Citations

SummaryGermline variants in DDX41 (DDX41MT‐germline predisposition syndrome [GPS]) are associated with predisposition to haematological malignancies (HM), including lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms (MN). We retrospectively analysed the clinical and molecular features of 195 patients diagnosed and treated at Mayo Clinic with DDX41MT‐GPS. Patients with germline DDX41 pathogenic variants (42.3%) and variants of unknown significance (VUS, 57.6%) were included. The median age was 68.6 years (16.2–93.4). Ninety‐two per cent were Caucasian, 64.1% were male and 30.8% had a family history of HM. There were 92 distinct germline variants among our cohort, and the most common was p.Met1? (15.9%), followed by p.Asp140Glyfs*2 (9.2%). Clinical diagnoses included asymptomatic carriers (10.2%), clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS, 6.1%), myeloproliferative neoplasms (6.7%), myelodysplastic syndrome (40.5%), acute myeloid leukaemia (20.5%), lymphoid neoplasms (9.2%), plasma cell dyscrasias (6.1%) and solid tumours (22.5%). Patients with MN were older (median age 70 vs. 63.5 years) and more likely to be male (M:F ratio 2.3 vs. 1.0) and most patients (78.8%) with MN had a normal karyotype. The most common somatic variants involved DDX41 (34.4%), followed by TET2 (11.2%), DNMT3A (9.6%) and ASXL1 (9.2%). In summary, we have comprehensively described the spectrum of clinical phenotypes within the Mayo Clinic DDX41MT‐GPS cohort.

ABSTRACT Anemia in myeloid neoplasms is multifaceted, with heterogeneous pathogenetic mechanisms that include ineffective erythropoiesis, hepcidin‐induced iron‐restricted erythropoiesis, and abnormal inflammatory cytokine production. Current management of anemia is challenged by limited approved drugs that specifically treat anemia in myelofibrosis (MF) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Newer therapies target the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β)‐bone morphogenic protein/sons of mothers against decapentaplegic (BMP‐SMAD) signaling pathway, which plays a significant role in ineffective erythropoiesis (SMAD 2/3) and abnormal hepcidin production (SMAD 1/5/8). These include TGF‐β ligand traps (luspatercept, elritercept), activin A receptor type 1 (ACVR1)/activin receptor‐like kinase 2 (ALK2) inhibitors (momelotinib, zilurgisertib), and anti‐hemojuvelin antibody‐based therapies (DISC‐0974). Luspatercept and momelotinib are approved for anemia related to lower‐risk MDS and MF, respectively, and represent an important addition to the treatment armamentarium, along with imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor, recently ratified for anemia in lower‐risk MDS. A promising strategy to overcome the limitations of existing anemia‐directed therapies includes the use of drug combinations with complementary mechanisms (luspatercept + erythropoiesis stimulating agents, luspatercept + momelotinib, DISC‐0974 + momelotinib), and harnessing the erythropoietic potential of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2I). Future research should address the complex pathophysiology of anemia, standardize definitions for anemia with gender‐specified cutoffs, implement uniform erythroid response criteria, and consider early therapeutic intervention in clinical trials for anemia‐directed therapies.

