Citations 158

PD-1/PD-L1 expression in extramedullary lesions of acute myeloid leukemia

Leukemia & Lymphoma | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 62 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 764-767

10.1080/10428194.2019.1675880 | PMID 31608729

CD123 Immunostaining in Systemic Mastocytosis: Differential Expression in Disease Subgroups and Potential Prognostic Value

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 2802-2802

10.1182/blood.v126.23.2802.2802

Abstract Background: CD123 is the α-subunit of the high-affinity receptor for interleukin-3; its expression in normal bone marrow (BM) is highly restricted, however CD123 is highly expressed in certain hematolymphoid malignancies. In a pilot study of 11 systemic mastocytosis (SM) patients (Lasho et al., Leukemia, 2015), we made the following novel observations (i) CD123 was aberrantly expressed on neoplastic mast cells (MC); and (ii) there was focal proliferation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) around MC aggregates, suggesting a tumor promoting role for PDC. Objectives: To study MC CD123 expression by IHC in a larger cohort of SM patients to ascertain: (i) whether there is a significant difference in CD123 expression between SM subtypes; (ii) whether focal PDC proliferation around MC aggregates is correlated with CD123 expression; and (iii) whether CD123 expression has prognostic value for overall survival (OS). Methods: The current study was approved by the Mayo Clinic institutional review board. SM was classified as per standard criteria. Archived BM slides were stained for tryptase and CD123 as previously described (Lasho et al., Leukemia, 2015). Slides were reviewed independently by 2 hematopathologists who were blinded with regards to SM subgroups and scored on the following pre-defined parameters: (i) CD123 expression yes/no; (ii) CD123 expression strong/weak; (iii) focal PDC proliferation yes/no; and (iv) BM MC%. Results: We studied 58 SM patients and 3 controls. Of the former, 23 had indolent SM (ISM), 10 aggressive SM (ASM), 23 SM with associated hematological disease (SM-AHD), and 2 had mast cell leukemia (MCL). Of the SM-AHD patients, 10 (43%) had CMML, 5 (22%) myeloproliferative neoplasm-unclassified (MPN-u), 3 (13%) PV, 2 (9%) acute myeloid leukemia, and 1 each had lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. The median follow up from diagnosis was 32 months (range 0.1 to 162). Over this period, 3 patients (5%) had leukemic transformation and 30 patients (52%) died. Concordance rates between hematopathologists for CD123 positive/negative, CD123 strong/weak, focal PDC proliferation yes/no and MC% were 97%, 94%, 98% and 100%, respectively. MC CD123 expression was absent in control cases but demonstrable in 37 (64%) SM patients; expression rates were 100%, 61%, 57%, and 0% in ASM, ISM, SM-AHD and MCL, respectively (p=0.02). Similar to MCL, both cases with SM-AML showed absent MC CD123 expression. Strong MC CD123 expression (comparable to background interstitial PDC) was observed in 23 patients (62%), including 85% with SM-AHD, 60% with ASM, and 43% with ISM (p=0.08). Focal PDC proliferation around MC aggregates, regardless of CD123 expression status, was noted in 44 patients (76%), including 90% with ASM, 87% with ISM, 65% with SM-AHD and 0% with MCL (p=0.02). Focal PDC proliferation was significantly higher in CD123-positive versus -negative patients (87% versus 50%, p=0.005). OS was predicted by SM subtype; the median OS for ISM, ASM, SM-AHD and MCL patients was not reached, 30 months, 25 months and 3 months, respectively (p=0.005). CD123 expression status did not have prognostic value for OS overall, however, in SM-AHD patients, CD123 expression was associated with significantly inferior survival (p=0.04), independent of the associated disease (ie, CMML vs AML vs MPN vs other). Survival outcome of SM-CMML patients expressing MC CD123 (n=3, median OS=11 months) was significantly inferior as compared to patients who did not (n=7, median OS=44 months), independent of age and absolute monocyte count (p=0.01). CD123 staining intensity had borderline significance for OS in the overall cohort (p=0.08). When restricted to non-indolent SM cases, strong CD123 expression was associated with significantly worse overall survival (15 versus 88 months, p=0.04). Conclusions: In this cohort, aberrant MC CD123 expression was observed in the majority of SM patients with highest prevalence in ASM patients and uniformly absent expression in leukemic phase SM (MCL or SM-AML). Focal PDC proliferation around MC aggregates was significantly higher in CD123-positive cases, indicating a potential functional interaction. CD123 expression identified SM-AHD patients with inferior OS, especially those with SM-CMML. Strong CD123 staining intensity may be associated with inferior OS in non-indolent SM patients. CD123 expression on MC and PDC constitutes a novel therapeutic target in non-leukemic SM. Disclosures Pardanani: Stemline: Research Funding. Brooks:Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties.
Isolated Trisomy 8 in the Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Blood | October 12, 2019 | Volume: 114 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2785-2785

