Essential thrombocythemia transformed to acute myeloblastic leukemia

A 48-year-old woman was referred to Tohoku University Hospital in November 1981 because of leukocytosis pointed out in a group examination. At that time white blood cell count was 26.8 x 10(3)/microliters with no blasts, platelet count 268.0 x 10(4)/microliters and hemoglobin 11.4 g/dl. Bone marrow aspirates showed marked increase of megakaryocytes (15,900/microliters). Bone marrow chromosome analysis revealed 46, XX, -18, +mar without Ph1 chromosome, and DNA analysis showed no bcr rearrangement. She was diagnosed as having essential thrombocythemia and was treated with busulfan. On November 1986, she developed remarkable leukocytosis with leukemic blasts. White blood cells reached 153 x 10(3)/microliters with 33% blasts. Her blasts were positive for peroxidase staining, but negative for platelet peroxidase on electron microscopic study and platelet specific glycoproteins. A diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia (M2) was made. The patient received various combination chemotherapy, which was ineffective, and she died due to pneumonia on June, 1989. In Japan, there has been reported only 8 cases of essential thrombocythemia transformed to acute leukemia. The clinical pictures of these 9 cases were discussed.     

11;13 translocation in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

In this paper, we report on a 9-year-old girl with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (FAB-M5) with a rare chromosome abnormality, t(11;23)(q21;p11). Peripheral blood showed Hb 7.5 g/dl, WBC 3,600 cells/microliters (10% blasts), and platelet count 110 x 10(3) cells/microliters. The bone marrow aspirates showed normal cellularity with 36.7% blasts. On morphological characteristics, micromegakaryocytes were observed, and on chromosome examination the karyotype was shown to be 46,XX,t(11;13)(q21;p11) in all metaphases.     

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia with leukemia cutis, meningeal leukemia, and myelofibrosis]

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with leukopenia. On admission, leukocyte count in the peripheral blood was 1,600/microliters, containing 24.5% blasts of lymphoid appearance, which were negative for myeloperoxidase. A bone marrow aspiration showed hypoplasia with increased blasts (31.6%). The blasts were ultrastructurally positive for platelet peroxidase (PPO) and positive for platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. A diagnosis of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia was made. Chemotherapy with behenoyl-ara C (BH-AC) (150 mg/day) was transiently effective. However, after three months, numerous nodules without itching appeared over the entire body, particularly on the anterior chest. A biopsy of the skin lesion revealed a diffuse fibrosis with infiltrations of the blasts. Bone marrow aspirations were dry tap, and a bone marrow biopsy showed marked myelofibrosis. Then, severe headache, vomiting, and loss of consciousness developed, and a lumbar puncture revealed infiltrations of blasts. Although methotrexate was intrathecally injected, he died due to the respiratory failure. As far as we know, a case of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia with leukemia cutis and meningeal leukemia is quite rare. In addition, it is interesting that megakaryoblastic leukemia was accompanied with both the fibrosis of skin and the myelofibrosis.     

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia developing 11 years after diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia

A 57-year-old man was diagnosed to have essential thrombocythemia (ET) in July 1977. He was doing well with continual medication of carboquone but was hospitalized because of slight unconsciousness and gait disturbance in May, 1988. His laboratory data were as follows: WBC count 81,600/microliters with 55% of blasts with cytoplasmic blebs, Hb 10.2 g/dl, and platelet count 2.6 x 10(4)/microliters. Bone marrow aspiration revealed hypercellular marrow with 72.8% blasts. Chromosomal analysis showed tetraploidy with 7p+ and 19p+. Cytochemistry of blasts showed the positivity for platelet peroxidase and CDw 41. The diagnosis of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia was made. Meningeal leukemia was also suspected by the cerebrospinal fluid data, and cytarabine was intrathecally injected. Then the percent of blasts of peripheral blood gradually decreased and the data of cerebrospinal fluid improved. However, several days later the patient became comatose probably due to cerebral bleeding, and died. In this case, two possibilities were considered (1) that a blastic transformation to acute leukemia from ET, and (2) that a secondary leukemia developed as a result of the chemotherapy, independently of ET. Since there was no evidence of myelodysplastic syndrome, it was concluded that this case represented a blastic transformation of ET.     

