Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals AML Hierarchies Relevant to Disease Progression and Immunity.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that resides within a complex microenvironment, complicating efforts to understand how different cell types contribute to disease progression. We combined single-cell RNA sequencing and genotyping to profile 38,410 cells from 40 bone marrow aspirates, including 16 AML patients and five healthy donors. We then applied a machine learning classifier to distinguish a spectrum of malignant cell types whose abundances varied between patients and between subclones in the same tumor. Cell type compositions correlated with prototypic genetic lesions, including an association of FLT3-ITD with abundant progenitor-like cells. Primitive AML cells exhibited dysregulated transcriptional programs with co-expression of stemness and myeloid priming genes and had prognostic significance. Differentiated monocyte-like AML cells expressed diverse immunomodulatory genes and suppressed T cell activity in vitro. In conclusion, we provide single-cell technologies and an atlas of AML cell states, regulators, and markers with implications for precision medicine and immune therapies. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Ribosome Levels Selectively Regulate Translation and Lineage Commitment in Human Hematopoiesis.

Blood cell formation is classically thought to occur through a hierarchical differentiation process, although recent studies have shown that lineage commitment may occur earlier in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). The relevance to human blood diseases and the underlying regulation of these refined models remain poorly understood. By studying a genetic blood disorder, Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), where the majority of mutations affect ribosomal proteins and the erythroid lineage is selectively perturbed, we are able to gain mechanistic insight into how lineage commitment is programmed normally and disrupted in disease. We show that in DBA, the pool of available ribosomes is limited, while ribosome composition remains constant. Surprisingly, this global reduction in ribosome levels more profoundly alters translation of a select subset of transcripts. We show how the reduced translation of select transcripts in HSPCs can impair erythroid lineage commitment, illuminating a regulatory role for ribosome levels in cellular differentiation.

Cutaneous Manifestations of Myeloid Neoplasms Exhibit Broad and Divergent Morphologic and Immunophenotypic Features but Share Ancestral Clonal Mutations With Bone Marrow.

In this study, we performed a comprehensive molecular analysis of paired skin and peripheral blood/bone marrow (BM) samples from 17 patients with cutaneous myeloid or cutaneous histiocytic-dendritic neoplasms. The cutaneous manifestations included 10 patients with cutaneous acute myeloid leukemia (c-AML), 2 patients with full or partial Langerhans cell differentiation, 2 patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCN), 1 patient with both Langerhans cell differentiation and BPDCN, and 2 patients with full or partial indeterminate dendritic cell differentiation. Seven of the 10 c-AML patients (70%) exhibited concurrent or subsequent marrow involvement by acute myeloid leukemia, with all 7 cases (100%) demonstrating shared clonal mutations in both the skin and BM. However, clonal relatedness was documented in one additional case that never had any BM involvement. Nevertheless, NPM1 mutations were identified in 7 of the 10 (70%) of these c-AML cases while one had KMT2A rearrangement and one showed inv(16). All 3 patients (100%) with Langerhans cell neoplasms, 2 patients with BPDCN (100%), and one of the 2 patients (50%) with other cutaneous dendritic cell neoplasms also demonstrated shared mutations between the skin and concurrent or subsequent myeloid neoplasms. Both BM and c-AML shared identical founding drivers, with a predominance of NPM1, DNMT3A, and translocations associated with monocytic differentiation, with common cutaneous-only mutations involving genes in the signal transduction and epigenetic pathways. Cutaneous histiocytic-dendritic neoplasms shared founding drivers in ASXL1, TET2, and/or SRSF2. However, in the Langerhans cell histiocytosis or histiocytic sarcoma cases, there exist recurrent secondary RAS pathway hits, whereas cutaneous BPDCN cases exhibit copy number or structural variants. These results enrich and broaden our understanding of clonally related cutaneous manifestations of myeloid neoplasms and further illuminate the highly diverse spectrum of morphologic and immunophenotypic features they exhibit.

miR-15a/16-1 deletion in activated B cells promotes plasma cell and mature B-cell neoplasms.

