New SAMD9L heterozygous mutation leading to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: SAMD9L mutation is linked to the development of myeloid neoplasm. The mutation has a wide range of clinical presentations involving neurological, immunological, and hematological manifestations. Until now, limited data regarding different variants of this genetic mutation existed. Here we present a 6‐year‐old girl who presented with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic changes and who carries a new germline variant mutation in the SAMD9L gene. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6‐year‐old girl who presented initially as a case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was later diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic changes. In addition, she was found to have a new germline variant mutation in the SAMD9L gene (other known pathogenic variants known to cause ataxia pancytopenia syndrome). She was treated with chemotherapy followed by haplo identical transplant from her unaffected father. She is alive 30 months post‐transplant and in complete remission with full donor chimerism. Her initial brain MRI showed mild prominence of the anterior (superior) vermis folia, suggesting mild atrophy. Ongoing surveillance for accompanied neurological manifestation is ongoing, although the patient is asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: For SAMD‐9L‐related disorder, a careful approach must be taken when a patient presents with a suspicious clinical feature even without a well‐known genetic mutation giving the diverse presentation across affected members within the same family. In addition, other associated abnormalities should be monitored long‐term.