HAEM5:Childhood myelodysplastic neoplasm with low blasts

Haematolymphoid Tumours (WHO Classification, 5th ed.)

editContent Update To WHO 5th Edition Classification Is In Process; Content Below is Based on WHO 4th Edition Classification

This page was converted to the new template on 2023-12-07. The original page can be found at HAEM4:Refractory Cytopenia of Childhood.

(General Instructions – The focus of these pages is the clinically significant genetic alterations in each disease type. This is based on up-to-date knowledge from multiple resources such as PubMed and the WHO classification books. The CCGA is meant to be a supplemental resource to the WHO classification books; the CCGA captures in a continually updated wiki-stye manner the current genetics/genomics knowledge of each disease, which evolves more rapidly than books can be revised and published. If the same disease is described in multiple WHO classification books, the genetics-related information for that disease will be consolidated into a single main page that has this template (other pages would only contain a link to this main page). Use HUGO-approved gene names and symbols (italicized when appropriate), HGVS-based nomenclature for variants, as well as generic names of drugs and testing platforms or assays if applicable. Please complete tables whenever possible and do not delete them (add N/A if not applicable in the table and delete the examples); to add (or move) a row or column in a table, click nearby within the table and select the > symbol that appears. Please do not delete or alter the section headings. The use of bullet points alongside short blocks of text rather than only large paragraphs is encouraged. Additional instructions below in italicized blue text should not be included in the final page content. Please also see Author_Instructions and FAQs as well as contact your Associate Editor or Technical Support.)

Primary Author(s)*

Xiaoli Du, Ph.D; Teresa A. Smolarek, Ph.D, FACMG

Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.

WHO Classification of Disease

Structure	Disease
Book	Haematolymphoid Tumours (5th ed.)
Category	Myeloid proliferations and neoplasms
Family	Myelodysplastic neoplasms
Type	Myelodysplastic neoplasms of childhood
Subtype(s)	Childhood myelodysplastic neoplasm with low blasts

Definition / Description of Disease

Refractory Cytopenia of Childhood (RCC) is a low-grade MDS most common in childhood, which is characterized by <2% blood blasts and <5% bone marrow blasts and persistent cytopenia. Since more than 80% RCC has a hypocellular bone marrow, it is important to distinguish RCC with aplastic anemia from other bone marrow failure disorders. Aplastic anemia is an autoimmune-mediated disorder, while RCC is caused by a clonal stem cell defect with the potential to progress to an advanced disease. The presence of micromegakaryocytes is a strong indicator of RCC. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment.  

Synonyms / Terminology

Refractory Cytopenia of Childhood (RCC)

Epidemiology / Prevalence

RCC accounts for 50% of all cases of MDS .

• Most common childhood MDS
• No significant sex predilection

Clinical Features

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Signs and Symptoms	EXAMPLE: Asymptomatic (incidental finding on complete blood counts) EXAMPLE: B-symptoms (weight loss, fever, night sweats) EXAMPLE: Fatigue EXAMPLE: Lymphadenopathy (uncommon)
Laboratory Findings	EXAMPLE: Cytopenias EXAMPLE: Lymphocytosis (low level)

editv4:Clinical Features

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The clinical symptoms are usually related to cytopenia such as anemia, bleeding tendency, and infection. However, approximately 20% of patients have no clinical symptoms or signs.

• Hemoglobin concentration: <10 g/dL AND
• Platelet count: <150 x10⁹/L

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Sites of Involvement

Peripheral blood and bone marrow

Morphologic Features

The main morphologic features of the peripheral blood smear and bone marrow are for the diagnosis of RCC.

Categories	Morphologic Features
Peripheral blood	Anisopoikilocytosis and macrocytosis; neutropenia with pseudo-Pelger-Huet nulei, hypogranularity or agranularity,
Bone marrow aspirate/biopsy	Erythropoiesis: immature erythroid precursors, nuclear budding, multinuclearity, internuclear bridging; Graulopoiesis: pseudo-Pelger-Huet nulei, hypogranularity or agranularity, macrocytic bands; Megakaryopoiesis: absent or very few, however, micromegakaryocyte is crucial for the diagnosis.

Immunophenotype

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Finding	Marker
Positive (universal)	EXAMPLE: CD1
Positive (subset)	EXAMPLE: CD2
Negative (universal)	EXAMPLE: CD3
Negative (subset)	EXAMPLE: CD4

editv4:Immunophenotype

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CD61, CD41, von Willebrand factor are useful to help detect the micromegakaryocyte. No increase of CD34 staining should be observed, which indicates the progression of high grade MDS.

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WHO Essential and Desirable Genetic Diagnostic Criteria

(Instructions: The table will have the diagnostic criteria from the WHO book autocompleted; remove any non-genetics related criteria. If applicable, add text about other classification systems that define this entity and specify how the genetics-related criteria differ.)

WHO Essential Criteria (Genetics)*
WHO Desirable Criteria (Genetics)*
Other Classification

*Note: These are only the genetic/genomic criteria. Additional diagnostic criteria can be found in the WHO Classification of Tumours.

