scholarly journals Near-Haploidy and Low-Hypodiploidy in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: When Less Is Too Much

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Oscar Molina ◽  
Alex Bataller ◽  
Namitha Thampi ◽  
Jordi Ribera ◽  
Isabel Granada ◽  
...  

Hypodiploidy with less than 40 chromosomes is a rare genetic abnormality in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). This condition can be classified based on modal chromosome number as low-hypodiploidy (30–39 chromosomes) and near-haploidy (24–29 chromosomes), with unique cytogenetic and mutational landscapes. Hypodiploid B-ALL with <40 chromosomes has an extremely poor outcome, with 5-year overall survival rates below 50% and 20% in childhood and adult B-ALL, respectively. Accordingly, this genetic feature represents an adverse prognostic factor in B-ALL and is associated with early relapse and therapy refractoriness. Notably, half of all patients with hypodiploid B-ALL with < 40 chromosomes cases ultimately exhibit chromosome doubling of the hypodiploid clone, resulting in clones with 50–78 chromosomes. Doubled clones are often the major clones at diagnosis, leading to “masked hypodiploidy”, which is clinically challenging as patients can be erroneously classified as hyperdiploid B-ALL. Here, we summarize the main cytogenetic and molecular features of hypodiploid B-ALL subtypes, and provide a brief overview of the diagnostic methods, standard-of-care treatments and overall clinical outcome. Finally, we discuss molecular mechanisms that may underlie the origin and leukemogenic impact of hypodiploidy and may open new therapeutic avenues to improve survival rates in these patients.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2683
Author(s):  
Princess D. Rodriguez ◽  
Hana Paculova ◽  
Sophie Kogut ◽  
Jessica Heath ◽  
Hilde Schjerven ◽  
...  

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) comprise a diverse class of non-protein coding transcripts that regulate critical cellular processes associated with cancer. Advances in RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) have led to the characterization of non-coding RNA expression across different types of human cancers. Through comprehensive RNA-Seq profiling, a growing number of studies demonstrate that ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNA), play central roles in progenitor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) pathogenesis. Furthermore, due to their central roles in cellular homeostasis and their potential as biomarkers, the study of ncRNAs continues to provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of B-ALL. This article reviews the ncRNA signatures reported for all B-ALL subtypes, focusing on technological developments in transcriptome profiling and recently discovered examples of ncRNAs with biologic and therapeutic relevance in B-ALL.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3888-3888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaochuan Yang ◽  
Amber C. King ◽  
Charlene C. Kabel ◽  
Christopher J. Forlenza ◽  
Jae H. Park ◽  
...  

