scholarly journals Leukemia With TCF3-ZNF384 Rearrangement as a Distinct Subtype of Disease With Distinct Treatments: Perspectives From A Case Report and Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Lin ◽  
Xiaojing Yan ◽  
Dali Cai ◽  
Lei Wang

BackgroundZNF384 rearrangements are found in 5-10% of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and 48% of B cell/myeloid mixed phenotype acute leukemia (B/M MPAL). ZNF384-rearranged B-ALL is prone to lineage conversion after chemotherapy. TCF3 is the second most common rearrangement partner of ZNF384 in B-ALL (27.5%) and the most common partner in B/M MPAL (53.3%). TCF3-ZNF384 fusion is related to a poor steroid response and a high frequency of relapse. It is mostly reported in children and adolescents but rarely seen in adults.Patients and MethodsHere, we report a rare case of adult common B-ALL with TCF3-ZNF384 fusion in which the patient relapsed after one cycle of consolidation chemotherapy. Relapsed leukemia cells from the bone marrow were cultured for 72 hours ex vivo, and a panel of 156 kinds of cytotoxic drugs, targeted therapy drugs, combination chemotherapy drugs, etc., was used for sensitivity screening. The literature on TCF3-ZNF384 fusion was reviewed, and reported cases with TCF3-ZNF384 fusion were summarized. Clinical characteristics were compared between B-ALL and MPAL with TCF3-ZNF384 fusion.ResultsThe relapsed lymphoblasts showed moderate sensitivity to both acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) - and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-directed combination chemotherapy schemes, as well as to multiple targeted therapeutic drugs. The hyper-CVAD (B) scheme showed synergistic effects with multiple targeted compounds and had the highest sensitivity. The patient chose the hyper-CVAD (B) scheme combined with sorafenib and achieved complete remission (CR), then consolidated with myeloid-directed homoharringtonine+cytarabine+daunorubicin (HAD) scheme and gained molecular CR. By reviewing the literature, we found that both the genomic landscapes and gene expression profiles of ZNF384-rearranged B-ALL and MPAL are similar and that both diseases have lineage plasticity. The gene expression profile in TCF3-ZNF384-positive patients shows enrichment of hematopoietic stem cell features. No significant differences in clinical characteristics were found between TCF3-ZNF384-positive ALL and MPAL.ConclusionTCF3-ZNF384-positive leukemia may be a distinct subtype of leukemia regardless of immunophenotype. Considering the frequent lineage switches and sensitivity to both ALL- and AML-directed schemes, a uniform strategy directed at both lymphoid and myeloid lineages or at hematopoietic stem cells may be better for TCF3-ZNF384-positive leukemia. Small molecule targeted therapies may be promising treatment options and deserve further investigation.

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1331-1331
Author(s):  
Mianmian Yin ◽  
Yang Jo Chung ◽  
R. Coleman Lindsley ◽  
Yeulin Zhu ◽  
Robert L. Walker ◽  
...  

