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CHRONIC MYELOPROLIFERATIVE NEOPLASMS

M. Kazmierczak 11/2012

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CHRONIC MYELOPROLIFERATIVE NEOPLASMS (MPN)

1. Polycythemia vera

2. Chronic myeloid leukaemia

3. Essential thrombocythemia

4. Idiopathic myelofibrosis

5.Chronic neutrophilic leukemia

6. Chronic eosinophilic leukemia/hypereosinophilic syndrome

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CHRONIC MYELOPROLIFERATIVE NEOPLASMS (MPN)

MPN are clonal diseases originating in pluripotential haematopoietic stem cell. The clonal expansion results in increased and abnormal haematopoiesis and produces a group of interrelated syndromes, classified according to the predominant phenotypic expression of the myeloproliferative clone.

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ERYTHROCYTOSIS (Classification)(1)

I. Absolute erythrocytosis (Polycythemia):A. Secondary erythrocytosis (abnormal increase of serum erythropoietin level)

1. Erythrocytosis secondary to decreased tissue oxygenation:a) chronic lung diseasesb) cyanotic congenital heart diseasesc) high-altitude erythrocytosis (Monge disease)d) hypoventilation syndromes (Sleep apnoe)e) hemoglobin-oxygen dissociation abnormalities

- hemoglobinopathies associated with high oxygen affinity- carboxyhemoglobin in „smoker’s polycythemia”

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ERYTHROCYTOSIS (Classification)(2)

I. Absolute erythrocytosis (Polycythemia):

A. Secondary erythrocytosis (abnormal increase of serum erythropoietin level) 2. Secondary to aberrant erythropoietin production or response: a) Erythropoietin-producting tumors: hepatoma, uterine leiomyoma,

cerebellar hemangioblastoma, ovarian carcinoma, pheochromocytoma b) Renal diseases: renal cell carcinoma, kidney cysts and

hydronephrosis, renal transplantation. c) Androgen abuse: adrenal cortical hypersecretion, exogenous androgens

B. Primery erythrocytosis1. Polycythemia vera2. Familial erythrocytosis

II. Relative erythrocytosis (pseudopolycythemia):1. Hemoconcentration2. Spurious polycythemia (Gaisboek syndrome)

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POLYCYTHEMIA VERA (PV)

Patogenesis

PV is a clonal disorder involving the hematopoietic stem cells; it leads to an autonomous proliferation of the erythroid, myeloid, and megakaryocytic cell lines. Increased erythroid proliferation is usually more prominent than that of the other cell lines and occurs independently of erythropoietin levels (which are usually very low in PV)

Epidemiology

The incidence rate of PV is approximately 2 per 100.000 population.

PV is slightly more prevalent in males with male/female ratio ranging from 1,2 to 2:1. Median age at diagnosis was 60 years in men and 62 years in women.

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POLYCYTHEMIA VERA symptoms

1. Erythrocytosis and hyperviscosity, leading to impaired oxygen delivery:

• Poor CNS circulation: headaches, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus and visual disturbances

• Poor coronary circulation: angina pectoris

• Peripheral circulation intermittent claudication2. Venous thrombosis or thromboembolism3. Hemorrhage: epistaxis, gingival bleeding, ecchymoses, gastrointestinal

bleeding4. Abdominal pain secondary to peptic ulcer5. Early satiety due to splenomegaly6. Pruritus is secondary to increased histamine release from the basophils and

mast cells

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POLYCYTHEMIA VERA physical examination

1. Splenomegaly – is present in 75% of patients at the time of diagnosis.

2. Hepatomegaly - is present in approximately 30% of patients at the time of diagnosis.

3. Hypertension

4. On examination of the eye grounds, the vessels may be engorged, tortuous, and irregular in diameter; the veins may be dark purple.( fundus policythaemicus)

• Facial plethora

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WHO criteria for polycythemia vera (2008)

Major criteria1. Hemoglobin 18.5 g/dL in men, 16.5 g/dL in women or other

evidence ofincreased red cell volume*2. Presence of JAK2617VF or other functionally similar mutation

such as JAK2exon 12 mutationMinor criteria1. Bone marrow biopsy showing hypercellularity for age with

trilineage growth(panmyelosis) with prominent erythroid, granulocytic, and

megakaryocyticproliferation2. Serum erythropoietin level below the reference range for normal3. Endogenous erythroid colony formation in vitro

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Diagnosis requires the presence of both major criteria and 1minor criterion or the presence of the first major criterion together with 2 minor criteria.

