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Liver involvement at diagnosis of primary myelofibrosis: a clinicopathological study of twenty-two cases.

Liver biopsies were carried out at diagnosis in 22 patients with primary myelofibrosis. Pathological changes were semiquantitatively evaluated and correlated with either liver function tests, peripheral blood features, bone marrow biopsy changes or patient survival. Hepatic myeloid metaplasia (HMM), primarily consisting of the presence of morphologically abnormal megakaryocytes, was found in all cases. Other remarkable pathological changes included increased reticulin network, sinusoidal widening not related to the intensity of HMM, and iron overload in the absence of previous blood transfusions. High serum alkaline phosphatase was the most frequent biochemical abnormality, and reflected rather the presence of sinusoidal widening than the degree of HMM. The number of immature myeloid cells was the only peripheral blood parameter positively correlated with the degree of HMM. No relationship could be established between bone marrow changes and the degree of HMM. Finally, patients with mild HMM survived longer than those showing marked HMM.

Adolescent↗

Characteristics of circulating megakaryocyte progenitors (CFU-MK) in patients with primary myelofibrosis.

Characteristics of circulating CFU-MK and the effect of serum and plasma on CFU-MK growth were studied in 14 patients with primary myelofibrosis (MF) using short- and long-term culture methods. The number of CFU-MK in short-term cultures was significantly increased in the non-splenectomized patient group (p less than 0.01). Without added PHA-LCM and normal serum, spontaneous colony formation was found in 9 out of 10 patients. In long-term blood cultures from 6 MF patients, 3 untreated patients formed confluent adherent layers and produced in suspension an equal number or an even greater number of nucleated cells, megakaryocytes and CFU-MK than those obtained in long-term bone marrow culture from normal individuals. 2 splenectomized patients showed neither an increased numbers of CFU-MK nor the capacity to develop an adherent layer. The serum and plasma of MF patients failed to stimulate megakaryocyte colony formation by normal bone marrow in a normal fashion. These findings indicate a megakaryocytopoietic abnormality, and a central role of the spleen in extramedullary haematopoiesis in MF.

Blood Cell Count↗

Ultrasonic characterization of splenic tissue in myelofibrosis: further evidence for reversal of fibrosis with chemotherapy.

Fibrosis in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) is seen not only in the bone marrow but also around the metaplastic foci in the spleen and liver. Following our observation of reversal of bone marrow fibrosis in MF patients treated with chemotherapy, we undertook ultrasonic splenic tissue characterization studies using sound speed measurements to assess the effect of such therapy on the splenic fibrosis. Single studies in 19 patients showed overlapping ranges among the three sub-groups classified according to the grade of bone marrow fibrosis, but the mean values in these sub-groups showed a trend towards decreasing sound speed with increasing marrow fibrosis. Sequential studies in 9 of these patients showed increased splenic sound speed with decreasing marrow fibrosis in 8 patients following treatment, with a reversal of this pattern seen in 1 patient 1-2 years post-treatment. These results suggest simultaneous reversal of fibrosis in the bone marrow and the spleen in MF patients receiving effective chemotherapy.

Bone Marrow↗

Platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma and whole blood in 18 patients affected by idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Platelet aggregation in whole blood (WB) and in platelet rich plasma (PRP) was studied in 18 consecutive patients affected by idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM). On the basis of WB studies, 22% of patients were classified as normo-aggregating and 22% as hypo-aggregating, while 55% had spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA). SPA was observed also when platelets from patients were stirred in the presence of normal erythrocytes, while it never occurred when normal platelets were stirred in the presence of red cells from patients. PRP studies revealed that 33% and 66% of patients were, respectively, hypo- and normo-aggregating. The most frequent abnormality in PRP was represented by defective or absent aggregation response to epinephrine.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Reversal of myelofibrosis by hydroxyurea.

Bone marrow morphology in 39 symptomatic patients with myeloproliferative disorders (polycythaemia vera 15, essential thrombocythaemia 14, idiopathic myelofibrosis 9, myeloproliferative syndrome 1) and elevated platelet counts was studied before and after a median of 18 months of continuous treatment with hydroxyurea. We found a significant reduction of bone marrow fibrosis, believed to be mediated by suppression of thrombopoiesis by hydroxyurea.