10.1182/blood.v114.22.2785.2785

Abstract Abstract 2785 Poster Board II-761 Background: Cytogenetic abnormalities are common in the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and carry considerable prognostic weight. One of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities in MDS is isolated trisomy 8 (∼20%). However, the impact of this abnormality on prognosis in MDS is unclear. In the following, we report on all MDS cases with isolated trisomy 8 seen at our institution and describe the natural history of this abnormality. Methods: After approval from the Institutional Review Board, the cytogenetics laboratory database at Mayo Clinic was searched for all cases of isolated trisomy 8. All patients had given written informed consent to enable use of their medical record for research. The medical records were reviewed and relevant demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were abstracted. Survival was determined from diagnosis until death or last contact with the patient and measured using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis for survival were performed using the Cox proportional hazard method. Results: Out of a total of 23, 375 unique patient specimens evaluated over a twenty year period (January 1988 – December 2008), we identified a cohort of 106 patients (0.45%) with trisomy 8 as the sole cytogenetic abnormality (males with –Y were included). Of these patients, 89 had a classical MDS and 66 patients were males. The median age at diagnosis of MDS was 70.0 years (range: 31 – 91) for the whole cohort (females: 67 yr, males: 71.5 yr, p=0.22). All patients presented with at least one cytopenia, median Hb: 9.8g/dl (3.9 – 15.4); WBC: 4.6×103/ml (1.0 – 102.6); PLT: 119×103/ml (3.0 – 740), bone marrow blasts: 5% (0 – 22.5), LDH: 221 (62 – 1342). Considering trisomy 8 as an intermediate risk abnormality (score = 0.5), the median IPSS for the cohort was 1.0 (0.5 – 2.5) (Intermediate-1). The distribution of cases included: MDS with <5% blasts (55%), RAEB-1 (16%), RAEB-2 (18%), and CMML (11%). 85% of patients required transfusion sometime after diagnosis and 40% were treated with some form of chemotherapy. Transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) occurred in 25 patients (28.1%) and of these, 22 have died. The median time from diagnosis to transformation to AML was 33 months. The median overall survival from diagnosis was 36 months, similar to what is expected for Int-1 patients (Blood 89:2079, 1997). On univariate analysis, age at diagnosis (p=0.05), LDH (p=0.017) and time to transformation (p<0.0001) were prognostic. On multivariate analysis, LDH (p=0.007) and time to transformation (p=0.009) remained independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Isolated trisomy 8 in MDS is associated with intermediate risk disease. The risk of transformation to acute leukemia is 28% and the median survival from diagnosis of MDS is approximately 3 years. A significant fraction of patients die due to causes unrelated to their hematopoietic disorder. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Value of Platelet Esoteric Testing in Laboratory Diagnosis of Platelet Disorders: A Single Center Experience

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 1061-1061

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1061.1061

Introduction Patients with inherited and acquired platelet disorders (PD) frequently present with thrombocytopenia and/or mucocutaneous bleeding. Diagnosis of PDs relies on both clinical and laboratory investigation, which encompasses both routine and esoteric platelet testing. The former includes platelet indices, light transmission aggregation (LTA) and platelet function analyzer (PFA-100). The latter includes platelet glycoprotein (GP) assessment by flow cytometry and platelet transmission electron microscopy (PTEM). Several recent studies have demonstrated limited sensitivities of routine platelet testing. It is uncertain if a combination of both routine and esoteric testing can vastly improve the sensitivity. Our goal is to assess the value of platelet esoteric testing and the ultimate sensitivity of laboratory platelet testing in diagnosing PDs. Methods Patients (between year 2012 and 2015) with a known or suspected inherited or acquired platelet disorders were recruited for platelet routine and esoteric testing. Patients' clinical features including ISTH bleeding assessment tool (BAT) scores, platelet count, LTA, PFA-100 ADP (CADP) and epinephrine (CEPI) cartridge closure times, GP expression by flow cytometry and PTEM were performed. All clinical and laboratory variables were collected and statistically analyzed. Results A total of 69 patients (51 females; median age 40 years; range: 8 months to 76 years) were enrolled to this cohort study. By retrospective chart review, 34 patients (49%) had a positive ISTH-BAT score (range 0 to 16). The most common bleeding manifestations (on any degree of severity) were cutaneous bleeding present in 53% of patients (n=37), menorrhagia in 47% of females (n=24), epistaxis in 36% (n=25) and postoperative bleeding in 35% (n=24). Joint, muscle and CNS hemorrhage were the least frequent with 7%, 6% and 1% of patients reporting bleeding in these sites. A total of 22 patients (32%) had thrombocytopenia at the time of their evaluation. Fifty-eight patients (84%) had platelet aggregation studies and of those 15 (26%) had an abnormal study. PFA-100 was performed in 57 patients (83%) of whom 42% (n=24) had prolonged closure times with either ADP or epinephrine. PTEM was performed on all samples. Twenty-seven patients (39%) had abnormal platelet structure including 17 patients who had dense granule deficiency. GP by flow cytometry was performed in 41 patients (59%) and abnormal glycoprotein expression was detected in 6 patients (15%). Of the 55 patients who had all tests performed, 22 patients (40%) had completely normal results. Of the routine tests, only PFA-CEPI or -CADP prolongation is associated with the likelihood of a PTEM abnormality (P<0.005). With the assistance of molecular testing, there were 2 cases of MYH-9 mutation-related platelet disorders, one of RUNX1 mutation-associated thrombocytopenia, one of York platelet syndrome, two of Bernard Soulier variants, one of Quebec syndrome and three of gray platelet syndrome or variants. Bleeding scores showed no statistically significant association with severity of any laboratory abnormalities. Conclusion In this cohort, the sensitivity of routine platelet testing in clinically suspected PDs is about 30-40%. Addition of platelet esoteric testing improves the sensitivity to 60%. However, the degree of platelet laboratory abnormalities do not predict severity of bleeding. The findings of this cohort underscore the importance of clinical assessment and both platelet routine and esoteric testing in investigation of patients with suspected PDs. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Charaterization of Human Primitive Megakaryocytes and “Platelets”.

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 108 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1520-1520

