Citations 336

Clinical, molecular, and prognostic comparisons between CCUS and lower-risk MDS: a study of 187 molecularly annotated patients

Blood Advances | April 28, 2021 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 2272-2278

10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003976 | PMID 33904893

Molecular classification improves risk assessment in adult BCR-ABL1– negative B-ALL

Blood | April 25, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 948-958

10.1182/blood.2020010144 | PMID 33895809

Abstract Genomic classification has improved risk assignment of pediatric, but not adult B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The international UKALLXII/ECOG-ACRIN E2993 (#NCT00002514) trial accrued 1229 adolescent/adult patients with BCR-ABL1− B-ALL (aged 14 to 65 years). Although 93% of patients achieved remission, 41% relapsed at a median of 13 months (range, 28 days to 12 years). Five-year overall survival (OS) was 42% (95% confidence interval, 39, 44). Transcriptome sequencing, gene expression profiling, cytogenetics, and fusion polymerase chain reaction enabled genomic subtyping of 282 patient samples, of which 264 were eligible for trial, accounting for 64.5% of E2993 patients. Among patients with outcome data, 29.5% with favorable outcomes (5-year OS 65% to 80%) were deemed standard risk (DUX4-rearranged [9.2%], ETV6-RUNX1/-like [2.3%], TCF3-PBX1 [6.9%], PAX5 P80R [4.1%], high-hyperdiploid [6.9%]); 50.2% had high-risk genotypes with 5-year OS of 0% to 27% (Ph-like [21.2%], KMT2A-AFF1 [12%], low-hypodiploid/near-haploid [14.3%], BCL2/MYC-rearranged [2.8%]); 20.3% had intermediate-risk genotypes with 5-year OS of 33% to 45% (PAX5alt [12.4%], ZNF384/-like [5.1%], MEF2D-rearranged [2.8%]). IKZF1 alterations occurred in 86% of Ph-like, and TP53 mutations in patients who were low-hypodiploid (54%) and BCL2/MYC-rearranged (33%) but were not independently associated with outcome. Of patients considered high risk based on presenting age and white blood cell count, 40% harbored subtype-defining genetic alterations associated with standard- or intermediate-risk outcomes. We identified distinct immunophenotypic features for DUX4-rearranged, PAX5 P80R, ZNF384-R/-like, and Ph-like genotypes. These data in a large adult B-ALL cohort treated with a non–risk-adapted approach on a single trial show the prognostic importance of genomic analyses, which may translate into future therapeutic benefits.
The Impact of Upfront Autologous Transplant on the Survival of Adult Patients with ALCL and PTCL-NOS According to Their ALK, DUSP22 and TP63 Gene Rearrangement Status - a Joined Nordic Lymphoma Group and Mayo Clinic Analysis

