1
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Walia Y, de Bock CE, Huang Y. The landscape of alterations affecting epigenetic regulators in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Roles in leukemogenesis and therapeutic opportunities. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1522-1536. [PMID: 38155420 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive malignancy accounting for 10%-15% of pediatric and 20%-25% of adult ALL cases. Epigenetic irregularities in T-ALL include alterations in both DNA methylation and the post-translational modifications on histones which together play a critical role in the initiation and development of T-ALL. Characterizing the oncogenic mutations that result in these epigenetic changes combined with the reversibility of epigenetic modifications represents an opportunity for the development of epigenetic therapies. Oncogenic mutations and deregulated expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), Ten-Eleven Translocation dioxygenases (TETs), Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and members of Polycomb Repressor Complex 2 (PRC2) have all been identified in T-ALL. This review focuses on the current understanding of how these mutations lead to epigenetic changes in T-ALL, their association with disease pathogenesis and the current efforts to exploit these clinically through the development of epigenetic therapies in T-ALL treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashna Walia
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charles E de Bock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yizhou Huang
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
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2
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Steimlé T, Dourthe ME, Alcantara M, Touzart A, Simonin M, Mondesir J, Lhermitte L, Bond J, Graux C, Grardel N, Cayuela JM, Arnoux I, Gandemer V, Balsat M, Vey N, Macintyre E, Ifrah N, Dombret H, Petit A, Baruchel A, Ruminy P, Boissel N, Asnafi V. Clinico-biological features of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with fusion proteins. Blood Cancer J 2022; 12:14. [PMID: 35082269 PMCID: PMC8791998 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-022-00613-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL) represent 15% of pediatric and 25% of adult ALL. Since they have a particularly poor outcome in relapsed/refractory cases, identifying prognosis factors at diagnosis is crucial to adapting treatment for high-risk patients. Unlike acute myeloid leukemia and BCP ALL, chromosomal rearrangements leading to chimeric fusion-proteins with strong prognosis impact are sparsely reported in T-ALL. To address this issue an RT-MPLA assay was applied to a consecutive series of 522 adult and pediatric T-ALLs and identified a fusion transcript in 20% of cases. PICALM-MLLT10 (4%, n = 23), NUP214-ABL1 (3%, n = 19) and SET-NUP214 (3%, n = 18) were the most frequent. The clinico-biological characteristics linked to fusion transcripts in a subset of 235 patients (138 adults in the GRAALL2003/05 trials and 97 children from the FRALLE2000 trial) were analyzed to identify their prognosis impact. Patients with HOXA trans-deregulated T-ALLs with MLLT10, KMT2A and SET fusion transcripts (17%, 39/235) had a worse prognosis with a 5-year EFS of 35.7% vs 63.7% (HR = 1.63; p = 0.04) and a trend for a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (5-year CIR = 45.7% vs 25.2%, HR = 1.6; p = 0.11). Fusion transcripts status in T-ALL can be robustly identified by RT-MLPA, facilitating risk adapted treatment strategies for high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Steimlé
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Emilie Dourthe
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Robert Debré University Hospital (AP-HP), Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Marion Alcantara
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Robert Debré University Hospital (AP-HP), Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, INSERM U932, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Aurore Touzart
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Simonin
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Robert Debré University Hospital (AP-HP), Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, INSERM U932, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), GH HUEP, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS 938, CDR Saint-Antoine, GRC n°07, GRC MyPAC, Paris, France
| | - Johanna Mondesir
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Lhermitte
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - Jonathan Bond
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carlos Graux
- Department of Hematology, Université catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur - site Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Grardel
- Laboratory of Hematology, CHRU Lille, Lille, France and U1172, INSERM, Lille, France
| | - Jean-Michel Cayuela
- Laboratory of Hematology and EA 3518 University Hospital Saint-Louis, AP-HP and Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Arnoux
- Hematology Laboratory, Marseille University Hospital Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Virginie Gandemer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Marie Balsat
- Service d'hématologie clinique, Hôpital Lyon Sud, Marseille, France
| | - Norbert Vey
- Aix-Marseille Univ, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Elizabeth Macintyre
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - Norbert Ifrah
- PRES LUNAM, CHU Angers service des Maladies du Sang et CRCINA INSERM, Angers, France
| | - Hervé Dombret
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université de Paris, EA-3518, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Petit
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), GH HUEP, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS 938, CDR Saint-Antoine, GRC n°07, GRC MyPAC, Paris, France
| | - André Baruchel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Robert Debré University Hospital (AP-HP), Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université de Paris, EA-3518, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Ruminy
- Inserm U1245, Centre Henri Becquerel, Université de Rouen, IRIB, Rouen, France
| | - Nicolas Boissel
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université de Paris, EA-3518, Paris, France
- Inserm U1245, Centre Henri Becquerel, Université de Rouen, IRIB, Rouen, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Louis, Unité d'Hématologie Adolescents et Jeunes Adultes, Paris, France
| | - Vahid Asnafi
- Université de Paris (Descartes), Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, and Laboratory of Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France.