Bone Marrow↗

Bone marrow histopathology in primary myelofibrosis: clinical and haematologic correlations and prognostic evaluation.

In 51 patients with primary myelofibrosis the initial bone marrow biopsy findings were evaluated by morphometric methods, correlated with the patients' main clinical and haematologic data and analysed for prognostic significance. The high variability of the marrow features was the most striking finding of the morphologic study. The only remarkable clinico-pathological correlation was that found between the extent of stromal proliferation in the bone marrow and the number of WBC precursors in peripheral blood. Classical bone marrow histologic patterns did not correlate with the main clinical or haematologic data nor did they influence the patients' survival. Finally, collagen fibrosis and abnormal clusters of immature myeloid precursors were the only histologic features showing an unfavourable prognostic significance at the multivariate study.

Analysis of Variance↗

Prognostic factors in idiopathic myelofibrosis: a simple scoring system with prognostic significance.

In a prognostic univariate analysis of a series of 80 patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis the Hb-concentration, the platelet count and osteomyelosclerosis emerged as factors with prognostic significance. A Hb-concentration less than 10 g/dl was associated with a significantly shorter survival than a Hb-concentration greater than or equal to 10 g/dl. A platelet count less than 100 x 10(9)/l also implied a significantly shorter survival. Patients with osteomyelosclerosis on X-ray of the skeleton had a significantly better prognosis as compared to those without osteomyelosclerosis. In a multivariate regression analysis the Hb-concentration consistently emerged as an important prognostic parameter, whereas the platelet count was only of prognostic significance within the first 6 months from diagnosis and the presence of osteomyelosclerosis emerged as a favourable parameter at 3 and 5 years. Based upon the above parameters and spleen size, a prognostic scoring system was designed which categorized the patients into three prognostic groups with highly different survival times (low risk group = 69 months; intermediate risk group = 33 months; high risk group = 4 months).

Adult↗

Induction and maintenance alpha-interferon therapy in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

In 12 patients having myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM), recombinant- alpha interferon (r-alpha INF) was given for 16 weeks at an initial dose of 3 x 10(6) U/day as a cytoreductive agent. At the end of the 16th wk, Hb showed minor changes; WBC were reduced from 43 x 10(9)/l, range 6.4-69.4, to 16 x 10(9)/l, range 5-39 (p = 0.05); platelets decreased from 845 x 10(9)/l, range 215-1748, to 370 x 10(9)/l, range 96-730 (p = 0.005). 2 cases responded at the starting dose, while the effective dose was 5 x 10(6) U/d in the others. Minor changes in spleen size were noted, while no significant changes in bone marrow fibrosis occurred. After induction therapy, 3 patients were allocated to maintenance therapy (from 10 up to 34 months). To maintain platelet count lower than 500 x 10(9)/l, the required r-alpha-INF dose was constantly 10 MU/wk, while the same result was not achieved in 1 case with hydroxyurea, 1 g/die. The association with hydroxyurea, 500 mg/die, allowed reduction of the r-alpha INF dose to 6 MU/die in 1 other case.

Adult↗

The changing profile of idiopathic myelofibrosis: a comparison of the presenting features of patients diagnosed in two different decades.

In an attempt to ascertain whether the presenting features of idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM) have changed in recent years, 2 groups of patients diagnosed with IM in a single institution in different time periods were compared. The first group included 53 patients diagnosed from 1975 to 1986, and the second included 56 patients diagnosed from 1987 to 1997. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to age, gender, delay from first symptoms to disease diagnosis, peripheral blood hematological values and serum biochemical parameters. Patients diagnosed prior to 1987 presented more often with constitutional symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. These latter patients had, however, a higher frequency of splenomegaly (91% vs. 73%, p=0.01) and hepatomegaly (79% vs. 48%, p=0.002), and were more often in the osteosclerotic phase at diagnosis (p=0.05) than patients more recently diagnosed. Finally, no significant differences were found between both groups in either the distribution by prognostic scores or survival. The above results seem to indicate a trend towards a less florid clinical picture of IM at presentation in recent years. This, however, does not result in a longer patient survival.