Chromosome 13q deletion [del(13q)], harboring the miR-15a/16-1 cluster, is one of the most common genetic alterations in mature B-cell malignancies, which originate from germinal center (GC) and post-GC B cells. Moreover, miR-15a/16 expression is frequently reduced in lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM) cells without del(13q), suggesting important tumor-suppressor activity. However, the role of miR-15a/16-1 in B-cell activation and initiation of mature B-cell neoplasms remains to be determined. We show that conditional deletion of the miR-15a/16-1 cluster in murine GC B cells induces moderate but widespread molecular and functional changes including an increased number of GC B cells, percentage of dark zone B cells, and maturation into plasma cells. With time, this leads to development of mature B-cell neoplasms resembling human extramedullary plasmacytoma (EP) as well as follicular and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. The indolent nature and lack of bone marrow involvement of EP in our murine model resembles human primary EP rather than MM that has progressed to extramedullary disease. We corroborate human primary EP having low levels of miR-15a/16 expression, with del(13q) being the most common genetic loss. Additionally, we show that, although the mutational profile of human EP is similar to MM, there are some exceptions such as the low frequency of hyperdiploidy in EP, which could account for different disease presentation. Taken together, our studies highlight the significant role of the miR-15a/16-1 cluster in the regulation of the GC reaction and its fundamental context-dependent tumor-suppression function in plasma cell and B-cell malignancies.

Programmed cell death ligand 1 expression associated with subtypes of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder among pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor cells engages the PD-1 receptor on T cells, inhibiting anti-tumor responses. PD-L1 has been detected in cases of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) but reports are limited. Here we examine PD-L1 expression and evaluate for clinical correlations. METHODS: Twenty-one cases of PTLD were identified among pediatric kidney transplant recipients at our institution from February 1996 to April 2017. Using paraffin-embedded tissue biopsies, we examined 21 primary tumors for expression using PD-L1 monoclonal antibody performed with PAX5 as a double stain. We scored expression of PD-L1 on lesional B-cells as a percentage of positive cells. Clinical course and outcome were obtained from retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Applying revised 2017 WHO PTLD classification showed five non-destructive, nine polymorphic, and seven monomorphic cases. Average PD-L1 expression based upon PTLD subtype was: non-destructive 11%, polymorphic 43%, and monomorphic 73% (p = .01). Two patients transferred shortly after diagnosis, five received chemotherapy, and three died from PTLD. Among the fatalities, all showed monomorphic PTLD and 90% of lesional B-cells expressed PD-L1. CONCLUSION: In this case series, significant differences in PD-L1 expression were seen among different subtypes, and monomorphic PTLD demonstrated the highest expression. Study of a larger cohort is needed, and if the correlation of PD-L1 expression and PTLD subtype is confirmed, this may highlight the potential utility of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in cases of severe or refractory disease among kidney transplant recipient in whom the risk of allograft loss is acceptable given the option of chronic dialysis.

Initial Diagnosis of Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma With Skin Biopsy: A Rare Case and Review of Diagnostic Considerations.

ABSTRACT: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is a B-cell-derived lymphoma that classically displays a bimodal age distribution. CHL typically involves the mediastinum, lymph nodes, and other visceral organs. CHL is characterized histologically by the presence of a relatively paucicellular neoplastic cell population composed of large atypical cells (including Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg forms) in a reactive mixed inflammatory background, often with prominent necrosis. CHL rarely occurs in the skin, and the associated mixed inflammatory infiltrate or necrotic appearance can create diagnostic uncertainty. Herein, we report the case of a 31-year-old man presenting with a painful dendritic rash of the anterior chest wall with axillary lymphadenopathy. After multiple nondiagnostic biopsies that revealed largely necrotic material, a chest wall skin biopsy was obtained. The skin biopsy was diagnostic of CHL, based on the presence of large atypical dermal cells, including Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg forms, which expressed CD15, CD30 and Fascin, in a typical mixed inflammatory and necrotic background. Through the lens of this case, we discuss the characteristics and mechanisms of skin involvement of CHL, and the histopathologic and immunohistochemical pitfalls when considering the rare diagnosis of CHL in the skin.

Cardiac megakaryocytes in SARS-CoV-2-positive autopsies.

