Acute Monoblastic and Monocytic Leukemia
editPREVIOUS EDITIONThis page from the 4th edition of Haematolymphoid Tumours is being updated. See 5th edition Table of Contents.
Primary Author(s)*
Fei Yang, MD, FACMG
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Cancer Category/Type
Cancer Sub-Classification / Subtype
Acute monoblastic and monocytic leukemia
Definition / Description of Disease
Acute monoblastic and monocytic leukemia are myeloid leukemias in which the peripheral blood or bone marrow has ≥20% blasts (including promonocytes) and in which ≥80% of the leukemic cells are of monocytic lineage (monoblasts, promonocytes and monocytes). Neutrophils may be noted (<20%). In acute monoblastic leukemia, most (≥80%) of the monocytic cells are monoblasts; while in acute monocytic leukemia, most of the monocytic cells are promonocytes or monocytes. In the 2016 revision to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system, acute monoblastic and monocytic leukemia is a distinct entity within the section of HAEM4:Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Not Otherwise Specified[1][2]. This entity does not meet the criteria for inclusion in any of the other AML groups (i.e. AML with Recurrent Genetic Abnormalities, AML with Myelodysplasia-Related Changes, or Therapy-Related Myeloid Neoplasms).
Synonyms / Terminology
Acute monoblastic leukemia; acute monocytic leukemia; French-American-British (FAB) classification M5, Monoblastic leukemia NOS
Epidemiology / Prevalence
Acute monoblastic leukemia:
- less than 5% of AML cases
- more common in young individuals
Acute monocytic leukemia:
- less than 5% of AML cases
- more common in adults; the median patient age is 49 years
- the male-to-female ratio is 1.8:1
Clinical Features
Sites of Involvement
Bone marrow; extramedullary sites such as lymph nodes, skin, gingiva, and CNS.
Morphologic Features
- Monoblasts are large cells with abundant cytoplasm, which can be moderately to intensely basophillic, and round nuclei with delicate lacy chromatin and one or more predominant nucleoli; scattered azurophillic granuoles and vacuoles may be present.
- Promonocytes have a more irregular and delicately convoluted nuclear configuration and cytoplasm which is usually less basophillic and more granulated.
- Hemophagocytosis (erythrophagocytosis) may be observed, often associated with t(8;16)(p11.2;p13.3).
- The extramedullary lesion may be composed mainly of monoblasts, promocytes or both.
Immunophenotype
Cytochemistry
- Monoblast granules and monocytes are strongly positive for non-specific esterase and lysozyme in most cases
- Monoblasts are typically negative for myeloperoxidase (MPO), although promonocytes may have scattered positivity.
Often a complex immunophenotype with multiple blast populations including:
- immature blasts with CD34 (30% of cases) and/or KIT (CD117) expression
- populations with myeloid markers: CD13, CD33, CD15, CD65
- populations with at least two monocytic markers: CD4, CD14, CD11b, CD11c, CD64, CD36, CD68, and lysozyme
- most cases are positive for HLA-DR
- MPO can be expressed in acute monocytic leukemia and less often in monoblastic leukemia
| Finding | Marker |
|---|---|
| Positive (universal) | EXAMPLE CD1 |
| Positive (subset) | EXAMPLE CD2 |
| Negative (universal) | EXAMPLE CD3 |
| Negative (subset) | EXAMPLE CD4 |
Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)
| Chromosomal Rearrangement | Genes in Fusion (5’ or 3’ Segments) | Pathogenic Derivative | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|---|
| t(8;16)(p11.2;p13.3) | 5'KAT6A / 3'CREBBP or 5'CREBBP / 3'KAT6A | der(8) or der(16) | 0.2% of AML |
Characteristic Chromosomal Aberrations / Patterns
Myeloid-associated nonspecific cytogenetic abnormalities are present in most cases.
Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH
Put your text here and/or fill in the table
| Chromosome Number | Gain/Loss/Amp/LOH | Region |
|---|---|---|
| EXAMPLE 8 | EXAMPLE Gain | EXAMPLE chr8:0-1000000 |
| EXAMPLE 7 | EXAMPLE Loss | EXAMPLE chr7:0-1000000 |
Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)
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| Gene | Mutation | Oncogene/Tumor Suppressor/Other | Presumed Mechanism (LOF/GOF/Other; Driver/Passenger) | Prevalence (COSMIC/TCGA/Other) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXAMPLE TP53 | EXAMPLE R273H | EXAMPLE Tumor Suppressor | EXAMPLE LOF | EXAMPLE 20% |
Other Mutations
| Type | Gene/Region/Other |
|---|---|
| Concomitant Mutations | EXAMPLE IDH1 R123H |
| Secondary Mutations | EXAMPLE Trisomy 7 |
| Mutually Exclusive | EXAMPLE EGFR Amplification |
Epigenomics (Methylation)
None
Genes and Main Pathways Involved
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Diagnostic Testing Methods
- Conventional chromosome analysis
- FISH myeloid panel
- FISH or RT-PCR for KAT6A-CREBBP gene rearrangement
Clinical Significance (Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Implications)
Diagnosis
- The main differential diagnoses of acute monoblastic leukemia include: AML without maturation, AML with minimal differentiation, AML with t(9;11)(p21.3;q23.3), and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL)[2]. Extramedullary monoblastic sarcoma needs to be differentiated from malignant lymphoma or soft tissue sarcomas[2].
- The main differential diagnoses of acute monocytic leukemia include: chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, acute myelomonocytic leukemia, and microgranular acute promyelocytic leukamia (APL)[2].
- Haemophagocytosis (erythrophagocytosis) with t(8;16)(p11.2;p13.3) may also occur in acute myelomonocytic leukemia and some cases of AML with maturation[2].
Prognosis
Familial Forms
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Other Information
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Links
References
- ↑ Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Harris NL, Jaffe ES, Pileri SA, Stein H, Thiele J, Arber DA, Hasserjian RP, Le Beau MM, Orazi A, and Siebert R, Editors. World Health Organization Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues, Revised 4th edition. IARC Press: Lyon, France, p160-161.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Arber, Daniel A.; et al. (2016). "The 2016 revision to the World Health Organization classification of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia". Blood. 127 (20): 2391–2405. doi:10.1182/blood-2016-03-643544. ISSN 1528-0020. PMID 27069254.
- ↑ Azoulay, Elie; et al. (2003). "Acute monocytic leukemia presenting as acute respiratory failure". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 167 (10): 1329–1333. doi:10.1164/rccm.200206-554OC. ISSN 1073-449X. PMID 12574074.
- ↑ Heim, S.; et al. (1987). "A new specific chromosomal rearrangement, t(8;16) (p11;p13), in acute monocytic leukaemia". British Journal of Haematology. 66 (3): 323–326. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2141.1987.tb06917.x. ISSN 0007-1048. PMID 3476150.
- ↑ Haferlach, T.; et al. (2009). "AML with translocation t(8;16)(p11;p13) demonstrates unique cytomorphological, cytogenetic, molecular and prognostic features". Leukemia. 23 (5): 934–943. doi:10.1038/leu.2008.388. ISSN 1476-5551. PMID 19194466.
Notes
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