KIT D816V–associated systemic mastocytosis with eosinophilia and FIP1L1/PDGFRA-associated chronic eosinophilic leukemia are distinct entities

BackgroundThe broad and overlapping clinical manifestations of D816V KIT–associated systemic mastocytosis with eosinophilia and FIP1L1/PDGFRA-associated chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), coupled with the increase in activated eosinophils and mast cells seen in both disorders, have led to confusion in the nomenclature. It is of paramount importance, however, to distinguish between these 2 groups of patients because of differences in clinical sequelae, prognoses, and selection of treatment.ObjectiveWe thus sought to identify clinical and laboratory features that could be used to distinguish these 2 diagnoses.MethodsWe compared 12 patients with D816V-positive systemic mastocytosis with eosinophilia with 17 patients with FIP1L1/PDGFRA-positive CEL. Distinguishing features were used to create a risk factor scoring system.ResultsThis system correctly classified 16 of 17 FIP1L1/PDGFRA-positive patients with CEL and all 12 patients with systemic mastocytosis with eosinophilia. Thirty-four FIP1L1/PDGFRA-positive patients described in the literature were also classified using this system, and although a complete set of data was not available for any of the historical patients, 21 were correctly classified.ConclusionThese results reinforce the hypothesis that the FIP1L1/PDGFRA gene fusion and D816V-KIT mutation cause distinct clinical syndromes.Clinical implicationsThis novel diagnostic approach should prove helpful in clinical practice in the evaluation of patients with increased mast cells and peripheral eosinophilia.