Genome-Wide Mapping of Binding Sites and Networks of Potential Target Genes of the Fusion Oncogene ETV6/RUNX1 in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Childhood

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3776-3776
Author(s):  
Katja Kaulfuss ◽  
Thomas Heiden ◽  
Jochen Hecht ◽  
Karl Seeger

Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in childhood, a clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease, represents the most common malignant disease in childhood. Approximately 20-25% of B-cell precursor ALL (BCP-ALL) carry the cryptic chromosomal translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22), the most common reciprocal chromosomal translocation in childhood ALL. This translocation combines two transcription factors and essential regulators of normal hematopoiesis, ETV6 and RUNX1, into the fusion oncogene ETV6/RUNX1 (E/R; synonym TEL/AML1). Recent studies in various animal models have strengthened the view that E/R positive cells give rise to preleukemic clones with a differentiation block in the pro/pre-B stage of B cell development that, after acquisition of additional mutations, may transform into full malignancy. Regarding the molecular mechanism by which the chimeric fusion protein E/R causes gene expression changes, it is assumed that E/R binds with the runt homology domain of RUNX1 (RHD, DNA-binding domain) to RUNX1 target sequences of gene promoters and recruits corepressors and histone deacetylases through its ETV6 portion, leading to chromatin condensation and transcriptional repression. Thus, E/R appears to act mainly as an epigenetic repressor of genes that are normally activated by RUNX1. However, the precise mechanism of cellular transformation and the identity of E/R target genes are largely unknown. Therefore, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), followed by next generation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to identify E/R target genes in the E/R positive BCP-ALL cell lines REH and UoC-B6 as well as in primary patient material from children with relapsed E/R positive ALL. We were able to detect a core gene set of 335 candidate target genes common to all samples analyzed. Those genes could be assigned to 15 significantly overrepresented KEGG pathways (e.g. cell cycle, pathways in cancer, hematopoietic cell lineage and B cell receptor signaling pathway). The results show, besides target genes already reported in the literature such as EPOR, MPO and IGLL1, numerous not previously described candidate E/R target genes, such as LEF1, E2F2, FLT3, FGFR1 and RUNX1 that are potentially important in the pathogenesis of E/R positive ALL and may lead to new treatment options. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1583-1583
Author(s):  
Frederik W van Delft ◽  
Sharon W Horsley ◽  
Kristina Anderson ◽  
Caroline M Bateman ◽  
Susan Colman ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1583 Poster Board I-609 Approximately a quarter of B cell precursor childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by an ETV6-RUNX1 (TEL-AML1) fusion gene and has an overall good prognosis. The majority of these children will be treated on the standard risk arm of the United Kingdom ALL treatment protocols. Relapse usually occurs after cessation of treatment but remarkably can present many years later. The incidence of ETV6-RUNX1 at relapse has been reported to be less than or similar to de novo ALL. Molecular studies on neonatal bloodspots and on twins with concordant ALL have demonstrated the prenatal origin of major subtypes of childhood ALL, including most ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene positive cases. In addition these investigations have suggested the existence of a preleukaemic stem cell requiring additional mutations or ‘hits’ in order to develop frank leukemia. To understand the genetic basis and clonal origin of late relapses we have compared the profiles of genome-wide copy number alterations (CNA) at relapse versus presentation in samples matched with remission DNA from 24 patients. The selected samples had tumor cell purity >75% before DNA extraction. DNA copy number alteration data was generated using the Affymetrix 500K SNP arrays. LOH analysis was performed using CNAG 3.0 and dCHIP 2008. Overall we identified 168 CNA at presentation and 252 at relapse (excluding deletions at IgH and TCR loci), equating to 6.96 and 10.3 CNA at presentation and relapse respectively. Although the number of CNA increased at relapse, no single gene or pathway was uniquely targeted in relapse. The most frequent alterations involved loss of 12p3.2 (ETV6), 9p21.3 (CDKN2A/B), 6q16.2-3 and gain of 21q22.1-22.12. A novel observation was gain of part or whole of chromosome 16 (2 patients at presentation, 5 at relapse) and deletion of the oncogene Plasmocytoma Variant Translocation 1 (PVT1) in 3 