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Lenalidomide-Associated Secondary B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma—A Unique Entity A Report of Two Cases with Low-Level Bone Marrow Involvement and Review of the Literature

  • Sharon Koorse Germans
  • , Ozlem Kulak
  • , Prasad Koduru
  • , Dwight Oliver
  • , Jeffery Gagan
  • , Prapti Patel
  • , Larry D. Anderson
  • , Franklin S. Fuda
  • , Weina Chen
  • , Jesse Manuel Jaso

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: Autologous stem cell transplant with lenalidomide maintenance therapy has greatly improved the relapse-free and overall survival rates of patients with multiple myeloma but also has been associated with an increased risk of secondary B-lymphoblastic leukemia/ lymphoma (B-ALL). Methods: We report a comprehensive review of the clinicopathologic features of 2 patients with multiple myeloma who developed secondary B-ALL during lenalidomide maintenance. Results: Our observations showed that the disease may initially present with subtle clinical, morphologic, and flow-cytometric findings. The flow cytometry findings in such cases may initially mimic an expansion of hematogones with minimal immunophenotypic variation. Both patients achieved complete remission of secondary B-ALL after standard chemotherapy; however, one patient continues to have minimal residual disease, and the other experienced relapse. Next-generation sequencing of the relapse specimen showed numerous, complex abnormalities, suggesting clonal evolution. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the need for increased awareness and further study of this unique form of secondary B-ALL.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)816-827
Number of pages12
JournalAmerican journal of clinical pathology
Volume154
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • B-lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Lenalidomide
  • Multiple myeloma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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