Abstract Chromosomal translocations resulting in NUP98 fusion genes have been associated with a wide spectrum of hematologic malignancies, including MDS, AML, T-ALL, and B cell precursor (BCP) ALL. Based on gene expression profiles and murine transplantation experiments, it is thought that NUP98 fusions can confer aberrant self-renewal potential to hematopoietic cells. Approximately 90% of mice that express a NUP98-PHF23 (NP23) fusion in the hematopoietic compartment, under the control of Vav1 regulatory elements develop AML and/or T-ALL. However, approximately 10% of NP23 mice develop an aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia of B1-lymphocyte progenitor origin (pro B-1 ALL). Whole exome sequencing demonstrated that all NP23 pro-B1-ALL had acquired somatic frameshift mutations of the BCL6 co-repressor (Bcor) gene, and most had acquired mutations in the Jak/Stat pathway. To determine whether experimentally engineered Bcor mutations would lead to pro B-1 ALL, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce Bcor indel mutations into NP23 hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells through the use of Bcor single guide RNAs (Bcor sgRNA). Recipient mice transplanted with NP23 bone marrow (BM) or fetal liver (FL) cells that had been transduced with a Bcor sgRNA developed pro B-1 ALL, characterized by a B-1 progenitor immunophenotype, clonal Igh gene rearrangement, and Bcor indel mutation, whereas control recipients did not. In addition, similar to some human BCP ALL, the Bcor sgRNA/NP23 murine pro B-1 ALL had acquired somatic mutations in Jak kinase genes. A distinct subset of pediatric BCP ALL are characterized by rearrangement and overexpression of the CRLF2 gene (designated CRLF2r); the CRLF2 gene is the receptor for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine that plays a role in normal progenitor B1 cell development. The NP23 pro-B1 ALL are similar to CRLF2r BCP ALL in terms of a preferential V heavy chain (VH) usage, gene expression profile, and propensity for acquired JAK/STAT pathways mutations. JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib and tofacitinib) induced apoptosis and inhibited the growth of pro B-1 ALL cell lines established from Bcor sgRNA/NP23 recipients, at clinically achievable concentrations (10-100 nM). Taken together, these findings demonstrate that a CRISPR-induced Bcor frameshift collaborates with an NP23 transgene to predispose B-1 progenitors to leukemic transformation. These two events are unlikely to be sufficient for leukemic transformation, as we detected spontaneous Jak pathway mutations that were required for continued growth of the leukemic cells. This constellation of mutations (NP23 expression leading to increased stem cell self-renewal, Bcor frameshift leading to impaired B cell differentiation, and Jak pathway mutations leading to dysregulated proliferation) is similar to that seen in human BCP ALL patients, and suggests that the NP23/Bcor mutant mice and cell lines will be a useful model for human pro-B1 ALL. Disclosures Aplan: NIH Office of Technolgy Transfer: Employment, Patents & Royalties: NUP98-HOXD13 mice.


Leukemia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 2117-2125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebeqa Gunnarsson ◽  
Sebastian Dilorenzo ◽  
Kristina B Lundin-Ström ◽  
Linda Olsson ◽  
Andrea Biloglav ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1074-1074
Author(s):  
Ying Cheng ◽  
Kudakwashe Chikwava ◽  
Chao Wu ◽  
Anchit Bhagat ◽  
John K. Choi ◽  
...  

Abstract B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and commonly has a poor outcome in adults. Gene profiling and exome sequencing of high-risk ALLs led to the recent identification of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-like ALL subtype. These leukemias have gene expression profiles similar to BCR-ABL1-positive (Ph+) ALL, but lack a BCR-ABL1 rearrangement, and often result in poor outcomes. Many Ph-like ALL-associated mutations identified to date are known or predicted to activate oncogenic cytokine receptor signaling pathways, particularly those associated with JAK. The lymphocyte adaptor protein LNK (also called SH2B3) has emerged as a powerful negative regulator of cytokine-mediated JAK2 signaling in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Loss-of-function LNK mutations and deletions have recently been described in B-ALL, and germline loss of LNK contributes to pediatric ALL development. However, the mechanisms by which LNK alterations impact leukemogenesis remain poorly understood. Here we show that LNK synergizes with TP53 and INK4a in suppressing B-ALL development in mice. Tp53-/-Lnk-/- mice developed highly aggressive and transplantable B-ALL with 100% penetrance in contrast to T-lymphoma or sarcoma development observed in Tp53-/- mice. Importantly, gene expression profiles of Tp53-/-Lnk-/- B-ALL blasts were similar to those of human Ph-like B-ALLs, validating the relevance of this model for preclinical studies. Tp53-/-Lnk-/- pro-B progenitors initiated B-ALL in the transplanted recipients, and Lnk loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) was found exclusively in B-ALL cells from Tp53-/-Lnk+/- mice, but not in HSCs, common lymphoid progenitors, or cells of myeloid/T cell lineages, attesting that LNK is a bona fide tumor suppressor in the committed B-cell precursors. Mechanistically, we found that pre-leukemic Lnk-/-Tp53-/- pro-B progenitors were hypersensitive to IL-7 and showed markedly enhanced self-renewal ability in vitro and in vivo. Our genetic studies revealed that LNK controls normal B cell and B-ALL development independently of its effects on HSCs and specifically regulates pro-B cell homeostasis. A novel phosphoflow cytometry approach in freshly isolated BM cells that combines the surface marker B220, intracellular mu-heavy chain detection, and phospho-specific antibodies enabled separation of subpopulations of B progenitors with distinct IL-7 responsiveness. Using this approach, we demonstrated that LNK deficiency potentiated STAT5 activation in response to IL-7 in pre-leukemic pro-B cells. Of note, Lnk-/-p53-/- leukemic blasts with elevated pSTAT5, were less sensitive to JAK inhibitors than pre-leukemic B progenitors, in part due to constitutive activation of MAPK and AKT/mTOR pathways. Our results invoke the targeting of these pathways as novel therapeutic approaches in B-ALL. In sum, we have developed a novel B-ALL mouse model suitable for preclinical studies aimed at further deciphering the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disease and exploring new therapeutic strategies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Monique Chavez ◽  
Erica Barnell ◽  
Malachi Griffith ◽  
Zachary Skidmore ◽  
Obi Griffith ◽  
...  

