Clinical features and prognosis of core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia children in South China: a multicenter study / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical features, efficacy and prognosis factors of core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) children in South China. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of 584 AML patients from 9 hospitals between January 2015 to December 2020 was collected. According to fusion gene results, all patients were divided into two groups: CBF-AML group (189 cases) and non-CBF-AML group (395 cases). CBF-AML group were divided into AML1-ETO subgroup (154 cases) and CBFβ-MYH11 subgroup (35 cases). Patients in CBF-AML group chosen different induction scheme were divided into group A (fludarabine, cytarabine, granulocyte colony stimulating factor and idarubicin (FLAG-IDA) scheme, 134 cases) and group B (daunorubicin, cytarabine and etoposide (DAE) scheme, 55 cases). Age, gender, response rate, recurrence rate, mortality, molecular genetic characteristics and other clinical data were compared between groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and survival curve was drawn. Cox regression model was used to analyze prognostic factors. Results: A total of 584 AML children were diagnosed, including 346 males and 238 females. And a total of 189 children with CBF-AML were included, including 117 males and 72 females. The age of diagnosis was 7.3 (4.5,10.0)years, and the white blood cell count at initial diagnosis was 21.4 (9.7, 47.7)×109/L.The complete remission rate of the first course (CR1) of induction therapy, relapse rate, and mortality of children with CBF-AML were significantly different from those in the non-CBF-AML group (91.0% (172/189) vs. 78.0% (308/395); 10.1% (19/189) vs. 18.7% (74/395); 13.2% (25/189) vs. 25.6% (101/395), all P<0.05). In children with CBF-AML, the CBFβ-MYH11 subgroup had higher initial white blood cells and lower proportion of extramedullary invasion than the AML1-ETO subgroup, with statistical significance (65.7% (23/35) vs. 14.9% (23/154), 2.9% (1/35) vs. 16.9% (26/154), both P<0.05). AML1-ETO subgroup had more additional chromosome abnormalities (75/154), especially sex chromosome loss (53/154). Compared with group B, group A had more additional chromosome abnormalities and a higher proportion of tumor reduction regimen, with statistical significance (50.0% (67/134) vs. 29.1% (16/55), 34.3% (46/134) vs. 18.2% (10/55), both P<0.05). Significant differences were found in 5-years event free survival (EFS) rate and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate between CBF-AML group and non-CBF-AML group ((77.0±6.4)%vs. (61.9±6.7)%,(83.7±9.0)%vs. (67.3±7.2)%, both P<0.05).EFS and OS rates of AML1-ETO subgroup and CBFβ-MYH11 subgroup in children with CBF-AML were not significantly different (both P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed in the AML1-ETO subgroup, CR1 rate and high white blood cell count (≥50×109/L) were independent risk factors for EFS (HR=0.24, 95%CI 0.07-0.85,HR=1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.02, both P<0.05) and OS (HR=0.24, 95%CI 0.06-0.87; HR=1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.02; both P<0.05). Conclusions: In CBF-AML, AML1-ETO is more common which has a higher extramedullary involvement and additional chromosome abnormalities, especially sex chromosome loss. The prognosis of AML1-ETO was similar to that of CBFβ-MYH11. The selection of induction regimen group FLAG-IDA for high white blood cell count and additional chromosome abnormality can improve the prognosis.

