Shi, Min

Background: The 2008 International Working Group for CLL (IWCLL) criteria define MBL as a clonal B-cell disorder with a peripheral blood B-cell count of <5 x 109/L, in the absence of cytopenias(s), lymphadenopathy and/or organomegaly on physical examination, and no other concomitant lymphoproliferative disorder. In the presence of palpable lymphadenopathy and/or organomegaly, and a B-cell count of < 5 x 109/L, a diagnosis of small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is established. A study by Gentile et al (Am J Hematol. 2013) reported that 29 out of 62 individuals with clinically identified MBL (42%) had lymphadenopathy identified on CT imaging. Notably, however, after a median follow-up of 35 months, the rate of progression among cases of MBL with lymphadenopathy identified on CT imaging was only 6.9% (2/29 patients), which was no different than in cases of MBL without lymphadenopathy on CT imaging (rate of progression, 9%; 3/33 patients). Our study sought to 1) determine if lymphadenopathy and/or organomegaly detected by imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons in individuals with MBL can identify a subset with shorter time to first CLL therapy (TFT) and overall survival (OS); and 2) compare outcomes of individuals with MBL who have incidentally detected lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly and SLL patients. Methods: We used the Mayo Clinic CLL Database to identify individuals with high-count MBL (absolute B-cell count: 0.5 - 4.9 x 109/L) and divided them into the following three cohorts: a) Cohort A: no imaging studies available at MBL diagnosis; b) Cohort B: imaging studies done within one year of MBL with no evidence of lymphadenopathy and/or organomegaly; and c) Cohort C: imaging studies done within one year of MBL with lymphadenopathy and/or organomegaly, attributable to MBL. All individuals with MBL were first seen at Mayo Clinic after 1/1/2002; those with a concomitant lymphoproliferative disorder within 3 months of diagnosis were excluded. Patients with SLL seen during the same time interval were identified as a comparison cohort. We compared the baseline characteristics (Kruskal Wallis for continuous and Chi-square for categorical variables) and TFT and OS across the three MBL cohorts, and patients with SLL. Cumulative incidence of TFT was adjusted for the competing risk of death. Age- and sex-adjusted OS was analyzed using inverse weights methods. Results: 657 individuals with high-count MBL with a median follow-up of 6.7 years were identified: 415 (63%) individuals were in Cohort A, 142 (22%) in Cohort B, and 100 in (15%) Cohort C. Compared to Cohort B, individuals in Cohort C were more likely to have unmutated IGHV, high expression of CD38, and higher beta-2 microglobulin level (Table 1). SLL patients were younger, had higher rate of unmutated IGHV, and had high expression of CD49d compared to MBL individuals in Cohort C (Table 1). There was suggestive evidence of a difference in TFT between Cohorts B and C (estimated 10-year treatment rate 28.3% vs. 41.6%; p=0.16; HR 1.62 95% CI 0.84-3.15). TFT was significantly shorter in SLL patients compared to those with Cohort C (estimated 10-year treatment rate 71% vs. 41.6%, respectively, P<0.001; Figure 1A). There was a trend toward shorter OS in Cohort C compared to Cohort B (estimated 10-year OS rate 53.7% vs. 64.2%, respectively, P=0.09; Figure 1B). In contrast, there was no difference in OS among MBL individuals in Cohort C compared to those with SLL (estimated 10-year OS rate 56.9% vs. 62.6%, P=0.72). Summary/Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that individuals with MBL who have incidentally identified lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly at diagnosis are more likely to have an unfavorable risk profile, shorter TFT and OS compared to patients who did not have lymphadenopathy/splenomegaly at MBL diagnosis. Additionally, these individuals have a longer TFT but similar OS compared to SLL patients seen during the same time interval. If externally validated, these findings have significant implications for individuals with newly diagnosed MBL. Disclosures Ding: Merck: Research Funding; DTRM Biopharma: Research Funding. Kenderian:Novartis: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Tolero: Research Funding; Humanigen: Other: Scientific advisory board , Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Lentigen: Research Funding; Morphosys: Research Funding; Kite/Gilead: Research Funding. Kay:MorphoSys: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board; Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Other: DSMB; Celgene: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board; Agios: Other: DSMB. Parikh:AstraZeneca: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Acerta Pharma: Research Funding; Ascentage Pharma: Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding; MorphoSys: Research Funding.

