Mast cell leukemia medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nawal Muazam M.D.[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

The mainstay of therapy for symptomatic mast cell leukemia patients is immunochemotherapy.

Medical Therapy[edit | edit source]

Therapeutic approaches are limited and consist of reducing the tumor burden and conservation of organ functions.^[1]

Corticosteroids[edit | edit source]

• Corticosteroids have been recommended as a short term use in combination with cytotoxic drugs.^[2][1]
• It could also be beneficial in some situations such as:

• Malabsorption
• Ascites
• Anaphylaxis

Interferon-α[edit | edit source]

Interferon-α reduces the frequency of:^[2][1]

• Histamine related attacks
• Decrease bone marrow infiltration by mast cells
• Decrease liver infiltration by mast cells
• Decrease skin manifestations
• Improve osteoporosis

2-Chloro-deoxy-adenosine[edit | edit source]

2-Chloro-deoxy-adenosine has a potential value in the treatment of mast cell leukemia with symptomatic responses and improvement in mast cell variables.^[2][1]

Cladribine[edit | edit source]

Cladribine has been used in rare cases of mast cell leukemia with relatively small or no efficacy.^[2][1]

Imatinib[edit | edit source]

Imatinib does not have direct effect on the D816V KIT mutation, but it may affect other sporadic mutations.^[2][1]

Dasatinib[edit | edit source]

Dasatinib demonstrates significant inhibitory activity against WT KIT as well as juxtamembrane domain mutant KIT. This activity has been proven in patients negative for D816V KIT.^[2][1]

Nilotinib[edit | edit source]

Nilotinib displays also equipotent activity to imatinib in D816V c-KIT negative patients.^[2][1]

References[edit | edit source]