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Winstone L, Jung Y, Wu Y. DDX41: exploring the roles of a versatile helicase. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:395-405. [PMID: 38348889 PMCID: PMC10903454 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
DDX41 is a DEAD-box helicase and is conserved across species. Mutations in DDX41 have been associated with myeloid neoplasms, including myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. Though its pathogenesis is not completely known, DDX41 has been shown to have many cellular roles, including in pre-mRNA splicing, innate immune sensing, ribosome biogenesis, translational regulation, and R-loop metabolism. In this review, we will summarize the latest understandings regarding the various roles of DDX41, as well as highlight challenges associated with drug development to target DDX41. Overall, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of DDX41 could help develop novel therapeutic options for DDX41 mutation-related hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lacey Winstone
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Yohan Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Yuliang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
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2
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Zoller J, Trajanova D, Feurstein S. Germline and somatic drivers in inherited hematologic malignancies. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1205855. [PMID: 37904876 PMCID: PMC10613526 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1205855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited hematologic malignancies are linked to a heterogenous group of genes, knowledge of which is rapidly expanding using panel-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) or whole-exome/whole-genome sequencing. Importantly, the penetrance for these syndromes is incomplete, and disease development, progression or transformation has critical clinical implications. With the earlier detection of healthy carriers and sequential monitoring of these patients, clonal hematopoiesis and somatic driver variants become significant factors in determining disease transformation/progression and timing of (preemptive) hematopoietic stem cell transplant in these patients. In this review, we shed light on the detection of probable germline predisposition alleles based on diagnostic/prognostic 'somatic' NGS panels. A multi-tier approach including variant allele frequency, bi-allelic inactivation, persistence of a variant upon clinical remission and mutational burden can indicate variants with high pre-test probability. We also discuss the shared underlying biology and frequency of germline and somatic variants affecting the same gene, specifically focusing on variants in DDX41, ETV6, GATA2 and RUNX1. Germline variants in these genes are associated with a (specific) pattern or over-/underrepresentation of somatic molecular or cytogenetic alterations that may help identify the underlying germline syndrome and predict the course of disease in these individuals. This review is based on the current knowledge about somatic drivers in these four syndromes by integrating data from all published patients, thereby providing clinicians with valuable and concise information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simone Feurstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Oncology & Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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3
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Li P, Brown S, Williams M, White T, Xie W, Cui W, Peker D, Lei L, Kunder CA, Wang HY, Murray SS, Vagher J, Kovacsovics T, Patel JL. The genetic landscape of germline DDX41 variants predisposing to myeloid neoplasms. Blood 2022; 140:716-755. [PMID: 35671390 PMCID: PMC9389629 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021015135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline DDX41 variants are the most common mutations predisposing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in adults, but the causal variant (CV) landscape and clinical spectrum of hematologic malignancies (HMs) remain unexplored. Here, we analyzed the genomic profiles of 176 patients with HM carrying 82 distinct presumably germline DDX41 variants among a group of 9821 unrelated patients. Using our proposed DDX41-specific variant classification, we identified features distinguishing 116 patients with HM with CV from 60 patients with HM with variant of uncertain significance (VUS): an older age (median 69 years), male predominance (74% in CV vs 60% in VUS, P = .03), frequent concurrent somatic DDX41 variants (79% in CV vs 5% in VUS, P < .0001), a lower somatic mutation burden (1.4 ± 0.1 in CV vs 2.9 ± 0.04 in VUS, P = .012), near exclusion of canonical recurrent genetic abnormalities including mutations in NPM1, CEBPA, and FLT3 in AML, and favorable overall survival (OS) in patients with AML/MDS. This superior OS was determined independent of blast count, abnormal karyotypes, and concurrent variants, including TP53 in patients with AML/MDS, regardless of patient's sex, age, or specific germline CV, suggesting that germline DDX41 variants define a distinct clinical entity. Furthermore, unrelated patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm and B-cell lymphoma were linked by DDX41 CV, thus expanding the known disease spectrum. This study outlines the CV landscape, expands the phenotypic spectrum in unrelated DDX41-mutated patients, and underscores the urgent need for gene-specific diagnostic and clinical management guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Li
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT
- Genomics Laboratory, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Sara Brown
- Genomics Laboratory, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Margaret Williams
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT
- Genomics Laboratory, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Thomas White
- Genomics Laboratory, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Wei Xie
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Deniz Peker
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Li Lei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Christian A Kunder
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Huan-You Wang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, University of California San Diego Health System, La Jolla, CA
| | - Sarah S Murray
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, University of California San Diego Health System, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jennie Vagher
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT; and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Tibor Kovacsovics
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT; and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jay L Patel
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT
- Genomics Laboratory, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT
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AML with germline DDX41 variants is a clinicopathologically distinct entity with an indolent clinical course and favorable outcome. Leukemia 2021; 36:664-674. [PMID: 34671111 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01404-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Germline DDX41 variants in myeloid neoplasms (MNs) are not uncommon, and we explored the prevalence and characterized the clinical and pathologic features in a cohort of 3132 unrelated adult MN patients. By targeted next-generation sequencing, we identified 28 patients (20 men and 8 women) with pathogenic germline DDX41 variants who developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), in which only 3 (11%) had a family history (FH) of MNs. A subacute clinical course of cytopenia (mean duration of 11.2 months, range 0-72 months) prior to the initial AML diagnosis was accompanied by a low blast count (median at 30%, range 20-70%) in hypocellular marrows (93% of all patients), in vast contrast to the typical proliferative subtypes of AML in the elderly. Most patients had a normal karyotype (75%) and acquired a second DDX41 variant (69%). A favorable overall survival (OS) was observed in comparison to that of common subtypes of AML with wild-type DDX41 in age-matched patients. Our study demonstrated that the frequent germline pathogenic DDX41 variants characterized a clinically distinct AML entity. Features characteristic of DDX41-mutated AML include male predominance, often lack of FH, indolent course, low proliferative potential, frequent somatic DDX41 variants, and a favorable OS.
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Wan Z, Han B. Clinical features of DDX41 mutation-related diseases: a systematic review with individual patient data. Ther Adv Hematol 2021; 12:20406207211032433. [PMID: 34349893 PMCID: PMC8287267 DOI: 10.1177/20406207211032433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: DDX41 serves as a DNA sensor in innate immunity and mutated DDX41 is pathogenic, mainly for myeloid neoplasms. Methods: In this study, “DDX41” was searched in PubMed and Web of Science between 1 January 2015 and 29 April 2021 with individual-patient data seeking. A meta-analysis was not valid here due to the absence of a large dataset. Thirty articles were finally included in the qualitative analysis and 277 patients from 20 studies without overlap were involved in the quantitative summary. Results: Pooled incidence was 3.3% (95% confidence interval 2.4–4.2%) of unselected myeloid neoplasms. Patients with hematologic disorders harboring mutated DDX41 were featured as 80% males, median 66 (20–88) years old at diagnosis, 75% acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), 64% with normal karyotype. Eighty-five percent of patients had germline variants which were nationally diverse and more of frameshift type, whereas 64% of patients had somatic DDX41 variants where p.R525H and missense dominated. ASXL1 and TP53 were the top frequent concomitant somatic mutations. Therapeutically, 70% overall response rate was obtained of hypomethylating agents in MDS, 96% complete remission of chemotherapy in AML, and 8% of relapse in hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Neither overall survival nor progression-free survival could be summed. Conclusions: Several significant clinical differences were observed in different diagnosis groups, familial and sporadic cases, and p.R525H compared with other somatic variants. In conclusion, myeloid neoplasms carrying DDX41 mutations were mainly older, male, MDS, and AML patients who had promising responses to treatment. Both germline and somatic DDX41 variants possessed unique characteristics and groups of interest presented certain differences worth further research. (CRD42021228886)
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Wan
- Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, 1#Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
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Choi EJ, Cho YU, Hur EH, Jang S, Kim N, Park HS, Lee JH, Lee KH, Kim SH, Hwang SH, Seo EJ, Park CJ, Lee JH. Unique ethnic features of DDX41 mutations in patients with idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance, myelodysplastic syndrome, or acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 2021; 107:510-518. [PMID: 33626862 PMCID: PMC8804579 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.270553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
DDX41 mutations are associated with hematologic malignancies including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the incidence in idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) is unknown. We investigated the incidence, genetic characteristics, and clinical features of DDX41 mutations in Korean patients with ICUS, MDS, or AML. We performed targeted deep sequencing of 61 genes including DDX41 in 457 patients with ICUS (n=75), MDS (n=210), or AML (n=172). The germline DDX41 mutations with causality were identified in 28 (6.1%) patients, of whom 27 (96.4%) had somatic mutations in the other position of DDX41. Germline origins of the DDX41 mutations were confirmed in all of the 11 patients who performed germline-based testing. Of the germline DDX41 mutations, p.V152G (n=10) was most common, followed by p.Y259C (n=8), p.A500fs (n=6), and p.E7* (n=3). Compared with non-mutated patients, DDX41-mutated patients showed male predominance, old age, normal karyotype, low leukocyte count, and hypocellular marrow at diagnosis. Three of the 4 ICUS patients with germline DDX41 mutations progressed to MDS. DDX41 mutations in Korean patients showed a high incidence and distinct mutation patterns, in that p.V152G was a unique germline variant. ICUS harboring germline DDX41 mutations may be regarded as a hereditary myeloid neoplasm. Germline DDX41 mutations are not uncommon and should be explored when treating the patients with myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ji Choi
- Department of Hematology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Young-Uk Cho
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Eun-Hye Hur
- Department of Hematology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Seongsoo Jang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Nayoung Kim
- Asan Institution for Life Sciences and Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Han-Seung Park
- Department of Hematology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Jung-Hee Lee
- Department of Hematology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Kyoo-Hyung Lee
- Department of Hematology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Si-Hwan Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Sang-Hyun Hwang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Eul-Ju Seo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Chan-Jeoung Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul
| | - Je-Hwan Lee
- Department of Hematology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul.