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3
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Evolution of AF6-RAS association and its implications in mixed-lineage leukemia. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1099. [PMID: 29062045 PMCID: PMC5653649 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01326-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidation of activation mechanisms governing protein fusions is essential for therapeutic development. MLL undergoes rearrangement with numerous partners, including a recurrent translocation fusing the epigenetic regulator to a cytoplasmic RAS effector, AF6/afadin. We show here that AF6 employs a non-canonical, evolutionarily conserved α-helix to bind RAS, unique to AF6 and the classical RASSF effectors. Further, all patients with MLL-AF6 translocations express fusion proteins missing only this helix from AF6, resulting in exposure of hydrophobic residues that induce dimerization. We provide evidence that oligomerization is the dominant mechanism driving oncogenesis from rare MLL translocation partners and employ our mechanistic understanding of MLL-AF6 to examine how dimers induce leukemia. Proteomic data resolve association of dimerized MLL with gene expression modulators, and inhibiting dimerization disrupts formation of these complexes while completely abrogating leukemogenesis in mice. Oncogenic gene translocations are thus selected under pressure from protein structure/function, underscoring the complex nature of chromosomal rearrangements. Several rearrangements of the MLL gene are associated with acute leukemia, including the fusion of MLL with a RAS effector protein, AF6. Here the authors show that the truncated AF6 can induce AF6-MLL dimerization and drive its oncogenic activity.
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4
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Chung C, Ma H. Driving Toward Precision Medicine for Acute Leukemias: Are We There Yet? Pharmacotherapy 2017; 37:1052-1072. [DOI: 10.1002/phar.1977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hilary Ma
- MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston Texas
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5
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Marschalek R. Systematic Classification of Mixed-Lineage Leukemia Fusion Partners Predicts Additional Cancer Pathways. Ann Lab Med 2017; 36:85-100. [PMID: 26709255 PMCID: PMC4713862 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2016.36.2.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations of the human mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) gene have been analyzed for more than 20 yr at the molecular level. So far, we have collected about 80 direct MLL fusions (MLL-X alleles) and about 120 reciprocal MLL fusions (X-MLL alleles). The reason for the higher amount of reciprocal MLL fusions is that the excess is caused by 3-way translocations with known direct fusion partners. This review is aiming to propose a solution for an obvious problem, namely why so many and completely different MLL fusion alleles are always leading to the same leukemia phenotypes (ALL, AML, or MLL). This review is aiming to explain the molecular consequences of MLL translocations, and secondly, the contribution of the different fusion partners. A new hypothesis will be posed that can be used for future research, aiming to find new avenues for the treatment of this particular leukemia entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Marschalek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/DCAL, Goethe-University of Frankfurt, Biocenter, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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6
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Higuchi Y, Tokunaga K, Watanabe Y, Kawakita T, Harada N, Yamaguchi S, Nosaka K, Mitsuya H, Asou N. Lineage switch with t(6;11)(q27;q23) from T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma to acute monoblastic leukemia at relapse. Cancer Genet 2016; 209:267-71. [PMID: 27268298 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2016.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We present a patient with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) harboring t(6;11)(q27;q23) that converted to acute monoblastic leukemia at relapse. A 27-year-old man developed T-LBL with a mediastinal mass. He exhibited several recurrences in the central nervous system and marrow. A fifth relapse occurred in the marrow, with 42.8% blasts with CD4, CD5, CD7, CD10, CD33, CD34, HLA-DR and cytoplasmic (cy) CD3. While achieving complete remission with nelarabine, sixth relapse occurred in the marrow with 6.8% blasts, which had characteristics of monoblastic features, 2 months later. Marrow blasts were positive for myeloperoxidase, CD4, CD33, CD56, CD64, and HLA-DR, but were negative for cyCD3, CD5, CD7, CD10, and CD34. Marrow cells at both the 5th lymphoid and 6th myeloid relapses had t(6;11)(q27;q23) and the same MLL-MLLT4 fusion transcript. In addition, the MLL-MLLT4 fusion sequences documented in the initial mediastinal cells were the same as seen in peripheral blood cells at the 6th relapse. The patient continues 7th remission after one course of gemtuzumab ozogamicin therapy followed by cord blood transplantation for more than 3 years. Sequential phenotypic and cytogenetic studies may yield valuable insights into the mechanism of leukemic recurrence and possible implications for treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Higuchi
- Department of Hematology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto
| | - Kenji Tokunaga
- Department of Hematology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto
| | - Yuko Watanabe
- Department of Hematology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto
| | - Toshiro Kawakita
- Department of Hematology, National Institute of Kumamoto Medical Center, Kumamoto
| | - Naoko Harada
- Department of Hematology, National Institute of Kumamoto Medical Center, Kumamoto
| | | | - Kisato Nosaka
- Cancer Center, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto
| | - Hiroaki Mitsuya
- Department of Hematology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto
| | - Norio Asou
- Department of Hematology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto; Department of Hematology, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
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7
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Burmeister T, Meyer C, Gröger D, Hofmann J, Marschalek R. Evidence-based RT-PCR methods for the detection of the 8 most common MLL aberrations in acute leukemias. Leuk Res 2014; 39:242-7. [PMID: 25510485 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2014.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MLL aberrations are detected in around 5-10% of acute myeloid and lymphatic leukemias and an additional 5% of acute myeloid leukemias show a partial internal MLL duplication (PTD). MLL rearrangements are important for therapy stratification, assessment of minimal residual disease and for targeted therapies. However, no truly evidence-based RT-PCR methods for the detection of most of these aberrations have been published yet. Based on the large data collection of MLL genomic breakpoints in acute leukemias comprising more than 1.600 cases at the Diagnostic Center for Acute Leukemias (DCAL) in Frankfurt, Germany that provide an overview over the experimentally observed fusion transcript variants, we developed RT-PCR methods for the reliable detection of the 8 most common MLL aberrations (MLL-AF4, MLL-AF6, MLL-AF9, MLL-AF10, MLL-ENL, MLL-ELL, MLL-EPS15, MLL PTD), together accounting for around 90% of MLL-r cases. The easily implementable RT-PCRs should enable a reliable detection of these MLL fusion transcripts by RT-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Burmeister
- Charité, Med. Dept. for Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Claus Meyer
- Diagnostic Center of Acute Leukemia (DCAL), Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniela Gröger
- Charité, Med. Dept. for Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Hofmann
- Diagnostic Center of Acute Leukemia (DCAL), Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Diagnostic Center of Acute Leukemia (DCAL), Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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8
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Türkmen S, Timmermann B, Bartels G, Gröger D, Meyer C, Schwartz S, Haferlach C, Rieder H, Gökbuget N, Hoelzer D, Marschalek R, Burmeister T. Involvement of theMLLgene in adult T-lymphoblastic leukemia. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2012; 51:1114-24. [DOI: 10.1002/gcc.21996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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9
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Cerveira N, Lisboa S, Correia C, Bizarro S, Santos J, Torres L, Vieira J, Barros-Silva JD, Pereira D, Moreira C, Meyer C, Oliva T, Moreira I, Martins Â, Viterbo L, Costa V, Marschalek R, Pinto A, Mariz JM, Teixeira MR. Genetic and clinical characterization of 45 acute leukemia patients with MLL gene rearrangements from a single institution. Mol Oncol 2012; 6:553-64. [PMID: 22846743 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2012.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2012] [Revised: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements affecting the MLL gene are associated with high-risk pediatric, adult and therapy-associated acute leukemia. In this study, conventional cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and molecular genetic studies were used to characterize the type and frequency of MLL rearrangements in a consecutive series of 45 Portuguese patients with MLL-related leukemia treated in a single institution between 1998 and 2011. In the group of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and an identified MLL fusion partner, 47% showed the presence of an MLL-AFF1 fusion, as a result of a t(4;11). In the remaining cases, a MLL-MLLT3 (27%), a MLL-MLLT1 (20%), or MLL-MLLT4 (7%) rearrangement was found. The most frequent rearrangement found in patients with acute myeloid leukemia was the MLL-MLLT3 fusion (42%), followed by MLL-MLLT10 (23%), MLL-MLLT1 (8%), MLL-ELL (8%), MLL-MLLT4 (4%), and MLL-MLLT11 (4%). In three patients, fusions involving MLL and a septin family gene (SEPT2, SEPT6, and SEPT9), were identified. The most frequently identified chromosomal rearrangements were reciprocal translocations, but insertions and deletions, some cryptic, were also observed. In our series, patients with MLL rearrangements were shown to have a poor prognosis, regardless of leukemia subtype. Interestingly, children with 1 year or less showed a statistically significant better overall survival when compared with both older children and adults. The use of a combined strategy in the initial genetic evaluation of acute leukemia patients allowed us to characterize the pattern of MLL rearrangements in our institution, including our previous discovery of two novel MLL fusion partners, the SEPT2 and CT45A2 genes, and a very rare MLL-MLLT4 fusion variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Cerveira
