Françoise Brizard

Quantitative HOX expression in chromosomally defined subsets of acute myelogenous leukemia.

We used a degenerate RT-PCR screen and subsequent real-time quantitative RT-PCR assays to examine the expression of HOX and TALE-family genes in 34 cases of chromosomally defined AML for which outcome data were available. AMLs with favorable cytogenetic features were associated with low overall HOX gene expression whereas poor prognostic cases had high levels. Characteristically, multiple HOXA family members including HOXA3–HOXA10 were jointly overexpressed in conjunction with HOXB3, HOXB6, MEIS1 and PBX3. Higher levels of expression were also observed in the FAB subtype, AML-M1. Spearmann correlation coefficients indicated that the expression levels for many of these genes were highly inter-related. While we did not detect any significant correlations between HOX expression and complete response rates or age in this limited set of patients, there was a significant correlation between event-free survival and HOXA7 with a trend toward significance for HoxA9, HoxA4 and HoxA5. While patients with elevated HOX expression did worse, there were notable exceptions. Thus, although HOX overexpression and clinical resistance to chemotherapy often coincide, they are not inextricably linked. Our results indicate that quantitative HOX analysis has the potential to add new information to the management of patients with AML, especially where characteristic chromosomal alterations are lacking.

Gain of the short arm of chromosome 2 (2p) is a frequent recurring chromosome aberration in untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at advanced stages

Using array-based CGH, we identified 2p gain in 22/78 (28%) untreated Binet stages B/C CLL, which was the second most frequent copy number change after 13q deletion. It never occurred as a sole abnormality and was associated with other changes (6q deletion; 1p gain). The region of 2p gain frequently included two oncogenes, REL and MYCN. All patients with gain of REL were unmutated for IGHV (p=0.03). Gain of MYCN was associated with increased mRNA expression (p=0.005), suggesting a pathogenic role for MYCN. Gain of 2p appears to be a marker of progression and may contribute to the poor prognosis.

Trisomy 8q due to i(8q) or der(8) t(8;8) is a frequent lesion in T-prolymphocytic leukaemia: four new cases and a review of the literature.

Summary. Cytogenetic abnormalities found in four cases of T‐cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T‐PLL) are described. An isochromosome 8q was found in three patients and a t(8;8) in one. In the four cases, karyotypes were complex and showed a high degree of instability. In addition, we reviewed 27 published cases of cytogenetically studied T‐PLL. On the whole, the most frequently recurring anomalies in T‐PLL are 14q lesions with nonrandom breakpoints, inversion (14)(q11q32) or tandem translocations (14;14) (not seen in any of our cases) and trisomy for 8q, mainly due to i(8q), found in more than 40% of patients each.

p190BCR-ABL rearrangement as a secondary change in a case of acute myelo-monocytic leukemia with inv(16)(p13q22)

The simultaneous occurrence of two specific primary chromosomal changes in hematological malignancies is rare. We report on a patient with acute myelo-monocytic leukemia and both inv(16)(p13q22) and t(9;22)(q34;q11) with a p190(BCR-ABL) rearrangement. The t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation appears to be a secondary change. Similar secondary BCR-ABL rearrangements have already been described and, in most cases, the chimeric protein was of the p190(BCR-ABL) type as in our case. A complete remission was obtained by conventional chemotherapy followed with imatinib mesylate maintenance therapy. At relapse, the BCR-ABL transcripts were undetectable, which suggests that imatinib mesylate could be an effective adjuvant treatment in acute leukemia with a secondary t(9;22)(q34;q11).

Persistence of Transcriptionally Silent BCR-ABL Rearrangements in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients in Sustained Complete Cytogenetic Remission

Persistence of BCR-ABL rearrangements was demonstrated by D-FISH technique in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in complete cytogenetic response (CCR) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or interferon-α therapy (IFN-α). Samples from bone marrow aspkate or peripheral blood or both were analyzed by conventional cytogenetics, Southern blot, fluorescent interphase in situ hybridization (FISH), and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR). In all patients, FISH detected 1% to 12% nuclei with a BCR-ABL fusion gene, whereas Q-RT-PCR were negative or weakly positive. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the BCR-ABL genomic rearrangement remains unexpressed in a small percentage of cells whatever the treatment (IFN-α or BMT), and this in spite of the negativity of the RT-PCR-based classical molecular remission criterion. These data corroborate those obtained by other investigators and point to the need for follow-up of CML patients in CCR over an extensive period, at the DNA level to evaluate the residual disease and at the RNA level (Q-RT-PCR) to estimate the risk of relapse and guide the therapeutic decision. Experimental models suggesting the persistence of positive BCR-ABL cells are discussed and tentative explanations of tumor “dormancy” are proposed.

