The advances in therapy of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive myeloid malignancy that contributes to <1% of all hematologic neoplasms. Before the introduction of various targeted agents, the therapeutic approach was based on regimens used for acute lymphoblastic or myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (e.g. hyperCVAD (hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone alternating with high dose methotrexate and cytarabine) and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) -based regimens) followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation for eligible patients. Given that this disease primarily affects older patients, there is a significant barrier to using these highly toxic regimens, even though these regimens are usually associated with the most durable response

Areas covered: In this review, we briefly discuss outcomes with the use of leukemia-based induction regimens as well as the use of stem cell transplant. We also review low-intensity chemotherapeutic regimens. Finally, we will describe both preclinical and early clinical data regarding novel targeted strategies for treating BPDCN without the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy, with a focus on the use of CD123 directed therapy.

Expert opinion: While the current standard treatment for BPDCN is acute leukemia-based regimen followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for transplant-eligible patients, there are very promising results for CD123 directed therapies. The future of BPDCN treatment may include targeted therapies without the need for cytotoxic chemotherapy.

KEYWORDS:

• BPDCN
• CAR-T
• CD123
• leukemia
• SL-401
• stem cell transplant

Declaration of interest

L Sokol is a con-investigator on the SL-401 study. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.