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Classification

SM is classified as a myeloid neoplasm by the World Health Organization (WHO).3,a

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Systemic Mastocytosis Subtypes3,7

Systemic mastocytosis
Non-advanced SM
Bone marrow mastocytosis
Indolent SM

The most common subtype of SM with heterogeneous clinical presentation, which may encompass a range of potentially debilitating symptoms involving the skin, bone, gastrointestinal system, and other organ systems.1-8

SM, systemic mastocytosis.

References:

1. Verstovek S et al. Systemic mastocytosis. In: WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board. Haematolymphoid tumours [Internet; beta version ahead of print]. International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2023. (WHO classification of tumours series, 5th ed; vol 11). Accessed September 15, 2023. https://tumourclassification.iarc.who.int/chapters/63 2. Trizuljak J et al. Allergy. 2020;75(8):1923-1934.
3. Sperr WR et al. Lancet Haematol. 2019;6(12):e638-e649. 4. Pardanani A. Am J Hematol. 2023;98(7):
1097-1116. 5. Pyatilova P et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10(8):2015-2024. 6. Lim KH et al. Blood.
2009;113(23):5727-5736. 7. Taylor F et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021;16(1):414. 8. Jennings SV et al. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2018;38(3):505-525.

Smoldering SM
Advanced SM
Aggressive SM
SM with an associated
hematologic neoplasm
Mast cell leukemia

a Please note, these are the anticipated changes to the WHO guidelines, 5th edition, volume 11; cited from the beta version (ahead of print) available online.3

Key SM characteristics

sm characteristics

Clonal mast cell proliferation driven by the KIT D816V mutation in
~95% of cases2-6

sm characteristics

Abnormal activation of mast cells may lead to potentially debilitating symptoms, including potentially
life-threatening anaphylaxis1,8-10

Uncontrolled proliferation and activation of mast cells may result in a wide range of potentially severe symptoms1,8,11,12

abnormal-mast-cell

Abnormal mast cells8

Release of
pro-inflammatory mediators
(eg, tryptase, histamine, IL-6, TNF)8

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Hallmark Symptoms:

anaphylaxis icon

Anaphylaxis with hypotension and syncope1,10,12

maculopapular icon

Maculopapular lesions with Darier sign1,12-14,a

nausea icon

Nausea, vomiting,
and/or diarrhea1,10,12

Please note, the signs and symptoms discussed
are not comprehensive.

IL-6, interleukin 6; TNF, tumor necrosis factor.
a Skin lesions in adult patients with SM typically present as maculopapular lesions. A Darier sign might be present, which is defined by the development of a wheal-and-flare reaction of the lesions upon mechanical stroking.15

References

Clinical presentation

These signs and symptoms represent the clinical spectrum of systemic mastocytosis and are not all-inclusive. Symptoms may vary in individuals, based on the type of systemic mastocytosis and aggressiveness of the disease.1,3

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1 Cardiovascular1,3,10
anaphylaxis with
hypotension and syncope, palpitations, angioedema

2 Gastrointestinal1,10,12
nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, heartburn

3 Musculoskeletal1,3
osteopenia, osteoporosis, fractures, back pain, bone
pain, arthralgias, myalgias

4 Skin1,3,10,12,13
Darier sign, pruritus, flushing, urticaria, dermatographism

human image

5 Neurocognitive1,10,16-18
memory/cognitive difficulties, brain fog, lack of focus, dizziness, depression, headache, sleep disturbance, irritability, anxiety, migraines

6 Respiratory8,19
wheezing, nasal congestion, throat swelling, dyspnea

7 Systemic1,3,10
anaphylaxis with hypotension and syncope, fatigue, generalized weakness, sweats, chills, weight loss

Symptoms may result from mast cell mediator release in response to specific triggers, which differ for each patient and may include10,20:

physical factors icon

Physical factors16,17,20,21
Heat, cold, changes
in temperature, pressure,
or friction

odors icon

Odors17,20
Perfumes, chemical exposure

food-icon

Food or beverages16,17,20,21
Containing or releasing histamine, alcohol

Medications icon

Medications and therapeutic agents16,17,20,21
Opiates, NSAIDs, antibiotics, anesthetics, vaccinations, and contrast media

Insects icon

Insects16,17,20,21
Hymenoptera sting or venom

general triggers icon

General triggers16,17,20,21
Environmental allergens, infections, exercise, stress (emotional or physical),
lack of sleep

NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

References

Diagnosis

WHO icon

WHO Criteria for Systemic Mastocytosis

The WHO diagnostic criteria for SM consist of major and minor criteria.3,a

WHO Systemic Mastocytosis Diagnostic Criteria3,a

(1 major + ≥1 minor or ≥3 minor)

Major criterion

Multifocal dense infiltrates of MCs (≥15 MCs in aggregates) are detected in sections of bone marrow and/or other extracutaneous organ(s)

Minor criteria (anticipated changes)

Activating KIT point mutation(s) at codon 816 or in other critical regions of KITb in bone marrow or
other extracutaneous organ(s)

Baseline serum tryptase concentration >20 ng/mL in the absence of a myeloid-associated hematologic neoplasm.c In the case of a known HαT, the tryptase level could be adjustedd