- Department of Genetics, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Porto, Portugal
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10
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Self-association mediated by the Ras association 1 domain of AF6 activates the oncogenic potential of MLL-AF6. Blood 2010; 116:63-70. [PMID: 20395419 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-09-243386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MLL is a common target for chromosomal translocations associated with acute leukemia resulting in its fusion with a large variety of nuclear or cytoplasmic proteins that may activate its oncogenic properties by distinct but poorly understood mechanisms. The MLL-AF6 fusion gene represents the most common leukemogenic fusion of mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) to a cytoplasmic partner protein. Here, we identified a highly conserved Ras association (RA1) domain at the amino-terminus of AF6 as the minimal region sufficient for MLL-AF6 mediated myeloid progenitor immortalization in vitro and short latency leukemogenesis in vivo. Moreover, the ability of RA1 to activate MLL oncogenesis is conserved with its Drosophila ortholog, Canoe. Although the AF6 RA1 domain has previously been defined as an interaction surface for guanosine triphosphate-bound Ras, single amino acid substitutions known to abolish the AF6-Ras interaction did not abrogate MLL-AF6-mediated oncogenesis. Furthermore, fusion of MLL to heterologous RA domains of c-Raf1 or RalGDS, or direct fusion of MLL to constitutively active K-RAS, H-RAS, or RAP1 was not sufficient for oncogenic activation of MLL. Rather, the AF6 RA1 domain efficiently mediated self-association, suggesting that constitutive MLL self-association is a more common pathogenic mechanism for MLL oncogenesis than indicated by previous studies of rare MLL fusion partners.
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11
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Kubicka M, Soszynska K, Mucha B, Rafinska B, Kolodziej B, Haus O, Styczynski J. Unusual profiles of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with MLL gene rearrangement. Leuk Lymphoma 2009; 48:2083-6. [DOI: 10.1080/10428190701606826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Harrison CJ, Griffiths M, Moorman F, Schnittger S, Cayuela JM, Shurtleff S, Gottardi E, Mitterbauer G, Colomer D, Delabesse E, Castéras V, Maroc N. A multicenter evaluation of comprehensive analysis of MLL translocations and fusion gene partners in acute leukemia using the MLL FusionChip device. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 173:17-22. [PMID: 17284365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2006.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2006] [Accepted: 09/07/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Rearrangements of the MLL gene are significant in acute leukemia. Among the most frequent translocations are t(4;11)(q21;q23) and t(9;11)(p22;q23), which give rise to the MLL-AFF1 and MLL-MLLT3 fusion genes (alias MLL-AF4 and MLL-AF9) in acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia, respectively. Current evidence suggests that determining the MLL status of acute leukemia, including precise identification of the partner gene, is important in defining appropriate treatment. This underscores the need for accurate detection methods. A novel molecular diagnostic device, the MLL FusionChip, has been successfully used to identify MLL fusion gene translocations in acute leukemia, including the precise breakpoint location. This study evaluated the performance of the MLL FusionChip within a routine clinical environment, comprising nine centers worldwide, in the analysis of 21 control and 136 patient samples. It was shown that the assay allowed accurate detection of the MLL fusion gene, regardless of the breakpoint location, and confirmed that this multiplex approach was robust in a global multicenter trial. The MLL FusionChip was shown to be superior to other detection methods. The type of molecular information provided by MLL FusionChip gave an indication of the appropriate primers to design for disease monitoring of MLL patients following treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- Adult
- Child
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9
- Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Infant
- Leukemia, Myeloid/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid/pathology
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/genetics
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/instrumentation
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/methods
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/pathology
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Translocation, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine J Harrison
- Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group, Cancer Sciences Division, University of Southampton, MP 822 Duthie Building, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
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13