Introduction: Adults with (w/) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) exhibit high rates of complete response (CR) to induction chemotherapy, but relapse is common. Inotuzumab ozogamicin (IO), an antibody-drug conjugate targeting CD22, achieves high rates of CR in patients (pts) w/ relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-ALL and is FDA-approved for R/R B-ALL in adults. It remains unknown whether cytogenetic and molecular features associated w/ decreased response rate and poor prognosis following conventional chemotherapy are associated w/ response to IO. As such, we investigated the relationship between several high-risk genetic alterations and outcome following IO treatment in pts w/ R/R B-ALL. Methods: We reviewed electronic medical records of pts of all ages w/ R/R B-ALL or chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast phase (CML-LBP) receiving IO at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) between January 2011 and April 2019. The primary objective was to assess whether recurrent cytogenetic or molecular features were associated w/ achievement of CR or CR w/ incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), w/ or w/o measurable residual disease (MRD), and disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) following IO. Secondary objectives included association of baseline clinical features, including central nervous system (CNS) or other extramedullary (EM) disease, w/ outcomes post-IO. MRD was defined as any unequivocal evidence of B-ALL detectable by RT-PCR (Ph+ ALL) or flow cytometry (FACS). Genomic alterations were defined by MSK IMPACT-Heme (Cheng, J Mol Diagn, 2015), FoundationOne Heme, or similar platforms. A set of selected high-risk (HR) features in Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) B-ALL was defined prior to the analysis (HR: mutations/loss of TP53, IKZF1/3, CDKN2A, CREBBP; activating RAS mutations; "Ph-like" profile). DFS and OS were computed using Kaplan-Meier methods and compared between groups using log-tank tests. Results: 32 pts (13F, 19M) w/ R/R B-ALL (n=31) or CML-LBP (n=1) treated w/ IO were identified. IO was given as monotherapy in 27 pts and w/ other systemic therapy in 5 pts (mini-hyper-CVD-like regimen, n=4; ponatinib, n=1). Median age at start of IO was 45 years (range 3-78). 10 pts had undergone prior allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Seven and 15 pts had a history of CNS disease or other EM involvement by B-ALL, respectively, including 3 and 6 pts immediately prior to IO, respectively. Pts received a median 3 lines of salvage prior to IO, including prior CD19-targeted immunotherapy (blinatumomab and/or CAR-T cells) in 24 pts(Table 1). Among 27 pts w/ Ph- B-ALL, 12 had the selected HR features (Table 2). Five pts had Ph+ ALL (n=4) or CML-LBP (n=1) and 5/5 harbored ABL1 kinase domain point mutations (4/5 w/ T315I mutation). 22 pts had at least one successful molecular profiling panel.29 patients had initial cytogenetic studies, of whom 28 patients had evaluable karyotypes. 23 pts had best response to IO of CR/CRi (MRD-, n=15; MRD+, n=8). 9 pts had no objective response to ≥1 cycle of IO. Of the 12 Ph- pts w/ selected HR mutations, 11 achieved CR/CRi. Notably, 6/6 pts w/ TP53 mutation/deletion and 5/5 pts w/ IKZF1/3 mutations (3/3 pts w/ both TP53 & IKZF mutations) achieved CR/CRi. Both pts w/ Ras mutations and 2/3 w/ Ph-like B-ALL achieved CR/CRi. 7/11 HR responders underwent alloHCT post-IO (3 had undergone pre-IO alloHCT). Pts w/ Ph- B-ALL w/ HR mutations demonstrated similar CR/CRi rate and OS to pts w/ Ph- B-ALL w/o defined HR mutations (Fig 1A-B). In contrast, only 1/5 pts w/ Ph+ ALL achieved CR/CRi (was MRD+) and 4/5 showed persistent B-ALL. OS was superior among pts w/ Ph- vs Ph+ B-ALL post-IO (8.0 vs 1.9 months, p=0.0068, Fig 1C). Among pts w/ EM disease immediately prior to IO, 3/6 achieved CR/CRi, including CR in 1 pt w/ a cardiac mass. Median DFS was 3.2 months vs. not reached following achievement of MRD+ vs MRD- CR, respectively (p=ns, Fig 1D). Conclusions: HR molecular features associated w/ poor response to chemotherapy were not associated w/ inferior response rate and overall prognosis following IO in this small series. Notably, pts w/ Ph+ ALL (all w/ ABL1 mutations) exhibited suboptimal response, possibly as pts received IO only in advanced disease states following TKI failure. This small report supports investigation of IO in frontline therapy for pts w/ B-ALL w/ HR mutations to spare unnecessary toxicities of chemotherapy and bridge successfully to alloHCT. Disclosures King: Genentech: Other: Advisory Board ; Astrazeneca: Other: Advisory board; Incyte: Other: Advisory Board. Park:Allogene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Autolus: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy. Geyer:Dava Oncology: Honoraria; Amgen: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Inotuzumab ozogamicin is not FDA approved for pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawana Kamran ◽  
Gordana Raca ◽  
Kamran Nazir

TheRCSD1gene has recently been identified as a novel gene fusion partner of theABL1gene in cases of B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL). TheRCSD1gene is located at 1q23 andABL1is located at 9q34, so that the RCSD1-ABL1 fusion typically arises through a rare reciprocal translocation t(1;9)(q23;q34). Only a small number of RCSD1-ABL1 positive cases of B-ALL have been described in the literature, and the full spectrum of clinical, morphological, immunophenotypic, and molecular features associated with this genetic abnormality has not been defined. We describe extensive genetic characterization of a case of B-ALL with RCSD1-ABL1 fusion, by using conventional cytogenetic analysis, Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) studies, and Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA). The use of CMA resulted in detection of an approximately 70 kb deletion at 7p12.2, which caused a disruption of theIKZF1gene. Deletions and mutations ofIKZF1are recurring abnormalities in B-ALL and are associated with a poor prognosis. Our findings highlight the association of the deletion ofIKZF1gene with the t(1;9)(q24;q34) and illustrate the importance of comprehensive cytogenetic and molecular evaluation for accurate prediction of prognosis in patients with B-cell ALL.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4917-4917
Author(s):  
Anna Polak ◽  
Przemyslaw Kiliszek ◽  
Tomasz Sewastianik ◽  
Maciej Szydlowski ◽  
Ewa Jablonska ◽  
...  