Related Terminology

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Acceptable
Not Recommended

Gene Rearrangements

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Driver Gene	Fusion(s) and Common Partner Genes	Molecular Pathogenesis	Typical Chromosomal Alteration(s)	Prevalence -Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: ABL1	EXAMPLE: BCR::ABL1	EXAMPLE: The pathogenic derivative is the der(22) resulting in fusion of 5’ BCR and 3’ABL1.	EXAMPLE: t(9;22)(q34;q11.2)	EXAMPLE: Common (CML)	EXAMPLE: D, P, T	EXAMPLE: Yes (WHO, NCCN)	EXAMPLE: The t(9;22) is diagnostic of CML in the appropriate morphology and clinical context (add reference). This fusion is responsive to targeted therapy such as Imatinib (Gleevec) (add reference). BCR::ABL1 is generally favorable in CML (add reference).
EXAMPLE: CIC	EXAMPLE: CIC::DUX4	EXAMPLE: Typically, the last exon of CIC is fused to DUX4. The fusion breakpoint in CIC is usually intra-exonic and removes an inhibitory sequence, upregulating PEA3 genes downstream of CIC including ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5.	EXAMPLE: t(4;19)(q25;q13)	EXAMPLE: Common (CIC-rearranged sarcoma)	EXAMPLE: D		EXAMPLE: DUX4 has many homologous genes; an alternate translocation in a minority of cases is t(10;19), but this is usually indistinguishable from t(4;19) by short-read sequencing (add references).
EXAMPLE: ALK	EXAMPLE: ELM4::ALK Other fusion partners include KIF5B, NPM1, STRN, TFG, TPM3, CLTC, KLC1	EXAMPLE: Fusions result in constitutive activation of the ALK tyrosine kinase. The most common ALK fusion is EML4::ALK, with breakpoints in intron 19 of ALK. At the transcript level, a variable (5’) partner gene is fused to 3’ ALK at exon 20. Rarely, ALK fusions contain exon 19 due to breakpoints in intron 18.	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Rare (Lung adenocarcinoma)	EXAMPLE: T		EXAMPLE: Both balanced and unbalanced forms are observed by FISH (add references).
EXAMPLE: ABL1	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Intragenic deletion of exons 2–7 in EGFR removes the ligand-binding domain, resulting in a constitutively active tyrosine kinase with downstream activation of multiple oncogenic pathways.	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Recurrent (IDH-wildtype Glioblastoma)	EXAMPLE: D, P, T

editv4:Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)

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No

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editv4:Clinical Significance (Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Implications).

Please incorporate this section into the relevant tables found in:

• Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)
• Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH
• Characteristic Chromosomal Patterns
• Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

• Diagnosis: <2% blood blasts and <5% bone marrow blasts and persistent cytopenia
• Prognosis: In RCC, patients with monosomy 7 have a higher probability of progression. Patients with trisomy 8 or a normal karyotype are unlikely to progress to advanced MDS.
• Therapeutic: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative therapy for RCC patients. This treatment is suitable for patients with monosomy 7 or a complex karyotype in the early stage of the process. Some of the RCC patients benefit from immunosuppressive therapy, although it is unclear whether the immunosuppressive therapy has the risk of relapse long-term.

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Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH

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Chr #	Gain, Loss, Amp, LOH	Minimal Region Cytoband and/or Genomic Coordinates [Genome Build; Size]	Relevant Gene(s)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: 7	EXAMPLE: Loss	EXAMPLE: chr7	EXAMPLE: Unknown	EXAMPLE: D, P	EXAMPLE: No	EXAMPLE: Presence of monosomy 7 (or 7q deletion) is sufficient for a diagnosis of AML with MDS-related changes when there is ≥20% blasts and no prior therapy (add reference).  Monosomy 7/7q deletion is associated with a poor prognosis in AML (add references).
EXAMPLE: 8	EXAMPLE: Gain	EXAMPLE: chr8	EXAMPLE: Unknown	EXAMPLE: D, P		EXAMPLE: Common recurrent secondary finding for t(8;21) (add references).
EXAMPLE: 17	EXAMPLE: Amp	EXAMPLE: 17q12; chr17:39,700,064-39,728,658 [hg38; 28.6 kb]	EXAMPLE: ERBB2	EXAMPLE: D, P, T		EXAMPLE: Amplification of ERBB2 is associated with HER2 overexpression in HER2 positive breast cancer (add references). Add criteria for how amplification is defined.

editv4:Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH

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Monosomy 7 is the most frequent cytogenetic abnormality of RCC patients, followed by trisomy 8 and other abnormalities, including complex karyotypes.

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Characteristic Chromosomal or Other Global Mutational Patterns

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Included in this category are alterations such as hyperdiploid; gain of odd number chromosomes including typically chromosome 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 17; co-deletion of 1p and 19q; complex karyotypes without characteristic genetic findings; chromothripsis; microsatellite instability; homologous recombination deficiency; mutational signature pattern; etc. Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Chromosomal Pattern	Molecular Pathogenesis	Prevalence - Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: Co-deletion of 1p and 18q	EXAMPLE: See chromosomal rearrangements table as this pattern is due to an unbalanced derivative translocation associated with oligodendroglioma (add reference).	EXAMPLE: Common (Oligodendroglioma)	EXAMPLE: D, P
EXAMPLE: Microsatellite instability - hypermutated		EXAMPLE: Common (Endometrial carcinoma)	EXAMPLE: P, T

editv4:Characteristic Chromosomal Aberrations / Patterns

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Monosomy 7 (CCHMC), trisomy 8 and other abnormalities, including complex karyotypes.

Pictures are needed to be upload!!

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Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: This table is not meant to be an exhaustive list; please include only genes/alterations that are recurrent or common as well either disease defining and/or clinically significant. If a gene has multiple mechanisms depending on the type or site of the alteration, add multiple entries in the table. For clinical significance, denote associations with FDA-approved therapy (not an extensive list of applicable drugs) and NCCN or other national guidelines if applicable; Can also refer to CGC workgroup tables as linked on the homepage if applicable as well as any high impact papers or reviews of gene mutations in this entity. Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information such as concomitant and mutually exclusive mutations can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Gene	Genetic Alteration	Tumor Suppressor Gene, Oncogene, Other	Prevalence - Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE:EGFR	EXAMPLE: Exon 18-21 activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Oncogene	EXAMPLE: Common (lung cancer)	EXAMPLE: T	EXAMPLE: Yes (NCCN)	EXAMPLE: Exons 18, 19, and 21 mutations are targetable for therapy. Exon 20 T790M variants cause resistance to first generation TKI therapy and are targetable by second and third generation TKIs (add references).
EXAMPLE: TP53; Variable LOF mutations	EXAMPLE: Variable LOF mutations	EXAMPLE: Tumor Supressor Gene	EXAMPLE: Common (breast cancer)	EXAMPLE: P		EXAMPLE: >90% are somatic; rare germline alterations associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (add reference). Denotes a poor prognosis in breast cancer.
EXAMPLE: BRAF; Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Oncogene	EXAMPLE: Common (melanoma)	EXAMPLE: T

Note: A more extensive list of mutations can be found in cBioportal, COSMIC, and/or other databases. When applicable, gene-specific pages within the CCGA site directly link to pertinent external content.

editv4:Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

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• Mutations are less common than in adult MDS with a different profile
• Most frequent mutations: RAS/MAPK, SAMD9/SAMD9L, GATA2.

Other Mutations

No

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Epigenomic Alterations

No

Genes and Main Pathways Involved

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Gene; Genetic Alteration	Pathway	Pathophysiologic Outcome
EXAMPLE: BRAF and MAP2K1; Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: MAPK signaling	EXAMPLE: Increased cell growth and proliferation
EXAMPLE: CDKN2A; Inactivating mutations	EXAMPLE: Cell cycle regulation	EXAMPLE: Unregulated cell division
EXAMPLE: KMT2C and ARID1A; Inactivating mutations	EXAMPLE: Histone modification, chromatin remodeling	EXAMPLE: Abnormal gene expression program

editv4:Genes and Main Pathways Involved

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• RAS/MAPK: involved in MAPK tyrosine Kinase pathway

• SAMD9/SAMD9L: involved in regulating the growth and proliferation and differentiation of cells
• GATA2: involved in regulating transcription of genes related with the development and proliferation of hematopoietic and endocrine cell lineages

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Genetic Diagnostic Testing Methods

Bone marrow minimal histological criteria for refractory cytopenia of childhood. Refractory cytopenia of childhood is defined as persistent cytopenia with <5% blasts in bone marrow and <2% blasts in peripheral blood. The criteria of dysplasia must be fulfilled in ≥2 cell lineages or ≥10% of cells within one cell lineage on bone marrow aspirate smears. See table:

Cellularity	Erythropoiesis	Granulopoiesis	Megakaryopoiesis
Variable	A few clusters of ≥20 erythroid precursors. Arrest in maturation, with increased number of proerythroblasts. Increased number of mitoses.	No minimal diagnostic criteria.	Unequivocal micromegakaryocytes; immunohistochemistry is obligatory (CD61, CD41, CD42b); other dysplastic changes in variable numbers.

In addition, RCC must be differentiated from aplastic anemia, bone marrow failure syndromes, infection, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic diseases.

Familial Forms

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Additional Information

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Links

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References

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Notes

*Primary authors will typically be those that initially create and complete the content of a page.  If a subsequent user modifies the content and feels the effort put forth is of high enough significance to warrant listing in the authorship section, please contact the Associate Editor or other CCGA representative.  When pages have a major update, the new author will be acknowledged at the beginning of the page, and those who contributed previously will be acknowledged below as a prior author.

Prior Author(s):

*Citation of this Page: “Childhood myelodysplastic neoplasm with low blasts”. Compendium of Cancer Genome Aberrations (CCGA), Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC), updated 02/10/2025, https://ccga.io/index.php/HAEM5:Childhood_myelodysplastic_neoplasm_with_low_blasts.