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Dendritic Cell Leukemia: a Review

Current Oncology Reports volume 22, Article number: 55 (2020) Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review was to summarize the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN).

Recent Findings

Several case reports and series revealed new clinical, molecular, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of the disease. The clinical presentation diversity has been confirmed, with frequent leukemic non-cutaneous or rare atypical manifestations. The clonal evolution in the development of BPDCN has not been sufficiently elucidated. Although certain immunophenotypic markers (CD4, TCL1, CD123, CD56, CD303) are indicative of BPDCN, the diagnosis remains in certain cases challenging. Adult (ALL)-type chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is related to a favorable outcome, while chemotherapy alone seems enough in children. Future studies should continue to investigate whether CD123-directed therapies could be utilized.

Summary

BPDCN is a rare aggressive malignancy that needs an aggressive induction therapy. Although a diagnostic consensus is still lacking, and large retrospective studies are also needed to obtain standardized treatment guidelines, the future perspectives are encouraging, because of novel therapeutic agents that are under investigation.

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  1. Department of Immunology, “G. Gennimatas” General Hospital, Mesogion Avenue 154, 11527, Athens, Greece

    Nikolaos J. Tsagarakis & Georgios Paterakis

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Tsagarakis, N.J., Paterakis, G. Dendritic Cell Leukemia: a Review. Curr Oncol Rep 22, 55 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-020-00921-y

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Keywords

  • Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
  • BPDCN review
  • Dendritic cell leukemia
  • BPDCN diagnosis
  • Immunophenotype
  • Therapy