Spontaneous remission of childhood acute marrow fibrosis and megakaryoblastic leukemia

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2012 Oct;34(7):565-8. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e318257a172.

Abstract

Spontaneous remission in 2 children with myelofibrosis, one with megakaryocytic acute myeloblastic leukemia and t(1;22) (with recurrence later) and one with Down syndrome and GATA1 mutation (permanent), are described. One had sepsis and was treated with antibiotics and blood products, whereas the other received only blood products. Remission was spontaneous, without chemotherapy treatment. Possible explanations for these outcomes include immunologic response to sepsis by a leukemia-specific T-cell response or the release of various cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-2, during infections. Natural killer and cytotoxic T cells transfused with blood products might have also triggered an immune response.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Child, Preschool
  • Down Syndrome / genetics
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / immunology
  • Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / immunology
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / physiopathology*
  • Remission, Spontaneous*

Substances

  • GATA1 Transcription Factor
  • GATA1 protein, human