Introduction: Whereas morphological assessment and cytogenetics have been the cornerstone for the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), flow cytometry and mutational analyses are novel, evolving techniques. These diagnostic procedures play a role in identifying pre-MDS cases including idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) and clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS). Aim: To assess flow cytometric findings in ICUS and CCUS and their correlation with progression to MDS or myeloid neoplasm (MN), concurrent genetic aberrations, and underlying pathological evolution. Methods: Patients (Pts) who had undergone evaluation to rule out MDS and had retrospectively undergone flow cytometry, cytogenetic, mutational and morphological assessment were included. Flow cytometry results were classified as normal (no abnormality or 1 equivocal result), abnormal (2 abnormalities or at least 1 abnormality and 1 equivocal result), or atypical (1 abnormality or 2-3 equivocal results). Next generation sequencing included mutation analysis of: ASXL1, BCOR, BRAF, CALR, CBL, CEBPA, CSF3R, DNMT3A, ETV6, EZH2, FLT3, GATA1, GATA2, IDH1, IDH2, JAK2, KIT, KRAS, MPL, MYD88, NOTCH1, NPM1, NRAS, PHF6, PTPN11, RUNX1, SETBP1, SF3B1, TERT, TET2, TP53, U2AF1, WT1, ZRSR2. Results: A) Characteristics: 229 pts were assessed (median age 60 and 69% were males). Based on pathologist interpretation, 87 (38%) pts met diagnostic criteria of MDS, 106 (46%) pts had normal/reactive bone marrow (BM), and 36 (16%) pts had BM findings suspicious for MDS. Median time to follow-up was 24 months for MDS pts, and 32 months for pts with cytopenias. B) Morphology: Pts who had a BM biopsy that was suspicious for MDS by pathologist interpretation were more likely to develop MDS compared to pts with normal/reactive pathology report with an incidence rate (IR) of 16% versus 0.9% (p= .0005). Pts who were suspicious for MDS based on the BM biopsy were more likely to have underlying mutations compared to pts with normal/reactive BM (IR 83% versus 69%, p= .2). C) Flow cytometry: In the non-MDS cohort, 96 (67%) pts had normal flow results, 29 (20%) pts had atypical flow, and 17 (12%) pts had abnormal flow results compared to 16 (18%) pts, 18 (21%) pts, and 53 (61%) pts in the MDS cohort, respectively. Of the pts who had normal flow result (n=112), 16 were MDS, 16 were suspicious for MDS/MN, and 80 were normal/reactive. Pts who had biopsy interpretation suspicious for MDS/MN were more likely to have abnormal flow cytometry compared to normal/reactive BM biopsy (IR 55% versus 24%, p=.0003). IR of MDS was 4% in normal flow, 3% in atypical flow, and 12% in abnormal flow (p= .5). Likewise, IR of MN was 4% in normal flow, 20% in atypical flow, and 30% in abnormal flow (p= .1). D) Genetics (cytogenetics and mutation profiling): Cytogenetics was normal in 123 (86%) pts and abnormal in 19 (13%) pts. Pts who had abnormal cytogenetics were more likely to develop MN (IR 57% versus 5%, p= .002). Out of the 50 non-MDS pts tested for NGS, 38 (76%) were positive for mutations. 15 (39%) pts had 1 mutation, 8 (21%) pts had 2, 3 (8%) pts had 3, 6 (16%) pts had 4, 2 (5%) pts had 5, 1 (3%) pt had 7, and 1 (3%) pt had 8 mutations (61% had >1 mutation). Pts with positive mutations were more likely to develop MDS during follow-up compared to pts who did not have mutations (IR 16% versus 0%, p=.06). Additionally, flow cytometric aberrations significantly correlate with the number of mutations (p= .03). MN correlated significantly with BCOR mutation and RUNX1 (IR 60% (p= .008) and 50% (p=.02), respectively. E) Interaction between variables: In pts with positive mutations, flow cytometry did not correlate with progression to MDS with an IR of 17% of MDS in normal flow, 11% in atypical flow, and 17% in abnormal flow, (p= .9). There was no impact on overall survival neither in pts with abnormal flow results vs normal nor in pts with positive mutations vs wild type. Conclusion: Conventional diagnostic techniques remain the cornerstone of MDS diagnosis with flow cytometry and NGS arising as novel techniques that correlate significantly with progression of pre-MDS pts to MDS. Flow had an impact on pathology final interpretation but did not add value in pt with a positive mutation analysis. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings. Disclosures Patnaik: Stem Line Pharmaceuticals.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Al-Kali:Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding.