10.1182/blood.v108.11.1520.1520

Abstract Primitive megakaryocytes (PMs) have been first observed in murine embroynal yolk sac [Xu et al. Blood. 2001 Apr 1;97(7):2016–22.]. The biological characteristics and functional aspects of human primitive megakaryocytes are not well established even though they can be transiently observed by bone marrow stromal cell (OP9) co-culture methodology [Gaur, M et al J Thromb Haemost.2006 Feb;4(2):436–42.; Eto K et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2002 Oct 1;99(20):12819–24.]. The goal of this study is to charaterize PMs’ unique biological and functional features. To obtain a pure population of human primitive megakaryocytes, human embryonic stem (hES) cells were cultured to form embryoid bodies. CD34+/CD31+/VE-Cadherin+/Flk-1+ hemangioblasts on day 12 were isolated and further cultured for 10–12 days in media containing thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukin 3 (IL3), stem cell factor (SCF). 30% of the non-adherent cells were strongly positive for CD31/CD41/CD61/CD42b, and weakly positive for CD42a/CD45/beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) but negative for CD117 or HLA-DR. The DNA ploidies are exclusively 2N–8N confirming the primitive status of PMs. Morphologically when compared to bone marrow derived megakaryocytes, PMs readily produce long processes with chains of “proplatelet” like structures. By live videomicroscopy, these “proplatelet” structures can actively recruit mitochondria. Interestingly, “platelet-like” fragment shedding from megakaryocytes is significantly stimulated in the presence of nitric oxide and human plasma. The “platelet-like” fragments and megakaryocytes respond to strong agonists, including thrombin and TRAP, with aggregation, alpha granule release and increased affinity for fibrinogen. In contrast, weaker agonists such as ADP only generate minimal response. This study provides preliminary evidence that primitive megakaryocytes have acquired some basic machinery of hemostasis even when the blood flow, liver function and coagulation factors are not present at the early phase of embryonal development. [We thank Dr.William L. Nichols at Mayo Clinic for his critical reviews of this abstract.]
Novel Genetic Variants in Complement-Mediated Thrombotic Microangiopath

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 126 | Issue: 23 | Pages: 1050-1050

10.1182/blood.v126.23.1050.1050

Abstract BACKGROUND: Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are a subset of TMAs in which the thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and end organ damage are caused by mutations in genes encoding the alternative complement pathway. Numerous complement genes have been implicated in complement-mediated TMAs including complement factor H (CFH), CD46 (MCP), complement factor I (CFI), complement component 3 (C3), complement factor B (CFB), factor H related 5 (CFHR5), and thrombomodulin (THBD) among others. Genetic analysis typically yields a mutation in 60% of patients whose TMA is presumed to be mediated by complement dysregulation. However, the description of novel disease-associated variants may increase this proportion. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with TMAs diagnosed between 2000 and 2014 was performed. TMA diagnosis was made based on thrombocytopenia and evidence of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Analysis was performed with Alamut¨ software with additional in silico prediction tools (SIFT, MutationTaster, and Polyphen) for classification of gene variants. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) and likely pathogenic variants were further assessed using several mutation databases, including HGMD, ClinVar, and Factor H database RESULTS: Of patients diagnosed with a TMA, genetic analysis was performed in only a 10% of patients. Of the 29 patients with genetic studies performed, mutations were identified in 18 patients (62%). The majority of the mutations had been described previously in the literature, but four novel variants were identified: three missense and one splice-site. The table below summarizes these variants as well as laboratory findings on presentation. These were two variants of CFH, one variant of CFHR5, and one variant of CFI. In silico modeling of these variants revealed two polymorphisms likely to be pathogenic, one polymorphism likely benign given the lack of predicted splicing changes, and one VUS. Table 1. Protein Mutation Classification Age Sex Hemoglobin (g/dL) Platelets (thousands) Creatinine (mg/dL) CFH c.245-10_245-9dup Likely benign 61 F 11.6 51 6.7 CFH c.476G>A, p.Ser159Asn Likely pathogenic 43 F 9.1 101 9.1 CFHR5 c.1412G>A p.Gly471Glu Likely pathogenic 30 F 9.8 129 4.9 CFI c.1190T>A p.Val397Glu Unknown significance 51 M 9.4 125 6.1 DISCUSSION: With therapy available to target the alternative complement pathway, genetic analysis to identify genetic variants capable of causing complement mediated TMAs is an essential part of the evaluation. This genetic data must be interpreted and correlated with functional analysis and clinical phenotype. The reporting of novel variants in clinical databases, with inclusion of relevant clinical findings, is necessary to accurately classify and verify variants as pathologic mutations or benign polymorphisms. The full understanding of this diverse disease requires a more complete understanding of its genetics. While complement pathway-directed therapies are available, their rational use requires thorough interpretation of laboratory data, including genetic analysis. Disclosures Murray: Mayo Clinic: Patents & Royalties: Patent Application Filed.
VWF Multimer Quantitation for Assessment of Cardiac Lesion Severity and Bleeding Risk