Blood | April 6, 2021 | Volume: 130 | Issue: Suppl_1 | Pages: 822-822

10.1182/blood.v130.suppl_1.822.822

Abstract Introduction: Recent results from two independent patient series have shown that chromosomal rearrangements of DUSP22 (DUSP22r+) and TP63 (TP63r+) can predict outcome in ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK-ALCL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) with morphologic features resembling ALK-ALCL (Parilla-Castellar E, Blood 2014; Pedersen MB, Blood 2017). While DUSP22r+ is predictive for excellent survival similar to that of ALK+ALCL after CHOP/CHOP-like therapy, the rarely occurring TP63r+ is associated with an aggressive clinical behavior and poor outcome. The largest subgroup, i.e. patients with neither ALK nor DUSP22 nor TP63 rearrangements (triple negative), show a 5 year (yr) overall survival (OS) intermediate between that of ALK-/DUSP22r+ and ALK-/TP63r+ patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of upfront high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplant (HDT/ASCT) on outcome in adult ALCL and PTCL-NOS patients according to their ALK, DUSP22 and TP63 status. The survival results from the two published series were pooled with those of a Nordic Lymphoma Group trial, the NLG-T-01 (d'Amore et al, JCO 2012), where patients were treated with 1st line CHOEP/CHOP followed, in chemosensitive cases, by upfront HDT/ASCT. Methods: Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on sections of previously constructed tissue microarrays using break-apart probes for the DUSP22-IRF4 and TP63 loci and a dual-fusion probe for TBL1XR1/TP63 fusion [inv(3)(q26q28)]. Evaluation of DUSP22 and TP63 rearrangements was performed in a blinded fashion without knowledge of PTCL subtype, clinical course, or outcome. Three independent patient cohorts were included: (i) one from Mayo Clinic consisting of 31 DUSP22r-, ALK-ALCL and PTCL-NOS (triple negative: 25; TP63r+: 6); (ii) one from Denmark consisting of 93 DUSP22r-, ALK-ALCL and PTCL-NOS (triple negative: 90; TP63r+: 3); and one from the NLG-T-01 trial consisting of 46 ALK-ALCL and PTCL-NOS (triple negative: 37; TP63r+: 1; DUSP22r+: 8), leading to a total study population of 170 patients. ALK+ ALCL was not included in the analysis, since no patients with this histology entered the NLG-T-01 trial. Association of genetic subtype with OS was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional models for hazard rate ratios (HR). Significant differences were defined as P <0.05. Results: The eight DUSP22r+ patients (7 ALK-ALCL and 1 PTCL-NOS) from NLG-T-01 had a 5-yr OS of 83%, (95%CI 27-97), similar to that reported for DUSP22r+ in the Mayo and Danish cohorts (90% and 80%, respectively). No lymphoma-related events were observed in this subset. The only event was a septic death due to HDT-induced cytopenias in a patient who was in complete remission (CR). Among the 162 patients with DUSP22r-, ALK-ALCL and PTCL-NOS, those consolidated with HDT/ASCT (n=47) had a significantly better outcome (5-yr OS: 45%) than those treated with induction chemotherapy alone (5-yr OS: 30%) (n=115) (P=0.01). The patients in the HDT/ASCT group were younger (P<0.001) and had more advanced stage disease (P=0.002). The improvement in OS persisted when the analysis was limited to transplant eligible patients and adjusted for age and stage (HR 0.52 95%CI 29-91, P=0.023) or International Prognostic Index (IPI) groups (HR 0.49, 95%CI 20-82, P=0.006). Of the 10 TP63r+ patients found within the pooled cohort, 6 were transplant eligible. Of these, 5 were not transplanted (intention-to-treat) while one was (Nordic trial). The latter patient achieved a still ongoing long-term CR, while all others died of lymphoma progression. Conclusion: In ALK-ALCL and PTCL-NOS patients from the NLG-T-01 trial, DUSP22r+ was associated with a very good outcome, similar to that seen in DUSP22r+ patients who had not undergone upfront autologous transplant. This observation supports the impression that upfront HDT/ASCT may not be of benefit in these patients. TP63r+ predicted poor outcome in non-transplanted patients. The impact of HDT/ASCT in the TP63r+ setting could not be adequately evaluated, since only one patient from the NLG-T-01 trial cohort was found to be TP63r+. Notably, this patient was the only survivor of the TP63r+ subset. For DUSP22r-, ALK-ALCL and PTCL-NOS patients taken as one group, those who received upfront HDT/ASCT had a superior survival compared to their age- and IPI-matched non-transplanted counterparts. Disclosures Ellin: ROCHE: Consultancy, Research Funding; CTI: Consultancy. Mannisto: Roche: Honoraria, Other: Travel expence; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel expence; Amgen: Other: Travel expence; Novartis: Other: Travel expence; Celgene: Other: Travel expence; Gilead: Other: Travel expence; Pfizer: Honoraria; SOBI: Honoraria. Cerhan: Janssen: Other: Scientific Advisory Board (REMICADELYM4001); Janssen: Other: Multiple Myeloma Registry Steering . Toldbod: Takeda Pharma: Honoraria.
Clinical correlates and prognostic impact of clonal hematopoiesis in multiple myeloma patients receiving post‐autologous stem cell transplantation lenalidomide maintenance therapy