patients. Pathway analysis demonstrated frequent involvement at presentation and relapse of genes implicated in both B cell development (44 versus 46%) and cell cycle control (46 versus 71%). In order to study the clonal origin of relapse, we devised a classification describing the change in CNA between presentation and relapse in each individual patient. The clonal relationship between the presentation and relapse clone was established by the persistence of both the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion and at least 1 Ig and/or TCR rearrangement. We used a classification focussed on ‘driver’ CNA, defined as CNA that target genes functionally involved in leukemogenesis or CNA that are recurrently targeted as described in the literature. The four categories of relapse were type 1 (the dominant clone at presentation presented unchanged at relapse), type 2 (the relapse clone was derived from the major subclone at presentation with additional CNA), type 3 (the relapse clone was derived from a minor clone at presentation with gains and losses of CNA) and type 4 (the relapse clone is derived from an ancestral or preleukemic clone at initial presentation with all CNA gained). Twenty-one of the 24 patients were classifiable in this way (Figure 1). Although comparative relapse / presentation CNA profiles cannot identify precise clonal origins of relapse, the data indicate that irrespective of time to relapse (<2 to 9.9 years), the relapse clone appeared to be derived from either a major or minor clone at diagnosis with none (0/6) of the very late relapses (>5 years) derived from pre-leukemic cells lacking CNA. This data indicate diverse clonal origins of relapse and extended periods of dormancy, possibly via quiescence, for stem cells in ETV6-RUNX1+ ALL. Relapse type Remission duration (years) < 2 2 - 5 > 5 1 • • 2 • ••••••• •• 3 •• •• ••• 4 •• Figure 1. Each patient is represented by a black dot. Each patient is classified on the basis of the relapse type and remission duration. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 109 (8) ◽  
pp. 3417-3423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Bousquet ◽  
Cyril Broccardo ◽  
Cathy Quelen ◽  
Fabienne Meggetto ◽  
Emilienne Kuhlein ◽  
...  

Abstract We report a novel t(7;9)(q11;p13) translocation in 2 patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). By fluorescent in situ hybridization and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends, we showed that the paired box domain of PAX5 was fused with the elastin (ELN) gene. After cloning the full-length cDNA of the chimeric gene, confocal microscopy of transfected NIH3T3 cells and Burkitt lymphoma cells (DG75) demonstrated that PAX5-ELN was localized in the nucleus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation clearly indicated that PAX5-ELN retained the capability to bind CD19 and BLK promoter sequences. To analyze the functions of the chimeric protein, HeLa cells were cotransfected with a luc-CD19 construct, pcDNA3-PAX5, and with increasing amounts of pcDNA3-PAX5-ELN. Thus, in vitro, PAX5-ELN was able to block CD19 transcription. Furthermore, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) experiments showed that PAX5-ELN was able to affect the transcription of endogenous PAX5 target genes. Since PAX5 is essential for B-cell differentiation, this translocation may account for the blockage of leukemic cells at the pre–B-cell stage. The mechanism involved in this process appears to be, at least in part, through a dominant-negative effect of PAX5-ELN on the wild-type PAX5 in a setting ofPAX5 haploinsufficiency.


Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 4252-4258 ◽  
Author(s):  
TW McLean ◽  
S Ringold ◽  
D Neuberg ◽  
K Stegmaier ◽  
R Tantravahi ◽  
...  

Abstract Polymerase chain reaction-based screening of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) samples showed that a TEL/AML1 fusion transcript was detected in 27% of all cases, representing the most common known gene rearrangement in childhood cancer. The TEL/AML1 fusion results from a t(12;21)(p13;q22) chromosomal translocation, but was undetectable at the routine cytogenetic level. TEL/AML1-positive patients had exclusively B-lineage ALL, and most patients were between the ages of 2 and 9 years at diagnosis. Only 3/89 (3.4%) adult ALL patients were TEL/AML1-positive. Most importantly, TEL/AML1-positive children had a significantly lower rate of relapse compared with TEL/AML1-negative patients (0/22 v 16/54, P = .004). Co- immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that TEL/AML-1 formed homodimers in vitro, and heterodimerized with the normal TEL protein when the two proteins were expressed together. The elucidation of the precise mechanism of transformation by TEL/AML1 and the role of TEL/AML1 testing in the treatment of childhood ALL will require additional studies.