Thromboembolic phenomena are an important complication of infection by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Increasing focus on the management of the thrombotic complications of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to further investigation into the role of platelets, and their precursor cell, the megakaryocyte, during the disease course. Previously published postmortem evaluations of patients who succumbed to COVID-19 have reported the presence of megakaryocytes in the cardiac microvasculature. Our series evaluated a cohort of autopsies performed on SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in 2020 (n = 36) and prepandemic autopsies performed in early 2020 (n = 12) and selected to represent comorbidities common in cases of severe COVID-19, in addition to infectious and noninfectious pulmonary disease and thromboembolic phenomena. Cases were assessed for the presence of cardiac megakaryocytes and correlated with the presence of pulmonary emboli and laboratory platelet parameters and inflammatory markers. Cardiac megakaryocytes were detected in 64% (23/36) of COVID-19 autopsies, and 40% (5/12) prepandemic autopsies, with averages of 1.77 and 0.84 megakaryocytes per cm2 , respectively. Within the COVID-19 cohort, autopsies with detected megakaryocytes had significantly higher platelet counts compared with cases throughout; other platelet parameters were not statistically significant between groups. Although studies have supported a role of platelets and megakaryocytes in the response to viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, our findings suggest cardiac megakaryocytes may be representative of a nonspecific inflammatory response and are frequent in, but not exclusive to, COVID-19 autopsies.

Patients with mast cell activation symptoms and elevated baseline serum tryptase level have unique bone marrow morphology.

BACKGROUND: Patients with mast cell (MC) activation symptoms and elevated baseline serum tryptase level (MCAS-T) may not necessarily have a clonal MC disorder. Many are diagnosed with hereditary α-tryptasemia (HαT), a genetic trait characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance of multiple copies of TPSAB1 encoding α-tryptase and increased risk for severe anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to identify and characterize bone marrow MC histopathologic features specific for MCAS-T. METHODS: A total of 43 patients with MCAS-T underwent evaluation, including bone marrow biopsy, for a MC disorder. The results of the work-up for clonal MC disorders such as systemic mastocytosis and monoclonal MC activation syndrome were negative. Bone marrow MC histopathology was reviewed to identify characteristic features of MCAS-T. A subgroup of patients was available for tryptase genotyping. RESULTS: Patients with MCAS-T showed unique morphologic and histologic features when compared with controls. MCs were larger (P < .01), hypogranular (P < .01), frequently detected in paratrabecular (P < .05) and perivascular (P < .01) locations, and associated with bone marrow eosinophilia (P < .01). A total of 10 patients who were available for tryptase genotyping were all confirmed to have HαT. This subgroup was representative of the larger MCAS-T cohort. CONCLUSION: We report unique bone marrow MC phenotypic and histopathologic changes in patients with MCAS-T. These morphologic changes are associated with an elevated tryptase level that has been confirmed to be caused by HαT in all patients available for testing.

Characterization of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells, Microbial Sequences, and Identification of a Candidate Public T-Cell Clone in Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a self-limited lymphadenitis of unclear etiology. We aimed to further characterize this disease in pediatric patients, including evaluation of the CD123 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and investigation of potential immunologic and infectious causes. METHODS: Seventeen KFD cases and 12 controls were retrospectively identified, and the histologic and clinical features were evaluated. CD123 IHC staining was quantified by digital image analysis. Next generation sequencing was employed for comparative microbial analysis via RNAseq (5 KFD cases) and to evaluate the immune repertoire (9 KFD cases). RESULTS: In cases of lymphadenitis with necrosis, >0.85% CD123+ cells by IHC was found to be six times more likely in cases with a final diagnosis of KFD (sensitivity 75%, specificity 87.5%). RNAseq based comparative microbial analysis did not detect novel or known pathogen sequences in KFD. A shared complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) sequence and use of the same T-cell receptor beta variable region family was identified in KFD LNs but not controls, and was not identified in available databases. CONCLUSIONS: Digital quantification of CD123 IHC can distinguish KFD from other necrotizing lymphadenitides. The presence of a unique shared CDR3 sequence suggests that a shared antigen underlies KFD pathogenesis.

Detection of the KITD816V mutation in myelodysplastic and/or myeloproliferative neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes predicts concurrent systemic mastocytosis.