A new form of familial platelet disorder caused by germline mutations in RUNX1 in a pedigree / 中华内科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical and biological characteristics of familial platelet disorder (FPD) with germline Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) 1 mutations. Methods: Patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with RUNX1 mutations from February 2016 to December 2021 in Wuhan No.1 Hospital underwent pedigree analysis and were screened for gene mutations (somatic and germline). Patients diagnosed with FPD with germline RUNX1 mutations were enrolled and evaluated in terms of clinical characteristics and biological evolution. Bioinformatics analysis was used to assess the pathogenicity of mutations and to analyze the effect of mutated genes on the function of the corresponding protein. Results: Germline RUNX1 mutations were detected in three out of 34 patients suffering from MDS/AML who had RUNX1 mutations. A pedigree of FPD with RUNX1 (RUNX1-FPD) c.562A>C and RUNX1 c.1415T>C mutations was diagnosed, and the mutations were of patrilineal origin. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the locus at positions 188 and 472 in the AML-1G type of RUNX1 was highly conserved across different species, and that variations might influence functions of the proteins. The mutations were evaluated to be highly pathogenic. Of the nine cases with germline RUNX1 mutations: two patients died due AML progression; one case with AML survived without leukemia after transplantation of hemopoietic stem cells; four patients showed mild-to-moderate thrombocytopenia; two cases had no thrombocytopenia. During the disease course of the proband and her son, mutations in RUNX1, NRAS and/or CEBPA and KIT appeared in succession, and expression of cluster of differentiation-7 on tumor cells was enhanced gradually. None of the gene mutations correlated with the tumor were detected in the four cases not suffering from MDS/AML, and they survived until the end of follow-up. Conclusions: RUNX1-FPD was rare. The mutations c.562A>C and c.1415T>C of RUNX1 could be the disease-causing genes for the family with RUNX1-FPD, and these mutations could promote malignant transformation. Biological monitoring should be carried out regularly to aid early intervention for family members with RUNX1-FPD.

Establishment of leukemia cell model with inducible AML1-ETO expression and its effect on fatty acid metabolism in leukemia cells / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of the AML1-ETO (AE) fusion gene on the biological function of U937 leukemia cells by establishing a leukemia cell model that induces AE fusion gene expression. Methods: The doxycycline (Dox) -dependent expression of the AE fusion gene in the U937 cell line (U937-AE) were established using a lentivirus vector system. The Cell Counting Kit 8 methods, including the PI and sidanilide induction, were used to detect cell proliferation, cell cycle-induced differentiation assays, respectively. The effect of the AE fusion gene on the biological function of U937-AE cells was preliminarily explored using transcriptome sequencing and metabonomic sequencing. Results: ①The Dox-dependent Tet-on regulatory system was successfully constructed to regulate the stable AE fusion gene expression in U937-AE cells. ②Cell proliferation slowed down and the cell proliferation rate with AE expression (3.47±0.07) was lower than AE non-expression (3.86 ± 0.05) after inducing the AE fusion gene expression for 24 h (P<0.05). The proportion of cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase in the cell cycle increased, with AE expression [ (63.45±3.10) %) ] was higher than AE non-expression [ (41.36± 9.56) %] (P<0.05). The proportion of cells expressing CD13 and CD14 decreased with the expression of AE. The AE negative group is significantly higher than the AE positive group (P<0.05). ③The enrichment analysis of the transcriptome sequencing gene set revealed significantly enriched quiescence, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, interferon-α/γ, and other inflammatory response and immune regulation signals after AE expression. ④Disorder of fatty acid metabolism of U937-AE cells occurred under the influence of AE. The concentration of the medium and short-chain fatty acid acylcarnitine metabolites decreased in cells with AE expressing, propionyl L-carnitine, wherein those with AE expression (0.46±0.13) were lower than those with AE non-expression (1.00±0.27) (P<0.05). The metabolite concentration of some long-chain fatty acid acylcarnitine increased in cells with AE expressing tetradecanoyl carnitine, wherein those with AE expression (1.26±0.01) were higher than those with AE non-expression (1.00±0.05) (P<0.05) . Conclusion: This study successfully established a leukemia cell model that can induce AE expression. The AE expression blocked the cell cycle and inhibited cell differentiation. The gene sets related to the inflammatory reactions was significantly enriched in U937-AE cells that express AE, and fatty acid metabolism was disordered.

Leukemia Genotype Analysis of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Yunnan Area / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze 43 leukemia genes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Yunnan province, and provide the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of children with ALL in this area.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 428 children with newly diagnosed ALL in Yunnan area from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Multiple nested PCR technology was used to detect 43 common leukemia genes.@*RESULTS@#Among the 428 children with ALL, 159 were positive for leukemia genes, with a positive rate of 37.15% (159/428), and a total of 15 leukemia genes were detected. Among the 159 leukemia gene-positive children, ETV6-RUNX1+ accounted for 25.79% (41/159), followed by E2A-PBX1+ and BCR-ABL+, accounting for 24.53% (39/159) and 23.27% (37/159) respectively. MLL+ accounted for 6.29% (10/159), WT1+ accounted for 4.40% (7/159), IKZF1 gene deletion and CRLF2+ accounted for 3.77% (6/159) respectively. The positive rate of MLL (46.15%) was the highest in ＜1-year old group, the positive rate of ETV6-RUNX1 (10.56%) was the highest in 1-10-year old group, and BCR-ABL+ rate (23.65%) was the highest in >10-year old group. The distribution of leukemia genes in different age groups was statistically significant (P <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The most common fusion gene of children with ALL in Yunnan is ETV6-RUNX1, followed by E2A-PBX1 and BCR-ABL.

Analysis of Coexisting Gene with NRAS in Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the coexisting mutations and clinical significance of Homo sapiens neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.@*METHODS@#High-throughput DNA sequencing and Sanger sequencing were used to detect 51 gene mutations. The occurrence, clinical characteristics and treatment efficacy of coexisting genes with NRAS were investigated.@*RESULTS@#A total of 57 NRAS mutations (17.5%) were detected in 326 patients with AML. Compared with the patients in NRAS non-mutation group, patients in the mutant group were younger (P=0.018) and showed lower platelet count (P=0.033), but there was no significant difference in peripheral leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and sex. For FAB classification, NRAS mutation and M2 subtype showed mutually exclusive (P=0.038). Among 57 patients carried with NRAS mutation, 51 (89.5%) patients carried with other gene mutations, 25 (43.9%) carried with double gene mutations, 10 (17.5%) carried with 3 gene mutations, and 16 (28.1%) corried with ≥ 4 gene mutations. The most common coexisting gene mutation was KRAS (24.6%, 14/57), followed by FLT3-ITD (14.0%, 8/57), RUNX1 (12.3%, 7/57), NPM1 (10.5%, 6/57), PTPN11 (10.5%, 6/57), DNMT3A (10.5%, 6/57) and so on. The age (P=0.013, P=0.005) and peripheral platelet count (P=0.007, P=0.021) of patients with NPM1 or DNMT3A mutations were higher than those of the patients with wild type, but there was no significant difference in peripheral leukocyte count and hemoglobin. Also, there was no significant difference in age, peripheral leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and peripheral platelet count between the patients in KRAS, FLT3-ITD, RUNX1 or PTPN11 mutant group and the wild group. Patients with FLT3-ITD mutations showed a lower complete remission (CR) rate (P=0.044). However, there was no significant difference in CR rate between the patients with KRAS, NPM1, RUNX1, PTPN11 or DNMT3A mutations and the wild group. The CR rate of the patents with single gene mutation, double gene mutations, 3 gene mutations, and≥ 4 gene mutations were decreased gradually, and there was no significant difference in CR rate between pairwise comparisons.@*CONCLUSION@#The mutation rate of NRAS mutation is 17.5%, 89.5% of AML patients with NRAS mutation coexist with additional gene mutations. The type of coexisting mutations has a certain impact on clinical characteristics and CR rate of patients with AML.

Clinical Characteristics of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with RUNX1 Gene Mutation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the incidence of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) gene and its associated gene mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and analyze its clinical characteristics and prognosis.@*METHODS@#The genomic DNA-PCR method was used to detect the exon of RUNX1 gene, and the gene mutations were analyzed by genetic sequencing. NPM1, DNMT3A, FLT3-ITD, IDH1/2, K/N-RAS, CEPBA, TET2, and WT1 co-mutations were also detected. Patients were followed up to determine efficacy and prognosis.@*RESULTS@#Among 171 patients, the RUNX1 gene mutation was detected in 17 cases, and the mutation rate was 9.9%. The type of RUNX1 gene mutation was 9 missense mutations, 4 frameshift mutations, and 4 nonsense mutations. The peripheral blood leukocyte count of the patients in mutation group was 3 (1-101) ×10@*CONCLUSION@#AML patients with RUNX1 gene mutation shows unique clinical and biological characteristics, RUNX1 mutation can be regarded as a molecular marker of poor prognosis in AML patients.

The role of RUNX1 in the apoptosis of epithelial cells in nasal polyps / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To explore the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) in nasal polyps (NPs) tissues and the potential role on apoptosis of primary human nasal epithelial cells (pHNECs) in NPs. Methods: The expression level of RUNX1 in NPs tissues was determined by Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemical staining (IHC). In vitro, TNF-α (20 ng/ml) was used to stimulate pHNECs to establish the apoptosis injury model. Hoechst staining was performed to observe pHNECs apoptosis by kit. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and WB were utilized to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL2-associated X (BAX) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) to assess the level of apoptosis. The plasmid of sh-RUNX1-6 was transfected into the pHNECs apoptosis model, then the effect of RUNX1 silence on apoptosis was evaluated by WB and flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS 19.0 and GraphPad Prism5 software. Results: The expression of RUNX1 in NPs tissue was significantly higher than that in inferior turbinates, and the difference was statistically significant (0.274±0.042 vs 0.110±0.027, t=9.675, P<0.05). Compared with the inferior turbinates, BAX and Caspase-3 expressions were increased whereas BCL-2 was decreased in NPs, and the differences were statistically significant (BAX 0.346±0.032 vs 0.302±0.037, Caspase-3 0.228±0.061 vs 0.158±0.065, BCL-2 0.090±0.047 vs 0.276±0.057, t value was 2.680, 2.361 and 7.575, respectively, all P<0.05). The expression levels of RUNX1 and apoptosis in pHNECs increased in a time-dependent manner after TNF-α exposure (P<0.05). Plasmid of sh-RUNX1-6 transfected silenced the expression of RUNX1 in pHNECs treated by TNF-α. After silencing RUNX1 in pHNECs apoptosis model, the protein levels of BAX and Caspase-3 were decreased, while the expression of BCL-2 was increased, the rate of apoptosis was decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions: RUNX1 is increased in NPs. Silencing RUNX1 can inhibit the apoptosis and reduce cell inflammatory damage of pHNECs induced by TNF-α.

The prognostic value of cloned genetic mutations detected by second-generation sequencing in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive acute myeloid leukemia patients receiving intensive consolidation therapy / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of clonal gene mutations detected by second-generation sequencing in patients with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received high-dose chemotherapy or autologous transplantation (intensive consolidation therapy) in the first complete remission (CR(1)) state. Methods: 79 AML patients with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 who received intensive consolidation therapy in CR(1) state from July 2011 to August 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression model were used to figure out the effect of leukocyte counts at onset and gene mutations for prognosis. Results: C-KIT, FLT3, CEBPA and DNMT3A gene mutations were found in 25 (31.6%) , 6 (7.6%) , 7 (8.9%) and 1 (1.3%) patient among the population. Mutations in C-KIT exon17 and C-KIT exon8 were detected in 19 (24.1%) and 5 (6.3%) cases, respectively, and mutations of FLT3-ITD were confirmed in 5 (6.3%) cases. The higher leukocyte counts presented at onset of leukemia, the shorter overall survival (OS) was seen in these patients (P=0.03) . Patients with C-KIT exon17 mutation had significantly shorter OS (P=0.01) and disease free survival (DFS) (P=0.006) compared with those without gene mutations, and patients with FLT3-ITD gene mutation got the inferior OS (P=0.048) and DFS (P=0.071) . Conclusion: In AML patients with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 receiving intensive consolidation therapy, the white blood cell counts at onset of leukemia, C-KIT mutations in exon 17, and FLT3-ITD gene mutations suggest poor prognosis, which would contribute to elaborate risk stratification, personalized treatment and predict prognosis for these patients.

