Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia following transient myeloproliferative disorder in a patient without Down syndrome

Congenital acute myeloid leukemia: challenges and lessons. A 15-year experience from the UK

Congenital Acute Myeloid leukemia (CAML) is a rare leukemia diagnosed within the first 28 days of life. Dismal survival rates of approximately 25% at two years from diagnosis have not improved despite multiple treatment protocols, and there lacks international consensus for optimal management of these vulnerable patients. We report a retrospective analysis of our fifteen-year experience from a large UK tertiary pediatric center, focusing on treatment modalities and outcomes, including late therapeutic toxicities. To our knowledge, this is the first UK series of congenital leukemia patients reported. Twelve patients with a median age of 16.4 days (1-60) were diagnosed with CAML in fifteen years. All patients presented unwell; 92% demonstrating skin involvement. 10 (83%) received chemotherapy; with 1 death at presentation and 1 spontaneous remission. 5 (42%) received subsequent stem cell transplant. Only 4 (33%) remain alive, with 5 (42%) dying in disease remission with treatment-related mortality. Documented cardiotoxicity was observed in 3 (25%) patients, with a further 2 (17%) suspected but not receiving postmortem. Treatment of congenital AML raises challenging diagnostic, therapeutic and ethical questions and requires multi-center, international collaboration to see improvements.

Transient leukemia in a newborn without Down syndrome: case report and review of the literature

Transient neonatal leukemia occurs almost exclusively in Down syndrome babies. We report here the unusual case of a newborn without Down syndrome who presented neonatal transient leukemia and who achieved spontaneously complete remission. Trisomy 21 and GATA1 mutation were both present in leukemic cells. While close follow-up is advised since true leukemia may develop later, the patient is still in remission for 2.5 years. We performed a literature review of 15 other similar cases.

CONCLUSION

Our case of transient leukemia without Down syndrome and the literature review highlight the important role of trisomy 21 and GATA1 mutation in the development of transient neonatal leukemia.

Risk factors for early death in transient myeloproliferative disorder without phenotypic features of Down syndrome: a case report and literature review

Not only in newborns with Down syndrome, but newborns without phenotypic features of Down syndrome also develop transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD). In these cases, trisomy 21 and related chromosomal abnormalities are either constitutionally mosaic or limited to blood cells. Risk factors for early death of these patients are unknown so far. We here report a fatal case of TMD without phenotypic features of Down syndrome and review literature to identify risk factors associated with early death. Not only are gestational age and white blood cell count risk factors for early death in TMD with Down syndrome, but they also appear to be risk factors in TMD without Down syndrome.

Transient myeloproliferative disorder and GATA1 mutation in neonates with and without Down syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To report clinical experiences and cytogenetic findings of transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) in neonates with and without Down syndrome (DS).

METHODS

GATA1 gene was screened in DNA samples from neonates presenting with TMD during their leukemic and remission status.

RESULTS

Six neonates (2 phenotypically normal and 4 DS) born in the past 6 years had presented with TMD; all had trisomy 21 during leukemic status. Two DS infants died during early infancy, one of hepatic failure and one of cardiac complication. One non-DS infant evolved into myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia since 14 months old. Three other patients have not developed true leukemia after follow-up of 8, 9, and 70 months, respectively. The authors detected mutations within exon 2 of GATA1 gene in 3 DS and 2 non-DS infants. All these mutations disappeared after remission of TMD, but an identical mutation was detected in one non-DS patient when evolving into MDS. Trisomy 21 was confined to leukemic clone in non-DS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

TMD should be considered in case of congenital leukemia with megakaryoblastic features and accompanied by trisomy 21 and GATA1 mutation. Both DS and non-DS patients will possibly develop true leukemia within few years.

Transient myeloproliferative disorder in neonates with and without Down syndrome: a tale of 2 syndromes

Transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) in newborns with Down syndrome (DS) has been well described. We report 4 newborns, 2 with DS and 2 without DS, who developed TMD. One newborn with DS developed multiorgan failure and died despite treatment with low-dose cytarabine. In 3 newborns, the TMD resolved spontaneously. Two of these patients, 1 with and 1 without DS developed leukemia on subsequent follow-up and were treated successfully. We reviewed the clinical and laboratory data on 14 non-DS infants with TMD reported in the literature. According to limited data, these patients are more likely to develop leukemia than DS patients, however their outcome is better.

