Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia (MMM)

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Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia (MMM)

Idiopathic myelofibrosis

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia

Clinics and Pathology

Disease Chronic myeloproliferative disorder

Phenotype / cell stem origin The disease is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder originating from a mutated pluripotent stem cell capable of producing red blood cells, granulocytes, megakaryocytes and lymphoid cells. Fibrosis of the marrow is the hallmark of the disease, however fibroblasts are not part of the malignant process and fibrosis represents a reaction of marrow stromal cells.

Epidemiology MMM has an incidence of 0.3 to 1.5 new cases per year in 100.000 persons. Male predominance was observed in some studies and not confirmed in others. The average age at diagnosis is 60 years. Exposure to radiation and to organic solvents increases the risk of developing MMM.

Clinics MMM usually presents with fatigue, weight loss, splenomegaly with or without symptoms. Anemia and various alterations of the white blood cell and/or platelet count are frequently seen at diagnosis. Thrombocytopenia-related bleeding may occur. MMM must be distinguished from myelodysplasia with fibrosis, from acute megakayoblastic leukemia and .
CLINICS As the disease progresses, increased marrow fibrosis with severe symptomatic peripheral cytopenias and extramedullary hemopoiesis predominate, with consequent massive splenomegaly, hepatomegaly with portal hypertension, pulmonary hypertension. Leukemic transformation may represent the terminal event in 5-20% of the cases.

Cytology Teardrop poikilocytosis and leukoerythroblastosis are present in the peripheral blood (PB) smear. Platelet are increased in size. The bone marrow is usually hypercellular at presentation with remarkably increased megakaryocytes and, to a lesser degree, granulocytes. Reticulin fibrosis is always present. Hemopoietic cellularity is patchy, with some areas showing hypercellularity and other being depleted of hemopoietic cells. The spleen histology shows extramedullary hemopoiesis involving predominantly the sinusoids.

Treatment The treatment depends on the patient¹s general condition and symptoms. Supportive treatment is required for anemia and profound thrombocytopenia. Cytoreductive treatment with busulphan, hydroxyurea, thioguanine, low-dose melphalan or chlorambucil, interferon-a may be useful to control progressive splenomegaly. Irradiation of the spleen may be also employed. Danazol or low-dose dexamethasone can be used to ameliorate anemia. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation should be considered for patients aged 60 years or less.

Prognosis The median survival is approximately 5 years. Causes of death include infection, leukemic transformation, bleeding, hepatic failure with portal hypertension due to myeloid metaplasia, heart failure.

Cytogenetics

Cytogenetics Morphological a) Chromosome lesions:
The absence of the t(9;22)/BCR-ABL fusion is an absolute diagnostic requirement. Approximately 40-50% of the patients analyzed at diagnosis show a clonal defect. The proportion of cytogenetically abnormal cases increases at disease transformation into acute leukemia, were up to 90% of the cases carry a clonal defect. Non-random chromosome aberrations are del(13q), del(20q) and gain of 1q. These abnormalities represented 65% of abnormal cases in a study. Other recurrent chromosome aberrations include trisomy 8 and del(12p) , monosomy 7/del(7q) , der(6)t(1;6)(q21-23;p21.3). The latter abnormality leads to trisomy 1q21-23 to 1qter and to loss of 6p21 to 6pter.
FISH on deparaffinized bone biopsies showed a 56% incidence of cytogenetic lesions in a study using probes for 7q31, 12p, 13q14, 17p13, 20q13, 21q22, cen7, cen8, cen11 and cen17.
b) Prognostic significance:
The presence of abnormal karyotype does not appear to be an independent prognostic factor, whereas +8, 12p deletion and -7/7q- were associated with an inferior outcome at multivariate analysis.

Genes involved and Proteins

Gene Name JAK2

Location 9p24

Note Janus Kinase JAK2 mutation (See also Polycythemia Vera).

Protein A valine to phenylalanine substitution at position 617 (JAK2 V617F mutation) is present in approximately 50-55% of the patients leading to constitutive kinase activity.
The mutated JAK2 protein binds to the cytoplasmic domain of Epo-R and promotes signalling independent of Epo stimulation. The JAK2 protein is coded for by a gene mapping at 9p and it is activated upon erythropoietin binding to the receptor. JAK2 signalling involves the phosphorylation of several Y residues at the Epo receptor with activation of STAT, MAP kinase PI-3-kinase and AKT. These events lead to survival and proliferation of erythroid progenitors. JAK2 is involved in intracellular signalling following stimulation by IL3, TPO and GM-CSF, and erythroid progenitors in PV are hypersensitive to stimulation by these cytokines.
Patients with JAK2 V617F mutation showed high white blood cell counts, required less transfusions and had an inferior outcome in a study.
In 5-9% of the patients a gain-of-function mutation of the thrombopoietin receptor (MPL) gene can be found, determining activation of the JAK-STAT pathway.

