Lessons Learned from Donor Cell-Derived Myeloid Neoplasms: Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

Donor-cell derived myeloid neoplasm (DDMN), a rare complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), is of interest for its potential to reveal donor-derived and host-derived factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of leukemia. The accurate diagnosis of donor-derived leukemias has been facilitated by the more frequent use of molecular techniques. In this study, we describe three additional cases of DDMN; the first reported case of donor-derived chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), one acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21)(q22;22); RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and one donor-derived MDS with deletion 5q. A review of the cytogenetic profiles of previously reported DDMN indicates a significant contribution of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms. Cases with direct evidence of donor- or recipient-dependent factors are rare; a role of direct transfer of leukemic cells, genomic instability of the donor, abnormal gene methylation in donor cells, proleukemic potential of abnormal stromal niche, and the role of immunological surveillance after transplantation has been observed. The role of additional potential pathogenetic factors that are without clinically observed evidence are also reviewed.