American Journal of Hematology | February 14, 2021 | Volume: 96 | Issue: 5 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/ajh.26125 | PMID 33580975

Acute myeloid leukemia after age 70 years: A retrospective comparison of survival following treatment with intensive versus HMA ± venetoclax chemotherapy

American Journal of Hematology | February 4, 2021 | Volume: 96 | Issue: 4 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/ajh.26112 | PMID 33527451

Striking Association of Lymphoid Enhancing Factor (LEF1) Overexpression and DUSP22 Rearrangements in Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

American Journal of Surgical Pathology | November 8, 2020 | Volume: 45 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 550-557

10.1097/pas.0000000000001614 | PMID 33165091

Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) are broadly classified into ALK-positive and ALK-negative. ALK-negative ALCL is composed of DUSP22-rearranged, TP63-rearranged, and triple-negative cases. While lymphoid enhancer–binding factor (LEF1) plays a crucial role in T-cell maturation, limited data exist on its expression in T-cell lymphomas, including ALCL. We characterized the expression of LEF1 in ALCL by immunohistochemistry. LEF1 nuclear expression in the neoplastic cells was graded as negative (0), weak (1+), intermediate (2+), or strong (3+), with the percentage of LEF1-positive neoplastic cells recorded. A total of 45 ALCL cases were evaluated, of which 16 were DUSP22-rearranged. About 93.8% (15/16) DUSP22-rearranged cases showed strong expression of LEF1 in >75% tumor cells, compared with 3.4% (1/29) non–DUSP22-rearranged ALCL (P<0.0001). The striking association of LEF1 protein overexpression with DUPS22 rearrangement in ALCL was further confirmed by a gene expression profiling study which revealed significantly higher LEF1 expression in DUSP22-rearranged ALCL compared with other ALCL subtypes (P=0.0001). Although LEF1 is a nuclear mediator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, CTNNB1 RNA and protein levels were not overexpressed in LEF1-positive cases, suggesting the LEF1 overexpression in ALCL may not be involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The strong and uniform LEF1 expression pattern has a high positive predictive value (93.8%) and high negative predictive value (96%) for DUSP22 rearrangement in ALK-negative ALCL. The combination of characteristic morphologic and molecular features of DUSP22-rearranged cases with the high LEF1 expression further emphasizes that DUSP22-rearranged ALCL represents a distinct clinicopathologic subset of ALCL.
Clinical Value of Next Generation Sequencing in the Detection of Recurring Structural Rearrangements and Copy Number Abnormalities in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood | November 4, 2020 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 21-22

