The relationship between telomere length (TL) and predisposition to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains unclear. We compared peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) TL among cases of histologically-confirmed MDS (n=65) who were treatment-naive with no prior cancer history to age-matched controls (n=63). Relative TL was measured in PBL and saliva by quantitative PCR and in CD15+ and CD19+ cells by Flow-FISH. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) mutations were assessed by PCR. After adjustment for age and sex, relative TLs were reduced in PBL (p=0.02), CD15+ (p=0.01), CD19+ (p=0.25) and saliva (p=0.13) in MDS cases versus controls, although only PBL and CD15+ results were statistically significant. Among MDS cases, CD15+ and CD19+ cell TLs positively correlated (p=0.03). PBL TL was reduced among those occupationally exposed to paints and pesticides, but was not associated with hTERT genotype. Future studies are needed to further investigate constitutional telomere attrition as a possible predisposing factor for MDS.

No abstract

No abstract

SUMMARY Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a genetically heterogeneous hematologic neoplasm that manifests with features of both a myelodysplastic syndrome and a myeloproliferative neoplasm. Recent advances in the characterization of recurrent genetic markers have resulted in a better understanding of the leukemia-initiating events and have distinguished CMML from other clonal hematopoietic malignancies. Although these mutations may lead to CMML-specific therapies in the relatively near future, the current state of therapy for CMML is based on treatments designed for the myelodysplastic syndromes. Here we review the recurrent genetic mutations and, if known, their clinical significance. We also review the treatment and available CMML-specific prognostic models and novel therapies moving forward.

No abstract