2006 ◽  
Vol 168 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Vasquez-Jimenez ◽  
E.J. Romo-Martínez ◽  
J.P. Meza-Espinoza ◽  
B. Lopez-Guido ◽  
M.T. Magaña-Torres ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 989-989
Author(s):  
Niels J. van Casteren ◽  
Rob Pieters ◽  
Gert Dohle ◽  
Manita van Baalen ◽  
Sebastian Neggers ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 989 Poster Board I-11 Introduction: One of the risks of childhood cancer treatment is fertility impairment later in life. In the past a large proportion of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has received cranial irradiation as part of their treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cranial irradiation negatively affects pituitary regulated gonadal function in male survivors of childhood ALL. Patients and Methods: We examined gonadal function, including Inhibin B, LH, FSH, testosterone, and pituitary axis function by measuring TSH, Free-T4 and IGF-I levels in 89 long-term male survivors of childhood ALL after a median follow-up time of 19 year (range 7-34 years). Results: Twenty-nine out of 89 male ALL survivors received cranial irradiation. Inhibin, FSH, LH, Testosterone, testicular volume as well as TSH and Free-T4 levels were not different in the cranial irradiated group as compared to the non-irradiated group (table 1). In contrast, IGF-I levels were significantly lower in the cranial irradiated group. Survivors treated with total body irradiation or testicular irradiation had significantly decreased gonadal function based on hormone levels. Conclusions: These data show that, in contrast to the negative influence on the growth hormone axis, cranial radiotherapy as part of ALL treatment does not have a deleterious long-term effect on the hypothalamic–pituitary-gonadal axis or pituitary-thyroid axis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3235-3235
Author(s):  
Dong Kyun Han ◽  
Hee Nam Kim ◽  
Min Ho Shin ◽  
Minenori Eguchi-Ishimae ◽  
Mariko Eguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3235 Background: Recent western studies have showed the implication of the germline genomic variations in IKZF1 gene at 7p12.2, ARIDB5 gene at 10q21.2, and CEBPE gene at 14q11.2 on the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); the most significant association was observed in the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4132601 which located at 3' region of the IKZF1. IKZF1 plays important role in lymphocyte differentiation, proliferation and function, ARIDB5 in embryogenesis and growth regulation, and CEBPE in regulation of myelopoiesis. Genomic variants in these genes are therefore considered to be involved in transcriptional regulation and differentiation of B cell progenitors. However, there have been no reports on the role of germline variations in leukemogenesis of childhood ALL in Asian countries. The aim of this study is to show the impact of these genetic variants on childhood ALL in Korea. Patients and Methods: To examine the association between genetic variations (IKZF1 rs4132601, ARIDB5 rs7089424, and CEBPE rs2239633) and the risk of childhood ALL, we here analyzed 228 children with ALL and 508 healthy individuals in Korea. Results: In ARIDB5 rs7089424, TG and GG genotypes were significantly associated with a risk for ALL (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.07–2.48; P=0.02 for TG genotype, OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.42–5.07; P=0.002 for GG genotype). The allele incidence of ARIDB5 rs7089424 was also significantly associated with a risk for ALL (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.24–2.22; P=0.0006). CEBPE rs2239633 TT genotype showed a significant association with a decreased risk for ALL (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33–0.90; P=0.02 for TT genotype). The allele incidence of CEBPE rs2239633 was also associated with a decreased risk for ALL (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61–0.97; P=0.02). There was no significant association between IKZF1 rs4132601 polymorphism and a risk for ALL in this study. Conclusion: These results suggest that genomic variations of ARIDB5 and CEBPE may play an important role in the risk for childhood ALL in Korea, compared with findings from western countries showing a significant relation between IKZF1 and childhood ALL. Several factors should be considered to explain a discrepancy between our results and the previous studies, which include different genotype frequencies in polymorphisms and varied susceptibility to ALL in different ethnic groups. Further studies incorporating larger number of cases and analyzing other SNPs or other Asian countries are warranted in childhood ALL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1274-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa J Russell ◽  