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells that affects over 30,000 Americans every year. Despite advances in the treatment of the disease, approximately 12,000 American patients will still die of MM in 2019. One of the mainstays of treatment for MM is the immunomodulatory and antiangiogenic drug lenalidomide; which is used in induction therapy, maintenance therapy and treatment of relapsed disease. Although not fully elucidated, lenalidomide's mechanism of action in MM involves the drug binding to Cerebelon (CBN) and leads to the subsequent degradation of the Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3) transcription factors (TF). These TFs play important regulatory roles in lymphocyte development. Despite lenalidomide's importance in MM treatment, several groups have reported that MM patients treated with lenalidomide rarely go on to develop B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The genetics and clonal relationship between the MM and subsequent B-ALL have not been previously defined. Importantly, it is not clear if the MM and B-ALL arise from the same founding clone that has been under selective pressure during lenalidomide treatment. As deletions in IKZF1 are common in B-ALL, one could hypothesize that lenalidomide's mechanism of action mimics this alteration and contributes to leukemogenesis. We sequenced the tumors from a cohort of seven patients with MM treated with lenalidomide who later developed B-ALL. These data did not show any mutational overlap between the MM and ALL samples-the tumors arose from different founding clones in each case. However, several genes were recurrently mutated in the B-ALL samples across the seven patients. These genes included TP53, ZFP36L2, KIR3DL2, RNASE-L, and TERT. Strikingly, five of the seven patients had a TP53 mutations in the B-ALL sample that was not present in the matched MM sample. The frequency of TP53 mutations in our cohort was much higher than that reported in adult de novo B-ALL patients which can range between 4.1-6.4% (Hernández-Rivas et al. 2017 and Foa et al. 2013). Utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, we disrupted the Zfp36l2 or Actb in murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) of mice with or without loss of Trp53. We performed our first transplantation experiment in which the cohorts of mice have loss of Trp53 alone, loss of Zfp36l2 alone, loss of both Trp53 and Zfp36l2, or a control knockout (KO) of Actb. To characterize the disruption of Zfp36l2 alone and in combination with Trp53 we analyzed the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell compartments in the bone marrow of the above transplanted mice. In mice with a loss of Zfp36l2 there is a decrease in Lin- Sca-1+ c-Kit+ (LSK), short term-HSC (ST-HSC), and multipotent progenitors (MPP). This decrease was not observed in the mice with a loss of both Trp53 and Zfp36l2, where instead we noted an increase in monocyte progenitors (MP), granulocytes-macrophage progenitors (GMP), and common myeloid progenitors (CMP) cells. In this Trp53 Zfp36l2 double loss model we also noted a decrease in B220+ B-cells that was not seen in the Zfp36l2 alone. In this cohort of Trp53 Zfp36l2 loss, we characterized B-cell development through hardy fraction flow cytometry, and identified a decrease in fractions A and B/C (pre-pro and pro-B-cells, respectively) as compared to Zfp36l2 or Actb alone. As lenalidomide does not bind to Cbn in mice, we used the human B-ALL NALM6 cell line to test if treatment with lenalidomide will lead to a selective growth advantage of cells with the same genes knocked out versus wild-type control cells grown in the same culture. We hypothesize that lenalidomide treatment selectively enriched for pre-existing mutated cell clones that evolved into the B-ALL. Preliminary data in NALM6 cells with a loss of TP53 demonstrate a slight increase in cell number at day 7 compared to a RELA control. These experiments will be repeated with concurrent ZFP36L2 and TP53 mutations as well as ZFP36L2 alone. Treatment-related disease is a key consideration when deciding between different treatment options, and this project aims to understand the relationship between MM treatment and B-ALL occurrence. It may be possible to identify MM patients who are at-risk for B-ALL. For example, MM patients who harbor low-level TP53 mutations prior to lenalidomide treatment could be offered alternative treatment options. Disclosures Barnell: Geneoscopy Inc: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wartman:Novartis: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy.