Greater than 90% of cases of systemic mastocytosis (SM) harbor pathogenic KIT mutations, particularly KITD816V. Prognostically-significant pathogenic KIT mutations also occur in 30-40% of core binding factor-associated acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML), but are uncommonly associated with concurrent SM. By comparison, the occurrence of SM in other myeloid neoplasms bearing pathogenic KIT mutations, particularly those with a chronic course, is poorly understood. Review of clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS) performed at our institutions in patients with known or suspected hematologic malignancies over an 8-year period revealed 64 patients with both a pathogenic KIT mutation detected at one or more timepoints and available bone marrow biopsy materials. Patients with KITD816V-mutated myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), or overlap MDS/MPN (n = 22) accounted for approximately one-third of our cohort (34%). Comprehensive morphologic and immunophenotypic characterization revealed that nearly all cases (n = 20, 91%) exhibited concurrent SM. In contrast, of the 18 patients (28%) with AML and KITD816V, only eight (44%) showed evidence of SM at any point in their disease course (p = 0.0021); of these eight, the AML component was characterized as AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) in all but one instance (n = 7, 87%). Twelve patients (19%) had pathogenic KIT mutations other than p.D816V, all in the setting of AML (CFB-AML, n = 7; AML, not otherwise specified, n = 2; AML-MRC, n = 1; acute promyelocytic leukemia, n = 1); only two of these patients (17%), both with CBF-AML, exhibited concurrent SM. The remaining 12 patients (19%) had SM without evidence of an associated hematological neoplasm (AHN). For nearly one-third of the 30 SM-AHN patients in our cohort (n = 9, 30%), the SM component of their disease was not initially clinicopathologically recognized. We propose that identification of the KITD816V mutation in patients diagnosed with MDS, MPN, MDS/MPN, or AML-MRC should trigger reflex testing for SM.

Multiparametric in situ imaging of NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia reveals prognostically-relevant features of the marrow microenvironment.

Ancillary testing during the initial workup of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is largely performed using aspirated materials. We utilized multiplex immunofluorescence (MIF) imaging with digital image analysis to perform an in situ analysis of the microenvironment in NPM1-mutated AML using diagnostic bone marrow biopsy tissues (N = 17) and correlated these findings with diagnostic next-generation sequencing (NGS, N = 17), flow cytometry (FC, N = 14), and first remission (CR1) NPM1-specific molecular MRD (n = 16) data. The total CD3-positive T-cell percentages correlated positively between FC and MIF (r = 0.53, p = 0.05), but were significantly lower by MIF (1.62% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.009). The percentage of mutant NPM1-positive (NPM1c+) cells ranged from 9.7 to 90.8% (median 45.4%) and did not correlate with the NPM1 mutant allele fraction by NGS (p > 0.05). The percentage of CD34+/NPM1c+ cells ranged from 0 to 1.8% (median 0.07%). The percentage of NPM1c+ cells correlated inversely (34% vs. 62%, p = 0.03), while the percentages of CD3-/NPM1c- cells (64% vs. 35%, p = 0.03), and specifically CD3-/CD4-/NPM1c- cells (26% vs. 13%, p = 0.04), correlated positively with subsequent MRD. Discordances between MIF and FC/NGS data suggest that aspirate materials are likely an imperfect reflection of the core biopsy tissue. Furthermore, increased numbers of NPM1 wild-type cells within the microenvironment at diagnosis correlate with the subsequent presence of MRD.

High NPM1 mutant allele burden at diagnosis correlates with minimal residual disease at first remission in de novo acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with mutated NPM1 is a newly recognized separate entity in the revised 2016 WHO classification, and is associated with a favorable prognosis. While previous studies have evaluated NPM1 in a binary fashion, we recently demonstrated a significant independent negative prognostic effect of high NPM1 mutant allele burden (VAF) at diagnosis in a cohort of de novo AML patients. Although the importance of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring in NPM1-mutated AML has been well characterized, the potential relationship between diagnostic allele burden and MRD is unknown. We retrospectively evaluated for MRD at first remission (CR1). We used either next-generation sequencing (NGS) [n = 71], and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mutant NPM1 (NPM1c) [n = 60], in a subset of patients from our recently examined cohort. We identified a statistically significant positive correlation between the VAF at diagnosis, and at CR1 (Spearman r = 0.4, P = .006), and enrichment for MRD in high diagnostic VAF patients (P = .05), as previously defined. IHC-positivity also correlated significantly with a higher median diagnostic NPM1 VAF (0.42 vs 0.39, P = .02), and with the VAF at CR1 (Spearman r = 0.7, P = .003). In multivariable analyses, both high diagnostic VAF (P = .003) and MRD (P = .02) were independent predictors of shorter event-free survival (EFS). Our findings suggest a relationship between the NPM1 mutant allele burden at diagnosis, and the presence of MRD at first remission. Our findings support IHC as a potentially useful adjunctive tool for disease monitoring.

