosis
When evaluated after a second chemotherapy course administered to non-responsive disease (NR) patients, the Complete remission (CR) rate increased to 76.5% (n = 231/302)
An impact on prognosis emerged when we focused on genetically undefined patients, that with intermediate-risk or lack of growth karyotype, and triple-negative for NPM1, FLT3-internal tandem duplications (ITD) and means with intermediate-risk or lack of growth karyotype, and triple-negative for NPM1, FLT3-ITD
Summary
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) “with myelodysplasia-related changes (MRC)” is considered a separate entity by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms [1,2]. The attribution to this category would point out the clonal evolution of AML from a previous myeloid disorder, a process that generally indicates an unfavorable prognosis. This can rely on three different criteria: anamnestic (previous diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or myeloproliferative neoplasm); cytogenetic (presence of specific karyotype abnormalities); morphological (evidence of multilineage dysplasia (MLD)). Our rationale was that an MFC-based evaluation could get further insight into MLD’s actual significance, especially in distinct genetic subsets
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