Bibliography

Cytogenetic abnormalities and their prognostic significance in idiopathic myelofibrosis: a study of 106 cases.

Reilly JT, Snowden JA, Spearing RL, Fitzgerald PM, Jones N, Watmore A, Potter A

British journal of haematology. 1997 ; 98 (1) : 96-102.

PMID 9233570

Cytogenetic findings and their clinical relevance in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

Tefferi A, Mesa RA, Schroeder G, Hanson CA, Li CY, Dewald GW

British journal of haematology. 2001 ; 113 (3) : 763-771.

PMID 11380468

Conventional cytogenetics of myeloproliferative diseases other than CML contribute valid information.

Bacher U, Haferlach T, Kern W, Hiddemann W, Schnittger S, Schoch C

Annals of hematology. 2005 ; 84 (4) : 250-257.

PMID 15692838

Acquired mutation of the tyrosine kinase JAK2 in human myeloproliferative disorders.

Baxter EJ, Scott LM, Campbell PJ, East C, Fourouclas N, Swanton S, Vassiliou GS, Bench AJ, Boyd EM, Curtin N, Scott MA, Erber WN, Cancer Genome Project, Green AR

Lancet. 2005 ; 365 (9464) : 1054-1061.

PMID 15781101

Der(6)t(1;6)(q21-23;p21.3): a specific cytogenetic abnormality in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

Dingli D, Grand FH, Mahaffey V, Spurbeck J, Ross FM, Watmore AE, Reilly JT, Cross NC, Dewald GW, Tefferi A

British journal of haematology. 2005 ; 130 (2) : 229-232.

PMID 16029451

Idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Hoffman R, RavandiKashani F, IN: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SJ, Furie B, Cohen HJ, Silbertsein LE, McGlave P Eds

Hematology..

Leukemic transformation in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia: a single-institution experience with 91 cases.

Mesa RA, Li CY, Ketterling RP, Schroeder GS, Knudson RA, Tefferi A

Blood. 2005 ; 105 (3) : 973-977.

PMID 15388582

Leukemic transformation in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia: a single-institution experience with 91 cases.

Mesa RA, Li CY, Ketterling RP, Schroeder GS, Knudson RA, Tefferi A

Blood. 2005 ; 105 (3) : 973-977.

PMID 15388582

A Unique Activating Mutation in JAK2 (V617F) Is at the Origin of Polycythemia Vera and Allows a New Classification of Myeloproliferative Diseases.

Vainchenker W, Constantinescu SN

Hematology / the Education Program of the American Society of Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program. 2005 : 195-200.

PMID 16304380

V617F mutation in JAK2 is associated with poorer survival in idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Campbell PJ, Griesshammer M, Dˆhner K, Dˆhner H, Kusec R, Hasselbalch HC, Larsen TS, Pallisgaard N, Giraudier S, Le Bousse-Kerdilˆ®s MC, Desterke C, Guerton B, Dupriez B, Bordessoule D, Fenaux P, Kiladjian JJ, Viallard JF, Briˆ®re J, Harrison CN, Green AR, Reilly JT

Blood. 2006 ; 107 (5) : 2098-2100.

PMID 16293597

V617F mutation in JAK2 is associated with poorer survival in idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Campbell PJ, Griesshammer M, Dˆhner K, Dˆhner H, Kusec R, Hasselbalch HC, Larsen TS, Pallisgaard N, Giraudier S, Le Bousse-Kerdilˆ®s MC, Desterke C, Guerton B, Dupriez B, Bordessoule D, Fenaux P, Kiladjian JJ, Viallard JF, Briˆ®re J, Harrison CN, Green AR, Reilly JT

Blood. 2006 ; 107 (5) : 2098-2100.

PMID 16293597

MPLW515L is a novel somatic activating mutation in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

Pikman Y, Lee BH, Mercher T, McDowell E, Ebert BL, Gozo M, Cuker A, Wernig G, Moore S, Galinsky I, DeAngelo DJ, Clark JJ, Lee SJ, Golub TR, Wadleigh M, Gilliland DG, Levine RL

PLoS medicine. 2006 ; 3 (7) : page e270.