Adolescent↗

Circulating haemopoietic progenitor cells in primary and secondary myelofibrosis: relation to collagen and reticulin fibrosis.

The relationship between the extent of bone marrow reticulin and collagen fibrosis and the concentration of granulocytic (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E) and megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk) progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with primary agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) and secondary myelofibrosis (sMF) has not been definitively correlated. We studied 23 patients with established diagnosis of AMM and 12 patients with sMF for the extent of reticulin and collagen bone marrow fibrosis and for the spontaneous colony (sCFU-GM, sBFU-E and sCFU-Mk) formation. The control group consisted of 11 healthy volunteers. Trephine biopsy of the posterior iliac crest was performed in all individuals studied to determine the type and degree of reticulin and collagen fibrosis. Gomori's silver impregnation technique was used. sCFU-GM, sBFU-E and sCFU-Mk colony formation was related positively to spleen size, the white blood cell counts and the degree of collagen fibrosis in AMM (p < 0.01). Stimulated CFU-GM were also significantly correlated with the degree of bone marrow reticulin and collagen fibrosis. There was no correlation between the extent of peripheral blood progenitor concentration and the degree of bone marrow reticulin or collagen fibrosis in sMF and in control individuals. In conclusion, the extent of bone marrow fibrosis is significantly correlated with the peripheral blood progenitor colony formation in AMM but not in sMF.

Adult↗

Zoledronate-induced remission of acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis.

Acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis is a rare and aggressive form of acute myeloid leukemia. We describe a new case with a huge proliferation of megakaryocytes, blast cells and reticulin fibers. The patient was treated with zoledronate, a third-generation bisphosphonate, and a gradual recovery from pancytopenia was observed. A new bone marrow biopsy performed 4 months later showed a surprising disappearance of the leukemic infiltration. Ten months after the diagnosis, the patient is still in healthy condition. This may support the recently described anti-tumor activity of zoledronate.

Acute Disease↗

Paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria as a tardive complication of idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria (PCH) is an autoimmune haemolytic anaemia caused by the Donath-Landsteiner antibody. It is classically described in association with chronic syphilis or after acute viral infections. We describe the first case of PCH presented as a late manifestation of advanced myelofibrosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, that promptly responded to high dosage of prednisone.

Aged↗

Bone marrow expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

The biologic relevance and prognostic impact of angiogenesis is being increasingly recognized in many solid tumors and hematologic malignancies including myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM). Many cytokines including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been implicated for neoangiogenesis in MMM. However, the exact humoral basis remains to be elucidated. We examined the expression of VEGF by immunohistochemistry in a prospective cohort of 66 MMM patients, including six with cellular phase disease, and five normal controls. Contrary to most other hematologic malignancies, the distribution and intensity of staining for VEGF in bone marrow was similar between the MMM patients and controls. Interestingly, all six cellular phase patients displayed significantly increased VEGF expression. Thus, upregulation of angiogenic cytokines other than VEGF such as TGF-beta or loss of activity of an anti-angiogenic cytokine might be the dominant pathway of endothelial activation in MMM. However, VEGF might contribute to the process in the early stages of the disease.

Adult↗

Somatic point mutations in RUNX1/CBFA2/AML1 are common in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, but not in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Acquired somatic point mutations in RUNX1/CBFA2/AML1 have recently been described in a subset of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Given the importance of core-binding factor in megakaryocytic differentiation and platelet production, as well as the central role of megakaryocytes in the pathophysiology of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM), we hypothesised that RUNX1 gene mutations might be common in MMM. In addition, it is unclear whether patients with MDS-associated acquired alpha thalassaemia (ATMDS), a special subgroup with a very high incidence of point mutations in the ATRX gene, have an especially high incidence of RUNX1 mutations. METHODS: We analysed samples from 78 patients for RUNX1 point mutations by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC): 26 with MMM and 52 with MDS, including 18 with ATMDS. RESULTS: We found five RUNX1 mutations in MDS patients (9.6%), all of whom had RAEB-2 or a history of treated AML, but none in MMM patients. ATMDS patients did not have an increased risk of RUNX1 point mutations (2/18, 11.1%) when compared with MDS without thalassaemia (3/34, 8.8%; P = 0.58). CONCLUSION: RUNX1 point mutations are common in high-risk MDS, but not in MMM. DHPLC is a useful technique for high-throughput analysis of RUNX1 mutation status in myeloid disorders, and may be complementary to screening via other methods.

