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What Is BPDCN?

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is an aggressive hematologic cancer that often presents with skin lesions1

Early diagnosis may be critical and requires a multidisciplinary team1,2

  • Dermatologists may be the first to recognize the signs of this hematologic malignancy because ~90% of patients present with skin lesions1-5
  • Pathologists are essential in diagnosing BPDCN, as correct diagnosis relies on a compatible immunophenotype, including the signature marker triad, CD123, CD4, and CD56, among other markers1,4,5*
  • Hematologist-oncologists are key in accurately diagnosing BPDCN, differentiating it from more common cancers with similar presentations1,2,5-7

Historically, BPDCN has had poor clinical outcomes8,9

Historical overall survival8

BPDCN historical overall survival BPDCN historical overall survival
  • Historically, median overall survival for BPDCN is approximately 8 to 14 months after diagnosis8,9
  • In a retrospective analysis, the mean time between the onset of lesions and the final diagnosis of BPDCN was 6.2 months3

BPDCN is currently recognized as a unique myeloid neoplasm after years of reclassification

Evolving World Health Organization classification for BPDCN1,10

Blastic NK-cell lymphoma

BPDCN as a subset of AML

BPDCN, blastic plasmacytold dendritic cell neoplasm; AML, acute myeloid leukemia; NK, natural killer.

Frequent reclassification and renaming have likely contributed to the underrecognition of BPDCN1

Who are patients with BPDCN?

The exact incidence of BPDCN is unknown because the nomenclature used to describe BPDCN has evolved over the years along with an understanding of the underlying biology.1

74 percent of BPDCN are male

74%

are men11

BPDCN patients are often diagnosed in their 60s or 70s

Typically diagnosed in patients'

60s or 70s,

but all ages can be affected1,11

BPDCN affects all races and geographic locations

Affects all races and
geographic locations1

Have you seen a case of BPDCN?

Similarity to other hematologic malignancies may contribute to misdiagnosis.1,2,5,7,10 Approximately 10% to 20% of patients with BPDCN have a previous history of, or may have been misdiagnosed with, certain other hematologic malignancies, including MDS, CMML, and AML.1

BPDCN may be mistaken for2,5,7:

  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
  • Leukemia cutis
  • Myeloid sarcoma
  • NK/T-cell lymphoma
  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
  • Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
  • Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)
  • Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)

To help identify BPDCN, think CD1234561,5

  • CD123, CD4, and CD56 comprise a signature marker triad that is key in diagnosing BPDCN1,8*
  • CD123 can be both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target in BPDCN12
  • BPDCN can be diagnosed through any biopsy of malignant cells11

*BPDCN diagnosis can include other markers, such as TCL1, TCF4, and CD303 (BDCA2).1,13

Delay in the correct diagnosis can mean that by the time BPDCN is recognized, disease progression may already have occurred6
Find out about the variable dermatologic presentation of BPDCN
  1. References:
  2. Pagano L, et al. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: diagnostic criteria and therapeutical approaches. Br J Haematol. 2016;174(2):188-202.
  3. Hirner JP, et al. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: the dermatologist's perspective. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2020;34(3):501-509.
  4. Julia F, et al. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: clinical features in 90 patients. Br J Dermatol. 2013;169(3):579-586.
  5. Sullivan JM, Rizzieri DA. Treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2016;2016(1):16-23.
  6. Laribi K, et al. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: from origin of the cell to targeted therapies. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2016;22(8):1357-1367.
  7. Riaz W, et al. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: update on molecular biology, diagnosis, and therapy. Cancer Control. 2014;21(4):279-289.
  8. Goyal A, et al. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. In: Carter JB, et al, eds. Atlas of Cutaneous Lymphomas: Classification and Differential Diagnosis. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing Switzerland; 2015:193-203.
  9. Pagano L, et al. Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm with leukemic presentation: an Italian multicenter study. Haematologica. 2013;98(2):239-246.
  10. Pemmaraju N. Novel pathways and potential therapeutic strategies for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN): CD123 and beyond. Curr Hematol Malig Rep. 2017;12(6):510-512.
  11. Arber DA, et al. The 2016 revision to the World Health Organization classification of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia. Blood. 2016;127(20):2391-2405.
  12. Facchetti F, et al. Neoplasms derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Mod Pathol. 2016;29(2):98-111.
  13. Frankel AE, Woo JH, Pemmaraju N, et al. Activity of SL-401, a targeted therapy directed to interleukin-3 receptor, in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm patients. Blood. 2014;124(3):385-392.
  14. Ceribelli M, et al. A druggable TCF4- and BRD4-dependent transcriptional network sustains malignancy in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. Cancer Cell. 2016;30(5):764-778.

INDICATION

  • ELZONRIS is a CD123-directed cytotoxin indicated for the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) in adults and in pediatric patients 2 years and older

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Boxed WARNING: CAPILLARY LEAK SYNDROME

  • Capillary Leak Syndrome (CLS) which may be life-threatening or fatal, can occur in patients receiving ELZONRIS. Monitor for signs and symptoms of CLS and take actions as recommended.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Capillary Leak Syndrome

  • Capillary leak syndrome (CLS), including life-threatening and fatal cases, has been reported among patients treated with ELZONRIS. In patients receiving ELZONRIS in clinical trials, the overall incidence of CLS was 53% (65/122), including Grade 1 or 2 in 43% (52/122) of patients, Grade 3 in 7% (8/122) of patients, Grade 4 in 1% (1/122) of patients, and four fatalities (3%). The median time to onset was 4 days (range - 1 to 46 days), and all but 5 patients experienced an event in Cycle 1.
  • Before initiating therapy with ELZONRIS, ensure that the patient has adequate cardiac function and serum albumin is greater than or equal to 3.2 g/dL. During treatment with ELZONRIS, monitor serum albumin levels prior to the initiation of each dose of ELZONRIS and as indicated clinically thereafter, and assess patients for other signs or symptoms of CLS, including weight gain, new onset or worsening edema, including pulmonary edema, hypotension or hemodynamic instability.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

  • ELZONRIS can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. In patients receiving ELZONRIS in clinical trials, hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 43% (53/122) of patients treated with ELZONRIS and were Grade ≥ 3 in 7% (9/122). Manifestations of hypersensitivity reported in ≥ 5% of patients include rash, pruritus, and stomatitis. Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions during treatment with ELZONRIS. Interrupt ELZONRIS infusion and provide supportive care as needed if a hypersensitivity reaction should occur.

Hepatotoxicity

  • Treatment with ELZONRIS was associated with elevations in liver enzymes. In patients receiving ELZONRIS in clinical trials, elevations in ALT occurred in 79% (96/122) and elevations in AST occurred in 76% (93/122). Grade 3 ALT elevations were reported in 26% (32/122) of patients. Grade 3 AST elevations were reported in 30% (36/122) and Grade 4 AST elevations were reported in 3% (4/122) of patients. Elevated liver enzymes occurred in the majority of patients in Cycle 1 and were reversible following dose interruption.
  • Monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) prior to each infusion with ELZONRIS. Withhold ELZONRIS temporarily if the transaminases rise to greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal and resume treatment upon normalization or when resolved.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 30%) are capillary leak syndrome, nausea, fatigue, pyrexia, peripheral edema, and weight increase. Most common laboratory abnormalities (incidence ≥ 50%) are decreases in albumin, platelets, hemoglobin, calcium, and sodium, and increases in glucose, ALT and AST.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.


To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-877-332-7961 or contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATION

  • ELZONRIS is a CD123-directed cytotoxin indicated for the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) in adults and in pediatric patients 2 years and older

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Boxed WARNING: CAPILLARY LEAK SYNDROME

  • Capillary Leak Syndrome (CLS) which may be life-threatening or fatal, can occur in patients receiving ELZONRIS. Monitor for signs and symptoms of CLS and take actions as recommended.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Capillary Leak Syndrome

  • Capillary leak syndrome (CLS), including life-threatening and fatal cases, has been reported among patients treated with ELZONRIS. In patients receiving ELZONRIS in clinical trials, the overall incidence of CLS was 53% (65/122), including Grade 1 or 2 in 43% (52/122) of patients, Grade 3 in 7% (8/122) of patients, Grade 4 in 1% (1/122) of patients, and four fatalities (3%). The median time to onset was 4 days (range - 1 to 46 days), and all but 5 patients experienced an event in Cycle 1.
  • Before initiating therapy with ELZONRIS, ensure that the patient has adequate cardiac function and serum albumin is greater than or equal to 3.2 g/dL. During treatment with ELZONRIS, monitor serum albumin levels prior to the initiation of each dose of ELZONRIS and as indicated clinically thereafter, and assess patients for other signs or symptoms of CLS, including weight gain, new onset or worsening edema, including pulmonary edema, hypotension or hemodynamic instability.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

  • ELZONRIS can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. In patients receiving ELZONRIS in clinical trials, hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 43% (53/122) of patients treated with ELZONRIS and were Grade ≥ 3 in 7% (9/122). Manifestations of hypersensitivity reported in ≥ 5% of patients include rash, pruritus, and stomatitis. Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions during treatment with ELZONRIS. Interrupt ELZONRIS infusion and provide supportive care as needed if a hypersensitivity reaction should occur.

Hepatotoxicity

  • Treatment with ELZONRIS was associated with elevations in liver enzymes. In patients receiving ELZONRIS in clinical trials, elevations in ALT occurred in 79% (96/122) and elevations in AST occurred in 76% (93/122). Grade 3 ALT elevations were reported in 26% (32/122) of patients. Grade 3 AST elevations were reported in 30% (36/122) and Grade 4 AST elevations were reported in 3% (4/122) of patients. Elevated liver enzymes occurred in the majority of patients in Cycle 1 and were reversible following dose interruption.
  • Monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) prior to each infusion with ELZONRIS. Withhold ELZONRIS temporarily if the transaminases rise to greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal and resume treatment upon normalization or when resolved.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 30%) are capillary leak syndrome, nausea, fatigue, pyrexia, peripheral edema, and weight increase. Most common laboratory abnormalities (incidence ≥ 50%) are decreases in albumin, platelets, hemoglobin, calcium, and sodium, and increases in glucose, ALT and AST.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.


To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-877-332-7961 or contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.