Transient leukemia (transient myeloproliferative disorder, transient abnormal myelopoiesis) of Down syndrome

Transient leukemia of Down syndrome (DS-TL), also known as transient myeloproliferative disorder of Down syndrome (DS) and transient abnormal myelopoiesis of DS, occurs in approximately 10% of DS neonates and in phenotypically normal neonates with trisomy 21 mosaicism. In DS-TL, peripheral blood analysis shows variable numbers of blasts and, usually, thrombocytopenia; other cytopenias are uncommon. Bone marrow characteristics of DS-TL are, likewise, variable, though (in contrast to other leukemias) the bone marrow blast differential can be lower than the peripheral blood blast differential. The blasts of DS-TL typically show light microscopic, ultrastructural, and flow cytometric evidence of megakaryocyte differentiation. DS-TL neonates have a approximately 15% risk of developing potentially fatal liver disease and show <10% incidence of hydrops fetalis. Additional manifestations of DS-TL include cutaneous involvement, hyperviscosity, myelofibrosis, cardiopulmonary failure, splenomegaly, and spleen necrosis. Despite its typical transient nature, 20% to 30% of DS-TL patients develop overt (nontransient) acute leukemia, usually within 3 years and typically of the M7 phenotype (acute megakaryoblastic leukemia). The pathogenesis of DS-TL (and of subsequent acute leukemia) involves mutation of GATA1 (on chromosome X), which normally encodes a transcription factor integral to normal development of erythroid, megakaryocytic, and basophilic/mast cell lines. The pathogenetic role of trisomy 21 in DS-TL is unclear. Though indications for chemotherapy in DS-TL have not been firmly established, the blasts of DS-TL are sensitive to low-dose cytosine arabinoside.

Cancer in infants: a review of 82 cases

Cancer occurring in infants often has clinical and biological properties that are different from those of the same histologic type of cancer occurring in older children. The histologic distribution of cancers in infants and that in older children are also different. The aim of this study was to find these differences between infants and older children, and to compare the percent distribution of infant cancer subtypes with that reported by other countries. The authors collected infant cases diagnosed as having cancer from the database of the Cancer Registry in our Medical Center between 1995 and 2001. Subjects were selected subjects from inpatient logs, and their medical records were reviewed. Eighty-two infants (40 males and 42 females), including 12 neonates, were diagnosed with cancer over this 7-year period. Acute leukemia was diagnosed in 21 infants (25.6%; acute myeloid leukemia in 12, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 9), retinoblastoma in 14 (17.1%), neuroblastoma in 12 (14.6%), brain tumor in 9 (11.0%), germ cell tumor in 8 (9.8%), renal cancer in 8 (Wilms tumor 3, mesoblastic nephroma 1, renal sarcoma 1, rhabdoid tumor 3), hepatoblastoma in 5 (6.1%), and soft tissue sarcoma in 5 (rhabdomyosarcoma 1, fibrosarcoma 3, other sarcoma 1). The overall disease-free survival rate was 61.0% (50/82) with a median follow-up duration of 6.8 years for the survivors. The 4 most common types of cancer occurring in infants are the same in the present series and in most larger childhood cancer series reported by other countries; but rank differently. In this study there were more infants with acute leukemia and retinoblastoma, and less with neuroblastoma. The prognosis is poor for infant leukemia and rhabdoid tumor, while it is good for embryonal tumors and germ cell tumors occurring in infancy.

Tetrasomy 21 transient leukemia with a GATA1 mutation in a phenotypically normal trisomy 21 mosaic infant: case report and review of the literature

Infants with constitutional trisomy 21 are at increased risk of developing transient and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL). Mutations in GATA1 have been identified in trisomy 21 patients with AMKL, and this lesion is thought to be an initial event by virtue of its presence during transient leukemia. Transient leukemia is also observed in phenotypically normal infants albeit much less commonly so. Almost all these infants are mosaic for trisomy 21, and the clinical course of transient leukemia recapitulates that observed in constitutional trisomy 21. We report a phenotypically normal infant with tetrasomy 21 transient leukemia, GATA1 mutation within exon 2, and trisomy 21 mosaicism restricted to the hematopoietic tissue. Two years after diagnosis, low levels of trisomy 21 persisted in the peripheral blood, which resolved 2.5 years after diagnosis. The GATA1 mutation was not detected at last follow-up. The literature review identified 32 phenotypically normal infants with transient leukemia. Ninety-one percent (29 of 32) were observed and three received chemotherapy at diagnosis of transient leukemia. Nineteen percent (6 of 32) developed acute leukemia, and four continued in remission (two died). Transient leukemia in trisomy 21 mosaicism recapitulates the condition observed in constitutional trisomy 21 at the biological and clinical levels. Infants should be followed for the development of acute leukemia.