BACKGROUND: Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides are two clinically distinct neoplasias of CD4-positive skin-resident T-cells that share remarkable morphologic and immunophenotypic similarities, commonly referred together as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Prognostic clinical staging in CTCL requires flow cytometric quantitation of peripheral blood tumor cells (Sézary cells), based on aberrant loss of CD7 and/or CD26 within the CD4-positive T-cell compartment. Unfortunately, similar T-cell populations are frequently encountered in reactive conditions, creating uncertainty in the diagnostic interpretation. We recently reported a flow cytometric strategy to assess T-cell clonality using a single antibody (JOVI-1) against one of 2 mutually exclusive T-cell receptor beta constant (TRBC) regions randomly selected during T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. We hereby applied this strategy to a diagnostic Sézary cell flow cytometry panel, resulting in rapid, accurate and unequivocal identification and quantitation of clonal CD4-positive T-cells. METHODS: We studied 33 peripheral blood specimens from 24 patients with CTCL, and 28 specimens from patients with no clinical or laboratory evidence of T-cell malignancy. A routine Sézary cell flow cytometry panel (CD2/CD3/CD4/CD5/CD7/CD8/CD26/CD45) was modified to include a fluorescent labeled antibody against TRBC1. Gated CD4 T-cells were studied to identify discrete subsets lacking CD7, CD26 or both, in addition to other immunophenotypic abnormalities. Within each subset, clonality was defined as a dominant TRBC1-positive or TRBC1-negative population greater than 85%, or a dominant abnormal TRBC1-dim population, as previously described. RESULTS: Peripheral blood specimens from patients with CTCL showed subsets of CD4-positive T-cells lacking CD7 (median=35%; range 1.6% to 96%) or CD26 expression (median=54%; range 6.6% to 98%). Fifteen (45%) of these specimens had other identifiable phenotypic abnormalities, including decreased CD2, CD3, CD4 or CD5. Patients without a T-cell malignancy also had CD4-positive T-cells lacking CD7 (median=13%; range 0.5% to 38%) or CD26 expression (median=9.4%; range 0.7% to 30%), albeit to a lesser extent compared to CTCL patients (p<0.01 and p<0.0001 for CD7 and CD26, respectively). One febrile infant showed loss of CD2 on a small T-cell subset. Discrete CD4-positive T-cell subsets with monotypic TRBC expression were identified in 24 specimens (73%) from patients with CTCL (Figure A), ranging from 30 to12,000 cells/µL (median=632). Importantly, no TRBC-restricted CD4-positive T-cells were detected in any of the 28 patients without a T-cell malignancy. Nine specimens from CTCL patients without a TRBC-restricted subset were reviewed based on morphologic, immunophenotypic and clinical features, yielding no definitive evidence of Sézary cells. Absolute numbers of TRBC-restricted T-cells correlated with numbers of Sézary cells estimated based on lack of CD7 or CD26 expression (R=0.99), or absence of both antigens (R=0.7) (Figure B). However, all cases with no detectable clonal TRBC-restricted T-cells showed significant absolute numbers of CD4-positive T-cells lacking CD7 or CD26 (mean=208 cells/µL, range=22 to 1,078 cells/µL), resulting in common diagnostic uncertainties based on quantitation of these subsets. A narrower gating strategy on these same patients based on the combined loss of CD7 and CD26 yielded lower numbers of abnormal cells (mean=51 cells/µL, range=2 to 556 cells/µL), but grossly underestimated the number of TRBC-restricted CD4-positive T-cells by more than 500 cells/µL in 6 patients with CTCL (Figure B). CONCLUSIONS: A single anti-TRBC1 antibody added to a routine Sézary cell flow cytometry assay provides a rapid, simple and low-cost approach to query for clonality within immunophenotypically distinct CD4 T-cell subsets, eliminating the need for a separate T-cell clonality assay. Diagnostic uncertainties and quantitative biases resulting from immunophenotypic overlaps between Sézary cells and reactive T-cells are virtually resolved. Direct quantitation of clonal CD4 T-cells based on TRBC1 restriction is a biologically sound strategy for blood staging in CTCL, effectively overcoming the limitations and uncertainties of staging by immunophenotypic analysis based on current guidelines. Figure Disclosures Horna: MorphoSys AG: Research Funding.

