Ketterling, Rhett

Abstract Introduction: Molecular cytogenetic studies have revealed that, to a great extent, the heterogeneity of myeloma is largely dictated by the underlying genetic and cytogenetic aberrations present in the clonal plasma cells. Most recently the group from the University of Arkansas identified strong prognostic associations with an increased level of gene expression of a cell cycle associated gene, CKS1B. CKS1B favors cell cycle progression by promoting degradation of p27 with release of the cyclin dependent kinases and entry into mitosis. Patients and methods: To further test this hypothesis we studied: a) via FISH for CKS1B amplification in a cohort of patients treated at the Mayo Clinic with high dose chemotherapy and stem cell support, as well as a group of patients with cytogenetically defined hypodiploidy, and b) a cohort of myeloma patients that were studied by gene expression profiling. Gene expression analysis was performed on CD138-enriched plasma-cell RNA using Affymetrix U133A chips (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Results: Of 159 patients studied 46 exhibited FISH abnormalities consistent with increase number of signals for CKS1B (30%): amplification was marginal or low in 44 cases, and in only two cases the ratio between CKS1B and control probe was greater than 2.0. Therefore, the predominant pattern is one of gene duplication rather than amplification where gene copy usually exceeds 10 and ratio with control probe exceeds 5 (e.g. HER-2/neu amplification). Patients with CKS1B duplication had a higher prevalence of chromosome 13 deletion (72%), and t(4;14) (29%). The presence of CKS1B duplication was more frequent (53%) among 19 patients with hypodiploidy. Using gene expression data for CKS1B, we found a positive association with t(14;16)(q32;q23). The level of CKS1B gene expression positively correlated with the PCLI (p<0.0001) but there was heterogeneity in this relationship (r2 = 0.34). We found no correlation between the expression level of CKS1B and p27 (r2 = 0.008, p = 0.37). While CKS1B gene duplication had a negative effect on survival this effect was weak (29.9 versus 38 months, p = 0.124. Median follow-up is 55 months) and disappeared when the variable was entered into the multivariate model including PCLI, B2-microglobulin and all the major genetic abnormalities by FISH. Likewise the level of expression of CKS1B determined by gene expression only carried prognostic significance when extreme levels of expression were utilized as a prognostic variable. Discussion: In this study we show that increase copy number of CKS1B is present in one third of patients with MM (majority of these being gene duplication) and seem to be associated with a shorter overall survival, but the net effect of this is rather weak in our series. Further study is needed to understand its potential role as a progression factor in the plasma cell neoplasms.

Abstract Background : Recent studies have suggested significant associations between karyotype and certain molecular or phenotypic features in primary myelofibrosis (PMF). In the current study of 835 consecutive patients, we examined the spectrum and prevalence of cytogenetic abnormalities in PMF and their molecular and phenotypic correlates. Methods : PMF diagnosis was according to World Health Organization criteria. Cytogenetic analysis and reporting was done according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature. Statistical analyses considered clinical and laboratory parameters obtained at time of cytogenetic studies. Spectrum and frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities : Analyzable metaphases were obtained in 826 (99%) of 835 patients studied; 681(82%) had ≥20 metaphases analyzed. 352 (42.6%) patients had abnormal karyotype, including 240 (68.2%) sole, 64 (18.2%) two and 48 (13.6%) complex; comparison of these groups revealed lower platelet count (p<0.01), higher DIPSS-plus score (p=0.03) and higher percentage of younger patients (p=0.04) with complex abnormalities. Monosomal karyotype was noted in 20 (5.7%) patients. Approximately 150 individual abnormalities were identified; most frequent were 20q- (23.3%), 13q- (18.2%), +8 (11.1%), +9 (9.9%), duplication of chromosome 1q (9.7%) and -7/7q- (7.1%). Other notable abnormalities including i(17q) (1.4%), 12p- (1.1%) and inv(3) (0.6%) were much less frequent. Trisomy 8 was the most frequent in the context of complex abnormality (25%). Among the 500 patients seen within one year of initial diagnosis, 179 (35.8%) had abnormal karyotype, which included 121 (67.6%) sole, 31 (17.3%) two and 27 (15.1%) complex abnormalities; the most common abnormalities were 20q- (24.6%), 13q- (15.1%), +8 (14%) and +9 (10%) whereas 11q- (1.7%), i(17q) (1.1%), inv(3) (0.6%), and 12p- (0.6%) were infrequent. Molecular correlates : 476 patients were annotated for JAK2, CALR and MPL mutations; abnormal karyotype frequencies were 43% in JAK2, 42% CALR, 33% MPL mutated and 34% triple-negative cases (p=0.3). 13q- was associated with mutant CALR (p=0.03) and +9 with mutant JAK2 (p=0.02). Subsets of patients were also screened for ASXL1, EZH2, IDH, SRSF2, U2AF1, and SF3B1 mutations; in all instances, mutational frequencies were higher in patients with normal karyotype, reaching significance with ASXL1 (p=0.02) and U2AF1 (p=0.01). Mutant SRSF2 was associated with 20q- (p=0.02). Phenotypic correlates : Phenotypic correlates included abnormal karyotype with anemia (p=0.02), leukopenia (p<0.01) and thrombocytopenia (p<0.01); complex karyotype with younger age (p=0.04) and thrombocytopenia (p<0.01); leukopenia with 20q-, +8 and -7/7q-; and thrombocytopenia with 20q- and -7/7q-. Cytopenias were less likely to occur with 13q- (p<0.01), which was instead associated with thrombocytosis (p<0.01). 20q- was associated with lower incidence of marked leukocytosis (p=0.02). Trisomy 8 was associated with lower incidences of constitutional symptoms (p<0.01) and marked splenomegaly (p<0.01). Conclusions : The association of 13q- with CALR mutations in PMF might underlie its association with both thrombocytosis and favorable prognosis. The association of +9 with JAK2 mutations might reflect selective clonal advantage through JAK2V617F dosage enhancement or mutation-induced chromosomal instability. The association of 20q- with mutant SRSF2 and thrombocytopenia warrant further clarification of its reported association with favorable prognosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.