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Mkrtchyan H, Glaser M, Gross M, Wedding U, Hoffken K, Liehr T, Karst C, Aroutiounian R. Multicolor-FISH applied to resolve complex chromosomal changes in a case of T-ALL (FAB L2). Cytogenet Genome Res 2006; 114:270-3. [PMID: 16954665 DOI: 10.1159/000094212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2005] [Accepted: 11/21/2005] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on a patient with a clinically diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with partial unrecorded complex translocation events especially involving chromosomes 5, 9 and 18. At the GTG-band level the karyotype was abnormal in 20% of the analyzed cells. The complex karyotype was studied in more detail by spectral karyotyping (SKY) and multicolor banding (MCB) to characterize it in more detail. Thus, the karyotype could be described very accurately and in summary three different clones were detected, reflecting a high rate of karyotypic evolution in this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Mkrtchyan
- Department of Genetic and Laboratory of Cytogenetics, State University, Jerewan, Armenia. hasmkrtambler.ru
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14
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Graux C, Cools J, Michaux L, Vandenberghe P, Hagemeijer A. Cytogenetics and molecular genetics of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: from thymocyte to lymphoblast. Leukemia 2006; 20:1496-510. [PMID: 16826225 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2404302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
For long, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remained in the shadow of precursor B-ALL because it was more seldom, and showed a normal karyotype in more than 50% of cases. The last decennia, intense research has been carried out on different fronts. On one side, development of normal thymocyte and its regulation mechanisms have been studied in multiple mouse models and subsequently validated. On the other side, molecular cytogenetics (fluorescence in situ hybridization) and mutation analysis revealed cytogenetically cryptic aberrations in almost all cases of T-ALL. Also, expression microarray analysis disclosed gene expression signatures that recapitulate specific stages of thymocyte development. Investigations are still very much actual, fed by the discovery of new genetic aberrations. In this review, we present a summary of the current cytogenetic changes associated with T-ALL. The genes deregulated by translocations or mutations appear to encode proteins that are also implicated in T-cell development, which prompted us to review the 'normal' and 'leukemogenic' functions of these transcription regulators. To conclude, we show that the paradigm of multistep leukemogenesis is very much applicable to T-ALL and that the different genetic insults collaborate to maintain self-renewal capacity, and induce proliferation and differentiation arrest of T-lymphoblasts. They also open perspectives for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Graux
- Department of Hematology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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15
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Hayette S, Cornillet-Lefebvre P, Tigaud I, Struski S, Forissier S, Berchet A, Doll D, Gillot L, Brahim W, Delabesse E, Magaud JP, Rimokh R. AF4p12, a human homologue to the furry gene of Drosophila, as a novel MLL fusion partner. Cancer Res 2005; 65:6521-5. [PMID: 16061630 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-1325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
More than 35 different partner genes with the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene have been cloned from leukemia cells with translocations involving chromosome 11 band q23. In this study, we report on a novel fusion partner of the MLL gene, AF4p12, which we have identified as the human homologue to the furry gene of Drosophila. AF4p12, highly conserved in evolution, encodes a large protein of 3,105 amino acids. The expression of AF4p12 has been preferentially detected in colon, placenta, and brain tissues and in tumor cells of lymphoid origin. We show that the t(4;11)(p12;q23) translocation results in the creation of a chimeric RNA encoding a putative fusion protein containing 1,362 amino acids from the NH2-terminal part of MLL and 712 amino acids from the COOH-terminal part of AF4p12. FLT3 and HOXA9 genes are overexpressed in this leukemia. We found that the COOH-terminal part of AF4p12 fused to MLL contains a leucine zipper motif and exhibits transcriptional activation properties when fused to Gal4 DNA-binding domains in transient transfection assays. The AF4p12 fragment fused to MLL may contribute to the oncogenic activation of MLL, possibly through specific recruitment of the transcriptional machinery.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Artificial Gene Fusion
- Base Sequence
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Drosophila/genetics
- Female
- Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
- Humans
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein
- Neoplasms, Second Primary/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/biosynthesis
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Proto-Oncogenes/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcriptional Activation
- Translocation, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Hayette
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie et de Cytogénétique, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud and EA 3737, Pierre-Benite, France.
