Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with FLT3 rearrangement

Mod Pathol. 2021 Sep;34(9):1673-1685. doi: 10.1038/s41379-021-00817-7. Epub 2021 May 14.

Abstract

Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms (M/LN) with 13q12/FLT3 rearrangement have been suggested as candidates for possible inclusion in the World Health Organization classification group of M/LN with eosinophilia (M/LN-eo). We report 12 patients with confirmed FLT3 rearrangement, six with t(12;13)/ETV6-FLT3; one with ins(13;22)/BCR-FLT3; and five with an unconfirmed partner gene located on chromosome bands 2p16, 3q27, 5q15, 5q35, and 7q36. Disease presentations were heterogeneous, including lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, myeloid sarcoma, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome. However, some common features were observed, such as extramedullary involvement (n = 7, 58%), associated eosinophilia in blood, bone marrow, or tissue (n = 8, 67%), multilineage involvement, either as biphasic myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms (n = 2) or mixed phenotype acute leukemia (n = 2). Mutations were detected in 4/8 (50%) patients by next-generation sequencing. None (0/10) had FLT3 or KIT mutations. Eleven patients received disease-based chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents, three received FLT3 inhibitors, and five patients proceeded to hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Together with a review of 16 cases published in the literature, it is apparent that M/LNs with FLT3 rearrangement show disease features reminiscent of members in the category of M/LN-eo with PDGFRA, PDGFRB, FGFR1, and PCM1/JAK2 rearrangement, characterized by a specific gene rearrangement, frequent eosinophilia, multi-lineage involvement and therapeutic benefit from kinase inhibitors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Fusion
  • Young Adult
  • fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 / genetics*

Substances

  • FLT3 protein, human
  • fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3