Chronic neutrophilic leukemia: Novel mutations and their impact on clinical practice

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12 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare BCR-ABL1-negative myeloid malignancy that is characterized by mature granulocytosis without dysgranulopoiesis. Differential diagnosis of CNL includes reactive or secondary granulocytosis and other myeloid neoplasms, such as atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Herein, we focus on recently described mutations in CNL and their impact on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: In 2013, membrane-proximal CSF3R mutations, most frequently CSF3RT618I, were described in CNL and aCML. Subsequent studies confirmed the presence of such mutations in nearly all patients with CNL but not in aCML. Furthermore, the majority of the patients with CSF3R-mutated CNL also expressed other mutations, such as SETBP1 and ASXL1, which might be prognostically detrimental. Laboratory studies revealed that CSF3RT618I induced JAK inhibitor-sensitive activation of JAK-STAT and CNL-like disease in mice. Case reports have indicated palliative but not disease-modifying activity of JAK inhibitor therapy in CSF3R-mutated CNL. SUMMARY: CNL is now a morphologically and molecularly defined myeloid malignancy, and no longer a diagnosis of exclusion. The identification of CNL-specific molecular markers provides a much needed pathogenetic insight and also offers the opportunity to revise current diagnostic criteria and identify prognostic biomarkers and potential drug targets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)171-176
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent opinion in hematology
Volume22
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 13 2015

Keywords

  • CSF3R
  • leukemia
  • neutrophilic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

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