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Erythroleukemia: an Update

  • Leukemia (A Aguayo, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, BioCenter, 2230 Inwood Rd, EB03.220G, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA

    Olga K. Weinberg

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Daniel A. Arber

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  1. Olga K. Weinberg
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Correspondence to Olga K. Weinberg.

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Weinberg, O.K., Arber, D.A. Erythroleukemia: an Update. Curr Oncol Rep 23, 69 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-021-01060-8

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