* Hemoglobin or hematocrit greater than 99th percentile of method-specific reference range for age, sex, altitude of residence or hemoglobin greater than 17 g/dL in men, 15 g/dL in women if associated with a documented and sustained increase of at least 2 g/dL from an individual’s baseline value that can not be attributed to correction of iron deficiency, or elevated red cell mass greater than 25% above mean normal predicted value

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Risk stratification in essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera

Low risk

Age<60 yr,

No history of thrombosis,

Platelet count<1,0 milion/μL, and

No cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, obesity)

High risk

Age≥60 yr or

A previous history of thrombosis

Intermediate risk

Neither high risk nor low risk

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POLYCYTHEMIA VERA -therapy (1)I. Patients under the age of 50 with no history of thrombosis and without severe

thrombocytosis (greater than 1000G/L)-phlebotomy alone - initially 450-500 ml phlebotomy every other day until the hematocrit is less than 45% (M), 42% (F)- older patients or these with underlying cardiovascular disase should undergo smaller phlebotomies 200-300mL twice weekly or 100-150mL every day until Ht<45% - subsequently, Ht should be mainted between 42-46%- fluid replacement so that the patients remains isovolemic

II. Patients over the age of 70, or with history of thrombosis and with severe thrombocytosis (greater than 1000G/L)-myelosuppresive agent - Hydroxyurea 15-30mg/kg

III. Patients 50-70 years with no history of thrombosis and without severe thrombocytosis (greater than 1000G/L) individualize therapy I or II

Aspirin 75mg/d unless contrindicated

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POLYCYTHEMIA VERA - therapy (2)

IV. Antiplatelets agents

• Aspirin initially 150-300mg/d, maintence therapy 75-100 mg

• Ticlopidine 2x1

• Dipyridamol

• Anagrelide 2-2,5 mg/d

V. Other modalities1. Radioactive phosphorus (in older than 75 years)2. Busulfan – intermittent low dose (in older than 75 years)3. Interferon alpha 3 million units 3 times weekly (<40 years)

POLYCYTHEMIA VERA - supportive care 

Severe itching (pruritus) — antihistamines, H2-receptor blockers, serotonin

reuptake inhibitors, interferon alpha, and in resistant cases, myelosuppression.

Hyperuricemia — allopurinol 300mg/day

Erythromelalgia (a burning pain in the feet or hands accompanied by erythema,

pallor or cyanosis) — low-dose aspirin (Grade 1C). Erythromelalgia

unresponsive to treatment with low-dose aspirin should be treated with

myelosuppression.

Bleeding — Extraneous causes for bleeding (eg, use of high-dose aspirin,

antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants) should be stopped. Patients should be

evaluated for acquired von Willebrand disease and treated accordingly.

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POLYCYTHEMIA VERA -prognosis

• Untreated patients– the median survival ranges from 1-3 years

• Patients treated with phlebotomy or/and hydroxyurea

- median survival is 13,9 years

• Patients treated with 32P

- median survival is 11,8 years

The frequency of acute leukemia (%): – Patients treated with phlebotomy 1,5 %

– Patients treated with 32P 9,6%

The frequency of myelofibrosis (%):– Patients treated with phlebotomy 8,6 %

– Patients treated with 32P 7,7%

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Myelofibrosis=agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (primary myelofibrosis, osteomyelofibrosis, idiopathic myelofibrosis,

myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia )

Myelofibrosis is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms with clonal hematopoesis and secondary(non-clonal) hyperproliferation of fibroblasts (stimulated by PDGF, EGF, TGF- released from myeloid cells, mainly from neoplastic megakaryocytes) with increased collagen synthesis. It produces bone marrow fibrosis and to extramedullary hematopoesis in the spleen or in multiple organs.

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MYELOFIBROSIS

• The incidence of Myelofibrosis is about 0,5/100.000. The median age at diagnosis was approximately 65 years.

