Post on 16-Dec-2015
LEUKEMIAS
By
Dr Aamer Aleem
Consultant Hematologist
Associate Prof. of Medicine
College of Medicine & KKUH
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Leukemias
Leukemias are a group of cancers of the blood or bone marrow and are characterized by an abnormal proliferation (production by multiplication) of blood cells, usually white blood cells (leukocytes).
Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases. Any of various acute or chronic neoplastic diseases of the bone marrow in which unrestrained proliferation of white blood cells occurs and which is usually accompanied by anemia and thrombocytopenia
Classification of leukemiasTwo major types (4 subtypes) of leukemias
Acute leukemias
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
(also "myeloid" or "nonlymphocytic")
Chronic leukemias
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
(Within these main categories, there are typically several subcategories)
Myeloid vs Lymphoid
• Any disease that arises from the myeloid
elements (white cell, red cell, platelets) is a myeloid disease
….. AML, CML
• Any disease that arises from the lymphoid
elements is a lymphoid disease
….. ALL, CLL
Acute vs. chronic leukemia• Acute leukemias:• Young, immature, blast cells in the bone marrow (and often blood)• More fulminant presentation• More aggressive course
• Chronic leukemias:• Accumulation of mature, differentiated cells• Often subclinical or incidental presentation• In general, more indolent (slow) course• Frequently splenomegaly • Mature appearing cells in the B. marrow and blood
Acute vs. chronic leukemia• Leukemias are classified according to cell of origin:• Lymphoid cells ALL - lymphoblasts CLL – mature appearing lymphocytes• Myeloid cells AML – myeloblasts CML – mature appearing neutrophils
• On a CBC, if you see:• Predominance of blasts in blood consider an acute leukemia• Leukocytosis with mature lymphocytosis consider CLL• Leukocytosis with mature neutrophilia consider CML
Acute leukemiasAcute leukemias
Definition: Malignancies of immature hematopeotic cells.
(> 20% blast cells in the bone marrow)
Types: Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Groups: Childhood (< 15) > 80% ALL
Adult (> 15) > 80% AML
Elderly (> 60 years)
Acute leukemiasAcute leukemiasEtiology• Drugs & chemicals • Alkylating agents (Chlorambucil, N mustard, Melphalan)
Topoisomerase inhibitors (Etoposide)
• Benzene
• Ionizing radiation• Viruses HTLV-1 (Adult T-cell leukemia Lymphoma)
• Genetic disorders Down’s syndrome
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
Clinical presentationClinical presentation
Symptoms• Usual 1-3 Month History : MDS – 1yr
• (Features of BM failure)
• Fatigue, malaise, dyspnea (anemia)
• Bleeding eg after dental procedure
Easy bruisability
Severe epistaxis
• Fever (infections)
• Bone Pain
Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation
SignsSigns Pallor Hemorrhage from the gums, epistaxis, skin,
fundus, GI tract, urinary tract Hepato-splenomegaly Enlarged lymph nodes Gum (hypertrophy) or skin infiltration (M5) Fever (sepsis, pneumonia, peri-rectal abscess)
