Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in a 3-Year-Old Girl with Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report

Klin Padiatr. 2022 Nov;234(6):388-390. doi: 10.1055/a-1933-2583. Epub 2022 Nov 15.

Abstract

Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe thrombocytopenia that presents soon after birth and is usually not accompanied by specific somatic malformations [Germeshausen M, Ballmaier M. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2021; 34: 101286]. CAMT is more prevalent in females than males [Ballmaier M, Germeshausen M. Semin Thromb Hemost 2011; 37: 673-681; Germeshausen M, Ballmaier M. Haematologica 2021; 106: 2439-2448], in contrast to other congenital bone marrow failure syndromes. Patients with CAMT also exhibit cardiac malformations, cerebellar hypoplasia, growth retardation, and a distinctive facial appearance [Yldrm A T, Güneş B T, Oymak Y, et al. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2015; 26: 337-341], although it remains unknown whether these are related to CAMT. Mutations in the MPL gene, which encodes the thrombopoietin receptor, are the pathogenetic cause of CAMT [Germeshausen M, Ballmaier M. Haematologica 2021; 106: 2439-2448]. Since thrombopoietin is involved in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte development [Germeshausen M, Ballmaier M. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2021; 34: 101286], CAMT may eventually manifest as a hematopoietic failure. Currently, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only cure for CAMT. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched siblings are the first-choice donors for HSCT because transplantations from matched unrelated donors have a low success rate [King S, Germeshausen M, Strauss G, et al. Br J Haematol 2005; 131: 636-644]. Cancio et al. [Cancio M, Hebert K, Kim S, et al. Transplant Cell Ther 2022; 28: 101 e101-101 e106] reviewed 86 patients treated over 18 years and reported that although HLA-mismatched donors can extend the survival of CAMT patients, HLA-matched donors are preferred. The present report describes the successful treatment of a 3-year-old girl with CAMT using haploidentical allogeneic HSCT from the father, even though he harbored a mutant MPL gene.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Congenital Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Megakaryocytes / pathology
  • Thrombocytopenia* / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia* / genetics
  • Thrombocytopenia* / therapy

Supplementary concepts

  • Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia