Project description:Detection of causal variant for thrombocytopenia and second hit causing malignant disease onset by next-generation sequencing. The sample was taken at MDS diagnosis, the illness later developed into AML.
Project description:AML/MDS patients carrying 11q amplifications involving the mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL) locus are characterized by a later onset, a complex aberrant karyotype (CAK) frequently including deletions within 5q, 17p and 7q, as well as fast progression of the disease with extremely poor prognosis. We and other have shown that the MLL gene is over expressed in amplified cases, however, in most of the cases the amplified region is not restricted to the MLL locus. In the present study we investigated 19 patients with AML/MDS and MLL gain/amplification [15 AML (two secondary, following MDS and PV, and three therapy related) and 4 MDS cases (two therapy related)]. By means of array CGH performed in 12 patients (GSE9928) we were able to delineate the minimal deleted regions within 5q, 17p and 7q and identified three independent regions 11q/I-III that were amplified in all cases. Gene expression profiles established in 15 cases were used to define the candidate genes within these regions. Interestingly, analysis of our data suggests an interdependency of genes influenced by losses of 5q and 17p and expression of genes present in 11q23-25. Additionally, we demonstrate that the gene expression signature can be used to discriminate AML/MDS with MLL amplification from all other types of AML, thus, indicating specific pathogenesis present in this entity. Experiment Overall Design: In this study, gene expression profiling performed for 15 AML patients. Experiment Overall Design: aCGH analysis performed on 12 DNA samples derived from patients with AML, preselected for the presence of MLL amplifications, were analysed on a submegabase resolution BAC array. No replicates, no dye swap was done (GSE9928).
Project description:Germline, mono-allelic mutations in RUNX1 cause familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD) that evolves into myeloid malignancy (FPD-MM): MDS or AML. FPD-MM commonly harbors co-mutations in the second RUNX1 allele and/or other epigenetic regulators. Here we utilized patient-derived (PD) FPD-MM cells and established the first FPD-MM AML cell line (GMR-AML1). GMR-AML1 cells exhibited active super-enhancers of MYB, MYC, BCL2 and CDK6, augmented expressions of c-Myc, c-Myb, EVI1 and PLK1 and surface markers of AML stem cells. In longitudinally studied bone marrow cells from a patient at FPD-MM vs RUNX1-FPD state, we confirmed increased chromatin accessibility and mRNA expressions of MYB, MECOM and BCL2 in FPD-MM cells. GMR-AML1 and PD FPD-MM cells were sensitive to homoharringtonine (HHT or omacetaxine) or mebendazole-induced lethality, associated with repression of c-Myc, EVI1, PLK1, CDK6 and MCL1. Co-treatment with MB and the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib exerted synergistic in vitro lethality in GMR-AML1 cells. In luciferase-expressing GMR-AML1 xenograft model, MB, omacetaxine or volasertib monotherapy, or co-treatment with MB and volasertib, significantly reduced AML burden and improved survival in the immune-depleted mice. These findings highlight the molecular features of FPD-MM progression and demonstrate HHT, MB and/or volasertib as effective agents against cellular models of FPD-MM.
Project description:Germline, mono-allelic mutations in RUNX1 cause familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD) that evolves into myeloid malignancy (FPD-MM): MDS or AML. FPD-MM commonly harbors co-mutations in the second RUNX1 allele and/or other epigenetic regulators. Here we utilized patient-derived (PD) FPD-MM cells and established the first FPD-MM AML cell line (GMR-AML1). GMR-AML1 cells exhibited active super-enhancers of MYB, MYC, BCL2 and CDK6, augmented expressions of c-Myc, c-Myb, EVI1 and PLK1 and surface markers of AML stem cells. In longitudinally studied bone marrow cells from a patient at FPD-MM vs RUNX1-FPD state, we confirmed increased chromatin accessibility and mRNA expressions of MYB, MECOM and BCL2 in FPD-MM cells. GMR-AML1 and PD FPD-MM cells were sensitive to homoharringtonine (HHT or omacetaxine) or mebendazole-induced lethality, associated with repression of c-Myc, EVI1, PLK1, CDK6 and MCL1. Co-treatment with MB and the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib exerted synergistic in vitro lethality in GMR-AML1 cells. In luciferase-expressing GMR-AML1 xenograft model, MB, omacetaxine or volasertib monotherapy, or co-treatment with MB and volasertib, significantly reduced AML burden and improved survival in the immune-depleted mice. These findings highlight the molecular features of FPD-MM progression and demonstrate HHT, MB and/or volasertib as effective agents against cellular models of FPD-MM.
