Comprehensive Molecular Profiling of Archival Bone Marrow Trephines Using a Commercially Available Leukemia Panel and Semiconductor-Based Targeted Resequencing

Targeted NGS on sequential bone marrow biopsies aids in the evaluation of cytopenias and monocytosis and documents clonal evolution-a proof of principle study

Differential diagnosis of clonal versus reactive cytopenia and monocytosis, respectively, frequently presents a diagnostic challenge. With the two recent classifications of myeloid disorders, mutational analysis has gained importance as a diagnostic tool. However, reports on its utility on trephine bone marrow biopsies (BMB) are sparse. The aim of our proof of principle study was to determine the suitability of targeted sequencing for the longitudinal evaluation of cytopenia and monocytosis and demonstration of clonal evolution on sequential BMB. Seventy-seven EDTA-decalcified BMB of 33 patients with peripheral cytopenia and/or monocytosis, including at least one follow-up biopsy/patient, were included. Initial morphological diagnoses were idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS, 8 cases), MDS (without blast increase, 7 cases), MDS with increased blasts/excess blasts (MDS-IB/EB) (11 cases), and CMML (7 cases). Thirty-one genes relevant for myeloid disorders were examined using two custom AmpliSeq NGS panels. Mutations were found in the initial BMB of 5/8 cases of ICUS, thus changing the diagnosis to clonal cytopenia of unknown significance (CCUS), 5/7 MDS, 10/11 MDS-IB/EB, and 7/7 CMML. Clonal evolution was observed in 14/33 (42%) cases, mostly associated with disease progression. None of the wild-type patients acquired mutations during follow-up. NGS-based mutation profiling is a robust diagnostic tool for BMB and provides valuable additional information, especially for cases with no/minimal dysplasia, and for better risk stratification of MDS. Tracking variant allele frequency and appearance of mutations over time allows for observing clonal evolution or relapse.

Clinical utility of genomic profiling of AML using paraffin-embedded bone marrow clots: HM-SCREEN-Japan 01

Next-generation sequencing of AML has identified specific genetic mutations in AML patients. Hematologic Malignancies (HM)-SCREEN-Japan 01 is a multicenter study to detect actionable mutations using paraffin-embedded bone marrow (BM) clot specimens rather than BM fluid in AML patients for whom standard treatment has not been established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the presence of potentially therapeutic target gene mutations in patients with newly diagnosed unfit AML and relapsed/refractory AML (R/R-AML) using BM clot specimens. In this study, 188 patients were enrolled and targeted sequencing was undertaken on DNA from 437 genes and RNA from 265 genes. High-quality DNA and RNA were obtained using BM clot specimens, with genetic alterations successfully detected in 177 patients (97.3%), and fusion transcripts in 41 patients (23.2%). The median turnaround time was 13 days. In the detection of fusion genes, not only common fusion products such as RUNX1-RUX1T1 and KMT2A rearrangements, but also NUP98 rearrangements and rare fusion genes were observed. Among 177 patients (72 with unfit AML, 105 with R/R-AML), mutations in KIT and WT1 were independent factors for overall survival (hazard ratio = 12.6 and 8.88, respectively), and patients with high variant allele frequency (≥40%) of TP53 mutations had a poor prognosis. As for the detection of actionable mutations, 38% (n = 69) of patients had useful genetic mutation (FLT3-ITD/TKD, IDH1/2, and DNMT3A^R822 ) for treatment selection. Comprehensive genomic profiling using paraffin-embedded BM clot specimens successfully identified leukemic-associated genes that can be used as therapeutic targets.

Targeted sequencing of candidate gene regions for myelofibrosis in dogs

Background

Myelofibrosis often lacks an identifiable cause in dogs. In humans, most primary myelofibrosis cases develop secondary to driver mutations in JAK2, CALR, or MPL.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of variants in JAK2, CALR, or MPL candidate regions in dogs with myelofibrosis and in healthy dogs.

Animals

Twenty‐six dogs with myelofibrosis that underwent bone marrow biopsy between 2010 and 2018 and 25 control dogs matched for age, sex, and breed.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Amplicon sequencing of JAK2 exons 12 and 14, CALR exon 9, and MPL exon 10 was performed on formalin‐fixed, decalcified, paraffin‐embedded bone marrow (myelofibrosis) or peripheral blood (control) DNA. Somatic variants were categorized as likely‐benign or possibly‐pathogenic based on predicted impact on protein function. Within the myelofibrosis group, hematologic variables and survival were compared by variant status (none, likely‐benign only, and ≥1 possibly‐pathogenic). The effect of age on variant count was analyzed using linear regression.

