Adult Low-Hypodiploid Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Emerges from Preleukemic TP53-Mutant Clonal Hematopoiesis

UNLABELLED Low hypodiploidy defines a rare subtype of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with a dismal outcome. To investigate the genomic basis of low-hypodiploid ALL (LH-ALL) in adults, we analyzed copy-number aberrations, loss of heterozygosity, mutations, and cytogenetics data in a prospective cohort of Philadelphia (Ph)-negative B-ALL patients (n = 591, ages 18-84 years), allowing us to identify 80 LH-ALL cases (14%). Genomic analysis was critical for evidencing low hypodiploidy in many cases missed by cytogenetics. The proportion of LH-ALL within Ph-negative B-ALL dramatically increased with age, from 3% in the youngest patients (under 40 years old) to 32% in the oldest (over 55 years old). Somatic TP53 biallelic inactivation was the hallmark of adult LH-ALL, present in virtually all cases (98%). Strikingly, we detected TP53 mutations in posttreatment remission samples in 34% of patients. Single-cell proteogenomics of diagnosis and remission bone marrow samples evidenced a preleukemic, multilineage, TP53-mutant clone, reminiscent of age-related clonal hematopoiesis. SIGNIFICANCE We show that low-hypodiploid ALL is a frequent entity within B-ALL in older adults, relying on somatic TP53 biallelic alteration. Our study unveils a link between aging and low-hypodiploid ALL, with TP53-mutant clonal hematopoiesis representing a preleukemic reservoir that can give rise to aneuploidy and B-ALL. See related commentary by Saiki and Ogawa, p. 102. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 101

Ikaros deficiency is associated with aggressive BCR-ABL1 B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia independent of the lineage and developmental origin

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Response of Tomato Genotypes under Different High Temperatures in Field and Greenhouse Conditions

Heat stress is one of the production constraints for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) due to unfavorable, above optimum temperatures. This research was undertaken to evaluate growth and fruit yield of tomato genotypes under three contrasting growing conditions (i.e., optimal temperature in field-, high temperature in field- and high temperature in greenhouse conditions) to determine their relative heat tolerance. Eleven tomato genotypes, including two local check varieties, were evaluated, and data on growth and yield were measured and analyzed. The interactions between the genotypes and growing conditions for all yield traits were significant. In general, the performance of tomato under optimal temperature field conditions was better than under high temperature field- and greenhouse conditions. Genotypes CLN1621L, CLN2026D, CLN3212C, and KK1 had consistently greater fruit yield per plant in all growing conditions. Although the local genotype, Neang Tamm, had lower yield under optimal conditions, it performed moderately well under high temperature field- and high temperature greenhouse conditions, and yield decrease under high temperature condition was minimal. Genotype CLN1621L had stable fruit setting compared to other genotypes under high temperature conditions. Since fruit setting and yield are important traits for heat tolerance, genotypes CLN1621L and Neang Tamm are potential candidates for breeding programs focused on improved yield and heat stress tolerance

Response of Tomato Genotypes under Different High Temperatures in Field and Greenhouse Conditions

Heat stress is one of the production constraints for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) due to unfavorable, above optimum temperatures. This research was undertaken to evaluate growth and fruit yield of tomato genotypes under three contrasting growing conditions (i.e., optimal temperature in field-, high temperature in field- and high temperature in greenhouse conditions) to determine their relative heat tolerance. Eleven tomato genotypes, including two local check varieties, were evaluated, and data on growth and yield were measured and analyzed. The interactions between the genotypes and growing conditions for all yield traits were significant. In general, the performance of tomato under optimal temperature field conditions was better than under high temperature field- and greenhouse conditions. Genotypes CLN1621L, CLN2026D, CLN3212C, and KK1 had consistently greater fruit yield per plant in all growing conditions. Although the local genotype, Neang Tamm, had lower yield under optimal conditions, it performed moderately well under high temperature field- and high temperature greenhouse conditions, and yield decrease under high temperature condition was minimal. Genotype CLN1621L had stable fruit setting compared to other genotypes under high temperature conditions. Since fruit setting and yield are important traits for heat tolerance, genotypes CLN1621L and Neang Tamm are potential candidates for breeding programs focused on improved yield and heat stress tolerance

