Advances in Diagnosis and Targeted Therapies for BPDCN from an Expert Dermatopathologist

Phyu Aung, MD, PhD, FCAP, a dermatopathologist, discusses key challenges in diagnosing and treating blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). Definitive diagnosis is difficult given BPDCN’s heterogeneous features and frequent skin and CNS involvement. Recent advances have utilized immunophenotyping and targeted CD123, which is overexpressed on BPDCN cells. However, resistance develops with CD123 monotherapy. She notes that while testing aids BPDCN insights, more prognostic markers are needed, and emphasizes that continued cross-disciplinary research is critical to better outcomes.