Abstract Glucocorticoids (GC) have been used for decades in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children and adults. Induction of apoptosis is thought to be the principal effector mechanism of GC's action, but recent studies highlight the role of autophagy upstream of apoptotic cell death (Laane et al 2009). Resistance to GCs is a major adverse prognostic factor, however the molecular mechanisms leading to GC resistance are not completely understood. Herein, we sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving GC-resistance in precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and in vitro characterize the therapeutic potential of targeted intervention in these mechanisms. To identify molecular mechanisms involved in GC resistance, we performed gene set enrichment analysis of gene expression profiles GC-sensitive and -resistant B-ALL blasts using publicly available datasets and GenePattern program. Resistant cells exhibited significantly higher expression of MAPK/ERK pathway components (p<.002, FDR=0.13). To validate these findings, we assessed DEX sensitivity in ALL cells with high (SEMK2) or undetectable (RS4;11) activity of MAPK/ERK pathway. SEMK2 cells were resistant to DEX, whereas RS4;11 were highly sensitive to this drug. In GC-resistant cell line SEMK2, inhibition of MEK1 kinase with SEL completely abrogated ERK and p90RSK phosphorylation and increased sensitivity to GC by 1.8-2.6-fold. Similar pattern was observed in primary ALL blasts from 19 of 23 tested patients. Overexpression of a constitutively active MEK mutant in GC-sensitive cells (RS4;11) reversed sensitivity of these cells to DEX. Since GC in leukemic cells induce autophagic cell death, we assessed LC3 processing, MDC staining (a dye of autophagolysosomes) and GFP-LC3 relocalization in cells incubated with either DEX, SEL or combination of drugs. Either drug alone caused only marginal change in the level of these markers, but their combination markedly increased autophagic flux. Since mTORC1 is the critical regulator of autophagy, we assessed the activity of mTORC1 following DEX/SEL co-treatment and found that the combination resulted in a marked decrease of p4E-BP1, an mTORC1 substrate. Finally, to assess whether induction of autophagy is required for the observed synergy between SEL and DEX we used an shRNA approach to silence beclin-1 (BCN1), a gene required for autophagosome formation, and assessed cellular responses to DEX/SEL co-treatment. In control cells transduced with non-targeting shRNA, SEL sensitized cells to DEX, but in BCN1-deficient cells, the synergy of DEX and SEL was markedly decreased. Taken together, we show that MEK1 inhibitor selumetinib enhances DEX toxicity in GC-resistant B-ALL cells. The underlying mechanism of this interaction involves inhibition of mTORC1 signaling pathway and induction of autophagy that leads to apoptotic cell death. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3092-3092
Author(s):  
Tatiana Perova ◽  
Lauryl Nutter ◽  
Irina Matei ◽  
Ildiko Grandal ◽  
Polly Pine ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3092 Poster Board III-29 Introduction Early B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common type of childhood malignancy, characterized by abnormal accumulation and proliferation of progenitor-B or precursor-B (pre-B) cells. Current challenges associated with B-ALL treatment include fatal relapses, treatment-related toxicities and long-term morbidities underscoring a need to develop new targeted therapies aimed at eradicating leukemia cells and their stem cells. To achieve this, a better understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in leukemia initiation and progression is required. Our laboratory developed p53-/- PrkdcSCID/SCID double mutant (DM) strain as a mouse model of early B-ALL. We showed that DM leukemias progress through discrete developmental stages of leukemogenesis despite the absence of a pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR), a crucial checkpoint in B cell development. Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), a key proximal component of pre-BCR signaling, was activated in the DM leukemias despite the absence of pre-BCR and was required for their survival. Approximately 70% of pediatric pre-B-ALLs also do not express pre-BCR, which lead us to investigate SYK signaling in human pre-B-ALL and to test potential therapeutic application of SYK inhibition in these leukemias. Patients and Methods We examined 22 viably frozen primary pediatric pre-B-ALL bone marrow samples to test their responses to SYK inhibition in vitro and in vivo and have investigated the molecular basis for aberrant SYK-mediated signaling in B-ALL. Results Western blot analyses revealed that SYK and BLNK, a dominant target of SYK, were expressed in pre-B-ALL patient samples. The majority of human pre-B ALL samples tested (14/22) displayed significantly attenuated proliferation in the presence of SYK inhibitors suggesting that SYK is necessary for their survival and/or proliferation. Treatment with SYK inhibitor R406 prevented phosphorylation of downstream SYK targets including BLNK and PLC-γ2. We are continuing to study the effects of SYK inhibition using phospho-flow cytometry and genome wide expression arrays. Preliminary data will also be presented on therapeutic efficacy of an orally bioavailable form of R406-mediated SYK inhibition in vivo by xenotransplantation of human leukemias into immuno-deficient mice. Conclusions Understanding the molecular mechanisms of pre-BCR-independent SYK activation involved in proliferation and survival of leukemic blasts may provide a rational basis for development of effective treatment for ALL. Specifically, targeted therapeutic inhibition of SYK signaling may be effective B-ALL treatment that may improve outcomes of current treatment regiments with minimal additional treatment-related toxicity. Disclosures Pine: Rigel Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hitoshi:Rigel Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
José C. Jaime-Pérez ◽  
Grecia A. Turrubiates-Hernández ◽  
Gerardo García-Salas ◽  
Anel M. de la Torre-Salinas ◽  
Patricia Áncer-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Princess D. Rodriguez ◽  
Hana Paculova ◽  
Sophie Kogut ◽  
Jessica Heath ◽  
Hilde Schjerven ◽  
...  

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) comprise a diverse class of non-protein coding transcripts that regulate critical cellular processes associated with cancer. Advances in RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) have led to the characterization of non-coding RNA expression across different types of human cancers. Through comprehensive RNA-Seq profiling, a growing number of studies demonstrate that ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNA), play central roles in progenitor B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) pathogenesis. Furthermore, due to their central roles in cellular homeostasis and their potential as biomarkers, the study of ncRNAs continues to provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of B-ALL. This article reviews the ncRNA signatures reported for all B-ALL subtypes, focusing on technological developments in transcriptome profiling and recently discovered examples of ncRNAs with biologic and therapeutic relevance in B-ALL.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document