Journal of Allergy Disorders & Therapy Category: Clinical
Type: Case Report
Refractory Hypotension Related to Systemic Mastocytosis Diagnosed After Cytoreductive Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
*Corresponding Author(s):
Denisa FerastraoaruDepartment Of Medicine, Allergy And Immunology Division, Albert Einstein College Of Medicine, Bronx, United States
Tel:+1 6462750584,
Email:dferastr@montefiore.org
Received Date: Jan 16, 2017
Accepted Date: Apr 17, 2017
Published Date: May 02, 2017
Abstract
Systemic Mastocytosis (SM) can be associated with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and mast cells can be masked on bone marrow biopsy by the high burden of blast cells. Most of the SM-AML patients have associated translocation t(8;21) and mutation of D816V KIT gene which were not present in the reported case. None of the SM-AML cases described in the literature had systemic symptoms secondary to SM. This is the first reported case of life-threatening symptomatic SM in a patient with SM-AML. Checking tryptase levels in symptomatic patients will lead to prompt initiation of mast cell mediators blocking therapy resulting in improved clinical management.
Keywords
Acute myeloid leukemia; Negative c-kit mutation; Symptomatic systemic mastocytosis
ABBREVIATIONS
AML: Acute Myeloid Leukemia; MC: Mast Cells; SM: Systemic Mastocytosis; SM-AML: Systemic Mastocytosis Associated With Acute Myeloid Leukemia
INTRODUCTION
Systemic Mastocytosis (SM) can be Aassociated with Clonal Hematological Non Mast Cell Lineage Disorders (AHNMD) like Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) in up to 10-40% of patients and carries a poor prognosis [1-2]. Most of the SM-AML cases have associated translocation t(8;21) and mutation of D816V KIT gene [2]. Here we present a patient with SM-AML without translocation t(8;21) and D816V KIT mutation who developed refractory hypotension due to Mast Cells (MC) mediators release after blastolytic therapy. In this case, the diagnosis of SM was made after cytoreductive therapy for AML.
CLINICAL CASE
The patient is 53-year-old female who was initially diagnosed with myeloproliferative-myelodysplastic syndrome which subsequently progressed to high risk MDS with complex cytogenetics (deletion of chromosomes 5, 7 and trisomy 8). She received standard induction chemotherapy with cytarabine and idarubicin. Four weeks later she developed urticaria that was thought to be in relation to one of the prophylaxis medications (fluconazole, valacyclovir or mepron). However the urticaria slowly resolved over a month with daily antihistamines despite continuing all three medications.
One month after this episode she started to develop again pancytopenia. The bone marrow biopsy was repeated and showed conversion to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with 21% blasts for which re-induction chemotherapy with High Dose Cytarabine (HiDAC) was initiated. The bone marrow biopsy revealed same cytogenetics as before: deletion of chromosomes 5,7 and trisomy 8.
Hospital course was complicated by neutropenic fevers for which she received empiric antibiotic coverage and symptomatic hypotension (nadir of systolic blood pressure of 75 mmHg) responsive to fluids. Clinically, the patient was stable, however, she developed new diffuse and persistent pruritic maculo-erythematous rash (skin biopsy showed spongiosis) which was thought to be medication related. Fifteen days after HiDAC initiation she developed vancomycin resistant E. faecium bacteremia treated with daptomycin subsequently with negative blood cultures. After two weeks, despite the appropriate antimicrobial treatment, the patient started to have severe episodes of hypotension non responsive to fluids resuscitation and eventually required intubation and initiation of three vasopressorswhich were difficult to taper. Extensive work-up in the intensive care unit excluded cardiac and septic shocks as causes for refractory hypotension. A repeat Bone Marrow (BM) biopsy to evaluate response to chemotherapy revealed clearance of myeloid blasts but showed 20% CD 117+ CD2+ CD25- oval spindle-shaped mast cells (Figure 1), which were positive for CD117 (Figure 2). Whole BM real time-polymerase chain reaction was negative for D816V KIT mutation. Serum tryptase level was 42 ng/ml (normal <11.4 ng/ml). The patient was diagnosed with SM-AML and started on histamine-1, histamine-2 and leukotriene receptors blockers with significant improvement in blood pressure (able to taper the vasopressors) and skin rash. Unfortunately, the patient progressively developed acidosis in relation to acute kidney injury secondary to prolonged hypotension, then multi-organ failure and died 2 weeks later.