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Spliceosomal factor mutations and mis-splicing in MDS. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2020; 33:101199. [PMID: 33038983 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2020.101199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Somatic, heterozygous missense and nonsense mutations in at least seven proteins that function in the spliceosome are found at high frequency in MDS patients. These proteins act at various steps in the process of splicing by the spliceosome and lead to characteristic alterations in the alternative splicing of a subset of genes. Several studies have investigated the effects of these mutations and have attempted to identify a commonly affected gene or pathway. Here, we summarize what is known about the normal function of these proteins and how the mutations alter the splicing landscape of the genome. We also summarize the commonly mis-spliced gene targets and discuss the state of mechanistic unification that has been achieved. Finally, we discuss alternative mechanisms by which these mutations may lead to disease.
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Mangaonkar AA, Patnaik MM. Hereditary Predisposition to Hematopoietic Neoplasms: When Bloodline Matters for Blood Cancers. Mayo Clin Proc 2020; 95:1482-1498. [PMID: 32571604 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of precision genomics, hereditary predisposition to hematopoietic neoplasms- collectively known as hereditary predisposition syndromes (HPS)-are being increasingly recognized in clinical practice. Familial clustering was first observed in patients with leukemia, which led to the identification of several germline variants, such as RUNX1, CEBPA, GATA2, ANKRD26, DDX41, and ETV6, among others, now established as HPS, with tendency to develop myeloid neoplasms. However, evidence for hereditary predisposition is also apparent in lymphoid and plasma--cell neoplasms, with recent discoveries of germline variants in genes such as IKZF1, SH2B3, PAX5 (familial acute lymphoblastic leukemia), and KDM1A/LSD1 (familial multiple myeloma). Specific inherited bone marrow failure syndromes-such as GATA2 haploinsufficiency syndromes, short telomere syndromes, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, severe congenital neutropenia, and familial thrombocytopenias-also have an increased predisposition to develop myeloid neoplasms, whereas inherited immune deficiency syndromes, such as ataxia-telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome, Wiskott Aldrich syndrome, and Bruton agammaglobulinemia, are associated with an increased risk for lymphoid neoplasms. Timely recognition of HPS is critical to ensure safe choice of donors and/or conditioning-regimen intensity for allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and to enable direction of appropriate genomics-driven personalized therapies. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of HPS and serve as a useful reference for clinicians to recognize relevant signs and symptoms among patients to enable timely screening and referrals to pursue germline assessment. In addition, we also discuss our institutional approach toward identification of HPS and offer a stepwise diagnostic and management algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mrinal M Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
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Abstract
Sideroblastic anemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders unified by the presence of abnormal erythroid precursors with perinuclear mitochondrial iron deposition in the bone marrow. Based on etiology, they are classified into clonal and nonclonal. Clonal sideroblastic anemias refer to myeloid neoplasms with ring sideroblasts (RS) and frequently have somatic perturbations in the SF3B1 gene. Anemia is a major cause of morbidity in patients, and restoration of effective erythropoiesis is a major treatment goal. Morbidity includes transfusion and disease-related complications. This article focuses on treatment of acquired sideroblastic anemias and highlights areas of future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek A Mangaonkar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Mrinal M Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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