Lisa Jones ◽  
Amy Erhorn ◽  
Amir Ensahei ◽  
Dino Masic ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1274 Translocations involving the IGH@ locus have recently been characterised as a novel cytogenetic subgroup in BCP-ALL, involving unique partner genes including: CEBP family of transcription factors; cytokine receptors, EPOR and CRLF2; and the inhibitory transcription factor, ID4. As for the mature B-cell malignancies, their expression is always deregulated by juxtaposition of transcriptional enhancers within the locus. We have developed a high throughput FISH screening approach to ascertain the true incidence of IGH@ translocations in BCP-ALL. We screened approximately 80% (2603/3194) of patients entered to the childhood clinical trial (UKALL2003) using an IGH@ break-apart rearrangement probe with automated scanning and capture (CytoVision scanning system, Leica Microsystems). We identified IGH@ translocations in 4% (104/2603) of patients tested. This included an incidence of 4% (96/2286) in BCP-ALL and the novel observation of 2% (8/317) in T-ALL patients. The median age at diagnosis of BCP- and T-ALL IGH@ translocation patients was significantly higher at 12 and 14 years, respectively, compared to the median age of 5 years for the whole trial. The median white cell count (WCC) was low in IGH@ positive BCP-ALL (median 9.05×109/L) and higher in T-ALL (median 72.8×109/L). This study confirmed CRLF2 to be the most frequent IGH@ partner gene, observed in 20% (22/104) of BCP-ALL patients. ID4 and the CEBP family were found in 8% (8/104) and 9% (10/104), respectively. CEBPD was most common (n=6), while CEBPA (n=2), CEBPE (n=1) and CEBPG (n=1) were rare. Single patients were identified with involvement of BCL2, IGF2BP1, IGK@ and the TCRA/D locus. Novel involvement of TAL1 was identified in one T-ALL patient. In 57% of children (59/104: BCP-ALL n=52, T-ALL n=7) the IGH@ translocation partner gene remains unknown. Patients with a known partner gene did not differ from those with an unknown partner gene with respect to gender, age, WCC and National Cancer Institute (NCI) risk. However, patients with a known partner gene were strongly associated with an intermediate cytogenetic risk group while patients with an unknown partner gene were mixed (good risk, 7% v 19%, intermediate risk, 93% v 69% and poor risk, 0% v 12% p=0.01). There was no difference seen for gender, age, WCC, cytogenetic risk and NCI risk when each partner gene was investigated independently, apart from those with CRLF2 involvement who had a higher WCC (<50×109/L 59% v 81% and >50×109/l 41% v 12%, p=0.005) and were solely within the intermediate cytogenetic risk group (100% v 74%, p=0.03). We investigated copy number aberrations of genes commonly altered in BCP-ALL by Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) using the Salsa P335-A1 IKZF1 kit (MRC Holland) in 60 IGH@ translocation patients. The genes investigated were IKZF1, CDKN2A/B, PAX5, EBF1, ETV6, BTG1, RB1, as well as the rearrangement, P2RY8-CRLF2. Deletions of none (31%), one (18%), two (17%), three (22%) or four (8%) genes were found. Deletions of CDKN2A, CDKN2B and IKZF1 were the most frequent, in 18%, 21% and 20%, respectively. Whilst the incidence of CDKN2A/B deletions was similar to that seen in childhood BCP-ALL, IKZF1 deletions were more prevalent (20% v 14%) and PAX5 deletions occurred at a lower incidence in IGH@ rearranged patients (13% v 19%). In the two T-ALL patients with DNA available, both showed deletions of CDKN2A with one patient also showing deletion of CDKN2B. In conclusion, IGH@ translocations are present in 4% of childhood ALL with involvement in both B- and T-cell disease. Patients belong to the intermediate cytogenetic risk group with an increased incidence of IKZF1 deletions. This differs from our recent report on adult BCP-ALL, where patients with an IGH@ translocation were associated with a worse outcome, although the increased incidence of IKZF1 deletions remained consistent across all age ranges. In over 50% of IGH@ positive children, the translocation partner remains to be elucidated, indicating the presence of as yet unidentified cryptic rearrangements. Characterisation of these partners may identify additional oncogenes involved in leukemogenesis or provide potential novel therapeutic targets, as recently demonstrated for CRLF2 in BCP-ALL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Clappier ◽  