Background: Voxelotor (GBT440) is a small molecule allosteric effector with high specificity for hemoglobin (Hb) that inhibits Hb S polymerization by increasing hemoglobin oxygen affinity. Developed as an oral, once-daily medication, it is undergoing phase 3 randomized clinical trials in sickle cell disease patients. Therapeutic monitoring of Hb quantitative fractions is routine in sickle cell disease patients to assess medication and transfusion effects and future treatment requirements. In the clinical laboratory, some therapies can alter the Hb fraction percentages or characteristic protein migration/elution patterns and can mimic complex hemoglobinopathy disorders causing misinterpretation or unnecessary additional testing. We present the effects of voxelotor on hemoglobin identification/monitoring testing in multiple testing platforms. Methods: A whole blood anticoagulated sample from a male patient who was undergoing treatment for sickle cell disease was received for routine hemoglobin testing. Five additional samples with similar features were also received from three male patients (age range of all patients was 18 to 22 years) with sickle cell disease. Hemoglobin protein analysis was performed using standard methods including cation-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), isoelectric focusing (IEF), intact globin chain mass spectrometry (MS), sickle solubility and hemoglobin stability studies. DNA sequencing of the alpha (HBA1/HBA2) and beta globin (HBB) genes was performed on one sample. Results: CE (initial and 50:50 mix, figures 1A and 1B, respectively) revealed a Hb S peak with a shoulder and additional small peaks at position 203 (D zone) and 234 (cusp of zones E/A2). In some cases the 234 peak interfered with instrument designation of the A2 peak (50:50 mix with normal) and shifted the Hb S peak into the E zone which risks variant misidentification (figure 1C). Our laboratory overcame this limitation by substituting the normal sample with beta thalassemia trait to enhance the Hb A2 peak after mixing. HPLC tracings (figure 1D) showed a duplex peak pattern in the D and S windows with separate peak quantification percentages (index case showed elution at 4.18 and 4.37 minutes with 14.9% and 66.4%, respectively). The dual peaks detected by HPLC partially mimicked compound Hb S/D-Punjab. IEF (figure 1E) showed additional bands at -4.7, and -11.5 (Schneider-Barwick ratios). The additional peaks identified by CE and IEF mimicked an alpha chain hemoglobin variant; however, the expected hybrid patterns were atypical prompting further investigation. Sickle solubility was positive, heat stability studies were negative and mass spectrometry did not definitively detect abnormal peaks other than βS. DNA sequencing of the alpha and beta globin genes did not reveal abnormalities other than homozygous Hb S. Similar hemoglobin patterns were identified in all samples tested. Conclusion: Voxelotor treatment in sickle cell patients results in a distinctive pattern alteration in hemoglobin testing. Methods may not give accurate variant percentage estimation and the treatment may result in shifts in variant mobility causing erroneous laboratory results. Novel therapies are increasing in the treatment of hemoglobin disorders and medication effect should be a consideration when atypical patterns are encountered in the laboratory. Knowledge of these artifacts by clinicians and laboratorians is paramount to avoid erroneous diagnosis, unnecessary additional testing and inaccurate Hb variant quantitation for monitoring purposes. Notification of current treatment regimens to testing facilities is highly recommended in these patients. Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Introduction Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous myeloid disorders characterized by dysplasia in one or more hematopoietic cell lines, peripheral cytopenia(s), and distinct cytogenetic abnormalities. The presence of certain cytogenetic abnormalities [e.g. 7/del(7q), -5/del(5q), 13/del(13q), i(17p)], in the setting of unexplained persistent cytopenia, has been considered presumptive evidence of MDS, despite definitive morphologic features of MDS. Conversely, chromosomal abnormalities such as isolated 20q- are not considered definitive evidence for MDS, in the absence of dysplasia. Based on our previous findings, patients with isolated 20q- without morphologic features of a myeloid neoplasm have varied clinical outcomes (Jawad MD et al. Am J Hematol.2016). In this study, we investigate the frequency of recurrent somatic gene mutations in these patients, and their relationship to progression to a myeloid neoplasm. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the bone marrow pathology reports of patients evaluated at our institution from 01/2005 to 09/2015 who had isolated 20q- in at least 2 of 20 metaphases. Patients with isolated 20q- and without myeloid neoplasms were included in the study, along with medical record review. A 35-gene next generation sequencing (NGS) panel (OncoHeme) targeting myeloid neoplasms was performed on available archived bone marrow aspirate pellets. Statistical analyses were performed using JMP Pro software version 13. Parametric (t-test) or nonparametric tests such as the Fisher-exact test, chi-square test, or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, were utilized as appropriate for test variables. Statistical significance was based on a 2-sided significance level of .05. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for analyzing time to progression to myeloid neoplasms and progression-free survival (i.e. time to progression to myeloid neoplasms or death from any cause). Results Fifty-six (42 males, 14 females) patients with isolated 20q- were identified. The average percentage of 20q- was 38.5 % (±29.3). The median age was 68 years (range: 44-90) and the median hemoglobin (Hb), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and platelet count (Plt) were 11.7 g/dL (range: 8.3-15.1), 2.7 x 10(9)/L (range: 0.6-9.4) and 138 x 10(9)/L (range: 16-392), respectively. The indications for bone marrow biopsies ranged from cytopenia (21), multiple myeloma (20), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (10), amyloidosis (2), CLL (2) and transplant donor evaluation (1). Twenty-three patients harbored pathogenic mutations (15 had one mutation, 1 had two mutations and 7 had three mutations). The identified pathogenic mutations included ASXL1 (8), TET2 (8), SRSF2(3),PHF6 (2), SF3B1 (2), CBL (2), U2AF1 (2), IDH1 (1), IDH2 (1), BCOR (1), JAK2 (1), PTPN11(1), TP53 (1) and RUNX1 (1). Nine patients (16.1%) progressed to myeloid neoplasms (5 MDS, 2 acute myeloid leukemia, 2 chronic myeloid neoplasm-not otherwise specified) at a median follow-up of 36.7 months (range: 1.9-57.4). Of these 9 patients, 5 had one mutation (BCOR, TET2, DNM3TA, CBL, IDH2), 1 had two mutations (SF3B1/CBL) and 3 had three mutations (ASXL1/IDH1/SRSF2,DNM3TA/PTPN11/TET2, PHF6/TET2/TET2). In contrast, only 29.8% of non-progressed cases showed at least 1 mutation. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated the presence of genetic mutations in patients with isolated 20q- carried significantly higher chance of progression to myeloid neoplasms (p<.05, Figure 1A and 1B). However, the number of genetic mutations was not predictive of progression in our relatively small study cohort (p=.66). There was no significant difference between those who did and did not progress with respect to age, gender, Hb, ANC, Plt, 20q- or mutational allele burden. Conclusions Most of the patients with isolated 20q- and without morphologic features of a myeloid neoplasm did not harbor myeloid neoplasm associated gene mutations and further did not develop a myeloid neoplasm during the course of our study. Among patients with pathogenic mutations, nearly one-third showed progression to a myeloid neoplasm. Of the clinical and laboratory variables, the presence of genetic mutation is a significant risk factor for progression to a myeloid neoplasm. This study revealed the underlying molecular heterogeneity of isolated 20q- in the absence of morphologic features of a myeloid neoplasm, and underscored the prognostication value of genetic mutation analysis in these cases. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Non-hereditary hemolytic anemia of unknown etiology after an exhaustive work-up is commonly known as direct antiglobulin test (DAT)-negative hemolytic anemia. Due to its rarity, limited data are available regarding this condition. We performed this retrospective study to determine the frequency, associated medical conditions, treatments used, and clinical outcome of patients with DAT- negative hemolytic anemia. METHODS: We included adult (age >18 years) patients with DAT-negative hemolytic anemia seen at Mayo Clinic from 1997-2015 who met all of the following criteria: a) hemoglobin (Hb)< 12 g/dL; b) presence of hemolysis (reticulocytosis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, decreased haptoglobin, and/or elevated indirect bilirubin); c) DAT-negative; and d) unknown etiology of hemolytic anemia after extensive work-up appropriate for clinical context. Remission status after appropriate therapy for perceived hemolysis was defined as follows: a) complete remission (CR; Hb ≥12g/dL and normalization of at least one previously abnormal hemolytic marker); b) partial remission (PR; Hb: 10-11.9 g/dL with evidence of ongoing hemolysis); c) no remission (NR; neither CR nor PR). In order to calculate