Molecular Pathogenesis in Myeloid Neoplasms with Germline Predisposition

Myeloid neoplasms with germline predisposition have recently been added as distinct provisional entities in the 2017 revision of the World Health Organization’s classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphatic tissue. Individuals with germline predisposition have increased risk of developing myeloid neoplasms—mainly acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Although the incidence of myeloid neoplasms with germline predisposition remains poorly defined, these cases provide unique and important insights into the biology and molecular mechanisms of myeloid neoplasms. Knowledge of the regulation of the germline genes and their interactions with other genes, proteins, and the environment, the penetrance and clinical presentation of inherited mutations, and the longitudinal dynamics during the process of disease progression offer models and tools that can further our understanding of myeloid neoplasms. This knowledge will eventually translate to improved disease sub-classification, risk assessment, and development of more effective therapy. In this review, we will use examples of these disorders to illustrate the key molecular pathways of myeloid neoplasms.

Molecular Classification of Soft Tissue and Bone Tumors

Soft tissue and bone tumors constitute a large and heterogeneous group of tumors comprising >100 distinct histological types and subtypes, which are diagnosed and classified using criteria from the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors [...]

MPC-17 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the CNS, 5th ed

The grading of gliomas based on histological features has been a subject of debate for several decades. While the traditional grading system has failed to stratify the risk of IDH-mutant astrocytoma, canonical histological and proliferative markers may be applicable to the risk stratification of IDH-wildtype astrocytoma. Numerous studies have examined molecular markers to obtain more clinically relevant information that will improve the risk stratification of gliomas. The CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion for IDH-mutant astrocytoma and the following three criteria for IDH-wildtype astrocytoma: the concurrent gain of whole chromosome 7 and loss of whole chromosome 10, TERT promoter mutations, and EGFR amplification, were identified as independent molecular markers of the worst clinical outcomes. Therefore, the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System adopted these molecular markers into the revised grading criteria of IDH-mutant and -wildtype astrocytoma respectively, as a grading system within tumor types. For diffuse gliomas in children, molecular alteration-based classification was adopted, dividing low-grade and high-grade subcategories. New tumor types and subtypes were introduced, some based on DNA methylation profiling. To achieve this novel classification in a resource-limited setting, an integrated diagnosis combining clinical, histological, and molecular information became more important.

PEDT-1 Integrated diagnoses of pediatric gliomas in our institute by cIMPACT-NOW recommendations

Purpose:Since many genetic abnormalities in glioma have been revealed in recent years, Integrated diagnoses are necessary in the updated fourth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System(CNS) published in 2016. The Consortium to Inform Molecular and Practical Approaches to CNS Tumor Taxonomy (cIMPACT-NOW) was established to provide a forum to evaluate and recommend proposed changes to future CNS tumor classification. We retrospectively classified pediatric gliomas in our hospital in accordance with cIMPACT-NOW recommendations. Methods: This study includes 13 consecutive glioma patients under the age of 18 who underwent surgical resection at our hospital from 2000 to 2021. Histopathological diagnoses and molecular status such as IDH, H3F3A and BRAF were analyzed. Results: There were four females and nine males, ranging in age from 0 to 17 years, median 9.0 years. Three pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) and a polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY) had BRAF fusion. Four cases were classified as Diffuse midline glioma, H3K27M-altered. Two cases were classified as Diffuse pediatric-type high-grade glioma, H3-wildtype and IDH-wildtype. No genetic alteration was observed in two diffuse astrocytoma cases. An anaplastic oligodendroglioma case with PDGFRA amplification could not be classified as any new entity. All three PA cases with BRAF fusion occurred in cerebellum and all four H3K27M altered cases occurred in midline location such as thalamus, brainstem and cervical spinal cord. Six cases which were classified as pediatric-type diffuse high grade gliomas had poor prognosis. Conclusion:Genetic status is associated to tumor location and patients prognosis. Integrated diagnoses are important in pediatric glioma patients.

CTNI-27. SINGLE AGENT ACTIVITY OF ONC201 IN NON-MIDLINE H3 K27M-MUTANT DIFFUSE GLIOMAS

BACKGROUND H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma is an invariably lethal form of brain cancer that disproportionately affects children and young adults and has no effective treatment following front-line radiation. The initial disease definition in the 2016 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System regarded the H3 K27M mutation as pathognomonic, though the definition was updated in 2018 restricting the diagnosis to histologically diffuse gliomas that involve midline CNS structures (cIMPACT-NOW update 2). ONC201 is an investigational anti- cancer small molecule, DRD2 antagonist and ClpP agonist that has induced durable tumor regressions by RANO-HGG criteria in a registration cohort of recurrent diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M-mutant patients treated with single agent ONC201. METHODS We present 7 patients with H3 K27M-mutant diffuse gliomas were enrolled in ONC201 clinical studies, excluded from the registration cohort due to involvement of non-midline CNS structures, all within the cerebral hemispheres (3 frontal, 1 temporal, 1 frontotemporal, 1 parietal, and 1 corona radiata). RESULTS Two of the 7 patients underwent objective responses by RANO-HGG criteria as assessed by investigator, which was associated with clinical benefit that included increased mobility and level of alertness. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that H3 K27M-mutant diffuse gliomas occur outside of midline CNS structures, and suggest that ONC201 has single agent activity in H3 K27M-mutant gliomas irrespective of CNS location.