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Peripheral blood test may be used to screen for SM3,22,23

>25% of all MCs are atypical cells (type I or type II) on bone marrow smears or are spindle-shaped in dense and diffuse MC infiltrates in sections of bone marrow or other extracutaneous organ(s)e

MCs in bone marrow, blood, or another extracutaneous organ(s) aberrantly express 1 or more of the following antigens: CD2, CD25, CD30f

B- and C-findings

Symptoms related to organ infiltration in SM are classified as B (burden of disease) and C (cytoreduction-required) findings reflecting organ dysfunction and disease aggressiveness, which help to define the subtype of SM.3,24

HαT, hereditary alpha tryptasemia; ISM, indolent systemic mastocytosis; MC, mast cell; SM-AHN, systemic mastocytosis with an associated hematologic neoplasm; WHO, World Health Organization.
a Please note, these are the anticipated changes to the WHO guidelines, 5th edition, volume 11; cited from the beta version (ahead of print) available online.3
b Any type of KIT mutation counts as a minor SM criterion when solid evidence for its transforming behavior is available.3
c Myeloid neoplasms can lead to increased serum tryptase levels. Therefore, this criterion does not count in cases of SM-AHN.3
d A possible mode for adjustment has been proposed. The basal tryptase level may be divided by 1 plus the extra copy numbers of the alpha tryptase gene.3
e In tissue sections, an abnormal MC morphology counts in both a dense infiltrate and a diffuse MC infiltrate. In the bone marrow smear, an atypical morphology of MCs does not count as SM criterion when MCs are located in, or adjacent to, bone marrow particles. Morphologic criteria of atypical MCs have been described.3
f Expression has to be confirmed by either flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry.3

References

Considerations in the Diagnostic Process

The following diagram is an example of a potential diagnostic workup and is not a specific recommendation or guideline for diagnosing patients with SM.

Recognizing hallmark signs and symptomsa

Dermatologic
Including: Skin lesions, urticaria, pruritus, flushing1,3,12,13

Systemic
Including: Recurrent or unexplained anaphylaxis with hypotension and syncope1,3,10

Gastrointestinal
Including: Diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting1,3,25

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Evaluation of SM

blood full icon

Peripheral blood testing for screening of SM

KIT D816V testing with a
high-sensitivity molecular assay1,3,8,22

Serum tryptase level1,3,8,23

Mast cell expression of 1 or more of the following: CD2, CD25, CD301,3

blood full icon

Biopsy
Bone marrow biopsy or biopsy of an extracutaneous organ1,3,8

SM, systemic mastocytosis.
a Please note, only select signs and symptoms are shown.

References

Considerations for Systemic Mastocytosis Workup

Click the plus button to reveal answers

Are there MC mediator symptoms?

plus icon

MC mediator symptoms should raise suspicion of SM; however, a thorough workup is required for definitive diagnosis.3,10,26

minus icon
 

Is there an elevated serum tryptase?

plus icon

Tryptase >20 ng/mL is considered a minor diagnostic criterion for SM in the WHO guidelines,a
but basal serum tryptase levels <20 ng/mL might not rule out SM.1,3,27

minus icon
 

Is KIT D816V mutation detected using a high-sensitivity assay?

plus icon

BM, blood, or other extracutaneous organ(s) may be screened for activating KIT point
mutation(s) at codon 816 or in any other critical regions of KIT. KIT mutation is considered a key
diagnostic component of SM and is a minor criterion in the WHO guidelines.1,3,22,a

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Does biopsy of an extracutaneous organ show multifocal dense infiltrates of MCs?

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SM involves proliferation of abnormal MCs, which accumulate in one or more organ systems,
which may include BM, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, or other organs.
Presence of dense multifocal infiltrates of MCs, defined as ≥15 MCs in aggregates in sections of
BM and/or other extracutaneous organ(s), is a major criterion of SM in the WHO guidelines.1,3,24,a

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Is there any evidence of B- or C-findings?

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Evaluation of clinical signs of SM, classified as B- or C-findings, can help define the subtype of SM as they indicate organ involvement and aggressiveness of SM, according to the WHO guidelines.3,24,a

B (burden of disease) findings:
 0 B-finding? Consider BMM
 0-1 B-finding? Consider ISM
 ≥2 B-findings? Consider SSM

C (cytoreduction-required) findings:
 0 C-finding? Consider chronic MCL
 0-1 C-finding? Consider ASM
 Meets criteria for SM and AHN? Consider SM-AHN
 ≥1 C-finding? Consider acute MCL

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AHN, associated hematologic neoplasm; ASM, aggressive systemic mastocytosis; BM, bone marrow; BMM, bone marrow mastocytosis; ISM, indolent systemic mastocytosis; MC, mast cell;
MCL, mast cell leukemia; SM, systemic mastocytosis; SSM, smoldering systemic mastocytosis; WHO, World Health Organization.
aPlease note, these are the anticipated changes to the WHO guidelines, 5th edition, volume 11; cited from the beta version (ahead of print) available online.3

References:

