Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a case of MPL p.(W515L) variant essential thrombocythemia: case report and literature review

Platelets. 2022 Aug 18;33(6):945-950. doi: 10.1080/09537104.2021.2007871. Epub 2021 Dec 12.

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) arising in preexisting myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) is rare with historical cases unable to differentiate between concomitant malignancies or leukemic transformation. Here, we report a case of patient with Philadelphia positive B lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL) who developed from MPL-mutated essential thrombocythemia (ET) 13 years after initial presentation. Molecular studies showed the discrepancy between the high percentage of lymphocyte blasts (91%) and the low MPL p.(W515L) variant allele frequency (2.59%) at diagnosis in the bone marrow, indicating that the Ph+ALL clone did not originate from the ET clone carrying the MPL p.(W515L) variant. After the treatment of a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor flumatinib and prednisolone, cytogenetic and molecular remission had been achieved rapidly and followed by the recovery of original ET manifestation. Although relapsed eventually, this is still a very rare case of simultaneous presence of two cytogenetics abnormalities and evolution of MPL p.(W515L) variant ET to Ph+ALL and may provide evidence to illustrate the clonal relationship of MPN and post-MPN ALL.

Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; MPL mutation; essential thrombocythemia; philadelphia chromosome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / diagnosis
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* / genetics
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin / genetics
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential* / diagnosis
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential* / genetics

Substances

  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin
  • MPL protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 2