Project description:Germline, mono-allelic mutations in RUNX1 cause familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD) that evolves into myeloid malignancy (FPD-MM): MDS or AML. FPD-MM commonly harbors co-mutations in the second RUNX1 allele and/or other epigenetic regulators. Here we utilized patient-derived (PD) FPD-MM cells and established the first FPD-MM AML cell line (GMR-AML1). GMR-AML1 cells exhibited active super-enhancers of MYB, MYC, BCL2 and CDK6, augmented expressions of c-Myc, c-Myb, EVI1 and PLK1 and surface markers of AML stem cells. In longitudinally studied bone marrow cells from a patient at FPD-MM vs RUNX1-FPD state, we confirmed increased chromatin accessibility and mRNA expressions of MYB, MECOM and BCL2 in FPD-MM cells. GMR-AML1 and PD FPD-MM cells were sensitive to homoharringtonine (HHT or omacetaxine) or mebendazole-induced lethality, associated with repression of c-Myc, EVI1, PLK1, CDK6 and MCL1. Co-treatment with MB and the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib exerted synergistic in vitro lethality in GMR-AML1 cells. In luciferase-expressing GMR-AML1 xenograft model, MB, omacetaxine or volasertib monotherapy, or co-treatment with MB and volasertib, significantly reduced AML burden and improved survival in the immune-depleted mice. These findings highlight the molecular features of FPD-MM progression and demonstrate HHT, MB and/or volasertib as effective agents against cellular models of FPD-MM.
Project description:Mutations in the RUNX1 gene (RUNX1mut) have been established in myelodysplasia (MDS), de novo and secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and are in general associated with an unfavourable clinical outcome. Familial RUNX1 mutations are associated with familial thrombocytopenia and these patients have a predisposition to AML development. However, a number of studies have been performed so far in mice which might be distinct from the human hematopoietic system. Therefore we studied the cellular phenotypes, the RUNX1 binding pattern and expression profile induced by RUNX1mut in cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and compared these findings to primary RUNX1mut AML’s.
Project description:Mutations in the RUNX1 gene (RUNX1mut) have been established in myelodysplasia (MDS), de novo and secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and are in general associated with an unfavourable clinical outcome. Familial RUNX1 mutations are associated with familial thrombocytopenia and these patients have a predisposition to AML development. However, a number of studies have been performed so far in mice which might be distinct from the human hematopoietic system. Therefore we studied the cellular phenotypes, the RUNX1 binding pattern and expression profile induced by RUNX1mut in cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and compared these findings to primary RUNX1mut AML’s.
Project description:Germline, mono-allelic mutations in RUNX1 cause familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD) that evolves into myeloid malignancy (FPD-MM): MDS or AML. FPD-MM commonly harbors co-mutations in the second RUNX1 allele and/or other epigenetic regulators. Here we utilized patient-derived (PD) FPD-MM cells and established the first FPD-MM AML cell line (GMR-AML1). GMR-AML1 cells exhibited active super-enhancers of MYB, MYC, BCL2 and CDK6, augmented expressions of c-Myc, c-Myb, EVI1 and PLK1 and surface markers of AML stem cells. In longitudinally studied bone marrow cells from a patient at FPD-MM vs RUNX1-FPD state, we confirmed increased chromatin accessibility and mRNA expressions of MYB, MECOM and BCL2 in FPD-MM cells. GMR-AML1 and PD FPD-MM cells were sensitive to homoharringtonine (HHT or omacetaxine) or mebendazole-induced lethality, associated with repression of c-Myc, EVI1, PLK1, CDK6 and MCL1. Co-treatment with MB and the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib exerted synergistic in vitro lethality in GMR-AML1 cells. In luciferase-expressing GMR-AML1 xenograft model, MB, omacetaxine or volasertib monotherapy, or co-treatment with MB and volasertib, significantly reduced AML burden and improved survival in the immune-depleted mice. These findings highlight the molecular features of FPD-MM progression and demonstrate HHT, MB and/or volasertib as effective agents against cellular models of FPD-MM.
