Late Ovarian and Intestinal Extramedullary Relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Inv 16 after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Mensah-Glanowska P¹*, Glanowski D², Sporek- Kunicka A¹, Kviatkouskaya K¹, Szostek M¹, Piatkowska-Jakubas B¹ and Skotnicki AB¹

¹Department of Haematology, University Hospital in Krakow, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Poland

²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Oncology, Gabriel Narutowicz Specialized Municipal Hospital in Krakow, Poland

*Corresponding author: Mensah-Glanowska P, Department of Hematology, University Hospital in Krakow, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, 17 Kopernika St, 31-501, Krakow, Poland

Received: March 29, 2018; Accepted: April 17, 2018; Published: May 09, 2018

Abstract

Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) extramedullary relapse (EMR) after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is challenging. EMR pathogenesis of this entity is not clearly elucidated. Variety of factors affect clinical approaches in diagnostics, treatment and prognosis. Furthermore, there is no current consensus for post-transplant AML EMR treatment. We present here the case of young AML female patient with rare EMR presentation: ovary and large intestine infiltration. The treatment combined different strategies – conservative like surgery and chemotherapy, but also effective new approaches of targeted therapy - hypomethylating agent with tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Keywords: Extramedullary relapse; AML; AlloHSCT; PET/CT

Abbreviations

AML: Acute Myeloid Leukemia; BAL: Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; CBF: Core Binding Factor; FAM: Fluticasone/Azitromycine/ Montelukast; FDG: Fluorodeoxyglucose; HRCT: High Resolution Computed Tomography; MIP: Maximum Intensity Projection; MRD: Minimal Residual Disease; PET/CT: Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography; SIRS: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; SUVmax: Maximal Standardized Uptake Value; TK: Tyrosine Kinase

Case Presentation

23-year-old female patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) inv16 (CBF-MYH11) with c-KIT mutation in July 2011. The patient underwent induction chemotherapy according to the DAC-7 protocol (Daunorubicin 60 mg/m^2/day i.v., days 1–3; Cytarabine 200 mg/m^2/day, days 1-7; Cladribine 5 mg/m^2/ day, days 1-5) and complete hematological remission was achieved. Consolidation consisted of 2 cycles with high dose Cytarabine (HAM: Cytarabine 1.5 g/m^2/day i.v. D: 1-3; Mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 D: 3-5 in September 2011 and HD-Ara-C: Cytarabine 2 g/m^2 i.v. D 1, 3, 5 in October 2011). Aplasia period, after second consolidation, was complicated by severe diarrhea with Clostridium difficile etiology. Molecular MRD was positive after induction and consolidation and the patient was qualified for matched related donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (MRD alloHSCT). In January 2013, the patient was admitted to transplant unit and subjected to 10/10 MRD peripheral blood stem cells transplantation with reduced toxicity conditioning according to BuClo regimen (Busilvex 3.2 mg/kg/day i.v. D-5 to -2 and Clofarabine 30mg/m^2/day i.v. D-6 to -2). Hematological recovery was achieved (WBC>1,5×10^9/l on D+18, ANC>0.5×10^9/l on D+18, PLT>20×10^9/l on D+10, PLT >50×10^9/l on D+10). First chimerism analysis revealed completedonor chimerism, but molecular minimal residual disease (MRD) signal - CBF-MYH11 was positive. Because of high risk of relapse immunosupression was tapered and finally discontinued on D+120. In September 2012, 6 months after transplant, the patient developed dry cough and dyspnoea at exertion. Spirometry revealed severe obturation, there were no abnormalities in HRCT assessment. Bronchiolitis obliterates syndrome was diagnosed and the patient restarted systemic immunosuppression (Tacrolimus+steroids) collaterally with FAM (inhaled Fluticasone/Azithromycin/ Montelukast) and Posaconazole prophylaxis with good response. In March 2013 after respiratory tract infection the patient complained of prolonged productive cough and malaise. HRCT results and microbiological BAL culture (Aspergillus fumigatus) confirmed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Voriconazole treatment led to resolution of symptoms and typical abnormalities in imaging. In regular control of the asymptomatic patient in September 2015, 44 months after transplantation, molecular analysis revealed positive CBF-MYH11. With no abnormalities found both in CBC and bone marrow assessment, positron emission tomography (PET/CT) was performed and presented increased FDG metabolism in the region of left ovary. Surgically removed left ovary was enlarged 50x70 mm, hard, motionless with ovarian cavity and lateral wall of the uterus. In histopathology, ovary was massively infiltrated by atypical cells with morphology of blasts. In subsequent peripheral blood MRD molecular analysis was still positive and PET/CT revealed increased FDG metabolism in the left side of lower intestine. The patient was subjected to colonoscopy with biopsy. There was no pathology on inspection and in histopathology nonspecific scanty lymphoid infiltrates were found. 2-month later, next PET/CT was performed and metabolically active areas of the descending colon 52x44x47 mm, SUVmax 7.2; on the border of descending colon and distal segment 29x32x36 mm SUVmax 6.2 and intestinal loops, right from the rectum 55x53x46mm SUVmax 8.8 were noted (Figure1A,1B). Second colonoscopy confirmed diagnosis of extramedullary AML relapse in large intestine. To minimize the risk of severe bleeding and perforation, therapy was started with Dasatinib 100 mg/day orally with 5-Azacytidine 75 mg/m^2 for 7 days used off-label followed by systemic chemotherapy: Cytarabine 200 mg/m^2/day (1-5) + Idarubicine 12 mg/m^2/day (1-3) and 90%-regression of infiltrate was achieved, confirmed by PET/CT with negative molecular MRD. Double induction was planned, and the patient was subjected to 2^nd course - Cytarabine 200mg/m^2/day (1-5) + Idarubicine 12mg/day (1-2). During aplasia, the patient developed fatal septic shock with Pseudomonas aeruginosa etiology and SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) and died in September 2016.