2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherie H. Dunphy

Abstract Context.—Gene expression (GE) analyses using microarrays have become an important part of biomedical and clinical research in hematolymphoid malignancies. However, the methods are time-consuming and costly for routine clinical practice. Objectives.—To review the literature regarding GE data that may provide important information regarding pathogenesis and that may be extrapolated for use in diagnosing and prognosticating lymphomas and leukemias; to present GE findings in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, acute leukemias, and chronic myeloid leukemia in detail; and to summarize the practical clinical applications in tables that are referenced throughout the text. Data Source.—PubMed was searched for pertinent literature from 1993 to 2005. Conclusions.—Gene expression profiling of lymphomas and leukemias aids in the diagnosis and prognostication of these diseases. The extrapolation of these findings to more timely, efficient, and cost-effective methods, such as flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, results in better diagnostic tools to manage the diseases. Flow cytometric and immunohistochemical applications of the information gained from GE profiling assist in the management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, other low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and leukemias, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte–predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, and classic Hodgkin lymphoma. For practical clinical use, GE profiling of precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, precursor T acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia has supported most of the information that has been obtained by cytogenetic and molecular studies (except for the identification of FLT3 mutations for molecular analysis), but extrapolation of the analyses leaves much to be gained based on the GE profiling data.


Author(s):  
Franco Locatelli ◽  
Gerhard Zugmaier ◽  
Noemi Mergen ◽  
Peter Bader ◽  
Sima Jeha ◽  
...  

The safety and efficacy of blinatumomab, a CD3/CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engager molecule, for treatment of pediatric relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) were examined in an open-label, single-arm, expanded access study (RIALTO). Children (>28 days, <18 years) with CD19+ R/R B-ALL received up to five cycles of blinatumomab by continuous infusion (cycle: 4 weeks on/2 weeks off). The primary endpoint was incidence of adverse events. Secondary endpoints included complete response (CR) and measurable residual disease (MRD) response within the first two cycles, relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) after treatment. At final data cutoff (1/10/20), 110 patients were enrolled (median age, 8.5 years; 88% ≥5% blasts at baseline). Blinatumomab treatment resulted in a low incidence of grade 3-4 cytokine release syndrome (n=2 [1.8%]) and neurologic events (n=4 [3.6%]). No blinatumomab-related fatal adverse events were reported. The probability of response was not affected by the presence of cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities. Median OS was 14.6 months (95%CI: 11.0─not estimable) and was significantly greater for MRD responders versus MRD non-responders (not estimable vs 9.3; HR 0.18, 95%CI: 0.08─0.39). One-year OS probability was higher for patients who received alloHSCT versus without alloHSCT post-blinatumomab (87% versus 29%). Median RFS for MRD responders (n=57) was 8.0 months (95%CI:3.4─10.1) versus 2.8 months (95%CI: 0.3─9.2) for MRD non-responders (n=10). Of patients achieving CR after 2 cycles, 73.5% (95%CI: 61.4%-83.5%) proceeded to alloHSCT. These findings support the use of blinatumomab as a safe and efficacious treatment for pediatric R/R B-ALL. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02187354)


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Wang ◽  
Bowen Cui ◽  
Huiying Sun ◽  
Fang Zhang ◽  
Jianan Rao ◽  
...  