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 2588-2588

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2588.2588

Abstract Introduction: Recent reports have utilized von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimerquantitation in the assessment of native cardiac lesions and prosthetic valve dysfunction. However there is no standardized method for quantitation. We compared 3 methods of assessment which utilized a normal plasma control. Methods: We analyzed 476 samples and their control plasma from 395 patients including normal subjects, patients with aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral or aortic regurgitation, normal and abnormal left cardiac valve prostheses, and left ventricular assist device therapy (LVAD). VWF multimers were assessed as normal or abnormal, or as normalized (patient / normal plasma) VWF multimerratios of gel bands >15/2-15 (NMR 15) or gel bands > 10/2-10 (NMR 10). We tested whether one technique was more strongly associated with hemodynamic severity of the cardiac lesion, with a history of acquired bleeding, and compared the results to a separate test of VWF function, platelet function analyzer 15 00 (PFA). Results: Two hundred seventeen patient samples reflected normal or mildly abnormal hemodynamics, 111 moderate, and 113 severely abnormal hemodynamics. Abnormal multimers were present in only 19% of samples with normal or mildly abnormal hemodynamics compared to 79% abnormal in the presence of moderate to severe hemodynamic abnormality. The distinction between moderate and severe hemodynamic abnormality was less striking, 65% versus 88% (figure, left). Quantitative NMR values declined with increasing cardiac lesion severity (figure, middle). The two quantitative multimermethods showed similar relationships to lesion severity by ANOVA, r=0.40 (NMR 15) versus r=0.36 (NMR 10), and by Spearman correlation, r=0.68 for NMR 15, and r=0.66 for NMR 10, and PFA results were comparable (all p< 0.001). Bleeding rates were associated with NMR 15, 10 and PFA (Mann-Whitney p<0.001, figure, right). Conclusion: The dichotomous normal / abnormal VWF multimer method appears to distinguish ≥ moderate hemodynamic disruption, whereas there is a continuous relationship between hemodynamic severity and quantitative multimer methods, which may be clinically useful in circumstances in which clinical estimation of lesion severity is challenging, such as with dysfunctional prosthetic valves. Progressive loss of VWF multimersappears to be associated with bleeding, suggesting that quantitative measures may provide incremental value over the dichotomous normal / abnormal designation. Figure Figure. Disclosures Blackshear: Baxalta, Inc: Consultancy, Research Funding.
Clinical Outcome of Patients Diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome-Unclassifiable (MDS-U): Single Center Experience

Blood | October 11, 2019 | Volume: 124 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3264-3264