10.1182/blood-2020-139691

Purpose: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults, affecting approximately 20,000 patients annually in the United States. AML genetic subtypes, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), are identified through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), conventional chromosome analysis, and sequencing techniques. Mate pair sequencing (MPseq) is a next generation sequencing (NGS) technology optimized to detect genome wide structural variants and copy number alterations at high resolution. Our study goal was to investigate the prognostic value of MPseq in comparison to FISH, chromosome, and sequencing studies in the evaluation of AML patients. Methods: We performed a prospective study using blood and bone marrow samples from 105 patients with a diagnosis of AML, using MPseq, along with chromosome, FISH, and NGS or PCR studies to detect small mutations. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic results were correlated with MPseq findings. We also analyzed the MPseq data for chromoplexy, chromothripsis, and progressive complexity. Junction and copy number burden, the incidence of structural variation in the genome and the percent of the genome with aberrant copy number, were evaluated. Overall survival statistics were stratified by AML subtypes and observed anomalies. Results: Although structural variants in AML were characterized at a high resolution using MPseq when compared to conventional cytogenetic methods, risk stratification using current European Leukemia Net (ELN) guidelines was not improved by MPseq. The cohorts involving 5q and/or 7q deletions exhibited high levels of genomic complexity when compared to normal karyotype AML (NK-AML). The incidence of copy number gains, losses and junctions was greatest in 5q and 7q co-deletions (5q/7q) (16.5, 25.0, 69.3) and 5q deletions (5q) (9.8, 16.7, 31.6) subtypes compared to 7q deletions (3.4, 7.0, 6.7) and NK-AML (2.6, 4.3, 3.8) (p&lt;0.001) subtypes. Chromoplexy, chromothripsis, and progressive structural complexity were detected in most samples with 5q deletions and 5q/7q co-deletions, but absent in samples with 7q or NK-AML. Biallelic inactivation of TP53 by sequencing mutation and/or deletion was common in the 5q/7q co-deletion (14/18 cases) and 5q deletion cohorts (7/10 cases), rare in the 7q deletion cohort (1/11 cases), and absent in the NK-AML (n=44) cohort. The median OS was significantly worse for patients with 5q/7q deletions (122.5 days) and 5q deletions (248 days) compared to NK-AML (413.5 days; p&lt;0.001 and p=0.017, respectively) and between 5q/7q deletions and 7q deletions (370.5 days; p&lt;0.001). No significant difference was observed between 5q/7q and 5q deletion subtypes, between NK and 7q deletion subtypes and between 5q and 7q deletion subtypes. The median OS was also significantly shorter for patients with TP53 alterations compared to patients with normal TP53 status. Patients with chromoplexy, chromothripsis and/or progressive structural complexity identified by MPseq had a significantly shorter median OS compared to patients without these features. (p&lt;0.0001) Discussion: Risk stratifications based on current guidelines using cytogenetic and sequencing results were not adjusted due to MPseq results, which is not surprising when primary abnormalities are observed by conventional cytogenetic methods. NK-AML cases did not appear to benefit from a high resolution genomic evaluation. However, MPseq added value when structural variation required additional characterization, detecting novel rearrangements, such as a KAT6A/SORBS3 fusion. Lastly, we recognized common mischaracterizations made by conventional chromosome studies - including missed TP53 deletions in 7 cases, 5q/7q deletions misinterpreted as monosomies, cryptic NUP98 rearrangements, and unappreciated genomic complexity correlating with poor OS. These mischaracterizations challenge the use of conventional chromosome studies as a gold standard without accompanying FISH or MPseq studies. MPseq, similar to other structural methodologies such as optical mapping and long read sequencing, should be considered important complements to standard cytologic techniques given the important additional genomic information obtained. The additional structural variant characterization will be critical in paving the way for genomic discovery with the overall goal of improving prognostication for patient care. Figure Disclosures Vasmatzis: WholeGenome LLC.: Other: Owner; Mayo Clinic: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.
Striking Association of Lymphoid Enhancing Factor (LEF1) Overexpression and DUSP22 rearrangements in Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Blood | November 4, 2020 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 22-23

10.1182/blood-2020-134547

Introduction: Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) are CD30-positive T-cell lymphomas classified into ALK-positive and ALK-negative. The ALK-negative ALCLs are a genetically heterogeneous group that includes DUSP22-rearranged, TP63-rearranged and triple-negative cases. The DUSP22-rearranged ALCLs characteristically grow in a diffuse sheet-like pattern and are composed of intermediate-sized monomorphous hallmark cells, admixed with smaller cells with prominent nuclear indentations and occasional central nuclear pseudo inclusions (King RL et al, Am J Surg Pathol. 2016). Further, DUSP22-rearranged ALCL is a molecularly distinct subset of ALCL with a unique immunogenic phenotype that portends a favorable prognosis (Luchtel RA et al. Blood 2018). Lymphoid enhancer binding factor (LEF1) is a crucial nuclear mediator of the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway and a transcription factor involved in T-cell maturation. However, limited data exists on the association of LEF1 in T-cell lymphomas, including ALCL. The aims of this study were to explore LEF1 expression by immunohistochemistry in different subsets of ALCLs and to analyze the association of Wnt/ β-catenin pathway in this cohort. Methods: After approval by the institutional review board, we screened pathology reports from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2019 and identified patients with a diagnosis of ALCL using our institutional database. Details on fluorescence in situ hybridization studies in ALK-negative cases were documented. Immunostaining for LEF1 and β catenin was performed on all cases where formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue was available. The presence or absence of β catenin nuclear staining was recorded. LEF1 nuclear staining in the neoplastic ALCL cells was graded as negative (0), weak (1+), intermediate (2+) or strong (3+) and the percentage of LEF1-positive neoplastic cells was detailed (Figure 1). LEF1 scoring was performed by manual counting of the stained nuclei out of all tumor nuclei by two pathologists (A.R. and M.S.) and the grading was reviewed by another pathologist (P.J.K.). Results: We evaluated 45 ALCL cases, including 41 (91.1%) ALK-negative and 4 (8.9%) ALK-positive ALCLs. Among the ALK-negative ALCLs, there were16 DUSP22-rearranged, and 25 non-DUSP22-rearanged (7 TP63-rearranged and 18 triple-negative) cases. Fifteen (94%) of 16 DUSP22-rearranged ALCLs showed strong expression of LEF1 in &gt;75% tumor cells (Figure 2). In contrast, this strong and uniform LEF1 overexpression was only detected in 1 of 29 (3%) of the remaining ALCL cases (P &lt;.0001) (Table 1). We previously characterized a distinctive molecular signature in ALK-negative ALCLs with DUSP22-rearrangements using gene expression microarray analysis on frozen ALCL tissue samples (Luchtel RA et al. Blood 2018). On examining LEF1 gene expression in this previously published dataset, DUSP22 -rearranged cases had significantly higher LEF1 expression than any other genetic subtype (triple-negative, TP63-rearranged, or ALK-positive). Overall, mean LEF1 expression was 6.3-fold higher in ALCLs with DUSP22 rearrangements than in ALCLs without DUSP22-rearrangements (P=0.0001). LEF1 is a coactivator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway; therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize the overexpression of LEF1 may promote Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, all LEF1-positive cases were negative for β-catenin by immunohistochemistry, suggesting that LEF1 overexpression is independent of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway signaling in these cases. Conclusions: There is a striking association between high LEF1 expression and DUSP22-rearrangements in ALCLs. The strong and uniform LEF1 expression pattern has a high positive predictive value (94%) and high negative predictive value (96%) for DUSP22- rearrangement in ALK-negative ALCLs (Table 2). The combination of characteristic morphologic and molecular features of DUSP22-rearranged cases with the unique LEF1 expression further emphasizes that DUSP22-rearranged ALCL represents a distinct clinicopathologic subset of ALCL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Prognostic Significance of Acquired 1q22 Gain in Multiple Myeloma

Blood | November 4, 2020 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 9-10

10.1182/blood-2020-139093

Background: Within the heterogeneous genomic landscape of multiple myeloma (MM), clonal evolution including the acquisition of risk-defining mutations and chromosomal abnormalities is a recurrent event and can be detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The effects of acquired abnormalities on clinical outcomes have not been well defined. We previously reported that patients who acquired 17p deletion [del(17p)] during the course of their disease had a significantly reduced overall survival (OS) by 38 months compared to patients who did not acquire del17p (Lakshman et al 2019). Similarly, while de novo gain of the long arm of chromosome 1 (1q22 gain) is a known high-risk aberration associated with significantly shorter OS and progression-free survival (PFS) in MM, the prognostic significance of acquired 1q22 gain has not been described. The primary objective of this study was to analyze factors predictive for acquired 1q22 gain and determine its impact on survival. Methods: We identified MM patients from the Mayo Clinic Dysproteinemia Database who had at least one follow up FISH performed ≥6 months from diagnosis. The clinical characteristics, concomitant cytogenetic abnormalities, first line treatments administered, and OS were compared between patients with acquired 1q22 gain and patients who did not acquire this abnormality. The Mayo Clinic IRB approved this study. Results: A total of 1041 MM patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 63 patients (6.1%) had acquired 1q22 gain, defined as being negative for 1q22 gain on initial FISH at diagnosis and having this abnormality detected on subsequent FISH. Median age at diagnosis was 59 years and 56% were male. Median time to acquisition of 1q22 gain was 60 months (range 8-140 months). We identified one control patient for each case who was diagnosed within one year of the case and had a subsequent FISH performed at a similar duration from diagnosis. Patients with acquired 1q22 gain had similar baseline characteristics except for a higher proportion of high-risk (HR) FISH at diagnosis [t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), and del(17p13)] when compared to controls (27% HR FISH versus 6% HR FISH; P&lt;0.01). 1q22 gain was concomitantly present with trisomies in 33 patients (54%), monosomy 13 in 24 patients (39%), t(4;14) in 8 patients (13%), and del(17p13) in 7 patients (12%). All patients received treatment prior to acquisition of 1q22 gain. Of the 63 patients, first line induction therapy consisted of proteasome inhibitor (PI) with steroid in 43%, immunomodulatory drugs (IMiD) with steroid in 40%, and PI + IMiD with steroid in 17% of patients. 54 patients (85%) received upfront stem cell transplant (SCT) (median 5.9 months to SCT), compared to 50 patients (79%) in the control group who received SCT. The median follow up of all 126 patients was 6.8 years. There was a statistically significant reduction in median OS from diagnosis in patients with acquired 1q22 gain compared to the control group (10.8 years versus 13.0 years; P = 0.02; Figure 1). Predictors of acquisition of 1q22 gain were identified using a case-control method. Age ≥70 at diagnosis and presence of HR FISH at baseline appeared to increase the risk of acquiring 1q22 gain. Conclusion: Acquisition of 1q22 gain is a relatively uncommon occurrence, but notably reduced OS by 2.2 years compared to patients who did not acquire 1q22 during the course of their disease (P = 0.02). Older age and the presence of HR FISH at diagnosis increased the risk of acquisition of 1q22 gain. The presence of high-risk translocations at baseline suggests that acquisition of 1q22 gain occurs in the context of more aggressive disease biology. Disclosures Kapoor: Cellectar: Consultancy; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding. Dispenzieri:Alnylam: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Intellia: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Gertz:Prothena: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Johnson and Johnson: Speakers Bureau; DAVA oncology: Speakers Bureau; Advisory Board for Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Advisory Board for Proclara: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; i3Health: Consultancy; Springer Publishing: Patents & Royalties; Amyloidosis Foundation: Research Funding; International Waldenstrom Foundation: Research Funding; NCI SPORE MM: Research Funding; Ionis/Akcea: Consultancy; Physicians Education Resource: Consultancy; Medscape: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; Appellis: Consultancy; Annexon: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Data Safety Monitoring board from Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Consultancy. Dingli:Apellis: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Research Funding; Sanofi-Genzyme: Consultancy; Alexion: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Lin:Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Juno: Consultancy; Merck: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Gamida Cells: Consultancy; Sorrento: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Vineti: Consultancy; Legend BioTech: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kumar:Cellectar: Other; Genecentrix: Consultancy; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria; AbbVie: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; MedImmune: Research Funding; Takeda: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Novartis: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Other: Independent Review Committee; IRC member; Genentech/Roche: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Celgene/BMS: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Janssen Oncology: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Carsgen: Other, Research Funding; Tenebio: Other, Research Funding.
Heterogeneity of MYC Abnormalities in Multiple Myeloma

Blood | November 4, 2020 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2-3