Project description:Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are clonal diseases arising from the sequential acquisition of genetic aberrations in haematopoietic stem cells. Whilst the aetiology is predominantly sporadic, rare reports describe the autosomal dominant inheritance of MDS and AML (familial MDS/AML), often presenting in younger patients (<40 years of age) with a germline mutation in one of three haematopoietic transcription factors: RUNX1, CEBPA and GATA2. The clinical recognition of familial disease can be challenging due to wide variations in phenotype, latency and transmission, complicated further by the patients’ awareness and reporting of affected relatives. Distinct clinical manifestations have however been reported for each genetic subtype and whilst RUNX1 and GATA2 mutations can harbour prolonged dysplastic or cytopenic phases, germline CEBPA mutations universally present with AML de novo. Our group were the first to describe germline CEBPA mutations in 3 related individuals, all of whom developed AML between 10-30 years of age. The initial pedigree together with those described in the intervening period, were predominantly isolated case reports with limited follow up, hence long term outcomes for this group of patients remain poorly defined. This contrasts with CEBPA mutations occurring in 10-15% of sporadic AML with normal karytoype (NK-AML), where double mutations (CEBPAdm, found in approximately 50% of all CEBPA-AML) are considered a unique molecular entity, associated with favourable clinical outcomes. In sporadic and familial CEBPAdm AML, N’ terminal mutations enforce translation of the shorter P30-kDa isoform and are typically accompanied by C’ terminal insertions or deletions (disrupting the DNA-binding and/or Leucine zipper domains). Definition of the full molecular landscape awaits extensive whole exome sequencing, although GATA2 mutations (targeting the Zinc Finger 1, ZF1, domain) have been reported in 20-40% of sporadic CEBPAdm AML and recent targeted resequencing analysis revealed a further association with WT1 mutations. With minimal clinical and molecular information available for familial CEBPA-AML, we are often consulted regarding the management of this unique patient population. To address this need, we have investigated a multi-centre cohort of families with germline CEBPA mutations, providing extended clinical follow up, whole exome profiling of secondary mutations and molecular analysis of relapsed disease.
Project description:Familial cases of MPN are usually transmitted by autosomal inheritance with incomplete penetrance, appear in adulthood, and demonstrate acquired genetic abnormalities that are similar to those identified in sporadic cases such as JAK2V617F and TET2 mutations. Linkage and segregation analyses indicate that genetic predisposition to MPN cannot be related to a common alteration and rather involves a number of susceptibility loci responsible for independent familial aggregations. Identification of these susceptibility loci may improve our understanding of the mechanisms of predisposition, which may result either in the induction of a genetic instability, favoring the acquisition of oncogenic mutations or corresponds to a fertile ground for selection of somatic mutations. Here, we describe a newly identified germline copy number variation (CNV) that predisposes to essential thrombocythemia (ET) which rapidly progress to myelofibrosis (MF) and MDS/AML. Using induced pluripotent stem and primary cells to explore hematopoietic differentiation, we demonstrate that overexpressed ATG2B and GSKIP enhance hematopoietic progenitor differentiation, including megakaryocytic through increasing their sensitivity to TPO. To evaluate the overexpression of ATG2B and GSKIP in patients and their role in hematopoiesis, we generated EBV cell lines from peripheral blood of patients or relatives. These cell lines were cultured in RPMI with 20% FBS. The present study concerns gene expression of EBV cell lines from patients and controls after RNA extraction (qiagen kit). Gene expression was performed in single color on Agilent8x60K v2 Human whole genome (design 039494) in replicates 15 cell lines from affected patients and 9 non affected controls).