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16
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Maroc N, Morel A, Beillard E, De La Chapelle AL, Fund X, Mozziconacci MJ, Dupont M, Cayuela JM, Gabert J, Koki A, Fert V, Hermitte F. A diagnostic biochip for the comprehensive analysis of MLL translocations in acute leukemia. Leukemia 2004; 18:1522-30. [PMID: 15322560 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Reciprocal rearrangements of the MLL gene are among the most common chromosomal abnormalities in both Acute Lymphoblastic and Myeloid Leukemia. The MLL gene, located on the 11q23 chromosomal band, is involved in more than 40 recurrent translocations. In the present study, we describe the development and validation of a biochip-based assay designed to provide a comprehensive molecular analysis of MLL rearrangements when used in a standard clinical pathology laboratory. A retrospective blind study was run with cell lines (n=5), and MLL positive and negative patient samples (n=31), to evaluate assay performance. The limits of detection determined on cell line data were 10(-1), and the precision studies yielded 100% repeatability and 98% reproducibility. The study shows that the device can detect frequent (AF4, AF6, AF10, ELL or ENL) as well as rare partner genes (AF17, MSF). The identified fusion transcripts can then be used as molecular phenotypic markers of disease for the precise evaluation of minimal residual disease by RQ-PCR. This biochip-based molecular diagnostic tool allows, in a single experiment, rapid and accurate identification of MLL gene rearrangements among 32 different fusion gene (FG) partners, precise breakpoint positioning and comprehensive screening of all currently characterized MLL FGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Maroc
- IPSOGEN SAS, Case 923, 163, Av. de Luminy, Marseille Cedex 9, France.
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17
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van der Burg M, Poulsen TS, Hunger SP, Beverloo HB, Smit EME, Vang-Nielsen K, Langerak AW, van Dongen JJM. Split-signal FISH for detection of chromosome aberrations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2004; 18:895-908. [PMID: 15042105 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2003] [Accepted: 02/03/2004] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome aberrations are frequently observed in precursor-B-acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL). These translocations can form leukemia-specific chimeric fusion proteins or they can deregulate expression of an (onco)gene, resulting in aberrant expression or overexpression. Detection of chromosome aberrations is an important tool for risk classification. We developed rapid and sensitive split-signal fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assays for six of the most frequent chromosome aberrations in precursor-B-ALL and T-ALL. The split-signal FISH approach uses two differentially labeled probes, located in one gene at opposite sites of the breakpoint region. Probe sets were developed for the genes TCF3 (E2A) at 19p13, MLL at 11q23, ETV6 at 12p13, BCR at 22q11, SIL-TAL1 at 1q32 and TLX3 (HOX11L2) at 5q35. In normal karyotypes, two colocalized green/red signals are visible, but a translocation results in a split of one of the colocalized signals. Split-signal FISH has three main advantages over the classical fusion-signal FISH approach, which uses two labeled probes located in two genes. First, the detection of a chromosome aberration is independent of the involved partner gene. Second, split-signal FISH allows the identification of the partner gene or chromosome region if metaphase spreads are present, and finally it reduces false-positivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M van der Burg
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Rubio MT, Dhedin N, Boucheix C, Bourhis JH, Reman O, Boiron JM, Gallo JH, Lhéritier V, Thomas X, Fière D, Vernant JP. Adult T-biphenotypic acute leukaemia: clinical and biological features and outcome. Br J Haematol 2003; 123:842-9. [PMID: 14632775 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04715.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Biphenotypic acute leukaemia with T-lymphoid and myeloid markers is rare and poorly documented. In the Leucemie Aigue Lymphoblastique de l'Adulte (LALA) prospective trial (LALA 94) of treatment for adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), seven patients (0.86%) had T-biphenotypic forms. The clinical and biological characteristics and outcome of these seven patients are reported here. The patients' median age was 35 years. At diagnosis, all had a tumoural syndrome and five had a mediastinal mass. In all the cases, leukaemic cells expressed myeloid and lymphoid markers. Two patients (28%) entered complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy. Four of the five remaining and assessable patients entered CR after designed salvage chemotherapy with mitoxantrone and high-dose cytosine arabinoside. Three patients are currently in CR. Three patients died, from treatment toxicity in two cases and progressive disease in one case. One patient relapsed 6 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and is still alive. Thus, biphenotypic T-acute leukaemia is clinically frequently associated with mediastinal involvement and the response to conventional chemotherapy used in ALL is poor. However, sustained CR can be achieved by salvage chemotherapy combining an intercalating agent with high-dose cytosine arabinoside, as used in acute myeloid leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Rubio
- Service d'Hématologie, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, 43-87 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris, France
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Moorman AV, Richards S, Harrison CJ. Involvement of the MLL gene in T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2002; 100:2273-4. [PMID: 12229886 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2002-06-1746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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