Abstract Background: Age-related clonal hematopoiesis (ARCH) is a precursor state to blood cancers and is associated with epigenetic age acceleration (EpiAgeAccel). While ARCH is associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease, not much is known about these risks with therapy-related clonal hematopoiesis (t-CH) – CH occurring in the context of prior cytotoxic chemotherapy/radiation exposure. Methods: Patients were prospectively recruited for CH and EpiAge assessment from Mayo Clinic between 2022 and 2024. CH status was determined using error corrected sequencing on peripheral blood (PB) DNA (sensitivity 0.5% VAF). Patients with CH were classified as t-CH if they had received chemotherapy or radiation prior to CH detection. All other CH cases were classifed as ARCH. For EpiAge analysis, PB DNA was analyzed using the Illumina MethylationEPIC array. The resulting beta values were used to obtain epigentic age estimates using Horvath’s clock, Hannum’s Clock, PhenoAge, DunedinPACE, and estimated telomere lengths (DNAmTL). Results: 106 (62%) of 170 patients assessed were found to have CH. CH patients were classified into ARCH-63 (59%) and t-CH-43 (41%). While the median chronological age (69 vs 67 years) was similar between ARCH and t-CH, t-CH patients had lower Hgb [10.9g/dL vs. 13g/dL (p=0.0001)], lower platelet [146x109/L vs. 192x109/L (p=0.0132)] and lower WBC [4.4x109/L vs. 5.2x109/L (p=0.0345)]. The 3 most common ARCH mutations were TET2 (20%), DNMT3A (19%), and ASXL1 (14%), while PPM1D (27%), TET2 (18%), and DNMT3A (14%) were most frequent in t-CH. There was no significant difference in median EpiAge via Horvath (68 vs 67.5years p=0.2826), Hannum (65 vs 66 years p=0.9333), or PhenoAge (55 vs 56 years p=0.618) between ARCH and t-CH. However, DunedinPACE of aging was higher in t-CH (1.27 vs 1.18 bioyear/chronoyear p=0.0148) and median DNAmTL was shorter in t-CH (6.35 vs 6.49kb p=0.0247), compared to ARCH (Note patients with telomere biology disorders were excluded). Multivariable regression analysis adjusting for chronologic age, smoking status, and male sex showed that both ARCH and t-CH had EpiAgeAccel via Horvath(5.8years p=0.0001, 3.4 years p=0.051), Hannum(5years p=0.001, 4.5 years p=0.007), and PhenoAge (6.7years p=0.002, 7.6 years p=0.002) clocks. t-CH more than doubled DunedinPACE (0.2 bioyear/chronoyear, p<0.001) of aging compared to ARCH (0.08 bioyear/chronoyear, p=0.026). t-CH also demonstrated a significant decrease in DNAmTL (0.34kb, p<0.001) in comparison to ARCH (0.17kb, p=0.015). With a median follow-up of 20 months, t-CH was associated with worse overall survival in comparison to ARCH, and non-CH patients (p=0.013, 93% vs. 90% alive at 10 months, 87 vs. 72% alive at 20 months). Conclusion: Our prospective CH cohort study validates the association between CH and EpiAgeAccel using several different methylation clocks and for the first time highlights an increased pace of aging and shorter DNAmTL in the context of inferior survival outcomes in t-CH. Citation Format: Marissa Li, Jenna Fernandez, Kristina Kirschner, Tamir Chandra, Kristen McCullough, Sarah Aug, Terra Lasho, Christy Finke, James Foran, Cecilia Arana Yi, Yael Kusne, Talha Badar, Abhishek Mangaonkar, Naseema Gangat, Rachel Simon, Alejandro Ferrer, Mrinal Patnaik. A prospective cohort study of biological aging and epigenetic age acceleration in 106 patients with age and therapy-related clonal hematopoiesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: DNA Methylation, Clonal Hematopoiesis, and Cancer; 2025 Feb 1-4; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A015.

ABSTRACT The clinical relevance of TP53 mutations ( TP53 MUT ) in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and their prognostic interaction with MPN subtype designation has not been systematically studied. In the current study, 114 patients with MPN harboring TP53 MUT (VAF ≥ 2%) were evaluated for overall survival (OS), calculated from the time of TP53 MUT detection: chronic phase myelofibrosis (MF‐CP; N = 61); blast‐phase (MPN‐BP; N = 31) or accelerated‐phase (MPN‐AP; N = 16) MPN, and polycythemia vera/essential thrombocythemia (PV/ET; N = 6). Sixty‐five (57%) patients harbored International Consensus Classification (ICC)‐defined multihit TP53 MUT and 56 (49%) monosomal/complex karyotype (MK/CK). Majority of MPN‐BP (90%) and MPN‐AP (81%) while 39% of MF‐CP and none of PV/ET patients harbored multihit TP53 MUT . OS in MPN‐BP and MPN‐AP was equally dismal (median 6 vs. 4.5 months, respectively; p = 1.0), regardless of multihit configuration ( p = 0.44), while OS in TP53 MUT MPN‐BP/AP ( N = 47; median 4 months) was inferior to that of a separate cohort ( N = 49) with TP53 wild‐type MPN‐BP/AP (median 11 months; p < 0.01). OS in MF‐CP was significantly shorter with multihit versus non‐multihit TP53 MUT (median 10 vs. 35 months; HR 2.9; p < 0.01), independent of other MF‐relevant genetic risk factors, including ASXL1/SRSF2/U2AF1 mutations. Multihit TP53 MUT was also associated with inferior survival following allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT): median 9 months versus “not reached” in patients with ( N = 9) versus without ( N = 8) multihit TP53 MUT ( p < 0.01). The presence of multihit or non‐multihit TP53 MUT in MPN‐BP/AP or multihit TP53 MUT in MF‐CP is associated with exceptionally poor prognosis and justifies inclusion into the ICC category of “myeloid neoplasms with mutated TP53 .” By contrast, detection of non‐multihit TP53 MUT , by itself, might not endanger short‐term survival in MF‐CP, PV, or ET.

Importance Essential thrombocythemia, a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm with excessive platelet production, is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and bleeding. The annual incidence rate of essential thrombocythemia in the US is 1.5/100 000 persons. Observations Patients with essential thrombocythemia have a persistent platelet count of 450 × 10 9 /L or greater. The differential diagnosis includes myeloproliferative neoplasms (polycythemia vera, primary myelofibrosis, chronic myeloid leukemia); inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus; infections; splenectomy; iron deficiency anemia; and solid tumors such as lung cancer. Approximately 90% of individuals with essential thrombocythemia have genetic variants that upregulate the JAK-STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) signaling pathway, including Janus kinase 2 (JAK2, 64%), calreticulin (CALR , 23%), and myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene (MPL , 4%). The median age at diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia is 59 years. The median overall survival exceeds 35 years in those diagnosed at 40 years or younger. Patients with essential thrombocythemia are at increased risk of arterial thrombosis (11%), venous thrombosis (7%), and hemorrhagic complications (8%). Thrombosis risk is increased among those with a history of thrombosis, age older than 60 years, a JAK2 gene variant, and cardiovascular risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemias, tobacco use). Use of aspirin (81-100 mg/d) is suggested for most patients with essential thrombocythemia to lower thrombosis risk. In a retrospective study of 300 affected patients with a low thrombosis risk (younger than 60 years with no prior thrombosis), those not taking aspirin (100 mg/d) had a risk of arterial thrombosis of 9.4/1000 patient-years and a venous thrombosis risk of 8.2/1000 patient years; cardiovascular risk factors were associated with a higher risk of arterial thrombi (incidence rate ratio, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.02-6.1]), and a JAK2 gene variant was associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis (incidence rate ratio, 4.0 [95% CI, 1.2-12.9]). In a randomized trial of 114 patients at higher risk for thrombosis (age older than 60 years or a prior thrombotic event), cytoreduction with hydroxyurea significantly lowered the risk of arterial or venous thrombotic events compared with no cytoreductive therapy (3.6% vs 24%; P &amp;lt; .01). At a median of 8.5 years from diagnosis, approximately 10% of patients with essential thrombocythemia develop myelofibrosis and about 3% develop acute myeloid leukemia. Conclusions Essential thrombocythemia is a rare clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with an increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis, hemorrhage, myelofibrosis, and acute myeloid leukemia. Based on individual risk factors for thrombosis, persons with essential thrombocythemia may be treated with low-dose aspirin, either alone or in combination with a cytoreductive drug such as hydroxyurea.

ABSTRACT Patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (ND‐AML) derive variable survival benefit from venetoclax + hypomethylating agent (Ven‐HMA) therapy. The primary objective in the current study was to develop genetic risk models that are predictive of survival and are applicable at the time of diagnosis and after establishing treatment response. Among 400 ND‐AML patients treated with Ven‐HMA at the Mayo Clinic, 247 (62%) achieved complete remission with (CR) or without (CRi) count recovery. Multivariable analysis–derived hazard ratios (HR), including 1.8 for European LeukemiaNet (ELN) adverse karyotype, 4.7 for KMT2Ar , 1.7 for TP53 MUT , 2.6 for KRAS MUT , and 2.1 for IDH2 WT were applied to develop an HR‐weighted risk model: low, intermediate, and high; respective median survival censored for allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) (3‐year survival) were “not reached” (67%), 19.1 (33%), and 7.1 months (0%). In patients achieving CR/CRi, adverse karyotype, KMT2Ar , KRAS MUT , IDH2 WT predicted inferior survival, allowing for a complementary response‐stratified risk model. The model was externally validated and was shown to be superior to the ELN 2024 risk model (AIC 179 vs. 195 and AUC 0.77 vs. 0.69). Survival was inferior with failure to achieve CR/CRi or not receiving ASCT; 3‐year survival for high‐risk with or without ASCT was 42% versus 0% ( p < 0.01); intermediate 72% versus 43% ( p = 0.06); and low‐risk 88% versus 78% ( p = 0.53). The Mayo genetic risk models offer pre‐treatment and response‐based prognostic tools for ND‐AML treated with Ven‐HMA. The current study underscores the prognostically indispensable role of achieving CR/CRi and ASCT.