Differential DiagnosisDifferential Diagnosis
1. Aplastic anemia
2. Myelodysplastic syndromes
3. Multiple myeloma
4. Lymphomas
5. Severe megaloblastic anemia
6. Leukemoid reaction
Laboratory TestsLaboratory Tests
1. CBC a. Anemiab.
Trombocytopeniac. WBC
High Normal Low
2. Coagulation Studies (M3-DIC)
3. Biochemical Studies (U/E, LFT)Cont..
4. Peripheral Blood smear – blasts in almost all
cases
5. Bone Marrow Examination (>20% blasts)
6. Flow cyometry
(Surface immunophenotype of blast cells)
4. Cytogenetics (chromosomal analysis)
5. CSF analysis (all ALL patients, some AML)
6. HLA typing (for younger high risk patients)
Diagnostic methods of importance
• Bone marrow aspirate & Romanowsky stain (morphology) Enumeration of blasts, maturing cells, recognition of dysplasia
• Cytochemistry Myeloperoxidase, Sudan Black B, esterases to determine involved lineages
• Immunophenotyping
Defines blast cell lineage commitment as myeloid, lymphoid or biphenotypic
• Cytogenetics & molecular studies (FISH, PCR)Detects clonal chromosomal abnormalities, including those of prognostic importance
Blood Film-NormalBlood Film-Normal
Blood Film-NormalBlood Film-Normal
Normal BM cells
AMLAML
AMLAMLAuer rods
BMT/Stem CellCord BloodThrombosisHemostasisLaboratoryMalignanciesPediatricsRed Cell DisordersTransfusion MedicineVeterinary
Plasma Cells, Acute myelomonocytic (M-4) leukemiaClump of Plasma Cells most of which are small with a deep basophilic blue cytoplasm. Two cells in the center are partially smudged and show a paler cytoplasm and less dense and redder staining nuclear chromatin. Acute myelomonocytic (M-4) leukemia. Marrow - 100X
Image ID: 0147-094
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• Age Above the age of 50 years the complete remission rate falls
progressively • Cytogenetics
Three risk groups defined– Good risk: patients with t(8;21), t(15;17) and inv/t(16)– Intermediate risk: Normal, +8, +21, +22, 7q-, 9q-,
abnormal 11q23, all other– Poor risk: patients with -7, -5, 5q-, abnormal 3q and
complex karyotypes
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Prognostic factors in AML
1. Wheatley K, Burnett AK, Goldstone AH et al. Br J Haem 1999; 107: 69-792. Grimwade D, Walker H, Oliver F et al. Blood 1998; 92: 2322-33
• Treatment response – Patients with >20% blasts in the marrow after first course of
treatment have short remissions (if achieved) and poor overall survival
• Secondary AML – Patients with AML following chemotherapy or myelodysplasia
respond poorly
• Trilineage myelodysplasia – Patients with trilineage myelodysplasia have a lower remission
rate
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Prognostic factors in AML
1. Wheatley K, Burnett AK, Goldstone AH et al. Br J Haem 1999; 107: 69-792. Grimwade D, Walker H, Oliver F et al. Blood 1998; 92: 2322-33
• Intensive chemotherapy – Patients < 55 years old: 80% remissions
– Patients > 55 years old: progressive reduction in remission rate
• Bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation – Autologous and allogeneic transplants reduce the relapse rate
• Importance of cytogenetics for prognosis in children and adults < 55 years old
• Good risk cytogenetic group – 91% remissions, 65% five year survival
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Treatment and prognosis of AML
1. Wheatley K, Burnett AK, Goldstone AH et al. Br J Haem 1999;107: 69-792. Grimwade D, Walker H, Oliver F et al. Blood 1998; 92: 2322-33
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)
Poor Prognostic Factors• Age < 2 yrs and > 10 yrs • Male sex• High WBC count ( > 50 х109/L)• Presence of CNS disease• Cytogenetics Good risk Poor risk
Hyperdiploid (>50 ch) Hypodiploid,
t(9:22), t(4:11)• Bone Marrow: Blasts present on day 14• Day 28:No complete response
Prognostic factors in ALL
ALLALL
Bone Marrow-ALLBone Marrow-ALL
Treatment of acute leukemiasTreatment of acute leukemias
1. Specific therapy (chemotherapy)
2. Supportive treatment
Stages of Therapya. Induction
b. Consolidation
c. Maintenance
(Treatment of acute leukemias)(Treatment of acute leukemias)
InductionInductionObtained by using high doses of chemotherapy1. Severe bone marrow hypoplasia
2. Allowing regrowth of normal residual stem cells to regrow faster than leukemic cells.
Remission Normal neutrophil count Normal platelet count Normal hemoglobin level
Remission defined as < 5% blast in the bone marrow
(Treatment of acute leukemias)(Treatment of acute leukemias)
ConsolidationConsolidation
• Different or same drugs to those used during induction
• Higher doses of chemotherapy
• Advantage: Delays relapse and improved survival
(Treatment of acute leukemias)(Treatment of acute leukemias)
MaintenanceMaintenance
• Smaller doses for longer period
• Produce low neutrophil counts & platelet counts
• Objective is to eradicate progressively any remaining leukemic cells.
(Treatment of acute leukemias)(Treatment of acute leukemias)
Supportive CareSupportive Care
1. Vascular access (Central line)
2. Prevention of vomiting
3. Blood products (Anemia, ↓Plat)
4. Prevention & treatment of infections
(antibiotics)
5 Management of metabolic complications
ALL vs AMLALL vs AML
ALL
Induction
Consolidation
Maintenance
CNS prophylaxis all patients
AML
Induction
Consolidation
No maintenance
CNS – Selected group only
Definition: Neoplastic proliferations of mature haemopoeitic cells.
Types: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
CHRONIC LEUKEMIASCHRONIC LEUKEMIAS
Neoplastic proliferations of mature lymphocytes. Distinguished from ALL by
a. Morphology of cells.b. Degree of maturation of cells.c. Immunologically immature blasts in
ALL.d. CLL affects mainly elderly.
CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA (CLL)LEUKAEMIA (CLL)
SYMPTOMS of CLLSYMPTOMS of CLL
May be entirely absent in 40%
Weakness, easy fatigue, vague sense
of being ill
Night sweats
Feeling of lumps
Infections esp pneumonia
PHYSICAL EXAMINAITON-CLLPHYSICAL EXAMINAITON-CLL
Pallor
Lymphoadenopathy
a. Cervical, supraclavicular nodes more commonly involved than axillary
or inguino-femoral
b. Non-tender, not painful, discrete, firm, easily movable on palpation
Splenomegely, mild to moderate
Hepatomegaly
Stage
(0-1) - lymphocytosis LNS.