Cerebrospinal fluid interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-10:IL-6 ratio as biomarkers for small B-cell lymphoproliferations with leptomeningeal dissemination

International audienceWe here report for the first time that low levels of interleukin (IL)-10 do not exclude lymphomatous meningitis (LM) in B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPD). Unexpectedly, IL-10 levels and IL-10:IL-6 ratio in CLPD differed from the levels observed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We report the usefulness of adding the IL-10:IL-6 ratio in order to potentially reveal more aggressive lymphomas: either a transformation or an association with another “hidden” lymphoma such as primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL)

IL-7 receptor expression is frequent in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and predicts sensitivity to JAK inhibition

International audienceT-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with a dismal prognosis related to refractory/relapsing diseases, raising the need for new targeted therapies. Activating mutations of interleukin-7–receptor pathway genes (IL-7Rp) play a proven leukemia-supportive role in T-ALL. JAK inhibitors, such as ruxolitinib, have recently demonstrated preclinical efficacy. However, prediction markers for sensitivity to JAK inhibitors are still lacking. Herein, we show that IL-7R (CD127) expression is more frequent (∼70%) than IL-7Rp mutations in T-ALL (∼30%). We compared the so-called nonexpressers (no IL-7R expression/IL-7Rp mutation), expressers (IL7R expression without IL-7Rp mutation), and mutants (IL-7Rp mutations). Integrative multiomics analysis outlined IL-7R deregulation in virtually all T-ALL subtypes, at the epigenetic level in nonexpressers, genetic level in mutants, and posttranscriptional level in expressers. Ex vivo data using primary-derived xenografts support that IL-7Rp is functional whenever the IL-7R is expressed, regardless of the IL-7Rp mutational status. Consequently, ruxolitinib impaired T-ALL survival in both expressers and mutants. Interestingly, we show that expressers displayed ectopic IL-7R expression and IL-7Rp addiction conferring a deeper sensitivity to ruxolitinib. Conversely, mutants were more sensitive to venetoclax than expressers. Overall, the combination of ruxolitinib and venetoclax resulted in synergistic effects in both groups. We illustrate the clinical relevance of this association by reporting the achievement of complete remission in 2 patients with refractory/relapsed T-ALL. This provides proof of concept for translation of this strategy into clinics as a bridge-to-transplantation therapy. IL7R expression can be used as a biomarker for sensitivity to JAK inhibition, thereby expanding the fraction of patients with T-ALL eligible for ruxolitinib up to nearly ∼70% of T-ALL cases

Myelodysplastic Syndrome associated TET2 mutations affect NK cell function and genome methylation

International audienceAbstract Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic disorders, representing high risk of progression to acute myeloid leukaemia, and frequently associated to somatic mutations, notably in the epigenetic regulator TET2 . Natural Killer (NK) cells play a role in the anti-leukemic immune response via their cytolytic activity. Here we show that patients with MDS clones harbouring mutations in the TET2 gene are characterised by phenotypic defects in their circulating NK cells. Remarkably, NK cells and MDS clones from the same patient share the TET2 genotype, and the NK cells are characterised by increased methylation of genomic DNA and reduced expression of Killer Immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), perforin, and TNF-α. In vitro inhibition of TET2 in NK cells of healthy donors reduces their cytotoxicity, supporting its critical role in NK cell function. Conversely, NK cells from patients treated with azacytidine (#NCT02985190; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ) show increased KIR and cytolytic protein expression, and IFN-γ production. Altogether, our findings show that, in addition to their oncogenic consequences in the myeloid cell subsets, TET2 mutations contribute to repressing NK-cell function in MDS patients

Clonal Hematopoiesis Driven By MDM4 Amplification Defines a Canonical Route Towards Secondary MDS/AML in Fanconi Anemia Patients