Background An increased risk of second cancers (SC), in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), has been suggested by a number of population-based and cancer registry studies (Blood 2011;118:6515). Such studies often included patients belonging to a broad category of MPN entities and did not always account for history of cancer prior to the diagnosis of MPN, associated comorbidities, mutations, or treatments received, in assessing risk association and prediction (Leukemia 2019;33:1996). The current study seeks to fill knowledge gaps, in this regard, in the context of a biologically more homogeneous MPN setting, vis-ẚ-vis polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Methods The present study was conducted under an institutional review board approved minimum risk protocol that allowed retrospective collection and analysis of data from Mayo Clinic patient records. Diagnostic criteria were according to the International Consensus Classification (Blood 2022; 140:1200). Documented primary cancers were annotated in 17 categories, not including pre-cancerous conditions or MPN progressions. SC was defined as any cancer that developed after 3 months from the initial diagnosis of MPN. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for univariable and multivariable analysis. Kaplan-Meier plots were used for time-to-event assessment (considering the first in case of multiple events). Results The study population included 1,968 consecutive patients (median age 60 years; 56% females) with PV (N=1,001) or ET (N=967), seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1970 and 2024. Median follow-up was 8.6 years. The incidences of arterial/venous thrombosis were14%/12% at diagnosis and 12%/10% after diagnosis. Co-morbid conditions included diabetes (12%), hypertension (52%), tobacco use (16%), and history of autoimmune/inflammatory disease (AID; 6%); hyperlipidemia was annotated in PV cases only (51%). Non-driver mutation information was available in 620 patients: TET2 (13%), ASXL1 (7%), DNMT3A (5%), SRSF2 (3%), SF3B1 (3%) and TP53 (2%). A history of another cancer was documented in 598 (30%) patients and included cancers documented before/at (N=291; 15%) or after (N=404; 20%) the diagnosis of MPN, with only the latter being referred to as “SC”. Most frequent cancer type was non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), accounting for 28% of cancers diagnosed before/at MPN, and 47% of SC; other SC types included lymphoid neoplasms (10%), melanoma (10%), prostate cancer (9%), and trachea/lung/bronchial cancer (8%), as the most frequent. On multivariable analysis, cancer history, before/at or after MPN diagnosis, clustered with age &gt;60 years (OR 2.7), male sex (OR 1.5), and history of AID (OR 1.7). History of cancer prior to MPN diagnosis, NMSC or otherwise, was associated with inferior overall survival (p&lt;0.01); by contrast, neither myelofibrosis-free (p=0.5) nor leukemia-free (p=0.8) survival was affected. Median time from MPN diagnosis to SC was 5.7 years. In multivariable analysis including all cancers, SC-free survival was adversely affected by age&gt;60 years (HR 2.5; p&lt;0.01), male sex (HR 1.7; p&lt;0.01), history of previous cancer (HR 2.5, p&lt;0.01), and AID history (HR 1.6; p&lt;0.01); all these 4 risk factors remained significant after excluding NMSC. Interestingly, among informative cases, SRSF2 mutation also predicted SC (HR 2.6; p=0.02), even after NMSC cases were excluded (HR 3.4; p=0.02). Pre-MPN history of cancer did not affect either arterial (p=0.9) or venous thrombosis-free survival (p=0.7), in age- and sex-adjusted analysis. Conversely, after excluding post-SC thrombotic events, venous (p=0.02) but not arterial (p=0.1) events, occurring after MPN diagnosis, were predictive of SC. This association remained significant in multivariable analysis that included age, sex, and venous thrombosis history (p=0.03). Additional observations from this study, include an independent association between SC and hyperlipidemia in PV (p&lt;0.01) and ruxolitinib monotherapy with NMSC (HR 9; p&lt;0.01). Conclusions The risk of SC in patients with MPN is significantly higher in older patients, men, and in the presence of pre-MPN cancer history and AID. Incidental venous, but not arterial, thrombosis was associated with subsequent SC, not NMSC. The observed association of SC with SRSF2 mutations and hyperlipidemia is noted but requires further validation.