André Baruchel ◽  
Jérôme Rapion ◽  
Aurélie Caye ◽  
Ahlème Khemiri ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 121 The genetic landscape of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) in children above 10 years and adolescents remains poorly defined. Specifically, more than half of these patients have none of the cytogenetic abnormalities that define oncogenic subtypes and underlie risk stratification. To uncover new genetic abnormalities in these unassigned cases, we studied 85 BCP-ALL from patients aged 10 to 17 diagnosed at St-Louis hospital (Paris, France), for which the main classifying genetic lesions were assessed (i.e. high hyperdiploidy, t(12;21)/ETV6-RUNX1, t(1;19)/TCF3-PBX1, t(9;22)/BCR-ABL1, iAMP21, MLL translocations, low hypodiploidy, and near haploidy). Fifty of these BCP-ALL presented no classifying genetic lesions. Paired leukemic and remission samples could be analysed by high density array-CGH (Agilent 1M arrays) in 17 of these unassigned cases. We focused on acquired, focal, and recurrent copy-number abnormalities. A mono-allelic intragenic deletion of the ETS-related Gene (ERG) was found in 3 cases. ERG belongs to the ETS family of transcription factors and is implicated in chromosomal translocations associated with several cancer types including acute myeloid leukemia. The possibility of a cryptic unbalanced translocation was ruled out in the 3 cases by FISH analysis. The deletions encompassed exons 3 to 7, or 3 to 9, and the breakpoints were tightly clustered. Based on the breakpoint sequences we designed a PCR assay that allowed us to screen ERG intragenic deletions in the whole cohort. ERG deletion was identified in 9 additional cases, none of them having any of the known classifying genetic lesions, bringing up to 25% (12 out of 50) the frequency of ERG deletion in unassigned BCP-ALL of children older than 10. These results suggested that ERG deletion characterized a novel oncogenic subtype of BCP-ALL. Of note, these results were consistent with independent data of Harvey et al. (2010) that reported ERG deletions in a distinct gene-expression cluster. To confirm and extend these findings in the whole population of paediatric BCP-ALL, we used our breakpoint-specific PCR assay to screen ERG deletions in an independent cohort of 822 unselected patients aged 1 to 17, enrolled in the EORTC 58951 trial. ERG deletion was identified in 31/822 (3.7%) patients. Again, none of them had another known classifying genetic lesion, confirming that ERG deletion characterizes a distinct oncogenic subtype. Patients with ERG deletion were significantly older compared to other patients (median 7.0 vs 4.0, p=0.002), but they had similar white blood counts at diagnosis. They had a favourable outcome, with a 8-year event free survival (EFS) of 82.4% and overall survival (OS) of 96.0%, which is similar to EFS of 83.4% and OS of 91.6% obtained for patients having no very high risk initial features (i.e. no t(9;22)/BCR-ABL1, MLL rearrangement or haploidy/low hypodiploidy). IKZF1 deletion is a cooperative genetic lesion that has been recently shown to be associated with a poor outcome in BCP-ALL. Remarkably, the incidence of IKZF1 deletions in patients with ERG deletion was significantly higher than in other BCR-ABL1-negative patients, especially when considering the IKZF1 intragenic deletion Δ4-7 (10/31, 32.3% vs 34/744, 4.6%, P<0.001), and this regardless of age. Surprisingly, IKZF1 deletion had no impact on the prognosis of ERG deleted patients. Indeed, patients combining ERG and IKZF1 Δ4-7 deletions had a better outcome than other BCR-ABL1-negative patients with IKZF1 deletions (8-year EFS 83.3% vs 53.0%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.19, 95% CI 0.02–1.41; p=0.069). Altogether, we have identified a novel oncogenic subtype of BCP-ALL characterized by ERG deletion. This subtype is frequently associated with IKZF1 deletions, suggesting a preferred oncogenic cooperation. Importantly, despite having older age and frequent IKZF1 deletions, which are factors usually predictive of a poor prognosis, patients with ERG deletion have a favourable outcome. Therefore, this genetic abnormality may be systematically assessed as part of the diagnostic work-up of BCP-ALL and taken into account when considering treatment stratification. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 233-233
Author(s):  
Cai Chen ◽  
Christoph Bartenhagen ◽  
Michael Gombert ◽  
Vera Okpanyi ◽  
Vera Binder ◽  
...  

Abstract High hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HeH-ALL) is characterized by 51-67 chromosomes and nonrandom gains of specific chromosomes (X, 4, 6, 10, 14, 17, 18, and 21). It presents the most frequent numerical cytogenetic alteration in childhood pre B-cell ALL occurring in 25-30% of cases. Recurrent disease will affect 15-20%. Pre-leukemic HeH clones are generated in utero, but cooperating oncogenic lesions are necessary for overt leukemia and remain to be determined. Recently, a phenomenon termed chromothripsis has been described in which massive structural variations occur in a single aberrant mitosis. Whole or partial chromosomes are shattered and some fragments are lost in the process of rejoining. Thus, characteristically, chromosomal copy numbers oscillate between two copy number states. Chromothripsis has been suggested to be a tumor-driving alteration that may be present in 2-3% of all human cancers. Its role as a potential cooperating or initiating lesion in HeH-ALL has not been determined. We applied state-of-the-art whole-genome next-generation-sequencing to analyze structural variations in six pediatric patients with recurrent HeH-ALL. Matched sample sets taken at diagnosis, remission and/or relapse were compared. Paired end sequencing was carried out on a Genome Analyzer IIx or a HiSeq 2000 (Illumina), respectively. Reads were aligned against the human reference genome (GRCh37) using BWA. Translocations were detected by GASV. Copy number variations were analyzed by FREEC. Structural variations were validated by PCR/Sanger sequencing and FISH. Of the six patients analyzed, five harbored on average one interchromosomal translocation or intrachromosomal inversion, but one patient presented with massive genomic rearrangements (Figure). These affected chromosome 3, 11, 12 and 20. Ten copy number shifts on chromosome 3 oscillating between two copy number states (2 and 3) indicated that these rearrangements were caused by chromothripsis. Breakpoint sequencing revealed that one of the identified translocations (t(12;20)(p13.1;p12.3)), was indeed a three-loci-rearrangement composed of small fragments derived from chromosomes 3, 12 and 20. Characteristically for chromothripsis, the breakpoints clustered closely. Three breakpoints separated by 224 bp and 64 kb were located in the transducin (beta)-like X-linked receptor 1 (TBL1XR1) gene. Other genes repeatedly targeted included the MACRO domain-containing protein 2 (MACROD2) gene (a deacetylase involved in deacetylation of lysine residues in histones and other proteins), the KIAA1467 gene (a transmembrane protein of the integrin alpha FG-GAP repeat containing 3 (ITFG3) family), and a novel regulatory lincRNA (ENSG00000243276). MACROD2 was previously observed as a target of chromothripsis in a colorectal carcinoma. Thus, the characterized breakpoints may identify fragile genomic sites prone to chromothriptic rearrangement. DNA repair was effectuated by non-homologous-end-joining as typical addition of non-template nucleotides with microhomologies of two to four nucleotides at the breakpoints demonstrated. Copy number profiles of this patient showed that at least two distinct leukemic clones could be identified at diagnosis. One had acquired chromothriptic alterations and presented the dominant clone at relapse indicating chemotherapy resistance and tumor-driving potential. Prior whole-exome sequencing did not reveal mutations in known oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Therefore, loss of function or expression of genes affected by chromosomal rearrangements, such as TBL1XR1 that is recurrently mutated in childhood ALL with ETV6-RUNX1 translocation, may account for the tumor-driving effect. All leukemic cells at diagnosis showed conformity concerning number and pattern of whole chromosome gains demonstrating that chromothripsis was not an initiating oncogenic event, but occurred secondary to high hyperdiploidy. Further aberrations (t(4;7), loss of 4q) were gained by the chromothriptic clone and could be detected by FISH in minor subclones pointing at ongoing clonal evolution. Taken together, our study reveals chromothripsis as a novel assisting and tumor-driving lesion in HeH ALL. Chromothripsis in HeH-ALL. Copy number variations and translocations at diagnosis (left) and relapse (right). (magenta: chromothriptic translocations; green: other translocations) Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2913-2913
