Molecular roulette: nucleophosmin mutations in AML are orchestrated through N-nucleotide addition by TdT
BLOOD
Authors: Borrow, Julian; Dyer, Sara A.; Akiki, Susanna; Griffiths, Michael J.
Abstract
Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is the most commonly mutated gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML with mutated NPM1 is recognized as a separate entity in the World Health Organization 2016 classification and carries a relativety favorable prognosis. NPM1 mutations are predominantly 4-bp duplications or insertions in the terminal exon that arise through an unknown mechanism. Here we analyze 2430 NPM1 mutations from 2329 adult and 101 pediatric patients to address their origin. We show that NPM1 mutations display the hallmarks of replication slippage, but lack suitable germline microhomology available for priming. Insertion mutations display G/C-rich N-nucleotide tracts, with a significant bias toward polypurine and potypyrimidine stacking (P < .001). These features suggest terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) primes replication slippage through N-nucleotide addition, with longer syntheses manifesting as N-regions. The recurrent type A, type D, and type B mutations require 1, 2, and 3 N-nucleotide extensions of T, CC, and CAT, respectively, with the last nucleotide used as occult microhomology. This TdT-mutator model successfully predicts the relative incidence of the 256 potential 4-bp insertion/duplication mutations at position 863_864 over 4 orders of magnitude (rho = 0.484, P < .0001). Children have a different NPM1 mutation spectrum to adults, including a shift away from type A mutations and toward longer N-regions, consistent with higher TdT activity in pediatric myeloid stem cells. These findings complement our FLT3-ITD data, suggesting illegitimate TdT activity contributes to around one-half of AMLs. AML may therefore reflect the price for adaptive immunity.
Next generation sequencing guided treatment modulation and prognosis in Acute myeloid leukemia: Case vignettes
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BLOOD RESEARCH
Authors: Jain, Garima; Thakral, Deepshi; Sahoo, Ranjit Kumar; Kumar, Indresh; Vashishtha, Sangeeta; Verma, Pramod; Gupta, Ritu
Abstract
Objective: The genomic mutational landscape of Acute Myeloid Leukemia has contributed to better treatment options, risk stratification and prognostication of this genetically heterogeneous disease. With several approved new drugs targeting specific mutations with better outcomes, we describe here two cases of AML in which, NPM1 was detected at diagnosis. The impact of age, type of treatment, stability of NPM1 mutation, and co-occurring mutations on survival are the essential parameters for investigation. Method: Both the cases of AML were females, >60 years of age with normal 46XX karyotype. Allele specific RT-PCR and fragment analysis was performed for the detection of NPM1-A mutation at diagnosis. Both the patients were unfit for intensive chemotherapy therefore reduced intensity induction chemotherapy regimen was initially administered. Next-generation sequencing was performed for comprehensive mutational profiling, which guided targeted treatment, prognostic stratification, and response assessment. Result: We report that the older AML patients with NPM1 mutation may not have a good outcome with intensive chemotherapy, especially patients with concurrent DNMT3A/IDH-1/2 mutations. In the second case with mutated NPM1, concurrent FLT3-ITD mutation served as a therapeutic target. The FLT3 inhibitor used in combination with standard therapy showed promising results in this case. Conclusion: Here, we emphasize on the utility of next generation sequencing in guiding the treatment initiation or modulation during the disease course and risk stratification in AML. In conclusion, conventional chemotherapy in AML gives very poor overall survival rates and targeted chemotherapy against specific mutations may drastically improve patient survival and treatment outcomes.