(II) - above + hepatosplenomagely.
(III-IV) - Anaemia. Hb< 10 g/l Thrombocytopenia.
Platelet count : <100x109/L.
CLINICAL STAGING-CLLCLINICAL STAGING-CLL
LABORATORY TESTS-CLLLABORATORY TESTS-CLL
CBC Lymphocyte count > 5 x 109/L (5 -500 x 109/L ). Platelets may be decreased Hb may be low Blood film PB immunophenotyping Bone marrow biopsy (needed before starting
treatment) Imaging
Observation Chemotherapy. Oral chlorambucil
Fludarabine, cyclo Immunotherapy Anti-CD 20 (rituximab), Anti-CD 52 (Alemtuzumab) FC-R is the current standardIndications for starting chemotherapy
a. Progressive Symptoms
b. Progressive Anemia or Thrombocytopenia
c. Bulky LN, large spleen
d. Recurrent Infections
TREATMENT OF CLLTREATMENT OF CLL
CML is a clonal stem cell disorder characterised by increased proliferation of myeloid elements at all stages of differentiation.
Incidence increases with age, M > F.
CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIACHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA
CML is characterised by 3 distinct phases
a) Chronic Phase:
Proliferation of myeloid cells, which show a full range of maturation.
b) Accelerated Phase decrease in myeloid differentiation occurs.
c) Blast crisis (acute leukemia)
Symptoms
Asymptomatic (50% of patients) Fatigue Weight loss Abdominal fullness and anorexia Abdominal pain, esp splenic area Increased sweating Easy bruising or bleeding
CLINICAL PRESENTAITON OF CMLCLINICAL PRESENTAITON OF CML
Splenomegaly (95%)
(50% of patients have a palpable spleen ≥ 10 cm BCM,
Usually firm and non-tender)
Hepatomegaly (50%)
SIGNS OF CMLSIGNS OF CML
Chronic phase..
Peripheral blood – neutrophil leukocytes 20,000 - >500, 000/ L
basphilia LAP
scoreblasts < 5% Nucleated RBCsThrombocytosis
Anaemia
DIAGNOSIS OF CMLDIAGNOSIS OF CML
CYTOGENETICS OF CMLCYTOGENETICS OF CML
Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome is an acquired cytogenetic abnormality in all leukaemia cells in CML
Reciprocal translocation of
chromosomal material between
chromosome 22 and chromosome 9.
t(9;22)
CML-Treatment Response Criteria
• Hematological response Normalisation of blood count• Cytogenetic response Major cytogenetic response 1-35% Ph +ve cells in metaphase Minor cytogenetic response 36-65% Ph +ve cells in metaphase• Molecular response Absence of BCR/ABL gene
CML-Principles of Treatment
• Control & prolong chronic phase (non-curative)
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors-Imatinib (Glivec)
- Alpha-Interferon
- Oral chemotherapy (Hydroxyurea, ARA-C)• Eradicate malignant Clone (curative)
- Allogeneic BM/stem cell transplantation
- Alpha Interferon?
- Imatinib? 2nd line TKIs
• Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Imatinib (Glivec) is the first line treatment
• In resistent cases 2nd line TKIs (Nilotinib,
Dasatinib, Bosutinib) very useful• Allogenic bone marrow trasnsplantation can be curative in
pts resisrant to TKIs but has significant complications & mortality
Accelerated and blast phaseGlivec, 2nd line TKIs
Treat like AML or ALL followed by BMT
TREATMENT OF CMLTREATMENT OF CML
1. LA P Score
2. Philadelphia Chromosome
3. Basophilia
4. Splenomegaly
CML VS LEUKEMOID CML VS LEUKEMOID REACTIONREACTION
Bone marrow or PBSC Bone marrow or PBSC transplantation in leukemiastransplantation in leukemias
Types of transplant1. Autologous transplant
2. Allogeneic Transplant
Purpose of transplant
Autologous -To deliver a high dose of chemo to kill any residual cancer
(lymphoma, multiple myeloma)
Allogeneic
-To eradicate residual leukemia cells
-Graft vs leukemia effect
Bone marrow or PBSC Bone marrow or PBSC transplantation in leukemiastransplantation in leukemias
Technique of transplantationMHC + HLA matchingChemotherapyTotal body irradiationGVHD prophylaxis
Complications of transplantation• Prolonged BM suppression (graft failure)
• Serious infections
• Mucositis
• Graft versus host disease (GVHD)
Complications of BMT
Lung toxicity13%
Other Organ toxicity
4%
Hemorrhage5%
Other5%
Relapse12%GVHD
29%
Infection26%
VOD6%