10.1182/blood.v124.21.3264.3264

Abstract Background:The 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) developed a new classification system for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). The well-defined categories are refractory anaemia with excess blasts (type 1 or 2 based on the marrow blast count being below or above 10%), refractory anaemia with or without ringed sideroblasts, refractory cytopenias with multilineage dysplasia and myelodysplastic syndromes with isolated deleted 5q. MDS cases that do not meet the diagnostic criteria of the above categories are classified myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS-U). However, few reports in the literature exist in terms of natural progression and clinical outcome of patients with MDS-U. Aim: To study the clinical outcome of patients with MDS-U. Method: A retrospective, IRB-approved, single-institution study through chart review of cases with MDS at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1993 and 2014 was performed. Patients diagnosed with MDS based on WHO classification were included. MDS classification was based on routine Mayo Clinic pathology reports. Central independent hematopathology review for bone marrow biopsy was performed for cases diagnosed with MDS-U or simply generic MDS. Comparison between groups’ medians was done using Wilcoxon test, while survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves using JMP V10. Result: A total of 802 patients, who met WHO criteria for MDS, were studied. Median age was 71 years (range, 18-99), 69% were males. Median white blood cell (WBC) 3.6 x109, hemoglobin (Hbg) 9.6 g/dl, platelets (PLT) 105 x109, peripheral blood (PB) blasts 0% and bone marrow (BM) blasts 2%. Median overall survival (OS) was 28 months. One hundred nine (14%) cases transformed to AML. Out of the 802 patients, 90 (11%) patients were initially classified as MDS-U according to 2008 WHO criteria, 69% were males with median age 71 years. Upon pathology review, only 42/90 cases (47%) were confirmed to be MDS-U (group 1). Among 47 cases not meeting MDS-U, 40% were best classified as RARS, 17% refractory anemia, and 9% as 5Q del Syndrome, while 2 cases did not have any myeloid neoplasm. Group 1 had median WBC 3 x109, Hbg 9.9g/dL, PLT 71 x109, PB blasts 0% and BM blasts 0%. IPSS grouping was low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2 and high in 27%, 52%, 21% and 0%, respectively. R-IPSS grouping was very low, low, intermediate, high and very high in 15%, 42%, 15%, 21% and 6%, respectively. Median OS in group 1 was 68, 37, 13 and 0 months per IPSS (p=0.04), and 101, 44, 14, 11, 13 months per IPSS-R (p=0.005), respectively. Of the 43 patients with MDS-U, 39 had follow-up; 21 patients (54%) of which progressed. MDS-U became 42% RAEB, 24% RCMD, 14% CMML, 5% RARS, 10% MDS/MPN, and 5% atypical. Group 2 (MDS other than MDS-U) 759 patients had median age 71 years, 69% were males. They had WBC 3.6 x109, Hbg 9.6g/dL, PLT 107 x109(p=0.01), PB blasts 0% and BM blasts 0%. IPSS grouping was low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2 and high in 29%, 44%, 22% and 5% respectively. R-IPSS grouping was very low, low, intermediate, high and very high in 17%, 32%, 20%, 17% and 14% respectively. On comparison between Group 1 vs 2, mOS was 27 vs 29 months (p=0.7), and percentage transformed to AML 14% in both groups. On multivariate analysis for mOS only age, IPSS-R and IPSS but not MDS-U nor gender were statistically significant. Conclusion: MDS-Uis a small subset of MDS. With independent pathology review, half of the MDS-U cases were subclassified into other MDS groups. In follow-up more than half of the cases were subclassified into other MDS groups and some were non-MDS. IPSS and IPSS-R are helpful tools for survival assessment in MDS-U. High risk MDS was infrequent in MDS-U per IPSS. We found no significant difference in mOS nor AML transformation when comparing MDS-U to other groups. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
GFI1B Mutation Associated Alpha-Delta Platelet Storage-Pool Deficiency: A Case Report and Its Potential Important Implication

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 128 | Issue: 22 | Pages: 3727-3727

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3727.3727

Abstract Background: In addition to NBEAL2, a single dominant-negative mutation in the GFIB1 gene has been associated with grey platelet syndrome but no association has been mentioned with dense granule deficiency. Here we describe a child with thrombocytopenia, alpha-delta granule deficiency, and a homozygous missense mutation in GFIB1. Case Report:The patient is an 8y/o Hispanic male born to non-consanguineous parents. Prenatal and birth history were unremarkable. No family history of blood disorders or pediatric malignancies. The boy has 2 healthy older siblings, no dysmorphic features, and normal skin pigmentation and eye findings. Renal function and hearing are normal. At 3mo he was noted to have multiple spontaneous petechiae along with an isolated thrombocytopenia of 46K/uL. At 10 months, a bone marrow evaluation showed increased megakaryocytes suggestive of ITP. By 3years of age, he received three treatments of IVIG without an adequate response. His platelet counts have generally ranged between 30-50K/uL. With acute illnesses, they drop to 15-20K/uL. His bleeding symptoms have primarily been spontaneous bruising and petechiae as well as prolonged epistaxis. His symptoms have been generally controlled with anti-fibrinolytic agents alone. Platelet transfusions have been reserved for surgical procedures or significant bleeding symptoms. Further evaluations over the past 5 years have included peripheral smears, showing atypical large hypo-granular platelets, and two additional bone marrow aspirates, showing megakaryocytic hyperplasia with numerous osteoclast-like forms and occasional small mono-lobated megakaryocytes and evident emperipolesis. Anti-nuclear antibody testing and platelet direct and indirect antibody testing were negative. Platelet electron microscopy showed that platelets virtually contained no dense granules (0.05 dense granules/platelet, 200 platelets) and about 30-40% of the platelets had markedly decreased alpha granules. Some platelets had complex canalicular networks and membrane vacuoles. These features are consistent with an alpha-delta platelet storage-pool deficiency. A myeloid malignancy mutation panel, performed using next generation sequencing, detected no variants of known significance. Gene sequencing for MHY9-related disorders as well as DNA breakage analysis for Fanconi's anemia were negative. However, DNA sequencing of the patient's sample revealed a homozygous missense mutation (c923 T>C; p.Leu308Pro) in the GFIB1gene; each parent carried one copy of this change. Conclusion: GFIB1, mapped to chromosome 9q34.13, encodes a transcriptional repressor that is important for megakaryopoiesis. It has been reported in patients with gray platelet syndrome; an inherited platelet disorder associated with thrombocytopenia and decreased alpha granules. This case points to an association of biallelic GFIB1 mutations with alpha-delta granule deficiency. This case underscores the importance of platelet esoteric testing and molecular analysis in the diagnosis of hereditary platelet disorders. As a targetable mutation in the future, this could revolutionize the early diagnosis and treatment of this rare platelet disorder. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Evaluation of Prosthetic Valve Function by Platelet Function Analysis and Von Willebrand Factor Indices

Blood | October 10, 2019 | Volume: 120 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 1128-1128

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1128.1128

Abstract Abstract 1128 Background Dysfunctional or mismatched prosthetic heart valves can results in high shear stress related von Willebrand factor (VWF) impairment, and clinical bleeding. This mechanism is similar to that seen in aortic stenosis patients, where gastrointestinal bleeding related to VWF multimer loss is well described (Heyde syndrome). In this study, we compared the results of VWF testing of patients with normally functioning cardiac valve prostheses, dysfunctional prosthetic valves, severe native aortic stenosis, and normal controls. Methods A total of 75 patients, 31 female and 44 male with a median age of 79.5 years were recruited to this study. Thirty patients had severe aortic stenosis (mean gradient > 40 mm Hg); 39 patients had normally functioning prosthetic valves, 21 aortic (AVR) and 18 mitral valves (MVR); and 6 patients had with dysfunctional valves (4 aortic and 2 mitral). Whole blood and plasma samples were drawn from patients and tested for platelet function analyzer-100 collagen ADP closure time (PFA-CADP), VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF activity by latex immunoassay (VWF:Ltx), VWF multimer analysis and VWF multimer densitometry ratio of large vs medium to low molecular weight multimers (>15 mers/2–15 mers). Results The 6 dysfunctional prosthetic valve patients included patient-prosthesis mismatch (2) and (one each), thrombosed mechanical aortic prosthesis, torn biological aortic prosthesis, severe tissue mitral prosthetic regurgitation, and post-mitral valve repair severe mitral regurgitation. Four of six patients had clinically significant bleeding. Most aortic stenosis and all 6 prosthetic dysfunction patients had abnormal VWF multimers which is rare in normally functioning prostheses and completely absent in normal donors. VWF:Ltx/Ag was lower in AS and MVR than normal. VWF:Ltx/Ag ratio, VWF:multimer ratio and PFA-CADP were all significantly abnormal in patients with dysfunctional prosthetic valve. VWF:multimer ratios in normally functioning prostheses tended to be intermediate between normals and than those of patients with severe AS or prosthetic valve dysfunction (Table). Conclusions VWF testing including quantitative von Willebrand multimer analysis and PFA-CADP reliably separate dysfunctional from normally functioning cardiac prostheses, and should be considered in the evaluation of patients with cardiac prostheses, especially those who have clinically significant bleeding. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.