Overview
Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive blood cancer in which abnormal plasma cells grow out of control and are found in large numbers in the blood. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that normally makes antibodies to help fight infections. In plasma cell leukemia, these cancerous plasma cells flood the bloodstream and can damage the bone marrow, bones, kidneys, and other organs. There are two types of plasma cell leukemia. Primary PCL occurs on its own without any prior blood cancer. Secondary PCL develops in people who already have multiple myeloma, a related but more common plasma cell cancer, when the disease transforms into a more aggressive form. Symptoms often include fatigue, bone pain, frequent infections, unexplained weight loss, bleeding problems, and kidney issues. Some patients also experience enlarged liver or spleen. Plasma cell leukemia is one of the most aggressive blood cancers. Treatment typically involves intensive chemotherapy, often using drug combinations similar to those used in multiple myeloma but given more urgently. Newer targeted therapies and immunotherapies are being studied. Stem cell transplantation may be considered for eligible patients. Despite advances in treatment, PCL remains very difficult to treat, and outcomes are generally poorer than for standard multiple myeloma. Early diagnosis and prompt, aggressive treatment are critical to improving survival.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Severe fatigue and weaknessBone pain, especially in the back and ribsFrequent or severe infectionsUnexplained weight lossEasy bruising or unusual bleedingKidney problems or decreased urine outputAnemia (low red blood cell count)Enlarged liver or spleenExcessive thirst and frequent urinationNumbness or tingling in hands and feetConfusion or mental fogginessShortness of breathHigh calcium levels causing nausea and constipation
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsBiotroy Therapeutics — PHASE1, PHASE2
Monash University — PHASE2, PHASE3
Tang-Du Hospital — NA
AQTIS Medical B.V. — NA
Shanghai Changzheng Hospital — EARLY_PHASE1
Fondazione Italiana Linfomi - ETS
Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Plasma cell leukemia.
9 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Plasma cell leukemia.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Plasma cell leukemia.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Plasma cell leukemia
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Primary Cardiac Lymphoma: Italian Multicenter Experience
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: To Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Human BCMA Targeted CAR-NK Cells Injection for Subjects With R/R MM or PCL
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: OrthoPureXT Multiligament PMCF Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: A Study of CAR-GPRC5D in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma or Plasma Cell Leukemia
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: Scaffold-guided Breast Implant Revision Surgery
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: Safety and Effectiveness of ELLANSÉ®-S Dermal Filler in the Treatment of Nasolabial Folds
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: A Phase 1/2 Study of IDP-121 in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Hematologic Malignancies
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: a Study of CT0596 in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma and Relapsed/Refractory Plasma Cell Leukemia
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: Study of CAR-T Cell Therapy in the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Hematological Malignancies
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
New recruiting trial: Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Daratumumab and Carfilzomib-based Induction/Consolidation/Maintenance Therapy in Transplant-eligible, Ultra High-risk, Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Plasma cell leukemia
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my plasma cell leukemia primary or secondary, and how does that affect my treatment plan?,What genetic or chromosomal abnormalities were found in my cancer cells, and what do they mean for my prognosis?,Am I a candidate for stem cell transplantation, and if so, what type?,What are the specific chemotherapy drugs you recommend, and what side effects should I expect?,Are there any clinical trials available for plasma cell leukemia that I might be eligible for?,What newer therapies like CAR-T cell therapy or bispecific antibodies might be options for me?,What supportive care will I need for my bones, kidneys, and immune system during treatment?
Common questions about Plasma cell leukemia
What is Plasma cell leukemia?
Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive blood cancer in which abnormal plasma cells grow out of control and are found in large numbers in the blood. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that normally makes antibodies to help fight infections. In plasma cell leukemia, these cancerous plasma cells flood the bloodstream and can damage the bone marrow, bones, kidneys, and other organs. There are two types of plasma cell leukemia. Primary PCL occurs on its own without any prior blood cancer. Secondary PCL develops in people who already have multiple myeloma, a related but more c
How is Plasma cell leukemia inherited?
Plasma cell leukemia follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Plasma cell leukemia typically begin?
Typical onset of Plasma cell leukemia is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Plasma cell leukemia?
Yes — 9 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Plasma cell leukemia on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Plasma cell leukemia?
25 specialists and care centers treating Plasma cell leukemia are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.