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Zhang X, Sun J, Yu W, Jin J. Current views on the genetic landscape and management of variant acute promyelocytic leukemia. Biomark Res 2021; 9:33. [PMID: 33957999 PMCID: PMC8101136 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00284-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the accumulation of promyelocytes in bone marrow. More than 95% of patients with this disease belong to typical APL, which express PML-RARA and are sensitive to differentiation induction therapy containing all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), and they exhibit an excellent clinical outcome. Compared to typical APL, variant APL showed quite different aspects, and how to recognize, diagnose, and treat variant APL remained still challenged at present. Herein, we drew the genetic landscape of variant APL according to recent progresses, then discussed how they contributed to generate APL, and further shared our clinical experiences about variant APL treatment. In practice, when APL phenotype was exhibited but PML-RARA and t(15;17) were negative, variant APL needed to be considered, and fusion gene screen as well as RNA-sequencing should be displayed for making the diagnosis as soon as possible. Strikingly, we found that besides of RARA rearrangements, RARB or RARG rearrangements also generated the phenotype of APL. In addition, some MLL rearrangements, NPM1 rearrangements or others could also drove variant APL in absence of RARA/RARB/RARG rearrangements. These results indicated that one great heterogeneity existed in the genetics of variant APL. Among them, only NPM1-RARA, NUMA-RARA, FIP1L1-RARA, IRF2BP2-RARA, and TFG-RARA have been demonstrated to be sensitive to ATRA, so combined chemotherapy rather than differentiation induction therapy was the standard care for variant APL and these patients would benefit from the quick switch between them. If ATRA-sensitive RARA rearrangement was identified, ATRA could be added back for re-induction of differentiation. Through this review, we hoped to provide one integrated view on the genetic landscape of variant APL and helped to remove the barriers for managing this type of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, #79 Qingchun Rd, Zhejiang, 310003, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hematologic Malignancies, Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiewen Sun
- Center Laboratory, Affiliated Secondary Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenjuan Yu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, #79 Qingchun Rd, Zhejiang, 310003, Hangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hematologic Malignancies, Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jie Jin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, #79 Qingchun Rd, Zhejiang, 310003, Hangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hematologic Malignancies, Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China.
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Geoffroy MC, de Thé H. Classic and Variants APLs, as Viewed from a Therapy Response. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E967. [PMID: 32295268 PMCID: PMC7226009 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are caused by PML-RARA, a translocation-driven fusion oncoprotein discovered three decades ago. Over the years, several other types of rare X-RARA fusions have been described, while recently, oncogenic fusion proteins involving other retinoic acid receptors (RARB or RARG) have been associated to very rare cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia. PML-RARA driven pathogenesis and the molecular basis for therapy response have been the focus of many studies, which have now converged into an integrated physio-pathological model. The latter is well supported by clinical and molecular studies on patients, making APL one of the rare hematological disorder cured by targeted therapies. Here we review recent data on APL-like diseases not driven by the PML-RARA fusion and discuss these in view of current understanding of "classic" APL pathogenesis and therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Geoffroy
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U944, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 75010 Paris, France;
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 7212, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie (IUH), 75010 Paris, France
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université de Paris, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Hugues de Thé
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U944, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, 75010 Paris, France;
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 7212, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie (IUH), 75010 Paris, France
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université de Paris, 75010 Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Biochimie, Hôpital St-Louis, 75010 Paris, France
- Collège de France, PSL Research University, INSERM U1050, CNRS UMR 7241, 75005 Paris, France
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Yan W, Zhang G. Molecular Characteristics and Clinical Significance of 12 Fusion Genes in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Systematic Review. Acta Haematol 2016; 136:1-15. [PMID: 27089249 DOI: 10.1159/000444514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the generation of the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid (RA) receptor α (PML-RARα) fusion gene. PML-RARα is the central leukemia-initiating event in APL and is directly targeted by all-trans-RA (ATRA) as well as arsenic. In classic APL harboring PML-RARα transcripts, more than 90% of patients can achieve complete remission when treated with ATRA combined with arsenic trioxide chemotherapy. In the last 20 years, more than 10 variant fusion genes have been found and identified in APL patients. These variant APL cases present different clinical phenotypes and treatment outcomes. All variant APL cases show a similar breakpoint within the RARα gene, whereas its partner genes are variable. These fusion proteins have the ability to repress rather than activate retinoic targets. These chimeric proteins also possess different molecular characteristics, thereby resulting in variable sensitivities to ATRA and clinical outcomes. In this review, we comprehensively analyze various rearrangements in variant APL cases that have been reported in the literature as well as the molecular characteristics and functions of the fusion proteins derived from different RARα partner genes and their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhe Yan
- Department of Hematology/Institute of Molecular Hematology, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