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia associated with translocation 1;7, marked platelet aggregation and cryofibrinogenemia: a case report]

A 64-year-old male was admitted in September 1989 with complaints of fever and muscular weakness in the extremities. A peripheral blood examination on admission revealed WBC 10,300/microliters (monocytes 32%), RBC 195 x 10(4)/microliters, Hb 7.9 g/dl, Plt 12.8 x 10(4)/microliters with trilineage dysplasia. Bone marrow biopsy was normoplastic marrow with 25.7% of monocytes including immature blasts. Cytochemical analysis of the monocytes showed positive for peroxidase and dual esterase staining. Chromosomal analysis of peripheral blood revealed 46, XY, -7, +der(1) t(1;7)(p11;p11). A diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia was made. Hemostatic studies revealed cryofibrinogenemia, marked platelet aggregation on blood smear, hyperfibrinogenemia and a marked increase in maximal amplitude of thrombelastogram. Treatment with prednisolone and VP16, resulted in a reduction of peripheral monocytes and a disappearance of cryofibrinogen, marked platelet aggregation and a decrease in muscular weakness. Nine months after diagnosis he died of DIC, pneumonia, lung abscess and sepsis.     

Megakaryocytic leukemia with thrombocytosis

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with exertional dyspnea. On admission, neither hepatosplenomegaly nor lymphadenopathy were noted. Laboratory data revealed anemia (Hb, 4.8 g/dl), leukopenia (2,800 microliters) and a normal platelet count (21 X 10(4)/microliters). The immature blast cells in the peripheral blood were 15%, which increased to 32% during his clinical course. On cytochemical studies, the blast cells had no staining with peroxidase, alpha-naphthyl-butyrate esterase and PAS, although acid phosphatase was positive. More than 58% of the blasts were identified as being of megakaryocytic lineage by platelet peroxidase and by tests with monoclonal GP IIb/IIIa antibody. Bone marrow biopsy disclosed marked fibrosis. However, the patient constantly had normal counts of platelets ranging from 21 X 10(4) to 63 X 10(4)/microliters. This case provides evidence that the megakaryocytic leukemias can be categorized into two types, which are characterized by either undifferentiated or differentiated megakaryocytic leukemia cells.     

Myelodysplastic syndromes in two young brothers]

Myelodysplastic syndromes that occurred in two young brothers are reported. A 19-year-old man was admitted to Kobe City General Hospital in May 1990 because of fever and nasal bleeding. On admission his hemoglobin was 5.5 g/dl, platelet count 1.5 x 10(4)/microliters and white cell count 1,700/microliters with 18% neutrophils and 80% lymphocytes. Bone marrow aspirate showed dysplastic features of trilineage blood cells with 4.8% myeloblasts. A diagnosis of refractory anemia was made. His younger brother, a 17-year-old man was examined in May 1990 because of increasing fatigability of 2 years' duration. His hemoglobin was 8.7 g/dl, platelet count 2.1 x 10(4)/microliters and white cell count 2,800/microliters. Bone marrow aspirate revealed morphological abnormalities in three lineages with 5.2% myeloblasts. He was diagnosed as having refractory anemia with excess of blasts. Their parent are consanguineous. The onset at a young age, reduced CD4 lymphocytes and similarity of dyshematopoietic findings suggests the presence of common genetic disorder in the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells.     

Double minute chromosomes (DMs) in a case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia

A 71-year old male was admitted to our hospital because of general malaise and fever. Peripheral blood showed Hb 8.1 g/dl, platelet 7.0 X 10(4)/microliters, and WBC 18.100/microliters with 64% leukemic cells. Bone marrow showed normocellularity with 73.4% leukemic cells. They were positive for peroxidase and alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase stainings. Serum and urine lysozyme levels were elevated. He was diagnosed as having acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M 4 in FAB classification). Chromosome analysis of bone marrow cells showed 45, XY, -17, t (9; 17) (q22; p13) and double minute chromosomes (DMs) were observed in the 50 cells analyzed. A complete remission (CR) was obtained by DCMP regimen, but he relapsed as acute monocytic leukemia (M 5 b in FAB classification) and died 5 months after diagnosis. DMs appear to be rare in acute leukemia and the clinical and etiologic implications of DMs are discussed.     

Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) positive acute myelomonocytic leukemia with esophageal cancer: a case report]

A 62-year old male was admitted to our hospital because of fever and dysphagia on November 14, 1987. The peripheral leukocyte count was 174,400/microliters with 93% blasts and bone marrow aspiration showed that 90.4% of nucleated cells were blasts positive for both myeloperoxidase and alpha-naphthylbutyrate esterase. Chromosome analysis revealed a karyotype of 45XY, 9q+, 16q+, -20 and 22q-. Esophageal X-ray and endoscopy showed abnormalities. Esophageal biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. He was diagnosed as having Ph1 positive acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMMoL, M4) and esophageal cancer. He was treated with BHAC-DMP and intermediate-dose ara-C therapy for leukemia and a complete remission was obtained by March 25, 1988. As treatment for esophageal cancer, radiation therapy (total 4,200 cGy) was given and followed by chemotherapy with CDDP and 5-FU. However he died on April 8, 1988. Autopsy findings showed disseminated invasion of esophageal cancer. Ph1 positive AMMoL associated with esophageal cancer is extremely rare.     

Blastic crisis of primary myelofibrosis associated with multiple myeloblastomas

The patient is a 71-year-old female who underwent splenectomy due to splenomegaly 32 months after diagnosed as having primary myelofibrosis. On examination she was found to have massive skin nodules, lymph nodes swelling and an enlarged liver with an abnormal hematologic profile as follows: RBC count 3.68 x 10(6)/microliters; WBC count 151 x 10(3)/microliters with 11% blasts; and platelet count 42 x 10(3)/microliters. The bone marrow aspirate showed a hypocellular marrow with 19.2% blasts. Histological examination of the skin nodules revealed that they were myeloblastomas, thus suggesting leukemic transformation of primary myelofibrosis. Her WBC count dropped to about 20 x 10(3)/microliters through treatment with vindesine, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine and prednisolone, but it did not drop further. Treatment with dexamethasone remarkably regressed the myeloblastomas, but she died of heart failure 4 months after diagnosis of leukemic transformation of primary myelofibrosis. The autopsy findings showed the formation of numbers of myeloblastomas in both the systemic fatty tissue and dura mater as well as extramedullary hematopoiesis in liver and lymph nodes. A rapid development of splenomegaly in a patient with primary myelofibrosis seems to be associated with leukemic transformation.     

Recipients of HLA-identical sibling marrow transplants with severe aplastic anemia engraft more quickly, and those with chronic myeloid leukemia more slowly, than those with acute leukemia

An analysis of the rate of leukocyte reconstitution in 164 recipients of HLA-identical sibling marrow transplants showed two factors to be independently influential. These were the underlying diagnosis and the type of prophylactic regimen used to minimize the risk of graft-versus-host disease. Patients with severe aplastic anemia had a faster rate of reconstitution of the total white blood cell count to levels of both 500 and 1000 x 10(6)/l than patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANL), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA), however, did not show a faster rate of reconstitution of blood neutrophils. As well as being slower than patients with SAA for total leukocyte reconstitution, patients with CML were slower than patients with ANL and ALL in attaining a neutrophil count of 500 x 10(6)/l, and slower than patients with ANL in attaining a neutrophil count of 1000 x 10(6)/l. Patients given cyclosporin as the sole immunosuppressant prophylactic regimen post-transplant had faster reconstitution to total leukocyte counts of 500 and 1000 x 10(6)/l and to neutrophils of 1000 x 10(6)/l than patients given methotrexate alone, methotrexate and cyclosporin, or cyclosporin and T cell depletion of the donor marrow. No other factors (including the pretransplant preparative regimen) were significant in influencing the rate of leukocyte or neutrophil reconstitution. When only patients given cyclosporin were analysed, those with severe aplastic anemia continued to show a faster rate of leukocyte reconstitution to WBC 500 x 10(6)/l compared to patients with ANL, ALL or CML, and a faster rate to WBC 1000 x 10(6)/l than patients with CML.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Spontaneous complete remission in a 70 year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukemia with severe pneumonia

A spontaneous complete remission of 5 month's duration was observed in a 70 year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukemia complicated with severe pneumonia. The remission occurred after severe pancytopenia. He was treated only with antibiotics and blood transfusions. On admission, the leukocyte count was 6.4 x 10(3)/microliters with 98% myeloblasts. The hemoglobin level was 9.9 g/dl and platelet count was 1.5 x 10(4)/microliters. Marrow aspirate was hypercellular with 98.5% myeloblasts, which weakly showed Ia like antigen and myeloid related antigen. On relapse after five weeks' complete remission, leukemic cells were more immature, peroxidase negative and showed no surface markers. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected. During remission induction therapy he died of severe bacterial and fungal sepsis. Such cases of spontaneous complete remission have been rarely reported, previous adult cases were summarized and the role of etiologic factors were discussed.     

Marked bone marrow necrosis preceding acute myeloblastic leukemia in childhood

A 3-year-old boy was transferred to our hospital because of fever, abdominal pain and severe systemic bone pain on October 16, 1989. Hematological examination showed hemoglobin 8.7 g/dl, white blood cell count 5300/microliters with 9% neutrophils and platelet count 5.5 x 10(4)/microliters. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy revealed markedly necrotic cells. Blood chemistry showed transient elevation of CRP, serum LDH, FDP, FDP-Ddimer and fibrinogen. Tc99m pyrophosphate bone scanning showed multiple uptake spots in various bone. Although the sign of fever, abdominal pain and bone pain disappeared spontaneously after three weeks, anemia persisted. About two months later from bone marrow necrosis, abnormal cells appeared in the bone marrow. A diagnosis of AML (M3) was made and a combination chemotherapy started. This case is remarkable for elevation of acute phase protein in association with bone marrow necrosis.     

Myeloid crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia showing dramatic response to mithramycin and hydroxyurea combination

After 4 years of chronic phase, a 22-year-old female with Ph1 (+) chronic myelogenous leukemia developed myelomonocytic crisis. On admission, her Hb was 9.9 g/dl, Plt 4.1 x 10(4)/microliters, WBC 138,000/microliters with 16.5% blasts. Bone marrow contained 38% blasts. She received a combination chemotherapy of mithramycin and hydroxyurea, as reported by Koller et al. Dose of mithramycin was reduced to 20 micrograms/kg. Following 1st and 2nd infusions of mithramycin, severe nasal bleeding was seen. Prednisolone 10 mg/day was given from the 3rd dose of mithramycin with apparent hemostatic effects. Calcium gluconate 3 g/day was administered concomitantly. Her disease responded promptly to this treatment and hematological remission was achieved.     

Analysis of peroxidase-negative acute unclassifiable leukemias by monoclonal antibodies. 1. Acute myelogenous leukemia and acute myelomonocytic leukemia

In this study, pretreatment peripheral and/or bone marrow blasts from 12 patients with acute unclassifiable leukemia (AUL) expressing the myeloid-related cell-surface antigen (CD 11) were isolated for further analysis. Despite a lack of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, 1 patient's blasts contained cytoplasmic Auer rods. The circulating blasts from another patient expressed MPO while maintaining the same surface phenotype during 20 months of clinical follow-up. In addition, the blasts from 3 cases demonstrated both myelomonocytic and monocyte-specific surface antigens, whereas the remaining 9 cases completely lacked any monocyte-specific antigen detectable by monoclonal antibodies, Mo2, My4 and Leu M3 (CD 14). The first case eventually was diagnosed as acute myelomonocytic leukemia and the second as acute myelogenous leukemia by means of immunophenotypic analysis using flow cytometry (FACS IV). In addition, the presence of MPO protein was identified in the cytoplasm of blast cells from 5 patients with AUL by means of a cytoplasmic immunofluorescence test using a monoclonal antibody (MA1). Our study indicates that non-T, non-B AUL expressing OKM1 (CD 11) antigens include acute leukemias which are unequivocally identifiable as being of either myeloid or myelomonocytic origin. However, further investigations, including immunophenotypic and cytoplasmic analysis, ultrastructural cytochemistry and gene analysis with molecular probes (tests applicable to normal myeloid cells), are necessary in order to determine the actual origin of blasts and to recognize the differentiation stages of the various types of leukemic cells from patients with undifferentiated forms of leukemia.     

Auer rods-positive neutrophils observed at diagnosis increased after remission induction in patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia]

50-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of gingival bleeding and fever in August 1987. The leukocyte count was 13,300/microliters with 80.5% leukemic promyelocytes and bone marrow was hypercellular with 86.4% leukemic promyelocytes. A small number of mature neutrophils containing Auer rods were seen in bone marrow. On a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia and treated with induction chemotherapy consisting of behenoyl-arabinofuranosyl cytosine (BHAC), daunorubicin, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and prednisolone (PSL) was reformed. After cytoreduction, leukemic cells reappeared in the peripheral blood, concomitant with mature neutrophils having Auer rods. Vitamin D3 was not effective as a differentiation inducing agent. Complete remission was obtained in November 1987 by the reinduction chemotherapy consisting of BHAC, aclarubicin, 6-MP and PSL. In this case, neutrophils with Auer rods might have been derived from the leukemic clone and differentiation of leukemic promyelocytes by intensive chemotherapy.     

The curative treatment of adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

Based on bone marrow findings and bone marrow stem cell kinetics and response to treatment, we have developed individualization of intensive induction and postremission chemotherapy for adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Thirty-four consecutive adults with ANLL were treated with an intensified induction regimen and a high dose sequential postremission therapy consisting of daunomycin, Ara-C, 6-MP and prednisolone (DCMP). The first course of remission induction was continued till achievement of a complete marrow aplasia which resulted in a decrease of leukocyte count less than 0.6-0.8 X 10(9)/L, a decrease of marrow nucleated cell count to less than 8 X 10(9)/L, and a decrease of marrow leukemic cell to less than 5%. Postremission therapy consisted of 4 courses of DCMP and a course of high-dose Ara-C. The first postremission course was initiated within 2-3 weeks subsequent to the last induction course. Twenty-eight of 34 patients (82.4%) achieved complete remission. The 4 year disease free survival rate was 64.4 +/- 14.0%. The results convinced us that individualized intensive induction and postremission therapy of adult ANLL given at the time of minimal residual leukemic disease in early remission might be sufficiently effective to produce long-term DFS to be considered potential cured.     

Smoldering leukemia with pyoderma gangrenosum

A 76-year-old male admitted to Surugadai Nihon University hospital complaining of general fatigue, slight fever and anorexia. The laboratory examination revealed anemia and an appearance of a few myeloblasts and 7% of monocytes in the peripheral blood. The nucleated cell count was 2 x 10(4)/microliters with 43% myeloblasts in the bone marrow aspirate. He was diagnosed as acute myelomonocytic leukemia. He did not receive any chemotherapy for leukemia because of his old age and smoldering disease. Pyoderma gangrenosum developed in the left submandibular and axillary regions about 6 months later. Three more month later, significant increase of myeloblast was recognized in the peripheral blood and the bone marrow. It has been reported that pyoderma gangrenosum precedes a remarkable increase of leukemic cells in the patients with acute leukemia in complete remission and with myelodysplastic syndrome. In our case, to, the same process was strongly suggested.     

Successful bronchial arterial infusion (BAI) of ACNU in the treatment of pulmonary infiltration of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) cells

A 35-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of lumbago on March 25, 1988. On admission white blood count was 1,200/microliters with neutrophils of 9% and lymphocytes of 91%, hemoglobin level was 11.2g/dl and platelet count was 55 x 10(3)/microliters. Bone marrow smear showed 77% leukemic cell including non-specific or specific esterase-positive cells. Chest X-rays showed the presence of mediastinal tumor and diffuse reticular shadows. A diagnosis of ANLL was made and a hematological remission was obtained after one course of combination chemotherapy consisting of BH-AC, daunorubicin and prednisolone, but the enlarged mediastinal tumor and pulmonary infiltration worsened rapidly followed by marked dyspnea. This radiographic abnormal shadow was confirmed to be leukemic infiltration from the finding of transbronchial lung biopsy. We hesitated to give systemic chemotherapy because he also had had liver abscess. Accordingly we performed BAI of ACNU at a dosage of 150 mg which led to a dramatic improvement in dyspnea. 60Co therapy was performed on the mediastinal tumor. On May 30, when he had a relapse, he was unsuccessfully treated with systemic chemotherapy. The leukemic cells invaded most of the organs and the patient died on July 19, 1988. It is likely that BAI of ACNU for leukemic pulmonary infiltration was effective.