the relative frequency of DAT-negative hemolytic anemia, we also determined the number of DAT-positive hemolytic anemia cases during the same time period using the above criteria for hemolytic anemia. RESULTS: During the 19-year study period, 24 and 484 patients were diagnosed with DAT- negative and DAT-positive hemolytic anemia, respectively, a ratio of 1:20. Among those with DAT-negative hemolytic anemia, the majority were males (67%) and the median age at diagnosis was 70 years (range, 22-87). Six patients (25%) had pre-existing autoimmune conditions including immune thrombocytopenia (n=3), Crohn's disease (n=2), and Grave's disease (n=1). All patients had negative DAT by conventional method with one patient turning positive at 104 days after initial diagnosis. Enhanced DAT technique using 4°C low-ionic strength saline wash was performed in one case and was negative. In general, peripheral blood smear showed polychromasia, occasional spherocytes, and no schistocytes or bite cells. Additional work-ups performed based on clinical context and proportion of patients tested (all results negative or normal) were as follows: hemoglobin electrophoresis (54%), flow cytometry for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (92%), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase level (67%), osmotic fragility test/eosin-5'-maleimide stain for hereditary spherocytosis (54%), other red blood cell enzymes (46%), computed tomographic scan of the body to look for occult malignancy (46%), and bone marrow biopsy (50%). The median hemoglobin at diagnosis was 8.5 g/dL (range, 4.5-11.8). Fourteen patients (58.3%) required blood transfusion during the course of their disease. Sixteen patients (67%) received prednisone as initial therapy with 19% CR and 38% PR response rates. Subsequent therapies included: rituximab (n=6; 40% PR), cyclophosphamide (n=2; 100% NR), mycophenolate mofetil (n=1; 100% NR), intravenous immunoglobulin (n=2; 100% NR), and splenectomy (n=6; 50% CR and 33.3% PR), respectively. The median follow-up for all cases was 32.9 months (range, 2-433). Six patients (25%) developed hematologic malignancies after a median follow-up of 8.7 months (range, 0.7-29.3), which included primary myelofibrosis (n=2), myelodysplastic syndrome (n=1), mantle cell lymphoma (n=1), non-Hodgkin lymphoma-not otherwise specified (n=1), and T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (n=1). At last follow-up, 9 patients (38%) were in CR and 8 (33%) in PR. Relapses occurred in 67% and 0% of patients who received prednisone and splenectomy, respectively. CONCLUSION: At our institution, DAT-negative hemolytic anemia was approximately 20 times less common than DAT-positive hemolytic anemia. Most patients were treated with either immunosuppressive agents with or without splenectomy. Splenectomy was the most effective treatment. At least a quarter of the patients were eventually diagnosed with hematologic malignancies mostly within a year of DAT-negative hemolytic anemia diagnosis. Routine upfront evaluation for hematologic malignancies might be necessary for these patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The 2017 World Health Organization update introduced a new category of nodal peripheral T-cell lymphoma with T-follicular helper phenotype (PTCL-TFH) defined by expression of at least 2 or 3 TFH markers. Our study assesses the utility of an immunohistochemical panel of 5 TFH markers (CD10, BCL6, PD-1, CXCL13, and ICOS) for identification of TFH phenotype in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and PTCL not otherwise specified (NOS). Immunohistochemical for the 5 markers was performed on 22 cases of AITL and 29 cases of PTCL-NOS. Cases were reviewed for morphologic features characteristic of AITL. All AITL cases showed expression of ≥2 TFH markers. This panel resulted in reclassification of 41% PTCL-NOS cases to PTCL-TFH. Positive percent agreement for the TFH phenotype is 97% for PD1, 94% for ICOS, 44% for CD10 and CXCL13, and 29% for BCL6. Negative percent agreement for TFH phenotype is 100% for CD10, BCL6, and CXCL13, 82% for ICOS and 71% for PD1. AITL cases were more likely than PTCL-TFH cases to contain expanded CD21-positive follicular dendritic cell meshworks, clear cell cytology and polymorphous inflammatory background; however, there was a significant (P<0.005) Kruskal-Wallis trend in all morphologic variables between the 3 groups suggesting a continuum from PTCL-NOS to PTCL-TFH to AITL. The median number of morphologic features of AITL also correlated significantly with number of TFH markers positive (Spearman coefficient ρ=0.759). In summary, the stain panel chosen will have an impact on cases classified as PTCL-TFH. This entity may exist along a spectrum between PTCL-NOS and AITL.