GATA2 is a transcription factor that is critical for the generation and survival of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). It also plays an important role in the regulation of myeloid differentiation. Accordingly, GATA2 expression is restricted to HSCs and hematopoietic progenitors as well as early erythroid cells and megakaryocytic cells. Here we identified aberrant GATA2 expression in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) by analyzing transcriptome sequencing data obtained from St. Jude Cloud. Differentially expressed genes upon GATA2 activation showed significantly myeloid-like transcription signature. Further analysis identified several tumor-associated genes as targets of GATA2 activation including BAG3 and EPOR. In addition, the correlation between KMT2A-USP2 fusion and GATA2 activation not only indicates a potential trans-activating mechanism of GATA2 but also suggests that GATA2 is a target of KMT2A-USP2. Furthermore, by integrating whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing data, we showed that GATA2 is also cis activated. A somatic focal deletion located in the GATA2 neighborhood that disrupts the boundaries of topologically associating domains was identified in one B-ALL patient with GATA2 activation. These evidences support the hypothesis that GATA2 could be involved in leukemogenesis of B-ALL and can be transcriptionally activated through multiple mechanisms. The findings of aberrant activation of GATA2 and its molecular function extend our understanding of transcriptional factor dysregulation in B-ALL.


Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Villegas-Ruíz ◽  
Karina Olmos-Valdez ◽  
Kattia Alejandra Castro-López ◽  
Victoria Estefanía Saucedo-Tepanecatl ◽  
Josselen Carina Ramírez-Chiquito ◽  
...  

Droplet digital PCR is the most robust method for absolute nucleic acid quantification. However, RNA is a very versatile molecule and its abundance is tissue-dependent. RNA quantification is dependent on a reference control to estimate the abundance. Additionally, in cancer, many cellular processes are deregulated which consequently affects the gene expression profiles. In this work, we performed microarray data mining of different childhood cancers and healthy controls. We selected four genes that showed no gene expression variations (PSMB6, PGGT1B, UBQLN2 and UQCR2) and four classical reference genes (ACTB, GAPDH, RPL4 and RPS18). Gene expression was validated in 40 acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples by means of droplet digital PCR. We observed that PSMB6, PGGT1B, UBQLN2 and UQCR2 were expressed ~100 times less than ACTB, GAPDH, RPL4 and RPS18. However, we observed excellent correlations among the new reference genes (p < 0.0001). We propose that PSMB6, PGGT1B, UBQLN2 and UQCR2 are housekeeping genes with low expression in childhood cancer.


Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa ◽  
Villegas-Ruíz ◽  
Caballero-Palacios ◽  
Pérez-López ◽  
Murata ◽  
...  

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most commonly diagnosed childhood malignancy worldwide; more than 50% of these cases are diagnosed in Mexico. Although the five-year survival rate is >80%, 30% of patients experience relapse with poor prognosis. Cancer-associated gene expression profiles have been identified in several malignancies, and some transcripts have been used to predict disease prognosis. The human transcriptome is incompletely elucidated; moreover, more than 80% of transcripts can be processed via alternative splicing (AS), which increases transcript and protein diversity. The human transcriptome is divided; coding RNA accounts for 2%, and the remaining 98% is noncoding RNA. Noncoding RNA can undergo AS, promoting the diversity of noncoding transcripts. We designed specific primers to amplify previously reported alternative transcript variants of ZNF695 and showed that six ZNF695 transcript variants are co-expressed in cancer cell lines. The amplicons were sequenced and identified. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of these six transcript variants in bone marrow from B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and observed that ZNF695 transcript variants one and three were the predominant variants expressed in leukemia. Moreover, our results showed the co-expression of coding and long noncoding RNA. Finally, we observed that long noncoding RNA ZNF695 expression predicted survival rates.


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