Integrating germline variant assessment into routine clinical practice for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia: current strategies and challenges. (18th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tawana, Kiran; Brown, Anna L.; Churpek, Jane E.
• Is Part Of: British journal of haematology. Volume 196:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1293
• Page End: 1310
• Publication Date: 2021-10-18
• Subjects: familial -- malignancy -- acute myeloid leukaemia -- germline -- testing; Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17855
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1048

Abstract

Summary: Over the last decade, the field of hereditary haematological malignancy syndromes (HHMSs) has gained increasing recognition among clinicians and scientists worldwide. Germline mutations now account for almost 10% of adult and paediatric myelodysplasia/acute myeloid leukaemia (MDS/AML). As our ability to diagnose HHMSs has improved, we are now faced with the challenges of integrating these advances into routine clinical practice for patients with MDS/AML and how to optimise management and surveillance of patients and asymptomatic carriers. Discoveries of novel syndromes combined with clinical, genetic and epigenetic profiling of tumour samples, have highlighted unique patterns of disease evolution across HHMSs. Despite these advances, causative lesions are detected in less than half of familial cases and evidence‐based guidelines are often lacking, suggesting there is much still to learn. Future research efforts are needed to sustain current momentum within the field, led not only by advancing genetic technology but essential collaboration between clinical and academic communities.