Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases are a group of diseases of the blood and bone marrow in which the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells. These diseases have features of both myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders. In myelodysplastic diseases, the blood stem cells do not mature into healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets and as a result, there are fewer of these healthy cells. In myeloproliferative diseases, a greater than normal number of blood stem cells develop into one or more types of blood cells and the total number of blood cells slowly increases. The 3 main types of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases include chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML); juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML); and atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia (aCML). When a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease does not match any of these types, it is called myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MDS/MPN-UC).
Other Names: Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm
Pathophysiology and Epidemiology
In most cases, the cause of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative disease is unknown, and there is limited information regarding potential causes. No specific genetic defects have been identified for any of the diseases. The specific cause of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is unknown, but exposure to occupational and environmental carcinogens, ionizing radiation, and cytotoxic agents have been associated in some cases. The cause of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is not known; however, children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk for developing JMML, and up to 14% of cases of JMML occur in children with NF1. Atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia (aCML) has been associated with cytogenetic abnormalities in as many as 80% of individuals with the disease; however, no cytogenetic abnormality is specific. Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MDS/ MPN-UC) (also known as mixed myeloproliferative/ myelodysplastic syndrome) also has no known cause.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptoms of CMML and JMML include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
The most common symptoms of aCML include:
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Fatigue
Management and Treatment
FDA approved treatments for multiple myeloma include:
- Imatinib mesylate (Brand name: Gleevec®)
Clinical Trials
For a full list of clinical trials relating to myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases, go here.
Mikkael Sekeres, MD: Combination Therapy Shows Promise in Rare Forms of Leukemia, including MDS
Jennifer Elliott, PhD: Promising Phase 2 Trial Results For Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome and AML
Resources
Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation
To learn more about rare cancers, visit our Rare Cancers page