  1. Pardanani A. Systemic mastocytosis in adults: 2023 update on diagnosis, risk stratification and management. Am J Hematol. 2023;98(7):1097-1116.
  2. Khoury JD, Solary E, Abla O, et al. The 5th edition of the World Health Organization classification of haematolymphoid tumours: myeloid and histiocytic/dendritic neoplasms. Leukemia. 2022;36(7): 1703-1719.
  3. Verstovek S, Colmenero I, Cozzolino I, et al. Systemic mastocytosis. In: WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board. Haematolymphoid tumours [Internet; beta version ahead of print]. International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2023. (WHO classification of tumours series, 5th ed; vol 11). September 28, 2023. https://tumourclassification.iarc.who.int/chapters/63
  4. Garcia-Montero AC, Jara-Acevedo M, Alvarez-Twose I, et al. KIT D816V-mutated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in indolent systemic mastocytosis are associated with disease progression. Blood. 2016;127(6):761-768.
  5. Kristensen T, Vestergaard H, Bindslev-Jensen C, Møller MB, Broesby-Olsen S. Sensitive KIT D816V mutation analysis of blood as a diagnostic test in mastocytosis. Am J Hematol. 2014;89(5):493-498.
  6. Ungerstedt J, Ljung C, Klimkowska M, Gülen T. Clinical outcomes of adults with systemic mastocytosis: a 15-year multidisciplinary experience. Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(16):3942.
  7. Valent P, Akin C, Gleixner KV, et al. Multidisciplinary challenges in mastocytosis and how to address with personalized medicine approaches. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(12):2976.
  8. Theoharides TC, Valent P, Akin C. Mast cells, mastocytosis, and related disorders. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(2):163-172.
  9. Valent P. Risk factors and management of severe life-threatening anaphylaxis in patients with clonal mast cell disorders. Clin Exp Allergy. 2014;44(7):914-920.
  10. Gilreath JA, Tchertanov L, Deininger MW. Novel approaches to treating advanced systemic mastocytosis. Clin Pharmacol. 2019;11:77-92.
  11. Rossignol J, Polivka L, Maouche-Chrétien L, Frenzel L, Dubreuil P, Hermine O. Recent advances in the understanding and therapeutic management of mastocytosis. F1000Res. 2019;8:F1000 Faculty Rev-1961.
  12. Pyatilova P, Akin C, Alvarez-Twose I, et al. Refined treatment response criteria for indolent systemic mastocytosis proposed by the ECNM-AIM Consortium. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10(8):2015-2024.
  13. Hartmann K, Escribano L, Grattan C, et al. Cutaneous manifestations in patients with mastocytosis: consensus report of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; and the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;137(1):35-45.
  14. Aberer E, Sperr WR, Bretterklieber A, et al. Clinical impact of skin lesions in mastocytosis: a multicenter study of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis. J Invest Dermatol. 2021;141(7):1719-1727.
  15. Manjaly Thomas ZR, Hartmann K. Skin disease in mastocytosis. In: Akin C, ed. Mastocytosis. Springer, Cham. 2020:69-91.
  16. Gülen T, Elberink JNGO, Brockow K. Anaphylaxis in mastocytosis. In: Akin C, ed. Mastocytosis. Springer, Cham; 2020:141-155.
  17. Jennings SV, Slee VM, Zack RM, et al. Patient perceptions in mast cell disorders. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2018;38(3):505-525.
  18. Scherber RM, Borate U. How we diagnose and treat systemic mastocytosis in adults. Br J Haematol. 2018;180(1):11-23.
  19. Taylor F, Akin C, Lamoureux RE, et al. Development of symptom-focused outcome measures for advanced and indolent systemic mastocytosis: the AdvSM-SAF and ISM-SAF©. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021;16(1):414.
  20. Jennings SV, Slee VM, Hobart JS, et al. International support and advocacy for mast cell disease patients and caregivers. In: Akin E, ed. Mastocytosis. Springer, Cham; 2020:267-286.
  21. Castells M, Butterfield J. Mast cell activation syndrome and mastocytosis: initial treatment options and long-term management. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019;7(4):1097-1106.
  22. Hoermann G, Sotlar K, Jawhar M, et al. Standards of genetic testing in the diagnosis and prognostication of systemic mastocytosis in 2022: recommendations of the EU-US Cooperative Group.
    J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10(8):1953-1963.
  23. Matito A, Morgado JM, Álvarez-Twose I, et al. Serum tryptase monitoring in indolent systemic mastocytosis: association with disease features and patient outcome. PLoS One. 2013;8(10):e76116.
  24. Vaes M, Benghiat FS, Hermine O. Targeted treatment options in mastocytosis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017;4:110.
  25. Zanelli M, Pizzi M, Sanguedolce F, et al. Gastrointestinal manifestations in systemic mastocytosis: the need of a multidisciplinary approach. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(13):3316.
  26. Bibi S, Arock M. KIT and other mutations in mastocytosis. In: Akin E, ed. Mastocytosis. Springer, Cham; 2020:267-286.
  27. Akin C, Valent P. Diagnostic criteria and classification of mastocytosis in 2014. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2014;34(2):207-218.