10.1182/blood-2020-140844

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy and genetic abnormalities contribute to disease heterogeneity and outcome. Primary abnormalities, namely recurrent immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain translocations and hyperdiploidy, occur early in disease course. Secondary events, such as MYC abnormalities occur upon progression. Earlier studies showed MYC abnormalities detected by FISH or by capture sequencing were independently associated with poor outcome (Walker, et al., BCJ, 2014), while recent studies using WGS did not support this finding (excluding MYC/IGL) (Mikulasova, et al. Haematologica, 2020; Misund, et al. Leukemia, 2020). We hypothesize these discrepancies are due to differences in methods and sensitivities of detection of MYC abnormalities by FISH vs. WGS. Given that MYC abnormalities often display remarkable genomic heterogeneity with numerous gene partners, reduced detection of MYC abnormalities by FISH is not unexpected. This hypothesis is supported by lower frequencies of MYC abnormalities found by FISH (15%) vs. NGS (30-35%) consistent with ~50% false-negative rate of the MYC FISH probe (Smadbeck, et al. BCJ, 2019). To better understand the role of MYC in myeloma disease outcome, we compared the MYC abnormality subtype identified by FISH or NGS vs. MYC gene expression levels and overall survival. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of newly diagnosed MM patients seen at Mayo Clinic or enrolled in the MMRF CoMMpass trial. For Mayo cases, MYC FISH results (breakapart probe, Abbott) were obtained from the Mayo Clinic Genomics database (N=1342) and mate pair sequencing (MPseq) was performed on 140 cases. For CoMMpass cases, we obtained tumor long-insert whole genome sequencing (WGS), RNA sequencing (RNAseq) for gene expression and clinical outcome data. Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from diagnosis to death from any cause or to last follow up. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan Meier and compared using the Log-Rank test. Statistical analyses performed using SPSS and JMP with significance determined when P &lt;0.05. Results: We first evaluated the impact of MYC abnormalities on OS when detected by FISH or NGS. In Mayo cases, OS was significantly shorter in patients with MYC abnormalities compared to patients without MYC abnormalities using FISH (5.3 vs. 8.0 years, P&lt;0.001, N=1342). In contrast, there was no significant difference in OS between patients with or without MYC or abnormalities using MPseq or WGS in both the Mayo and CoMMpass cohorts (Mayo: 6.4 vs. and 6.9 years P=0.78, N=140; CoMMpass: 4.9 vs. and 5.1 years P=0.74, N=546). Since FISH-detected MYC abnormalities were associated with poor outcome, we evaluated differences in the types of MYC abnormalities identified FISH and genome sequencing; 270 of 658 CoMMpass cases had a MYC abnormality and 12 abnormality subgroups were identified. In the Mayo cases, FISH preferentially detected translocations and complex abnormalities and missed insertions with flanking duplicating sequences or terminal tandem duplications (TTD) that occur telomeric to MYC. Since the level of MYC expression should be a consequence of the various genomic abnormalities altering the MYC gene region, we compared MYC expression levels in relation to MYC abnormality subgroups. Highest expression was seen with MYC amplification, followed by Ig abnormalities, non-Ig abnormalities, complex deletion/duplications, proximal deletions, non-Ig insertions, terminal deletions, TTD, trisomy 8, no MYC structural variation, monosomy 8 and cases with MAX mutations had the lowest expression. Abnormalities identified by FISH had higher MYC expression (83.5 TPM) compared to cases predicted to be missed by FISH (63.2 TPM). We tested if high MYC expression, irrespective of MYC structural abnormality, was associated with differences in OS. Boxplot analysis was used to categorize MYC expression in 631 CoMMpass patients as top quartile/high MYC expression (Q4≥ 75 TPM, n=159) and bottom quartile/low MYC expression (Q1≤ 16.5 TPM, n= 158) (see Figure). OS was significantly shorter in patients with high MYC expression compared to patients with low MYC expression (4.6 vs. 5.3 years, P &lt;0.038). Conclusion: We show that FISH detects only a subset of the MYC abnormalities detected by genome sequencing, and that FISH-detected MYC abnormalities are associated with higher MYC gene expression and decreased survival. Figure 1 Disclosures Kumar: Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen Oncology: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; AbbVie: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Other: Independent Review Committee; IRC member; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria; Cellectar: Other; Takeda: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Novartis: Research Funding; Tenebio: Other, Research Funding; Carsgen: Other, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genecentrix: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Celgene/BMS: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Genentech/Roche: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Sanofi: Research Funding; MedImmune: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy.