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Current Oncology Reports
Published in: Current Oncology Reports 6/2021

01-06-2021 | Myelodysplastic Syndrome | Leukemia (A Aguayo, Section Editor)

Erythroleukemia: an Update

Authors: Olga K. Weinberg, Daniel A. Arber

Published in: Current Oncology Reports | Issue 6/2021

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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

Acute erythroleukemia (AEL) is a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia recognized by erythroblastic proliferation. Many controversies remain around diagnosis influencing prognostic and therapeutic implications relating to this unique leukemia subset.

Recent Findings

The 2016 WHO classification includes more clear and restrictive diagnostic criteria for AEL. Primary acute erythroid leukemia is associated with complex and high-risk karyotypes including chromosomes 5q and 7q abnormalities. Mutational data shows that AEL is characterized by far lower NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutation rates and higher mutational rates in TP53 compared with other AML subtypes. Hypomethylating agents have shown therapeutic value in AEL.

Summary

In this article, we discuss the evolving diagnostic concepts of erythroleukemia, genomics, clinical outcome, and promising therapeutic targets through an appraisal of the current literature.
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Metadata
Title
Erythroleukemia: an Update
Authors
Olga K. Weinberg
Daniel A. Arber
Publication date
01-06-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Oncology Reports / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 1523-3790
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6269
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-021-01060-8

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