Clinical features and prognosis of core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical features and prognosis of core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) in children.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed from the chart review data of children who were newly diagnosed with CBF-AML in the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from August 2009 to November 2015. According to the type of fusion gene, the children were divided into CBFB-MYH11 and AML1-ETO groups. Clinical features and prognosis were analyzed and compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#A total of 91 children with CBF-AML were enrolled in this study, among whom there were 74 (81%) in the AML1-ETO group and 17 (19%) in the CBFB-MYH11 group. Additional chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 38 children (42%), and deletion of sex chromosome was the most common abnormality and was observed in 28 children (31%). After the first course of induction treatment, the complete remission rate was 97% (88/91), the recurrence rate was 29% (26/91), the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 65%±6%, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 75%±5%. There were no significant differences between the AML1-ETO and CBFB-MYH11 groups in 5-year EFS rate (62%±7% vs 77%±11%, P>0.05) or 5-year OS rate (72%±6% vs 88%±9%, P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#AML1-ETO is the main type of fusion gene in children with CBF-AML, and deletion of sex chromosome is the most common type of additional chromosomal abnormalities. Children with CBF-AML often have a good prognosis, and the children with AML1-ETO have a similar prognosis to those with CBFB-MYH11.

Clinical significance of minimal residual disease in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia pediatric patients with different fusion gene backgrounds / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) pediatric patients with different fusion gene backgrounds.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 441 B-ALL children who were treated from January 2008 to April 2015. Among the 441 children, 336 had negative fusion gene, 79 had positive @*RESULTS@#In patients with negative fusion gene, the positive MRD group had significantly lower overall survival (OS) rate and event-free survival (EFS) rate (@*CONCLUSIONS@#MRD has the most definite prognostic significance in pediatric B-ALL patients with negative fusion gene, while it has unsatisfactory prognostic significance in those with positive

RUNX1 gene mutations are associated with adverse prognosis of patients with acute myeloidleukemia / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the rate and distribution of Runt- related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) gene mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the correlation of these mutations with the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of the patients.@*METHODS@#The genomic DNA extracted from the bone marrow of 158 patients with newly diagnosed AML for PCR amplification of RUNX1 gene and sequence analysis to identify the mutations. The mutations of ASXL1, DNMT3A, TET2, FLT3, CEBPA, NPM1, IDH2, NRAS and c-KIT genes were also examined to analyze their association with RUNX1 gene mutations.@*RESULTS@#Among the 158 AML patients, 19 (12.0%) were found to have RUNX1 mutations in A166G (9 cases), A142T (6 cases) and A162L (4 cases). RUNX1 mutations were more frequent in elderly patients (@*CONCLUSIONS@#RUNX1 gene mutations are associated with an adverse prognosis of patients with AML.

An interlaboratory comparison study on the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the current status and real performance of the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels in China through interlaboratory comparison. Methods: Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) prepared the samples for comparison. That is, the fresh RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive (+) bone morrow nucleated cells were serially diluted with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 negative (-) nucleated cells from different patients. Totally 23 sets with 14 different samples per set were prepared. TRIzol reagent was added in each tube and thoroughly mixed with cells for homogenization. Each laboratory simultaneously tested RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels of one set of samples by real-time quantitative PCR method. All transcript levels were reported as the percentage of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or WT1 transcript copies/ABL copies. Spearman correlation coefficient between the reported transcript levels of each participated laboratory and those of PKUPH was calculated. Results: ①RUNX1-RUNX1T1 comparison: 9 samples were (+) and 5 were (-) , the false negative and positive rates of the 20 participated laboratories were 0 (0/180) and 5% (5/100) , respectively. The reported transcript levels of all 9 positive samples were different among laboratories. The median reported transcript levels of 9 positive samples were from 0.060% to 176.7%, which covered 3.5-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.5 to 12.3 (one result which obviously deviated from other laboratories' results was not included) , 85% (17/20) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ②WT1 comparison: The median reported transcript levels of all 14 samples were from 0.17% to 67.6%, which covered 2.6-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.3-13.7, 62% (13/21) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ③ The relative relationship of the reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels between the participants and PKUPH was not always consistent with that of WT1 transcript levels. Both RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels from 2 and 7 laboratories were individually lower than and higher than those of PKUPH, whereas for the rest 11 laboratories, one transcript level was higher than and the other was lower than that of PKUPH. Conclusion: The reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels were different among laboratories for the same sample. Most of the participated laboratories reported highly consistent result with that of PKUPH. The relationship between laboratories of the different transcript levels may not be the same.