PMID 16834459

Contributor(s)

Written 08-1997 Jean-Loup Huret

Updated 01-1998 Jean-Loup Huret

Updated 08-2006 Antonio Cuneo, Francesco Cavazzini

Citation

This paper should be referenced as such :
Huret JL . Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia (MMM); Idiopathic myelofibrosis; Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. Atlas Genet Cytogenet Oncol Haematol. August 1997 .
URL : http://AtlasGeneticsOncology.org/Genes/Myelofib.html

Huret JL . Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia (MMM); Idiopathic myelofibrosis; Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. Atlas Genet Cytogenet Oncol Haematol. January 1998 .
URL : http://AtlasGeneticsOncology.org/Genes/Myelofib.html

Cuneo A, Cavazzini F . Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia (MMM); Idiopathic myelofibrosis; Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. Atlas Genet Cytogenet Oncol Haematol. August 2006 .
URL : http://AtlasGeneticsOncology.org/Genes/Myelofib.html

© Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology
indexed on : Sat Dec 6 18:01:32 2008

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For comments and suggestions or contributions, please contact us

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Disease	Chronic myeloproliferative disorder
Phenotype / cell stem origin	The disease is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder originating from a mutated pluripotent stem cell capable of producing red blood cells, granulocytes, megakaryocytes and lymphoid cells. Fibrosis of the marrow is the hallmark of the disease, however fibroblasts are not part of the malignant process and fibrosis represents a reaction of marrow stromal cells.
Epidemiology	MMM has an incidence of 0.3 to 1.5 new cases per year in 100.000 persons. Male predominance was observed in some studies and not confirmed in others. The average age at diagnosis is 60 years. Exposure to radiation and to organic solvents increases the risk of developing MMM.
Clinics	MMM usually presents with fatigue, weight loss, splenomegaly with or without symptoms. Anemia and various alterations of the white blood cell and/or platelet count are frequently seen at diagnosis. Thrombocytopenia-related bleeding may occur. MMM must be distinguished from myelodysplasia with fibrosis, from acute megakayoblastic leukemia and . CLINICS As the disease progresses, increased marrow fibrosis with severe symptomatic peripheral cytopenias and extramedullary hemopoiesis predominate, with consequent massive splenomegaly, hepatomegaly with portal hypertension, pulmonary hypertension. Leukemic transformation may represent the terminal event in 5-20% of the cases.
Cytology	Teardrop poikilocytosis and leukoerythroblastosis are present in the peripheral blood (PB) smear. Platelet are increased in size. The bone marrow is usually hypercellular at presentation with remarkably increased megakaryocytes and, to a lesser degree, granulocytes. Reticulin fibrosis is always present. Hemopoietic cellularity is patchy, with some areas showing hypercellularity and other being depleted of hemopoietic cells. The spleen histology shows extramedullary hemopoiesis involving predominantly the sinusoids.
Treatment	The treatment depends on the patient¹s general condition and symptoms. Supportive treatment is required for anemia and profound thrombocytopenia. Cytoreductive treatment with busulphan, hydroxyurea, thioguanine, low-dose melphalan or chlorambucil, interferon-a may be useful to control progressive splenomegaly. Irradiation of the spleen may be also employed. Danazol or low-dose dexamethasone can be used to ameliorate anemia. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation should be considered for patients aged 60 years or less.
Prognosis	The median survival is approximately 5 years. Causes of death include infection, leukemic transformation, bleeding, hepatic failure with portal hypertension due to myeloid metaplasia, heart failure.

Gene Name	JAK2
Location	9p24
Note	Janus Kinase JAK2 mutation (See also Polycythemia Vera).
Protein	A valine to phenylalanine substitution at position 617 (JAK2 V617F mutation) is present in approximately 50-55% of the patients leading to constitutive kinase activity. The mutated JAK2 protein binds to the cytoplasmic domain of Epo-R and promotes signalling independent of Epo stimulation. The JAK2 protein is coded for by a gene mapping at 9p and it is activated upon erythropoietin binding to the receptor. JAK2 signalling involves the phosphorylation of several Y residues at the Epo receptor with activation of STAT, MAP kinase PI-3-kinase and AKT. These events lead to survival and proliferation of erythroid progenitors. JAK2 is involved in intracellular signalling following stimulation by IL3, TPO and GM-CSF, and erythroid progenitors in PV are hypersensitive to stimulation by these cytokines. Patients with JAK2 V617F mutation showed high white blood cell counts, required less transfusions and had an inferior outcome in a study. In 5-9% of the patients a gain-of-function mutation of the thrombopoietin receptor (MPL) gene can be found, determining activation of the JAK-STAT pathway.

Written	08-1997	Jean-Loup Huret

Updated	01-1998	Jean-Loup Huret

Updated	08-2006	Antonio Cuneo, Francesco Cavazzini