International audienceAbstract Introduction Fanconi anemia (FA) is the most frequent inherited DNA-repair disease in human, driving hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) failure in children and a major predisposition to poor-prognosis myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia (AML) in children or young adults. MDS/AML secondary to FA have a dismal prognosis in this frail population with a high chemotherapy-related toxicity. How bone marrow (BM) cells progress to myeloid malignancies in a background of cell intrinsic genomic instability and stem cell exhaustion is still poorly understood. Here we aimed to identify the molecular and functional determinants of BM progression to MDS/AML in FA patients. Methods We studied a cohort of 335 FA patients, representing virtually all FA patients seen in France from 2002 to 2020. We performed longitudinal clinical studies (cytopenia, BM morphology and staging, HSCT, survival), somatic genomics (karyotype, myeloid cancer gene panel, aCGH, WES, WGS), expression analysis by RNAseq on clonal cells, and functional studies (gene modulation in HSPCs, transgenic MDM4 mice, CFU and competitive engraftment experiments). Paired clonal BM and skin fibroblasts samples were available for 62 MDS/AML FA patients; WES and WGS files from age-matched non FA MDS/AML were used as controls. Results 98 out of 335 patients (29%) experienced clonal evolution, first seen at a median age of 13y, including 51 (15%) with blastic evolution (>5% BM blasts, median age 16y). Unbalanced chromosomal translocations rather than point mutations underlaid clonal evolution in comparison to age-matched, sporadic (non-FA) AML cases. The most prominent driver lesion was chromosome 1q duplication (1q+), found in 52% of the clonal FA patients, while other recurrent lesions were gain of 3q (3q+/EVI1; 40%), translocations/del/mut involving the RUNX1 gene (35%), monosomy 7/7q- (31%), and signaling gene mutations (18%). Based on longitudinal studies and ranking models, we evidenced that 1q+ occurred early, yielding preleukemic clonal hematopoiesis, whereas 3q+, -7/del7q, RUNX1 and signaling mutations occurred later along with BM transformation. Regarding genomic instability, WGS analysis of FA AML cells revealed a unique mutational signature that shares features with BRCA-related solid cancers [homologous recombination deficient (HRD)-type substitution signature, accumulation of small/intermediate-size deletions and large structural variants (SV)]. SV breakpoint analysis identified microhomology-mediated end joining (MM-EJ, also known as Alt-EJ) as the preferential DNA repair mechanism in the FA context. Specifically, a fragile site in the 1q pericentromeric repeated region underlaid 1q+ translocations. Next, we found that the MDM4 oncogene, a negative modulator of p53 response located in the minimal 1q duplicated region, was overexpressed in 1q+ but not in clonal non-1q FA cells. We hypothesized that 1q+ may attenuate the FA-associated p53 pathway hyperactivation through increased gene dosage of MDM4. Consistently, RNA-seq of patient cells before and after clonal progression showed p53 pathway activation before clonal evolution and subsequent p53 downregulation along with 1q+. When evaluated in vitro by CFU assay, lentiviral overexpression of MDM4 rescued clonogenicity defect of HSCPs from both FA patients and Fanc-/- mice, at the same level as TP53 knockdown. We produced a transgenic mouse bearing a duplicated Mdm4 locus and showed that MdM4 overexpression conferred an advantage to FA-like HSPCs in competitive transplant experiments, modeling clonal hematopoiesis. Exposure of 1q+ FA cells to Mdm4 inhibitors raised therapeutic potential. Conclusions The somatic genomic landscape of FA MDS/AML reveals a unique FA mutational signature, characterized by structural rearrangements and copy number abnormalities rather than point mutations. Our results define a canonical oncogenic route towards secondary MDS/AML in FA patients, in which the early modulation of the p53 pathway through 1q+/MDM4 oncogene overexpression plays a pivotal role, raising novel monitoring and therapeutic prospects for the FA patients. Disclosures Sebert: BMS: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy. Dalle: Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria. Socie: Alexion: Research Funding. Peffault De Latour: Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding