Rare variants in complement system genes associate with endothelial damage after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Introduction: Complement system has a postulated role in endothelial problems after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this retrospective, singlecenter study we studied genetic complement system variants in patients with documented endotheliopathy. In our previous study among pediatric patients with an allogeneic HSCT (2001-2013) at the Helsinki University Children´s Hospital, Finland, we identified a total of 19/122 (15.6%) patients with vascular complications, fulfilling the criteria of capillary leak syndrome (CLS), venoocclusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) or thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Methods: We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 109 patients having an adequate pre-transplantation DNA for the analysis to define possible variations and mutations potentially predisposing to functional abnormalities of the complement system. In our data analysis, we focused on 41 genes coding for complement components. Results: 50 patients (45.9%) had one or several, nonsynonymous, rare germline variants in complement genes. 21/66 (31.8%) of the variants were in the terminal pathway. Patients with endotheliopathy had variants in different complement genes: in the terminal pathway (C6 and C9), lectin pathway (MASP1) and receptor ITGAM (CD11b, part of CR3). Four had the same rare missense variant (rs183125896; Thr279Ala) in the C9 gene. Two of these patients were diagnosed with endotheliopathy and one with capillary leak syndrome-like problems. The C9 variant Thr279Ala has no previously known disease associations and is classified by the ACMG guidelines as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). We conducted a gene burden test with gnomAD Finnish (fin) as the reference population. Complement gene variants seen in our patient population were investigated and Total Frequency Testing (TFT) was used for execution of burden tests. The gene variants seen in our patients with endotheliopathy were all significantly (FDR < 0.05) enriched compared to gnomAD. Overall, 14/25 genes coding for components of the complement system had an increased burden of missense variants among the patients when compared to the gnomAD Finnish population (N=10 816). Discussion: Injury to the vascular endothelium is relatively common after HSCT with different phenotypic appearances suggesting yet unidentified underlying mechanisms. Variants in complement components may be related to endotheliopathy and poor prognosis in these patients.

Enrichment of cancer-predisposing germline variants in adult and pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Despite recent progress in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapies, a significant subset of adult and pediatric ALL patients has a dismal prognosis. Better understanding of leukemogenesis and recognition of germline genetic changes may provide new tools for treating patients. Given that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, often from a family member, is a major form of treatment in ALL, acknowledging the possibility of hereditary predisposition is of special importance. Reports of comprehensive germline analyses performed in adult ALL patients are scarce. Aiming at fulfilling this gap of knowledge, we investigated variants in 93 genes predisposing to hematologic malignancies and 70 other cancer-predisposing genes from exome data obtained from 61 adult and 87 pediatric ALL patients. Our results show that pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) germline variants in genes associated with predisposition to ALL or other cancers are prevalent in ALL patients: 8% of adults and 11% of children. Comparison of P/LP germline variants in patients to population-matched controls (gnomAD Finns) revealed a 2.6-fold enrichment in ALL cases (CI 95% 1.5-4.2, p = 0.00071). Acknowledging inherited factors is crucial, especially when considering hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and planning post-therapy follow-up. Harmful germline variants may also predispose patients to excessive toxicity potentially compromising the outcome. We propose integrating germline genetics into precise ALL patient care and providing families genetic counseling.

Early vascular toxicity after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Treatment-related mortality and morbidity remain a challenge in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this retrospective, single-center study, we analyzed endothelial damage as a potential, common denominator and mechanism for the adverse effects. We evaluated the prevalence of key vascular complications and graft-versus-host disease among 122 pediatric patients with an allogeneic HSCT between 2001 and 2013. The spectrum and frequency of acute adverse events emerging ≤100 days post transplant were graded according to the CTCAE 4.03 and analyzed. We identified a total of 19/122 (15.6%) patients with vascular complications, fulfilling the criteria of capillary leak syndrome, veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome or thrombotic microangiopathy. The patients had a poorer overall survival (77% versus 26%, p < 0.001). Nearly one half (56/122, 45.9%) had at least one, severe (grade 3 or 4) adverse event. Patients with vascular complications had more often edema/effusions (p = 0.023), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.001), gastrointestinal bleeding (p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (p < 0.001), ascites (p < 0.001) or bilirubin increase (p = 0.027). These endotheliopathy-related adverse events appeared early post HSCT, varied in their clinical phenotype and predicted a poor outcome. An unrelated donor but not previous exposure to leukemia or irradiation-based conditioning was identified as a risk factor for vascular complications and endotheliopathy.