Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Highlights from the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH 2016): Take-Aways, Emerging Practice Changes, and Barriers to their Implementation (CME)

Annual meetings of large, national, professional societies offer an opportunity for healthcare professionals to get a first glimpse at study results that have the potential to impact practice as provide a forum for an exchange of ideas and practices between thought leaders and less distinguished practitioners. The 2016 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition (ASH 2016) is no exception. Nevertheless, as with every meeting, many professionals from both the community and health-system settings alike will be unable to attend the conference for a variety of reasons, justifying the creation of educational programming that summarize the major findings presented at the meeting.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of a group of malignancies caused by cytogenetic DNA mutations of developing hematopoietic stem cell precursors and mostly common to children with peak incidence at 2-5 years of age. Although approximately 80% of ALL cases present in children, they also occur in adults. The symptoms of ALL are non-specific and similar to those of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), which patients usually have 1-3 months of complaints.These symptoms include: fatigue, malaise, or palpitations associated with anemia; fever with or without infection due to leukopenia or leukocytosis; and petechiae, and bleeding or bruising of the oral mucosa, skin, or gastrointestinal tract due to thrombocytopenia. Although the precise etiology of ALL remains unknown, some cases have been associated with: exposure to ionizing, toxic chemicals, herbicides; genetic conditions such as Down’s syndrome, Fanconi syndrome, neurofibromatosis; viruses like human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 and Epstein-Barr virus. After clinical suspicion is aroused, diagnostics include: a complete blood count, bone marrow biopsy, and flow cytometry.

1. Summarize the most impactful findings presented at ASH 2016 relating to ALL and apply them to patient cases, taking into account any relevant barriers to care.
2. Additional objectives to be dictated by clinical content

Credit Designation:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through ScientiaCME. ScientiaCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. ScientiaCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.