BackgroundThe diagnosis of T‐cell neoplasms is often challenging, due to overlapping features with reactive T‐cells and limitations of currently available T‐cell clonality assays. The description of an antibody specific for one of two mutually exclusive T‐cell receptor (TCR) β‐chain constant regions (TRBC1) provide an opportunity to facilitate the detection of clonal TCRαβ T‐cells based on TRBC‐restriction.MethodsTwenty patients with mature T‐cell neoplasms and 44 patients without evidence of T‐cell neoplasia were studied. Peripheral blood (51), bone marrow (10), and lymph node (3) specimens were evaluated by 9‐color flow cytometry including TRBC1 (CD2/CD3/CD4/CD5/CD7/CD8/CD45/TCRγδ/TRBC1 and/or CD2/CD3/CD4/CD5/CD7/CD8/CD26/CD45/TRBC1). Monophasic TRBC1 expression on any immunophenotypically distinct CD4‐positive or CD8‐positive/TCRγδ‐negative T‐cell subset was considered indicative of clonality.ResultsMonophasic (clonal) TRBC1 expression was identified on immunophenotypically abnormal T‐cells from all 20 patients with T‐cell malignancies (100% sensitivity), including 17 cases with either >97% or <3% TRBC1‐positive events, and three cases with monophasic homogenous TRBC1‐dim expression. All immunophenotypically distinct CD4‐positive and CD8‐positive/TCRγδ‐negative T‐cell subsets from 44 patients without T‐cell malignancies showed the expected mixture of TRBC1‐positive and TRBC‐1‐negative subpopulations (non‐clonal), except for seven patients (16%) with very small CD8‐positive T‐cell subsets exhibiting a monophasic (clonal) pattern.ConclusionInclusion of a single anti‐TRBC1 antibody into a diagnostic T‐cell flow cytometry panel facilitates the rapid identification of T‐cell neoplasms, in addition to small monotypic CD8‐positive subsets of uncertain significance. © 2019 International Clinical Cytometry Society

AbstractThe detection of recurrent genetic abnormalities in B‐lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) is critical for risk stratification and therapy‐related decisions. Near‐haploidy (24‐30 chromosomes), a subgroup of hypodiploidy (<46 chromosomes), and BCR/ABL1 gene fusions are both recurrent genetic abnormalities in B‐ALL and are considered adverse prognostic findings, although outcomes in BCR/ABL1‐positive patients have improved with tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. While near‐haploid clones are primarily observed in children and rarely harbor structural abnormalities, BCR/ABL1‐positive B‐ALL is primarily observed in adults. Importantly, recurrent genetic abnormalities are considered mutually exclusive and rarely exist within the same neoplastic clone. We report only the second case to our knowledge of a near‐haploid clone that harbors a BCR/ABL1 fusion in an adult with newly diagnosed B‐ALL. Conventional chromosome studies revealed a near‐haploid clone (27 chromosomes) along with a der(22)t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2) in 17 of 20 metaphases analyzed. Our B‐ALL fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel confirmed the BCR/ABL1 fusion and monosomies consistent with chromosome studies in approximately 95% of interphase nuclei. Moreover, no evidence of a “doubled” near‐haploid clone was observed by chromosome or FISH studies. This highly unusual case illustrates that while rare, recurrent genetic abnormalities in B‐ALL can exist within the same neoplastic clone.