Acute megakaryocytic leukemia: What have we learned

Andrew W Hahn; Bojia Li; Philippe Prouet; Smith Giri; Ranjan Pathak; Mike G Martin

doi:10.1016/j.blre.2015.07.005

Acute megakaryocytic leukemia: What have we learned

Blood Rev. 2016 Jan;30(1):49-53. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2015.07.005. Epub 2015 Jul 18.

Authors

Andrew W Hahn¹, Bojia Li², Philippe Prouet³, Smith Giri³, Ranjan Pathak⁴, Mike G Martin⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA. Electronic address: ahahn100@gmail.com.
² Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Department of Hematology/Oncology, The West Cancer Center, USA.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.
⁴ Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, USA.
⁵ Department of Hematology/Oncology, The West Cancer Center, USA.

PMID: 26228843
DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2015.07.005

Abstract

Acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AMegL) is a biologically heterogenous subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that arises from megakaryocytes. Improvements in the accuracy of diagnosing AMegL as well as interest in the molecular analysis of leukemias have led to an increased amount of data available on this rare AML subtype. In this review, we will analyze the diverse molecular features unique to AMegL and how they have influenced the development of novel treatment strategies, including polyploidization. The review will also consider the data available on clinical outcomes in AMegL and how it is a poor individual prognostic factor for AML. Finally, the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in AMegL will be explored.

Keywords: AML M7; Acute megakaryocytic leukemia; Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant; Clinical outcomes; Molecular features; Novel therapies; Polyploidization.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
Aurora Kinase A / antagonists & inhibitors
Aurora Kinase A / genetics
Aurora Kinase A / metabolism
Azepines / therapeutic use
Chromosome Aberrations*
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3*
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / antagonists & inhibitors
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / genetics
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / metabolism
GATA1 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
GATA1 Transcription Factor / genetics
GATA1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
Humans
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / genetics
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / mortality
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / pathology
Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / therapy*
Megakaryocytes / drug effects
Megakaryocytes / enzymology
Megakaryocytes / pathology
Prognosis
Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
Survival Analysis
Transplantation, Homologous
Treatment Outcome
Valproic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Azepines
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
GATA1 Transcription Factor
GATA1 protein, human
MLN 8237
Protein Kinase Inhibitors
Pyrimidines
RUNX1 protein, human
Valproic Acid
AURKA protein, human
Aurora Kinase A