Journal of Leukemia
Open Access

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Leukemia Innovations

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) was previously referred to as natural killer (NK) cell leukemia/lymphoma. As understanding of the biology and origin of this malignancy has improved, the planet Health Organization (WHO) established the term blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) in 2008. The diagnosis is challenging, since neoplastic cells can resemble lymphoblasts or small immunoblasts, and need the utilization of an outsized panel of antibodies, including those against CD4, CD56, CD123, CD303, TCL1, and TCF4. The morphologic and partially phenotypic ambiguity explains the uncertainties on the histogenesis of the neoplasm that led to the utilization of varied denominations. Recently, a series of molecular studies supported karyotyping, organic phenomenon profiling, and next generation sequencing, have largely unveiled the pathobiology of the tumour and proposed the doubtless beneficial use of latest drugs.