• Common complaints: fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, bone pain, abdominal pain, fever

• Physical findings: splenomegaly (often huge), hepatomegaly (in about 50% of patients), symptoms of anaemia and thrombocytopenia

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MYELOFIBROSIS- laboratory findings (1)

• Anemia - Hb<10g/dL in 60% of patients

• Leukocytosis with counts generally below 50G/L (in about 50%), leukopenia (in about 25% at the time of diagnosis)

• thrombocytosis in 50% at the time of diagnosis, with disease progression thrombocytopenia becomes common

• eosinophilia and basophilia may be present

• retikulocytosis

• LAP score is usually elevaatedd

• Increased level of lactate dehydrogenase

• uric acid level is increased in most patients

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MYELOFIBROSIS- laboratory findings(2)

• Peripheral blood smear: anisocytosis and poikilocytosis with the presence of teardrop-shaped and nucleated red cells, immature neutrophils but myeloblasts not always

• Aspiration of bone marrow is usually ansuccessful (dry tap).

Smears from successful aspirates usually show neutrophilic and megakaryocytic hyperplasia

• Trephine biopsy often shows a hypercellular marrow with increased reticulin fibers and variable collagen deposition . Increased numbers of megakaryocytes are frequently seen.

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WHO criteria for primary myelofibrosis(2008)

Major criteria1. Presence of megakaryocyte proliferation and atypia,* usually

accompanied by either reticulin and/or collagen fibrosis, or, in the absence of significant reticulin fibrosis, the megakaryocyte changes must be accompanied by an increased bone marrow cellularity characterized by granulocytic proliferation and often decreased erythropoiesis (ie, prefibrotic cellular-phase disease)

2. Not meeting WHO criteria for PV,† CML,‡ MDS,§ or other myeloid neoplasm

3. Demonstration of JAK2617VF or other clonal marker (eg, MPL515WL/K), or in the absence of a clonal marker, no evidence of bone marrow fibrosis due

to underlying inflammatory or other neoplastic diseases¶

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WHO criteria for primary myelofibrosis(2008)

Minor criteria1. Leukoerythroblastosis

2. Increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase level

3. Anemia

4. Palpable splenomegaly

Diagnosis requires meeting all 3 major criteria and 2 minor criteria.

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WHO criteria for primary myelofibrosis(2008)

* Small to large megakaryocytes with an aberrant nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and hyperchromatic, bulbous, or irregularly folded nuclei and dense clustering.† Requires the failure of iron replacement therapy to increase hemoglobin level to the polycythemia vera range in the presence of decreased serum ferritin.

Exclusion of polycythemia vera is based on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Red cell mass measurement is not required.

‡ Requires the absence of BCR-ABL.§ Requires the absence of dyserythropoiesis and dysgranulopoiesis.¶ Secondary to infection, autoimmune disorder or other chronic inflammatory condition, hairy cell leukemia or other lymphoid neoplasm, metastatic

malignancy, or toxic (chronic) myelopathies. It should be noted that patients with conditions associated with reactive myelofibrosis are not immune to primary myelofibrosis and the diagnosis should be considered in such cases if other criteria are met. Degree of abnormality could be borderline or marked.

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Dynamic IPSS :

· Age >65 years: 1 point · Leukocyte count >25,000/microL: 1 point · Hemoglobin <10 g/dL: 2 points · Circulating blast cells ≥1 percent: 1 point · Presence of constitutional symptoms: 1 point

Subjects with zero, one to two, three to four, or 5 to 6 points were considered low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2, or high risk, respectively.

DIPSS Plus — IPSS-independent prognostic factors for survival in PMF have been identified, such as unfavorable karyotype (complex karyotype or sole or two abnormalities that include +8, -7/7q-, i(17q), -5/5q-, 12p-, inv(3), or 11q23 rearrangements), red cell transfusion need, and thrombocytopenia

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MYELOFIBROSIS - therapy (1)

1. Androgens(oxymetholone 2-4mg/kg) in anemia from decreased red cell production -overall response is about 40%

2. Cortykosteroids(prednisone 1mg/kg) in anemia with shortened red cell life-span-response in 25-50% of patients

3. Hydroxyurea (15- 20mg/kg) for the control of leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, or organomegaly

4. Allopurinol-to prevent hyperuricaemia

5. Transfusions of packed red cells for anemia or platelets for thrombocytopenia with bleeding

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MYELOFIBROSIS - therapy (2)

6. Splenectomy should be considered for: portal hypertension, painful splenomegaly, refractory anemia and thrombocytopenia, or exccessive transfusion requirement. However,the procedere is hazardous (an operative mortality is up to 38%).

7. Splenic irradiation: when there is a contrindication to splenectomy

8. Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation: for young patients who have a poor prognosis and have a suitable donor identified.

9. Other: Interferon-, antifibrotic and antiangiogenic drugs (anagrelide, suramin, pirfenidone, thalidomide, imatinib, lenalidomide, JAK2 inhibitors (Ruxolitinib)

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MYELOFIBROSIS- prognosis

- a median survival of 3,5 to 5,5 years

- the principal causes of death are infections, thrombohemorrhagic events, heart failure, and leukemic transformation

- leukemic transformation occurs in approximately 20% of patients during first 10 years

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ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA (ET)

ET is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasms characterized by bone marrow hyperplasia with excessive proliferation of megakaryocytes and sustained elevation of the platelet count.

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ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA clinical picture

1. Thrombotic complications (intermittent or permanent

occlusion of small blood vessels)

• transient cerebral and ocular ischemic episodes that may

progress to infarction

• peripheral arterial occlusive disease associated with

„erythromelalgia”(intermittent, painful errythema and

cyanosis of the fingers and toes

2. Hemorrhagic complications bleeding after surgery and spontaneus upper gastrointestinal bleeding (the

hemorrhagic tendency is worsened if nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

agent are administered)

3. Splenomegaly - 20-50% patients

4. Hepatomegaly - rarely

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ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA laboratory findings

•Thrombocytosis (in most patients patients>1000 G/l)

•Numerous thrombocyte aggregates in peripheral blood smear

•Leukocytosis, usually less than 20G/l

•Neutrophilia and a mild shift to the left (usually to metamyelocyte)

•Slight eosinophilia and basophilia

• Marked hyperplasia of the megakaryocytes in the bone marrow

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WHO criteria for essentialthrombocythemia (ET; 2008)

1. Sustained platelet count 450 109/L*

2. Bone marrow biopsy specimen showing proliferation mainly of themegakaryocytic lineage with increased numbers of enlarged, maturemegakaryocytes; no significant increase or left-shift of neutrophil granulopoiesis or erythropoiesis

3. Not meeting WHO criteria for PV,† PMF,‡ CML,§ MDS,¶ or other myeloid neoplasm

4. Demonstration of JAK2617VF or other clonal marker, or in the absence of a clonal marker, no evidence for reactive thrombocytosis

Diagnosis requires meeting all 4 criteria.

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WHO criteria for essentialthrombocythemia (ET; 2008)

* During the work-up period.† Requires the failure of iron replacement therapy to increase hemoglobin levelto the PV range in the presence of decreased serum ferritin. Exclusion of PV is basedon hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and red cell mass measurement is notrequired.‡ Requires the absence of relevant reticulin fibrosis, collagen fibrosis, peripheralblood leukoerythroblastosis, or markedly hypercellular marrow for age accompaniedby megakaryocyte morphology that is typical for PMF small to large with anaberrant nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and hyperchromatic, bulbous or irregularly foldednuclei and dense clustering.§ Requires the absence of BCR-ABL.¶ Requires absence of dyserythropoiesis and dysgranulopoiesis.Causes of reactive thrombocytosis include iron deficiency, splenectomy, surgery,infection, inflammation, connective tissue disease, metastatic cancer, and Lymphoproliferative disorders. However, the presence of a condition associated with reactive thrombocytosis does not exclude the possibility of ET if the first three criteria are met.

International Prognostic Score for Essential thrombocythemia (IPSET):

- age ≥60: 2 points;

- white blood cell count ≥11,000/microL: 1 point;

- history of thrombosis: 1 point.

Median survivals were as follows:Low risk (total score zero): not reached

Intermediate risk (total score 1 or 2): 24.5 years

High risk (total score 3 or 4): 13.8 years

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Risk stratification in essential thrombocythemia

Low riskAge<60 yr,No history of thrombosis,Platelet count<1,0 milion/μL, andNo cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, obesity)

High riskAge≥60 yr orA previous history of thrombosis

Intermediate riskNeither high risk nor low risk

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ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA -therapyLow risk: No treatment or low-dose aspirin (Grade 2C)

Intermediate risk: low-dose aspirin + no consensus on treatment

High risk: platelet-lowering agents (··Grade 1B). Current initial regimen of choice is hydroxyurea in combination with low dose aspirin. High-risk pregnant patient with ET: interferon (Grade 2C).

In the presence of vasomotor symptoms or general indications for aspirin use (eg, presence of cardiovascular risk factors) and in the absence of acquired von Willebrand disease (··Grade 2C): low-dose aspirin (eg, ≤100 mg/day PO)

Patients with ET should be advised to discontinue smoking and control obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors, if present.