Figure 1: Extramedullary leukemia relapse PET/CT images MIP (A) and fusion (B) indicate multiple sites of FDG uptake, including descending colon, the border of descending colon and distal segment and intestinal loops, right from the rectum.

    
    
    Figure 1:  Extramedullary leukemia relapse PET/CT images MIP (A) and fusion (B) indicate multiple sites of FDG uptake, including descending colon, the border
of descending colon and distal segment and intestinal loops, right from the rectum.

Discussion

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 [inv(16)(p13.1q22)] is recognized by the World Health Organization classification as unique entities within the category “AML with recurrent genetic abnormalities [1,2]. Among adults with de novo AML, inv(16) is in 5-8% of the patients [3]. Both the t(8;21) and inv(16) aberration result in formation of novel chimeric fusions involving genes of the core-binding factor (CBF) complex, a master regulator of definitive hematopoiesis providing the common designation CBF-AML [4,5]. Compared with other cytogenetic AML groups, patients with CBF-AML are considered a favorable AML risk group based on their high remission rate and survival probabilities. However, approximately 50% of patients with CBF-AML are not cured. Full-length RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and CBFBMYH11 fusions are considered as preleukemic conditions in CBF leukemogenesis, but they alone are not sufficient to induce leukemic transformation. The acquisition of additional genetic hits is necessary for the development of a leukemic phenotype [4,5]. More than 90% of AML with inv(16) harbor additional secondary mutations affecting c-KIT, FLT3, NRAS, and KRAS [6]. I was found that c-KIT mutation adversely affected the relapse rate [7,8]. According to the current NCCN guidelines, AML with t(8;21) or inv(16) and mutated KIT are considered as intermediate-risk AML, not favorable-risk AML [9]. AlloHSCT is increasingly used as a potentially curative treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, relapse remains an important cause of treatment failure with relapse rates ranging from 30% to 70% [10-12]. Extramedullary relapses are known to occur, either as isolated sites or in combination with marrow relapse [13-17]. The incidence of leukemia extramedullary relapse (EMR) is difficult to determine. Based on retrospective data presented in the published case series and small sample studies, it is estimated at 5-12% [15,18-23]. A literature review of 112 published cases of AML extramedullary relapse finds a median onset time of 17 months (range 1-121) post-transplant, with sites reported (in order of highest frequency) in skin, breast, bone, testis, serosa, gynecological tract, and bladder [15]. The potential mechanism of the development of EMR without coexisting leukemic marrow involvement is that the graftversus- leukemia (GVL) effect is more potent in the marrow and may be weaker in the extramedullary sites. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), which may augment, potentiate the GVL effect and finally eradicate marrow remnants of leukemic cells and at the same time might not be as effective in extramedullary leukemic tumor cells [24]. GVL effect derived from chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) prevents marrow relapse and does not prevent EMR. Furthermore, previous extensive chronic GVHD has been frequently observed in patients developing EMR [25]. EMR following alloHSCT has a dismal prognosis and management in the post-transplant setting is extremely difficult [17,18]. Systemic chemotherapy, in addition to EMR involved areas localized irradiation, has been administered to prevent overt leukemia recurrence. However, patients who develop EMR have been previously treated with high-dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy, GVHD related immunosuppression and their risk of further treatment toxicity is very high [17].

The prognostic significance of c-KIT mutations in CBF AML is important not only for outcome prediction, but also for therapeutic implications. It has been shown that, like other mutations of tyrosine kinase (TK) genes in leukemia - BCR-ABL and FLT3 internal tandem duplication, gain-of-function KIT mutations may also serve as a target for TK inhibitors. The case, described above, was unusual presentation of late extramedullary CBF-leukemia relapse after alloHSCT with concomitant left ovary and left side large intestine infiltration of surrounding structures, spreading locally. Both molecular MRD and PET/CT imaging were sensitive EMR diagnostic tools. The patient was treated with surgery and chemotherapy but also with new strategies: TK inhibitor with hypomethylating agent to reduce disease burden with effective regression. Systemic chemotherapy, improves treatment efficacy. However, possibility of severe complications in patients with EMR after alloHSCT is extremely high. In parallel with EMR, presence of active GVHD in majority of patients creates unique immunological conditions, that predispose these patients to the development of both-subsequent EMR in diverse localizations and life-threatening complications related to chemotherapy.

References

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Citation: Mensah-Glanowska P, Glanowski D, Sporek-Kunicka A, Kviatkouskaya K, Szostek M, Piatkowska- Jakubas B, et al. Late Ovarian and Intestinal Extramedullary Relapse of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Inv 16 after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Ann Hematol Oncol. 2018; 5(3): 1199.

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