One month after this episode she started to develop again pancytopenia. The bone marrow biopsy was repeated and showed conversion to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with 21% blasts for which re-induction chemotherapy with High Dose Cytarabine (HiDAC) was initiated. The bone marrow biopsy revealed same cytogenetics as before: deletion of chromosomes 5,7 and trisomy 8.
Hospital course was complicated by neutropenic fevers for which she received empiric antibiotic coverage and symptomatic hypotension (nadir of systolic blood pressure of 75 mmHg) responsive to fluids. Clinically, the patient was stable, however, she developed new diffuse and persistent pruritic maculo-erythematous rash (skin biopsy showed spongiosis) which was thought to be medication related. Fifteen days after HiDAC initiation she developed vancomycin resistant E. faecium bacteremia treated with daptomycin subsequently with negative blood cultures. After two weeks, despite the appropriate antimicrobial treatment, the patient started to have severe episodes of hypotension non responsive to fluids resuscitation and eventually required intubation and initiation of three vasopressorswhich were difficult to taper. Extensive work-up in the intensive care unit excluded cardiac and septic shocks as causes for refractory hypotension. A repeat Bone Marrow (BM) biopsy to evaluate response to chemotherapy revealed clearance of myeloid blasts but showed 20% CD 117+ CD2+ CD25- oval spindle-shaped mast cells (Figure 1), which were positive for CD117 (Figure 2). Whole BM real time-polymerase chain reaction was negative for D816V KIT mutation. Serum tryptase level was 42 ng/ml (normal <11.4 ng/ml). The patient was diagnosed with SM-AML and started on histamine-1, histamine-2 and leukotriene receptors blockers with significant improvement in blood pressure (able to taper the vasopressors) and skin rash. Unfortunately, the patient progressively developed acidosis in relation to acute kidney injury secondary to prolonged hypotension, then multi-organ failure and died 2 weeks later.
Figure 1: Hypercellular Bone Marrow with Atypical Mast Cells.
Figure 2: CD117+Mast Cells in the Bone Marrow.
DISCUSSION
Systemic mastocytosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by infiltration with MC of different tissues. Mast cells are recognized by production of tryptase and expression of different surface markers such as CD25, CD2 and CD117 (KIT). CD 117(KIT) is a tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by the c-kit proto-oncogene. Mutation in the KIT codon 816 (D816V) is associated with autonomous growth of MC and is detectable in vast majority of patients with SM [3]. KIT D816V mutation represents one of the minor criteria for diagnosis of SM, but its absence does not exclude the diagnosis.
Our case is unique due to several characteristics.
First, the diagnosis of SM-AML was made after cytoreductive chemotherapy for AML. There have been published few cases of SM being diagnosed after treatment for AML [4-6] but none of those patients had systemic symptoms secondary to SM. In our case there was a clear evidence of SM - induced refractory hypotension because of negative work-up for other causes and improvement in blood pressure after blocking therapy of MC mediators was initiated. Moreover, the patient had two episodes of pruritic skin rash which we suspect that probably were in relation to MC mediators release. The skin biopsy result was nonspecific (spongiosis), however, special stain for mast cells was not performed at the time of skin biopsy. Unfortunately, after the patient’s death, it was not possible to re-examine the old skin and bone marrow biopsies to retrospectively look for the presence of mast cells. The diagnosis of SM in this patient was made on the basis of one major criterion (MC aggregates in the BM) and one minor criterion (presence of spindle-shaped atypical MC with aberrant expression of CD2 in the BM). Coexistence of SM with AML lead to final diagnosis of SM-AML.
It is not unusual to diagnose SM after AML treatment because the initial high burden of blasts is thought to cover the atypical MC [4-6] but the rapid diagnosis of associated SM has major impact if the patient is symptomatic due to MC mediator release. Our patient is the first reported case of life-threatening symptomatic SM-AML due to refractory hypotension that responded to medications blocking the effects of MC mediators.
Second, c-kit mutation D816V was not detectable in either BM cells or peripheral blood, despite literature showing that KIT D816V mutation in AML is highly associated with co-existing SM [2]. However, another mutation at this or another locus cannot be excluded. Fritsche-Polanz et al. investigated 101 patients with AML and found expression of KIT D816V in 6.9%; all of these cases were found to have associated SM. D816V mutation has been associated with poor prognosis in SM and resistance to imatinib, but is unclear if its absence represents a prognostic factor [7].
Third, the patient did not have associated translocation t(8;21) which was described in patients with SM-AML. The incidence of SM in patients with t(8;21) is not known, but its presence is reported to carry a dismal prognosis. The t(8; 21) occurs in about 5% of all AMLs and c-kit mutations play a role in the development of overt t(8;21) in about 20% of cases [8]. With this case, we would like to highlight the importance of suspecting SM in AML patients without translocation t(8;21).
It is imperative to pursue an early diagnosis of SM in clonal malignant hematological disorders because the life-threatening MC mediators-related episodes justify the need for adequate treatment. Since diagnosis of SM in hematological neoplasms can be missed initially due to high cellularity burden, we propose to use tryptase as a biochemical measure of MC activation in those patients who develop skin rashes and/ or unexplained refractory hypotension. Current guidelines recommend prompt treatment with histamineand leukotriens antagonists to improve symptoms of MC degranulation [9].
Our case is unique due to several characteristics.
First, the diagnosis of SM-AML was made after cytoreductive chemotherapy for AML. There have been published few cases of SM being diagnosed after treatment for AML [4-6] but none of those patients had systemic symptoms secondary to SM. In our case there was a clear evidence of SM - induced refractory hypotension because of negative work-up for other causes and improvement in blood pressure after blocking therapy of MC mediators was initiated. Moreover, the patient had two episodes of pruritic skin rash which we suspect that probably were in relation to MC mediators release. The skin biopsy result was nonspecific (spongiosis), however, special stain for mast cells was not performed at the time of skin biopsy. Unfortunately, after the patient’s death, it was not possible to re-examine the old skin and bone marrow biopsies to retrospectively look for the presence of mast cells. The diagnosis of SM in this patient was made on the basis of one major criterion (MC aggregates in the BM) and one minor criterion (presence of spindle-shaped atypical MC with aberrant expression of CD2 in the BM). Coexistence of SM with AML lead to final diagnosis of SM-AML.
It is not unusual to diagnose SM after AML treatment because the initial high burden of blasts is thought to cover the atypical MC [4-6] but the rapid diagnosis of associated SM has major impact if the patient is symptomatic due to MC mediator release. Our patient is the first reported case of life-threatening symptomatic SM-AML due to refractory hypotension that responded to medications blocking the effects of MC mediators.
Second, c-kit mutation D816V was not detectable in either BM cells or peripheral blood, despite literature showing that KIT D816V mutation in AML is highly associated with co-existing SM [2]. However, another mutation at this or another locus cannot be excluded. Fritsche-Polanz et al. investigated 101 patients with AML and found expression of KIT D816V in 6.9%; all of these cases were found to have associated SM. D816V mutation has been associated with poor prognosis in SM and resistance to imatinib, but is unclear if its absence represents a prognostic factor [7].
Third, the patient did not have associated translocation t(8;21) which was described in patients with SM-AML. The incidence of SM in patients with t(8;21) is not known, but its presence is reported to carry a dismal prognosis. The t(8; 21) occurs in about 5% of all AMLs and c-kit mutations play a role in the development of overt t(8;21) in about 20% of cases [8]. With this case, we would like to highlight the importance of suspecting SM in AML patients without translocation t(8;21).
It is imperative to pursue an early diagnosis of SM in clonal malignant hematological disorders because the life-threatening MC mediators-related episodes justify the need for adequate treatment. Since diagnosis of SM in hematological neoplasms can be missed initially due to high cellularity burden, we propose to use tryptase as a biochemical measure of MC activation in those patients who develop skin rashes and/ or unexplained refractory hypotension. Current guidelines recommend prompt treatment with histamineand leukotriens antagonists to improve symptoms of MC degranulation [9].
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this is the first reported case of life-threatening refractory hypotension due to MC mediators release in a patient with SM-AML without translocation t(8;21) and KIT D816V mutation. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is of major importance and improves SM-related symptoms. Further analysis is required to evaluate this phenotype with emphasis on clinical symptoms and prognosis.
REFERENCES
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Citation: Ferastraoaru D, Janakiram M, Rice R, Hudes G (2017) Refractory Hypotension Related To Systemic Mastocytosis Diagnosed After Cytoreductive Therapy For Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Allergy Disord Ther 3: 006.
Copyright: © 2017 Denisa Ferastraoaru, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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