Short Presentations in Emerging
Concepts (SPEC)

♂
♀

• Cell signaling pathway
• Allows extracellular chemicals to effect nuclear DNA expression
• Erythropoietin signals through the JAK-
STAT pathway.

• In Spring 2005, four separate groups independently published discovery of a point mutation (V617F) in the JAK2 gene of patients with the PV and ET
• Subsequent studies have identified JAK2 mutations as key molecular events in development of the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)
Incidence of JAK2 Mutation in MPNs
Polycythemia vera (PV)
Essential thrombocythemia (ET)
Primary myelofibrosis (PMF)
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
99%
60%
40%
<1%

EP
O
No signal Signal
Campbell P, N Engl J Med 2006, 355:2452-2466.
Signal

• HGB over 18.5 in
♂ or 15.5 in
♀
?
– JAK2 abnormal in 99% of PV JAK2
Testing
• Platelets over 1 million?
– 85% are not Essential Thrombocytosis (ET)
– JAK2 abnormal in 60% of ET
Testing
Detection of JAK2 means neoplastic process.

• Most common mutation is V617F
– Substitutes a phenylalanine for valine at codon 617
• Other JAK2 exon 12 mutations ( not V617F)
– Found in PV that does not have V617F
– Thus nearly 100% PV have some JAK2 abnormality
• ET and CIMF can also have MPL mutations
– Found in up to 5%
– Not seen in PV

Diagnosis requires meeting both major criteria and one minor criterion OR the first major criterion and two minor criteria.
Major criteria
1.
Hemoglobin > 18.5 g/dL in men, 16.5 g/dL in women or other evidence of increased red cell volume.*
2.
Presence of JAK2V617F or other functionally similar mutation such as JAK2 exon 12 mutation.
Minor criteria
1.
Bone marrow biopsy showing hypercellularity for age with trilineage growth
(panmyelosis) with prominent erythroid, granulocytic, and megakaryocytic proliferation.
2.
Serum erythropoietin level below the reference range for normal.
3.
Endogenous erythroid colony formation in vitro.
*Hemoglobin or hematocrit > 99th percentile of method-specific reference range for age, sex, and altitude of residence; or hemoglobin > 17 g/dL in men, 15 g/dL in women if associated with a documented and sustained increase of at least 2 g/dL from an individual’s baseline value that cannot be attributed to correction of iron deficiency; or elevated red cell mass > 25% above mean normal predicted value.

PV Dx Algorithm
*Clinical clues for PV include splenomegaly, thrombosis, aquagenic pruritus, and erythromelalgia.
Laboratory clues for PV include thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, and increased leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score. Janus kinase 2
(JAK2) screening is to detect the V617F mutation that occurs in most patients with PV.

Diagnosis requires meeting all four criteria .
1.
Sustained* platelet count ≥ 450 × 109/L.
2.
Bone marrow biopsy specimen showing proliferation mainly of the megakaryocytic lineage with increased numbers of enlarged, mature megakaryocytes. No signi- ficant increase or left-shift of neutrophil granulopoiesis or erythropoiesis.
3.
Not meeting WHO criteria for polycythemia vera,† primary myelofibrosis,‡
BCR-ABL1 –positive chronic myelogenous leukemia, § or myelodysplastic syndrome¶ or other myeloid neoplasms.
4.
Demonstration of JAK2V617F or other clonal marker, or in the absence of
JAK2V617F, no evidence for reactive thrombocytosis.**
*Sustained during the workup process.
†Requires the failure of iron replacement therapy to increase hemoglobin level to the polycythemia vera range in the presence of decreased serum ferritin. Exclusion of polycythemia vera is based on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and red cell mass measure- ment is not required.
‡Requires the absence of relevant reticulin fibrosis, collagen fibrosis, peripheral blood leukoerythroblastosis, or markedly hypercellular marrow accompanied by megakaryocyte morphology that is typical for primary myelofibrosis (small to large megakaryocytes with an aberrant nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and hyperchromatic, bulbous, or irregularly folded nuclei and dense clustering). § Requires the absence of BCR-ABL1.
¶Requires the absence of dyserythropoiesis and dysgranulopoiesis. **Causes of reactive thrombocytosis include iron deficiency, splenectomy, surgery, infection, inflammation, connective tissue disease, metastatic cancer, and lymphoproliferative disorders. However, the presence of a condition associated with reactive thrombocytosis does not exclude the possibility of essential thrombocythemia if the first three criteria are met.

*In addition to clinical history, laboratory tests that are helpful in distinguishing reactive thrombocytosis from ET include serum ferritin, peripheral blood smear, and C-reactive protein.

• JAK2 V617F Detection
– Performed on peripheral blood or bone marrow
– Highly sensitive and specific assays
– Should be performed in CAP Accredited lab
• JAK2 Exon 12 Mutation Analaysis
– Used when suspect PV but V617F not detected

diagnosis
• Detection is sufficient.
• Quantification not necessary
“clinical/hematologic/ prognostic correlates”
• Controversial monitoring
• Response to therapy
• Utility not well defined clinically

• Second most frequent mutation after JAK2
• CALR found in endoplasmic reticulin: protein folding, calcium homeostasis
• CALR mutations mutually exclusive with JAK2 and MPL
• Found in 73% of ET and MF cases that are JAK2 neg and MPL neg
• CALR not reported in PV
• Can distinguish ET from PV and MF
• Presence of CALR mutation associated with better outcomes (longer survival, less thrombosis)

Nangalia J, Massie CE, Baxter EJ, et al. Somatic CALR mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms with nonmutated JAK2. N Engl J Med . 2013; 369:
2391-405.
Klampfl T, Gisslinger H, Harutyunyan AS, et al. Somatic mutations of calreticulin in myeloproliferative neoplasms. N Engl J Med. 2013 ; 369: 2379-90.
Cross NC. Genetic and epigenetic complexity in myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program . 2011;2011:208-14.
Schmidt AE, Pathology Consultation on Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Oh ST; for the Education Committee of the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and
Scientists. Am J Clin Pathol . 2012 Jul;138(1):12-19.
Tefferi A. JAK inhibitors for myeloproliferative neoplasms: clarifying facts from myths. Blood . 2012 Mar 22;119(12):2721-30. Epub 2012 Jan 25.

Additional Free Resource for CAP Members
NOTE: please remove this page before presenting.
CAP Member Exclusive: CAP Pathology Resource Guides
Focused on a specific hot-topic technology, these comprehensive guides highlights current resources, select journal articles, as well as CAP and non-CAP educational opportunities. And don’t miss the “Insights From Early
Adopters” section in each guide to gain perspective from pioneering colleagues.
AVAILABLE NOW:
• Molecular Pathology (single gene test, small panel)
• Genomic Analysis (large panel, exome, genome)
Learn more: go to cap.org
and type Pathology Resource Guides in the
“search” field located at the top of your screen.
“An outstanding overview of basic materials, including the technology and links to a number of individuals and centers that can assist.”
“Extremely well done, of high practical and educational value.”