Genomic Landscape and Risk Stratification in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
AbstractPurposeThe advent of next-generation sequencing has allowed for the annotation of a vast array of recurrent somatic mutations across human malignancies, ushering in a new era of precision oncology. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is recognized as a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm and displays heterogenous clinical and genetic features. Herein, we review what is currently understood regarding the genomic landscape of this disease and discuss how somatic mutations have impacted current risk stratification methods.Recent FindingsGenomic studies in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia have identified a character...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - June 1, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Laboratory Evaluation and Pathological Workup of Neoplastic Monocytosis — Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Beyond
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMonocytosis is a distinct but non-specific manifestation of various physiologic and pathologic conditions. Among hematopoietic stem cell neoplasms, depending on the criteria used for disease classification, monocytosis may be a consistent and integral component of diseases such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic differentiation, or it may represent an inconsistent finding that often provides a clue to the underlying genetic changes driving the neoplasm. The purpose of this review is to provide the readers with a laboratory-based approach to neoplastic monocy...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - June 1, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Differential Diagnosis and Workup of Monocytosis: A Systematic Approach to a Common Hematologic Finding
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMonocytosis is a frequently encountered clinical condition that needs appropriate investigation due to a broad range of differential diagnoses. This review is meant to summarize the latest literature in the diagnostic testing and interpretation and offer a stepwise diagnostic approach for a patient presenting with monocytosis.Recent FindingsBasic studies have highlighted the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity in the monocyte compartment. Studies, both translational and clinical, have provided insights into why monocytosis occurs and how to distinguish the different etiologies. Flow cytometry s...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - June 1, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Treatment advances for pediatric and adult onset neoplasms with monocytosis
AbstractPurpose of reviewFor decades, the management of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) or juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) has been largely inextricable from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloproliferative neoplasms, and acute myeloid leukemia. Hallmarks of these diseases have been the emergence of unique genomic signatures and discouraging responses to available therapies. Here, we will critically examine the current options for management and review the rapidly developing opportunities based on advances in CMML and JMML disease biology.Recent findingsFew clinical trials have exclusively been done in CM...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - June 1, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

The Emerging Role of Hematopathologists and Molecular Pathologists in Detection, Monitoring, and Management of Myeloid Neoplasms with Germline Predisposition
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAwareness, widespread availability, and routine use of sequencing techniques in work-up of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia have facilitated increased recognition of these entities arising in a background of germline predisposition disorders (GPD).Recent FindingsThe latest revisions to the WHO classification of myeloid neoplasms incorporate “myeloid neoplasms with germline predisposition” as a separate entity due to the therapeutic implications of this diagnosis. It has become apparent that some of these entities have unique recognizable morphologic findings that can be chal...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - May 24, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Frontline Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL): Targeted Therapy vs. Chemoimmunotherapy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe treatment options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) have expanded significantly in the last few years, including the use of new classes of oral small molecular inhibitors targeting the B cell receptor signaling pathway or the apoptosis machinery. Targeted therapy with or without immunotherapy has quickly emerged as a new standard for frontline treatment of CLL/SLL, though the previous standard chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) remains a treatment option. In this review, we present data from key clinical trials to evaluate the benefits and risks associated with differe...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - May 22, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Enteropathy-Associated T cell Lymphoma
This article provides a summary and review of the available literature addressing this entity in terms of risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnostic, and therapeutic options.Recent FindingsEATL has two distinct subtypes. Type I EATL, now known as EATL, is closely, but not exclusively linked to celiac disease (CD), and it is primarily a disease of Northern European origin. It accounts for< 5% of peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). Risk factors for EATL include advanced age, male sex, and most importantly, genetic susceptibility in the form of HLA-DQ2 homozygosity. The pathogenesis of EATL is closely related to celiac disease ...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - May 19, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Progress in the Management of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSmoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is defined as an asymptomatic clonal proliferation of pre-malignant plasma cells and an increased risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM) relative to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Whether patients with SMM should be treated prior to development of symptomatic disease is fiercely debated and is a highly active area of research.Recent FindingsThe ECOG E3A06 study demonstrated that early treatment with lenalidomide significantly reduced the risk of progression to MM compared to observation in patients with high risk SMM. The IMWG recently va...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - May 13, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Pegaspargase in Practice: Minimizing Toxicity, Maximizing Benefit
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe incorporation of pegaspargase in chemotherapy regimens has significantly improved the prognosis of ALL in adults. However, pegaspargase use poses many challenges due to its unique toxicity profile. Here, we review pegaspargase ’s most clinically significant toxicities, and provide guidance for their prevention and management in order to avoid unnecessary drug discontinuation and achieve maximum clinical benefit.Recent FindingsClinically significant toxicities of pegaspargase include thrombosis, hypersensitivity and inactivation, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and hypertriglyceridemia. The majo...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - May 12, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

MRD Assessment in Multiple Myeloma: Progress and Challenges
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOver the last decade, the development of effective treatment approaches for multiple myeloma (MM) has been associated with higher response rates and longer survival. In patients who achieve complete response, several high sensitivity techniques have been studied to assess minimal residual disease (MRD) and detect residual neoplastic cells within the bone marrow (by flow cytometry or molecular biology techniques) or outside the bone marrow (by imaging or circulating disease markers in the peripheral blood). This is of utmost importance, since residual disease can drive clinical relapse. This review ...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - May 5, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Laboratory Evaluation and Pathological Workup of Neoplastic Monocytosis — Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Beyond
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMonocytosis is a distinct but non-specific manifestation of various physiologic and pathologic conditions. Among hematopoietic stem cell neoplasms, depending on the criteria used for disease classification, monocytosis may be a consistent and integral component of diseases such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic differentiation, or it may represent an inconsistent finding that often provides a clue to the underlying genetic changes driving the neoplasm. The purpose of this review is to provide the readers with a laboratory-based approach to neoplastic monocy...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - May 4, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

IDH Inhibitors in AML —Promise and Pitfalls
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase genes (IDH1 and IDH2) are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), occurring in up to 30% of AML cases. Mutations in IDH leads to abnormal epigenetic regulation in AML cells and blocks differentiation. Inhibitors of mutated IDH1 and IDH2, ivosidenib and enasidenib, respectively, were recently approved by the FDA for relapsed/refractory AML; ivosidenib is also approved for newly diagnosed AML patients not fit for standard chemotherapy. Here, we discuss the clinical development of IDH inhibitors, their unique side effects, and outline future combination approaches...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - April 30, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Chimeric Antigen Receptor –Modified T Cells and T Cell–Engaging Bispecific Antibodies: Different Tools for the Same Job
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBoth chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and T cell –engaging antibodies (BiAb) have been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, despite targeting the same antigen, they represent very different classes of therapeutics, each with its distinct advantages and drawbacks. In this review, we compare BiAb and CAR T cells with regard to their mechanism of action, manufacturing, and clinical application. In addition, we present novel strategies to overcome limitations of either approach and to combine the best of both worlds.Recent FindingsBy now there are multiple approac...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - April 30, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Clinical and Molecular Approach to Adult-Onset, Neoplastic Monocytosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we provide a comprehensive and contemporary understanding of malignant monocytosis and provide a framework by which the appropriate diagnosis with malignant monocytosis can be rendered.Recent FindingsIncreasing data support the use of molecular data to refine the diagnostic approach to persistent monocytosis. The absence of aTET2,SRSF2, orASXL1 mutation has ≥ 90% negative predictive value for a diagnosis of CMML. These data may also reliably differentiate chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, the malignancy that is most associated with mature monocytosis, from several other diseases th...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - April 22, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research

Differential Diagnosis and Workup of Monocytosis: A Systematic Approach to a Common Hematologic Finding
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMonocytosis is a frequently encountered clinical condition that needs appropriate investigation due to a broad range of differential diagnoses. This review is meant to summarize the latest literature in the diagnostic testing and interpretation and offer a stepwise diagnostic approach for a patient presenting with monocytosis.Recent FindingsBasic studies have highlighted the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity in the monocyte compartment. Studies, both translational and clinical, have provided insights into why monocytosis occurs and how to distinguish the different etiologies. Flow cytometry s...
Source: Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports - April 20, 2021 Category: Hematology Source Type: research