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Swaney EM, Chattopadhyay A, Abecassis I, Rush EA, Redner RL. The leukemic oncoprotein NPM1-RARA inhibits TP53 activity. Leuk Lymphoma 2016; 57:1933-7. [PMID: 26754533 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2015.1124992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The variant acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) translocation t(5;17)(q35;q21) fuses the N-terminus of nucleophosmin (NPM1) to the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA). We found that ectopic NPM1-RARA expression decreased TP53 protein levels in target cells. NPM1-RARA impaired TP53-dependent transcription. Cells expressing NPM1-RARA were more resistant to apoptotic stimuli. This work identifies the TP53 tumor suppressor as a novel target through which NPM1-RARA impacts leukemogenesis, and confirms the importance of impairment of TP53 in establishment of the APL phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Swaney
- a Department of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA
| | - Anuja Chattopadhyay
- a Department of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA
| | - Irina Abecassis
- a Department of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA
| | - Elizabeth A Rush
- a Department of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA
| | - Robert L Redner
- a Department of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA
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Kikuma T, Nakamachi Y, Noguchi Y, Okazaki Y, Shimomura D, Yakushijin K, Yamamoto K, Matsuoka H, Minami H, Itoh T, Kawano S. A new transcriptional variant and small azurophilic granules in an acute promyelocytic leukemia case with NPM1/RARA fusion gene. Int J Hematol 2015; 102:713-8. [PMID: 26342691 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-015-1857-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We report here the first case of NPM1/RARA-positive acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) preceded by myeloid sarcoma (MS) in the vertebra. A 52-year-old man was diagnosed with MS, as the tumor cells were positive for myeloperoxidase and CD68 but negative for CD163. After treatment with steroids and radiation, the size of the tumor was markedly reduced and peripheral blood count was normal. Bone marrow examination showed 89.2% consisted of unclassified promyelocytes characterized by round nuclei and abundant small azurophilic granules but no Auer rods. The results of chromosome analysis showed 46,XY,t(5;17)(q35;q12). Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction amplified the NPM1/RARA fusion transcripts derived from a combination of NPM1 exon 4 and RARA exon 5, or of NPM1 exon 1 and RARA exon 5; the latter of these has not been reported previously. Electron microscopic examination of the promyelocyte nuclei showed they were oval with mild nuclear chromatin condensation and small- to medium-sized nucleoli. Hematological and molecular complete remission was attained after induction therapy including all-trans retinoic acid. As MS was also diagnosed in two of the seven other reported cases of APL with NPM1/RARA, MS may occur more frequently in APL with NPM1/RARA than APL with PML/RARA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoe Kikuma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yuji Nakamachi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Yoriko Noguchi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yoko Okazaki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shimomura
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Tenri Hospital, Tenri, Nara, Japan
| | - Kimikazu Yakushijin
- Division of Medical Oncology/Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Katsuya Yamamoto
- Division of Medical Oncology/Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Matsuoka
- Division of Medical Oncology/Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hironobu Minami
- Division of Medical Oncology/Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Tomoo Itoh
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Seiji Kawano
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
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di Masi A, Leboffe L, De Marinis E, Pagano F, Cicconi L, Rochette-Egly C, Lo-Coco F, Ascenzi P, Nervi C. Retinoic acid receptors: from molecular mechanisms to cancer therapy. Mol Aspects Med 2015; 41:1-115. [PMID: 25543955 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), the major bioactive metabolite of retinol or vitamin A, induces a spectrum of pleiotropic effects in cell growth and differentiation that are relevant for embryonic development and adult physiology. The RA activity is mediated primarily by members of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subfamily, namely RARα, RARβ and RARγ, which belong to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors. RARs form heterodimers with members of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) subfamily and act as ligand-regulated transcription factors through binding specific RA response elements (RAREs) located in target genes promoters. RARs also have non-genomic effects and activate kinase signaling pathways, which fine-tune the transcription of the RA target genes. The disruption of RA signaling pathways is thought to underlie the etiology of a number of hematological and non-hematological malignancies, including leukemias, skin cancer, head/neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, glioblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of note, RA and its derivatives (retinoids) are employed as potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents because of their differentiation, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant effects. In humans, retinoids reverse premalignant epithelial lesions, induce the differentiation of myeloid normal and leukemic cells, and prevent lung, liver, and breast cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that regulate the RA and retinoid signaling pathways. Moreover, mechanisms through which deregulation of RA signaling pathways ultimately impact on cancer are examined. Finally, the therapeutic effects of retinoids are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra di Masi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, Roma I-00146, Italy
| | - Loris Leboffe
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, Roma I-00146, Italy
| | - Elisabetta De Marinis
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100
| | - Francesca Pagano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100
| | - Laura Cicconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Roma I-00133, Italy; Laboratory of Neuro-Oncohematology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306, Roma I-00142, Italy
| | - Cécile Rochette-Egly
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104 - Inserm U 964, University of Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, Illkirch Cedex F-67404, France.
| | - Francesco Lo-Coco
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Roma I-00133, Italy; Laboratory of Neuro-Oncohematology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306, Roma I-00142, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ascenzi
- Interdepartmental Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, Roma I-00146, Italy.
| | - Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100.
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