Transient neonatal myeloproliferative disorder without Down syndrome and detection of GATA1 mutation

Transient myeloproliferative disorder is a form of self-limited leukemia that occurs almost exclusively in neonates with Down syndrome. The authors report an unusual case of a newborn without constitutional trisomy 21 who developed undifferentiated leukemia and subsequently achieved clinical and molecular remission without chemotherapy. Cytogenetics and molecular analysis have shown trisomy 21 and GATA1 mutation restricted to leukemic cells. G-to-T transversion was detected, which is predicted to result in a premature stop codon (c.119G>T; pGlu67X) in diagnosis samples. These findings emphasize that there must be a powerful interaction between GATA1 and trisomy 21 in leukemogenesis process.

Transient myeloproliferative disorder causing a vesiculopustular eruption in a phenotypically normal neonate

We report an unusual congenital vesiculopustular eruption arising in a neonate as the result of the transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) associated with trisomy 21. In this instance, the neonate was phenotypically normal, making the diagnosis more elusive. Initially the lesions were clinically suspicious for herpetic infection. The clinical scenario quickly became highly suggestive of leukemia cutis, given the infant's extremely high white blood cell count. Further examination revealed trisomy 21 in the leukemic cells and disomy 21 in the buccal keratinocytes, and a diagnosis of self-resolving TMD was made. Biopsy specimens of the lesions showed a sparse, perivascular, atypical, mononuclear infiltrate. We suggest that examination for a TMD be undertaken in neonates with a vesiculopustular eruption and leukemic white blood cell counts.

Síndrome mieloproliferativo transitorio neonatal en ausencia de síndrome de Down

Transient neonatal leukemia or transient neonatal myeloproliferative disorder is commonly associated with Down syndrome. It usually resolves spontaneously in 4-5 months. However, 25 % of patients will subsequently develop acute megakaryoblastic leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. It has seldom been described without constitutional anomalies and is even less frequent in twins. We present three phenotypically normal patients with this disorder. One of them was diagnosed because he presented blueberry muffin syndrome. Diagnosis was guided by pathological examination of the skin lesions. The other two patients were monochorionic triplets. Their bichorionic sister presented no hematological disorders. Constitutional chromosomal abnormalities were ruled out in all three patients. They received support treatment only without chemotherapy. The clinical course was favorable with disappearance of marrow and peripheral blastosis in 4-5 months. Follow-up of 18 and 19 months has not revealed any hematological disorders. Caution must be exercised before initiating chemotherapy in these patients. We discuss the differential diagnosis with congenital leukemia and the prognostic and therapeutic implications that this entails.

Fetal and neonatal leukemia

The biological and clinical characteristics of perinatal leukemia differ significantly from those of leukemia in older children, and the prognosis is generally bleak. Once complete remission is achieved, neonates with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) fare much better than those with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The results of this study suggest that age, sex, type of leukemia, and cytogenetic findings have a strong influence on outcome. Neonates, particularly females, with pre-B ALL have a much worse prognosis than neonates and older children with this disease. Transient leukemia in the Down syndrome neonate is associated with significant morbidity; close follow-up is recommended for at least the first 3 years of life because of the potential of developing acute leukemia, particularly AMKL (M7). The purpose of this review is to focus on the fetus and neonate in an attempt to determine the various ways leukemia differs clinically and morphologically from the disease occurring in older infants and children and to demonstrate that certain types of leukemia have a poor prognosis compared with those occurring in older children.

Congenital leukaemia: the Dutch experience and review of the literature

We reviewed Dutch patients and those described in the literature with congenital leukaemia in the past 25 years, with the intention to obtain an overview of the characteristics of this rare disease. Among the 117 patients reviewed, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was more frequent (64%) than acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL, 21%). Most patients had a high leukaemic cell load with hepatosplenomegaly, leukaemia cutis and hyperleucocytosis. Cytogenetic abnormalities were found in the majority of the patients tested (72%); 11q23 abnormalities were found in less than half of them (42%). The probability of overall survival at 24 months was only 23%. When congenital AML and ALL were compared, clinical characteristics and overall survival were not significantly different. However, in patients at risk, the probability of event-free survival (EFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were significantly higher in AML than in ALL, 43% versus 13% and 68% versus 0% respectively. Among the congenital AML cases, six spontaneous remissions have been described. In conclusion, the clinical characteristics of congenital leukaemia differ from those of leukaemia in older children and prognosis is generally poor. Once complete remission is achieved, patients with AML fare better than those with ALL. Chemotherapy for congenital leukaemia needs improvement to increase the sustained remission rate.

Transient myeloproliferative disorder with a CD7+ and CD56+ myeloid/natural killer cell precursor phenotype in a newborn

Anewborn with a transient myeloproliferative disorder and a myeloid/natural killer cell leukemia phenotype is described. The blasts expressed CD7, CD33, CD34, CD56, and CD117 but did not react with cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase and were negative for cy CD22, HLA-DR, and CD90 expression. No megakaryoblastic surface markers were identified. The blast population disappeared from the peripheral blood and bone marrow within 2 months, but hepatomegaly and recurrent respiratory insufficiency persisted. The patient died of unilateral pneumonia in the third month of life. Neither extramedullary infiltration nor other hematologic signs of disease progression were found.

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia after transient myeloproliferative disorder with clonal karyotype evolution in a phenotypically normal neonate

We report a case of transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) in a neonate without features of Down syndrome (DS) with clonal karyotype evolution, after apparent spontaneous resolution of TMD, but eventually progressing to acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL). The patient had petechiae, thrombocytopenia, and blastemia. Trisomy 21 with a satellited Y chromosome (Yqs) was found in proliferating blasts. A stimulated peripheral blood culture confirmed the constitutional origin of the Yqs, but did not reveal the presence of any trisomic 21 cell. By the age of 3 months, clonal chromosome evolution in the form of an interstitial deletion of the long-arm of chromosome 13 [del(13)(q13q31)] was detected along with trisomy 21 in unstimulated bone marrow cultures. However, remission was achieved without treatment at the age of 4 months. Trisomy 21 and del(13)(q13q31) were not identified in either cytogenetics or fluorescence in situ hybridization studies at that time. The child was asymptomatic until the age of 20 months when anemia and thrombocytopenia prompted a bone marrow biopsy, revealing changes consistent with AMKL. The remission proceeded by clonal karyotype evolution in a neonate with TMD demonstrates that clonal karyotype evolution does not indicate an immediately progressive disease. However, the development of AMKL after TMD in this case illustrates the increased risk for leukemia in TMD cases, even without DS. The gradual clonal evolution of the blasts in our patient suggests that "multiple hits" oncogenesis applies to TMD progression to acute leukemia.

Acute megakaryocytic leukaemia with acquired polysomy 21 and translocation t(1;21)

Cytogenetic study of a young child with acute megakaryocytic leukaemia (AML-M7) has shown a karyotype with 49-50 chromosomes with one and two acquired extra chromosomes 21. Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected a minor clone with translocation t(1;21) and loss of a part of chromosome band 1p36. Trisomy and polysomy 21 are not uncommon in AML-M7. A more systematic search for chromosome 21 rearrangements in AML-M7 using FISH techniques is proposed.

Congenital leukemia: successful treatment of a newborn with t(5;11)(q31;q23)

A male neonate presented with a high white cell count, an 11q23 translocation, and M5b leukemia. He was treated at 3 days of age with intensive combination chemotherapy after progressing despite exchange transfusions. The patient achieved complete remission at 28 days of age. Therapy was completed at the age of 6 months. At the time of this report, the patient is 17 months old and remains in remission. Twenty-nine patients with congenital acute myeloid leukemia were also reviewed. Twenty of these patients received varying therapies. Ten of the treated patients achieved complete remission; two died of toxicity; and eight died of progressive disease. Two patients had a translocation affecting 11q23. Congenital leukemia is a rare and usually fatal condition in patients without Down syndrome. The patient reported here shows that survival may be achieved with very intensive chemotherapy plus supportive care, despite extremely high white blood cell counts and unfavorable translocation.

Trisomy 21 associated transient neonatal myeloproliferation in the absence of Down's syndrome

Although usually associated with Down's syndrome, transient neonatal myeloproliferation (TMD) can occur in the absence of a constitutional trisomy 21. This report describes two such cases, both of whom had a trisomy 21 restricted to clonal cells. Unlike in previous such reported cases, spontaneous morphological, cytogenetic, and molecular remission in both cases was followed by re-emergence, in one case, of an evolved clone with a more malignant phenotype which required pharmacological intervention. Awareness that trisomy 21 bearing leukaemia in the neonatal period can be transient even in the absence of Down's syndrome is important to prevent unnecessary treatment. Equally, such cases require indefinite follow up as a proportion may have a recurrence which may require treatment.