Fingolimod-Associated Intracerebral Lymphoproliferative Disorder.

Most epidemiological studies indicate that incidence of cancer in multiple sclerosis patients is lower than general population. However these studies were performed prior to the emergence of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The incidence of cancer may be influenced by newer generation DMTs which are immunomodulatory or immunosuppressant. We describe an atypical case of intracerebral plasmacytic lymphoproliferative disorder in a 47 years old patient on fingolimod. As worldwide usage of oral and infusion DMTs increases, heightened clinical suspicion and early recognition of these serious adverse events remain crucial.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patient-derived xenograft models capture the molecular and biological heterogeneity of the disease.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease defined by transcriptional classifications, specific signaling and survival pathways, and multiple low-frequency genetic alterations. Preclinical model systems that capture the genetic and functional heterogeneity of DLBCL are urgently needed. Here, we generated and characterized a panel of large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, including 8 that reflect the immunophenotypic, transcriptional, genetic, and functional heterogeneity of primary DLBCL and 1 that is a plasmablastic lymphoma. All LBCL PDX models were subjected to whole-transcriptome sequencing to classify cell of origin and consensus clustering classification (CCC) subtypes. Mutations and chromosomal rearrangements were evaluated by whole-exome sequencing with an extended bait set. Six of the 8 DLBCL models were activated B-cell (ABC)-type tumors that exhibited ABC-associated mutations such as MYD88, CD79B, CARD11, and PIM1. The remaining 2 DLBCL models were germinal B-cell type, with characteristic alterations of GNA13, CREBBP, and EZH2, and chromosomal translocations involving IgH and either BCL2 or MYC Only 25% of the DLBCL PDX models harbored inactivating TP53 mutations, whereas 75% exhibited copy number alterations of TP53 or its upstream modifier, CDKN2A, consistent with the reported incidence and type of p53 pathway alterations in primary DLBCL. By CCC criteria, 6 of 8 DLBCL PDX models were B-cell receptor (BCR)-type tumors that exhibited selective surface immunoglobulin expression and sensitivity to entospletinib, a recently developed spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In summary, we have established and characterized faithful PDX models of DLBCL and demonstrated their usefulness in functional analyses of proximal BCR pathway inhibition.

Targetable genetic features of primary testicular and primary central nervous system lymphomas.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) and primary testicular lymphomas (PTLs) are extranodal large B-cell lymphomas (LBCLs) with inferior responses to current empiric treatment regimens. To identify targetable genetic features of PCNSL and PTL, we characterized their recurrent somatic mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, copy number alterations (CNAs), and associated driver genes, and compared these comprehensive genetic signatures to those of diffuse LBCL and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL). These studies identify unique combinations of genetic alterations in discrete LBCL subtypes and subtype-selective bases for targeted therapy. PCNSLs and PTLs frequently exhibit genomic instability, and near-uniform, often biallelic, CDKN2A loss with rare TP53 mutations. PCNSLs and PTLs also use multiple genetic mechanisms to target key genes and pathways and exhibit near-uniform oncogenic Toll-like receptor signaling as a result of MYD88 mutation and/or NFKBIZ amplification, frequent concurrent B-cell receptor pathway activation, and deregulation of BCL6. Of great interest, PCNSLs and PTLs also have frequent 9p24.1/PD-L1/PD-L2 CNAs and additional translocations of these loci, structural bases of immune evasion that are shared with PMBL.

Morphological and immunophenotypical features of hairy cell leukaemia involving lymph nodes and extranodal tissues.

AIMS: Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare B cell neoplasm that mainly affects bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB) and spleen. Involvement of lymph nodes and extranodal structures is considered infrequent. Herein we describe our institutional experience of nodal (n = 10) and extranodal (n = 3) HCL during a 30-year period. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten patients had prior evidence of HCL within the BM or PB at a median 35.8 months before nodal/extranodal diagnosis (range: <1-175 months), and HCL was diagnosed concurrently within the bone marrow of one additional patient. Nodal involvement showed distinct architectural patterns, including diffuse (62% of cases), sinusoidal (25%) and nodular (13%). Extranodal involvement was characterized as diffuse infiltration through underlying structures in all cases. Morphological features ranged from classic 'fried-egg' cytology to a plasmacytoid appearance. Nodal/extranodal disease showed an overlapping immunophenotypical profile with other small B cell lymphomas, including expression of cyclin D1 (70%), CD43 (55%), CD10 (38%) and CD5 (8%). Rates of both CD43 and CD10 reactivity were higher than described previously in leukaemic HCL, suggesting that expression may be enriched in cases with extramedullary extension. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, HCL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small B cell neoplasms involving nodal/extranodal sites, given the therapeutic implications. In particular, recent discoveries including detection of the BRAFV600E mutation in nearly all cases of HCL and the availability of an antibody to CD103 for use in paraffin-embedded tissues will facilitate the distinction of HCL from other small B cell lymphomas in the nodal/extranodal setting.

MYD88 L265P somatic mutation in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

BACKGROUND: Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is an incurable, IgM-secreting lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL). The underlying mutation in this disorder has not been delineated. METHODS: We performed whole-genome sequencing of bone marrow LPL cells in 30 patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, with paired normal-tissue and tumor-tissue sequencing in 10 patients. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the findings in samples from an expanded cohort of patients with LPL, those with other B-cell disorders that have some of the same features as LPL, and healthy donors. RESULTS: Among the patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a somatic variant (T→C) in LPL cells was identified at position 38182641 at 3p22.2 in the samples from all 10 patients with paired tissue samples and in 17 of 20 samples from patients with unpaired samples. This variant predicted an amino acid change (L265P) in MYD88, a mutation that triggers IRAK-mediated NF-κB signaling. Sanger sequencing identified MYD88 L265P in tumor samples from 49 of 54 patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and in 3 of 3 patients with non-IgM-secreting LPL (91% of all patients with LPL). MYD88 L265P was absent in paired normal tissue samples from patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia or non-IgM LPL and in B cells from healthy donors and was absent or rarely expressed in samples from patients with multiple myeloma, marginal-zone lymphoma, or IgM monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. Inhibition of MYD88 signaling reduced IκBα and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, as well as NF-κB nuclear staining, in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia cells expressing MYD88 L265P. Somatic variants in ARID1A in 5 of 30 patients (17%), leading to a premature stop or frameshift, were also identified and were associated with an increased disease burden. In addition, 2 of 3 patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia who had wild-type MYD88 had somatic variants in MLL2. CONCLUSIONS: MYD88 L265P is a commonly recurring mutation in patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia that can be useful in differentiating Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and non-IgM LPL from B-cell disorders that have some of the same features. (Funded by the Peter and Helen Bing Foundation and others.).

The differentiation and stress response factor XBP-1 drives multiple myeloma pathogenesis.

Multiple myeloma (MM) evolves from a highly prevalent premalignant condition termed MGUS. The factors underlying the malignant transformation of MGUS are unknown. We report a MGUS/MM phenotype in transgenic mice with Emu-directed expression of the XBP-1 spliced isoform (XBP-1s), a factor governing unfolded protein/ER stress response and plasma-cell development. Emu-XBP-1s elicited elevated serum Ig and skin alterations. With age, Emu-xbp-1s transgenics develop features diagnostic of human MM, including bone lytic lesions and subendothelial Ig deposition. Furthermore, transcriptional profiles of Emu-xbp-1s lymphoid and MM cells show aberrant expression of known human MM dysregulated genes. The similarities of this model with the human disease, coupled with documented frequent XBP-1s overexpression in human MM, serve to implicate XBP-1s dysregulation in MM pathogenesis.