Results

Eighteen of 26 (69%) myelofibrosis cases had somatic variants, including 9 classified as possibly‐pathogenic. No somatic variants were detected in controls. Within the myelofibrosis group, hematologic variables and survival did not differ by variant status. The number of somatic variants per myelofibrosis case increased with age (estimate, 0.69; SE, 0.29; P = .03).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Somatic variants might initiate or perpetuate myelofibrosis in dogs. Our findings suggest the occurrence of clonal hematopoiesis in dogs, with increasing incidence with age, as observed in humans.

[Next generation sequencing in histopathology : Applications and methodological challenges]

The enormous increase in sequencing capacity due to the development of next generation sequencing technologies opens up new opportunities in the fields of histopathology, research, and diagnostics, but also poses huge challenges.The identification of genomic aberrations (point mutations, small insertions and deletions, fusion transcripts, and tumor mutation burden (TMB)) have already become a reliable part of routine molecular diagnostics. This will be supplemented by additional applications, namely gene amplifications, microsatellite instability, genomic signatures like homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), mRNA expression patterns, B‑ and T‑cell clonality, and DNA methylation. Challenges in preanalytics and the evaluation of assay sensitivity and specificity as well as proper curation of identified aberrations, which requires a new type of specialist, are presented and discussed.

Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Laser-Microdissected Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Tissue Specimens

In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS) became widely used in molecular pathology. Comprehensive mutational profiling improved diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the identification of therapeutically relevant genetic alterations. However, the vast majority of studies analyzing tissue samples use DNA extracted from bulk tissue or only manually microdissected specimens. Laser-assisted microdissection offers the possibility of isolating morphologically defined small tissue compartments (like individual glands) or even of single cells for further molecular analysis. Even formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens can be used for laser-assisted microdissection. Combining these two innovative powerful methodological approaches provides invaluable insights into the genetic profile of any cell type and tissue compartment of interest, contributing to a better understanding of fundamental biological processes and disease-specific mechanisms.In this chapter, a detailed protocol is provided for microdissection of human mammary adenomyoepithelioma tissue specimens and subsequent targeted resequencing of a panel of cancer-related genes using IonTorrent/PGM technology.

Routine clinical mutation profiling using next generation sequencing and a customized gene panel improves diagnostic precision in myeloid neoplasms

Microscopic examination of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myelodysplastic-myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) may be challenging because morphological features can overlap with those of reactive states. Demonstration of clonal hematopoiesis provides a diagnostic clue and has become possible by comprehensive mutation profiling of a number of frequently mutated genes, some of them with large coding regions.

To emphasize the potential benefit of NGS in hematopathology we present sequencing results from routinely processed formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) bone marrow trephines (n = 192). A customized amplicon-based gene panel including 23 genes frequently mutated in myeloid neoplasms was established and implemented. Thereby, 629,691 reads per sample (range 179,847–1,460,412) and a mean coverage of 2,702 (range 707–6,327) could be obtained, which are sufficient for comprehensive mutational profiling. Seven samples failed in sequencing (3.6%). In 185 samples we found in total 269 pathogenic variants (mean 1.4 variants per patient, range 0-5), 125 Patients exhibit at least one pathogenic mutation (67.6%). Variants show allele frequencies ranging from 6.7% up to 95.7%. Most frequently mutated genes were TET2 (28.7%), SRSF2 (19.5%), ASXL1 (8.6%) and U2AF1 (8.1%). The mutation profiling increases the diagnostic precision and adds prognostic information.

Towards Personalized Medicine in Melanoma: Implementation of a Clinical Next-Generation Sequencing Panel

Molecular diagnostics are increasingly performed routinely in the diagnosis and management of patients with melanoma due to the development of novel therapies that target specific genetic mutations. The development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has enabled to sequence multiple cancer-driving genes in a single assay, with improved sensitivity in mutation detection. The main objective of this study was the design and implementation of a melanoma-specific sequencing panel, and the identification of the spectrum of somatic mutations in a series of primary melanoma samples. A custom panel was designed to cover the coding regions of 35 melanoma-related genes. Panel average coverage was 2,575.5 reads per amplicon, with 92,8% of targeted bases covered ≥500×. Deep coverage enabled sensitive discovery of mutations in as low as 0.5% mutant allele frequency. Eighty-five percent (85/100) of the melanomas had at least one somatic mutation. The most prevalent mutated genes were BRAF (50%;50/199), NRAS (15%;15/100), PREX2 (14%;14/100), GRIN2A (13%;13/100), and ERBB4 (12%;12/100). Turn-around-time and costs for NGS-based analysis was reduced in comparison to conventional molecular approaches. The results of this study demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of a custom-designed targeted NGS panel, and suggest the implementation of targeted NGS into daily routine practice.