Base Sequence↗

Long-term analysis of the palliative benefit of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine for myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic splenectomy in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) may result in extreme thrombocytosis and leukocytosis and accelerated hepatomegaly. We previously described initial palliative benefit from 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) in such instances. The purpose of this study is to provide long-term follow-up on the durability of response in the initial cohort and in additional subsequent cases. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with histologically confirmed MMM who had palliative therapy with 2-CdA. Clinical characteristics and information on subsequent clinical course were abstracted at the time of diagnosis of MMM and at initiation of 2-CdA therapy until death. RESULTS: To date, we have used 2-CdA as palliative therapy in 14 patients with MMM. After a median of four cycles of therapy, responses for hepatomegaly occurred in 56% of patients, thrombocytosis 50%, leukocytosis 55%, and anemia 40%. Cytopenias were frequent but usually transient and without clinical consequence. Responses occurred usually by the second cycle; median duration of response was 6 months (range, 2-19) after completion of 2-CdA therapy. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed relevant and frequently durable palliation of symptoms in about half the patients. 2-CdA is a reasonable palliative option in postsplenectomy patients with MMM who have problematic myeloproliferation.

Adult↗

Acute myelofibrosis in children with Down's syndrome.

Two boys with Down's syndrome, recognized at birth, developed acute myelogibrosis at the ages of 19 and 21 months. The disorder presented with anaemia and splenomegaly, and clinically resembled acute leukaemia, but bone marrow histology showed a bizarre pattern with generalized fibrosis, markedly increased reticulin, large reticulum cells, and giant cells resembling megakaryocytes. The children survived 6 and 11 months from diagnosis. A third case is quoted (Hillman and Forrester, 1968) which was also studied at this hospital; the features of all 3 cases are similar. There appears to be an increased incidence of acute myelofibrosis in children with Down's syndrome, which may be a further example of the instability of the haemopoietic system in the disease. In children with Down's syndrome and unusual leukaemia-like illness, histological examination of the bone marrow may be diagnostic.

Acute Disease↗

Familial myelofibrosis.

Two siblings developed a fulminant fatal myeloproliferative disease at 7 and 8 weeks of age. The illness presented with pallor, haemorrhagic symptoms, and hepatosplenomegaly, and the blood picture was that of pancytopenia and leucoerythroblastosis. Bone marrow histology showed reduced haemopoiesis with generalised fibrosis. Histiocytes were present, but haemophagocytosis was not prominent. There was evidence of extramedullary haemopoiesis in the spleen, with a chronic inflammatory infiltrate of other organs. The condition closely resembles acute idiopathic myelofibrosis of infancy, but the early onset with severe pancytopenia and the histological appearances may arouse suspicion of the possible familial nature of the condition. Although clinically resembling familial haemophagocytic reticulosis, the uncharacteristic bone marrow, liver, and spleen histology serve to exclude this diagnosis.

Bone Marrow↗

Arthritis due to synovial involvement by extramedullary haematopoiesis in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

A 60-year-old man presented with polyarthralgias, a psoriasiform rash, and severe elbow pain. Peripheral blood smear and bone marrow biopsy established a diagnosis of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia. Biopsy of the skin lesions revealed a nonspecific dermatitis. The clinical presentation was inconsistent with psoriatic arthritis, and there was no evidence for associated gout or collagen-vascular disease. Histological examination of tissue taken at the time of synovectomy indicated elbow arthritis to be due to myeloid metaplasia involving the synovial membrane.

Arthritis↗