Does BCR-ABL genomic rearrangement persist in CML patients in complete remission after interferon α therapy?

Cytogenetic, interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and RT-PCR methods were used to study minimal residual disease in peripheral blood stem cells collected for autografting in three chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in sustained complete cytogenetic remission after treatment with interferon α (IFNα). Karyotypic analysis failed to reveal Ph-positive metaphases. FISH detected 9–16% nuclei with a BCR-ABL fusion gene, contrasting with RT-PCR, performed in two cases, which was negative in one case and weakly positive in the other. RT-PCR was also subsequently weakly positive in the third patient. This discrepancy suggests that the BCR-ABL genomic rearrangement persists unexpressed in quiescent cells. These preliminary results, which need to be confirmed in larger series, suggest that monitoring residual disease in CML should be performed both at DNA and RNA levels. Moreover, autografting following IFNα therapy should be considered with caution because of the persistence of the BCR-ABL genomic rearrangement in a sizeable proportion of the cells.

Successful second allogeneic stem cell transplantation in second remission induced by dasatinib in a child with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We report on the use of dasatinib, a second‐generation bcr‐abl kinase inhibitor, in a child in early relapse of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This patient benefited from the use of dasatinib obtaining of a complete molecular response which allowed a second successful transplant. Moreover, dasatinib was well tolerated in this heavily pretreated patient. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:891–892.

Quantitative monitoring of the T315I mutation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically improved the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, resistances are occasionally observed, mainly due to mutations within the BCR-ABL kinase domain. The T315I substitution confers complete resistance to TKIs commonly used in clinical practice. In the present study, we used an allele-specific quantitative-RT-PCR to perform a molecular follow-up of BCR-ABL transcripts harboring the T315I mutation. We retrospectively quantified BCR-ABL315I mRNA in five patients who acquired the T315I mutation. Our results highlight the relevance of allele-specific Q-RT-PCR experiments for the monitoring of mutated BCR-ABL transcripts and suggest that the kinetics of emergence of T315I mutant mRNA is influenced by the stage of the disease and the presence of previous BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations.

Extensive analysis of the T315I substitution and detection of additional ABL mutations in progenitors and primitive stem cell compartment in a patient with tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, resistance is occasionally observed, mainly due to mutations within the BCR–ABL kinase domain. The T315I substitution confers complete resistance to all TKIs commonly used in clinical practice. To date, the hierarchical level of stem cells in which this mutation initially appears has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of T315I mutated cells and to study the presence of potential additional mutations in progenitors and stem cells from a patient with CML. A comprehensive analysis of BCR–ABL315I mRNA expressing cells in mononuclear cells, in CD34+ cell populations, and in their primitive long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) derived progenitors was performed. We show that the T315I substitution arises in primitive Ph1 stem cells without altering their myeloid and erythroid terminal differentiation potential. Leukemic cells expressing a T315I mutated BCR–ABL display a progressive decline in LTC-IC assays as described for non-mutated CML cells at diagnosis. Finally, in our experiments, additional non-315 ABL mutations were identified in hematopoietic stem cell colonies. This observation is suggestive of genetic instability affecting CML progenitors.

Recurrence of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting as a tumor of the middle ear: a case report.

PURPOSE Extramedullary relapse of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia most commonly occurs in the central nervous system or in the testes. Otologic involvement is very rare and has only been reported as an autopsy finding. PATIENT AND METHODS We describe the case of a 5-year-old girl with CD10 positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who developed an isolated otologic relapse 18 months after the initial diagnosis of ALL. RESULTS This otologic relapse presented as an atypical otitis media related to a mass of the middle ear. The leukemic infiltration of the middle ear was demonstrated by histologic examination. A cytogenetic change characterized by the occurrence of t(1;19)(q23;p13) was observed in the leukemic cells from the middle ear, and the t(1;19) molecular fusion transcript E2A-PBX1 was detected in the bone marrow by polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION The ear is an exceedingly rare site of relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Molecular analysis demonstrates that such an extramedullary relapse can represent an early manifestation of systemic relapse.