Author(s):  
Jinwei Du ◽  
Shigemi Matsuyama ◽  
Yu-Chung Yang

Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in childhood, representing 31% of all tumors, and about 85% of children with ALL have B-cell ALL. Although the survival rate is approaching 90%, ALL remains the main cause of death from disease in children and young adults. The activity of histone deacetylases (HDAC) in childhood ALL is increased compared with that in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells or bone marrow cells. Treatment of mice engrafted with T or B-ALL cells with HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) increases the acetylation of Histone 3 and Histone 4 and prolongs survival of these mice. <>Vorinostat (Suberoylamilide Hydroxamic Acid, SAHA) was the first HDACi approved by the FDA for the treatment of refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Currently, several clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate its effects on other cancers, including ALL. However, some patients are resistant to HDACi therapy, and concerns regarding toxic side effects of HDACi exist due to the roles of HDACs in multiple pathways. Therefore, identification of new therapeutic targets is required which could improve the efficacy of HDACi by reducing the dose of HDACi administered without compromising the treatment benefits but alleviating the side effects of HDACi. <>CBP/p300-interacting transactivator with glutamic acid (E) and aspartic acid (D)–rich tail 2 (CITED2) is a cytokine-inducible gene that plays various roles during mouse development and, in particular, is essential for normal hematopoiesis. While the role of CITED2 in the pathogenesis of leukemia is currently unclear, dysregulation of CITED2 has been implicated in various types of leukemia, including ALL, in which downregulation of CITED2 is frequently observed. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that CITED2 may enhance the sensitivity of human pediatric pre-B ALL cells to HDACi SAHA. <>SAHA treatment of NALM-6 and 697 cells (human pediatric pre-B ALL cell lines) significantly induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a dose dependent manner. The protein level of CITED2 was not affected by SAHA treatment. Although overexpression of CITED2 alone only slightly increased apoptosis, it significantly enhanced apoptosis resulted from SAHA treatment in both NALM-6 (15.1% versus 39.2%) and 697 cells (9.4% versus 14.6%) as assessed by annexin V/Propidium Iodide double staining and flow cytometry analysis (Figure 1). Accordingly, compared with control (i.e. NALM-6 cells transduced with GFP), overexpression of CITED2 also greatly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential of NALM-6 cells caused by SAHA treatment. To explore the potential mechanisms underlying enhanced apoptosis by overexpression of CITED2 in NALM-6 cells treated with SAHA, we determined the levels of pro- and anti- apoptotic proteins by Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR. We found that SAHA treatment increased the levels of pro-apoptotic molecules Bak, Puma, and Noxa, and decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-xL and apoptosis inhibitors XIAP and survivin. Importantly, overexpression of CITED2 markedly increased the protein levels of pro-apoptotic molecules Bak and Bim. Furthermore, knockdown of Bim by shRNA significantly attenuated apoptosis in Cited2 overexpressing NALM-6 cells treated with SAHA. Taken together, these results suggest that modulation of the CITED2 activity may confer its cooperative effect with SAHA in pre-B ALL cells and warrant future evaluation of such a combination in inducing apoptosis of primary ALL cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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