Related Factors Affecting Long-term Prognosis of AML Children with Positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the related factors affecting the long-term prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) children with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 63 chlidren with positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 AML treated by BCH-AML 05 regimen in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The level of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 was detected at the time of initial diagnosis (T), after the first induction treatment (T), after the second induction treatment (T), after the first consolidation treatment (T), after the second consolidation treatment (T) and after the third consolidation treatment (T). According to the fusion transcript levels of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 the AML children were divided into low-expression group and high-expression group; the threshold values for grouping were 10 copies/10 β-glucuronidase (GUS), 10 copies/10 GUS, 10 copies/10 GUS, 10 copies/10 GUS, 1 copies/10 GUS and 0 copies respectively. The gained data were enrolled in the statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#23 cases of 63 children died during the follow-up period, and the median follow-up time of the remaining 40 children were 30.04 (11-60) months. There were statistically significant differences in CD15 positive rate between low-expression group and high-expression group (P0.05). Univariate analysis showed that sex, Plt counts at T and fusion transcript levels at T, T and T correlated with the 5-year overall survival rate (P10 copies/10 GUS at T was an independent risk factor for 5-year overall survival rate (HR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.04-7.78)(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The fusion transcript level after the first induction therapy in RUNX1-RUNX1T1-positive AML children is an independent factor influencing the long-term prognosis.

Detection Rate of Central Nervous System Leukemia Can Be Improved by Cell Preservation Solution / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether cell preservation solution can prolong the survival time of leukemia cells and increase the survival rate, so as to improve the detection rate of central nervous system leukemia.@*METHODS@#Kasumi cells were added into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) supernatant with or without cell preservation solution to compare cell viability and biological characteristics at different time point. Wright Giemsa staining was used to compare cell morphology; cell counting, CCK-8 method, and trypan blue staining were used to compare the cell number, and flow cytometry was used to compare the cell viability. The expression of AML-ETO tumor fusion gene was detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#At different time points (8 h and 24 h), the survival, molecular biological characteristics and RT-PCR result of the cells in CSF with cell preservation solution were significantly better than those in normal cerebrospinal fluid.@*CONCLUSION@#Cell preservation solution can effectively improve the survival time and survival rate of leukemic cells, thereby increase the detection rate of CNS leukemia.

Efficacy Analysis of Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation for High-Risk Refractory AML1-ETO Positive Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical outcomes of engraftment, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and survival in the patients with AML1-ETO positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT).@*METHODS@#Forty-Five patients with high-risk refractory AML1-ETO positive AML were treated with a single UCBT in a single center from July 2010 to April 2018. All the patients underwent a myeloablative preconditioning regimen，and cyclosporine A (CSA) combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was used to prevent GVHD.@*RESULTS@#The median value of total nucleated cells (TNC) in cord blood was 5.21 (1.96-12.68)×10/kg recipient body weight, and that of CD34+ cells was 5.61 (0.56-15.4)×10/kg recipient weight. The implantation rate of neutrophil at 42 d and that of platelet at 120 d were 95.6% and 86.7%, respectively. The median time of absolute neutrophil count (ANC)＞0.5×10/L and platelet 20×10/L were 16 (12-18) d and 37 (17-140) d after transplantation, respectively. The cumulative incidence of Ⅰ -Ⅳ grade acute GVHD (aGVHD) at 100 d after transplantation was 48.9% (95% CI 33.5%-62.6%), Ⅱ-Ⅳ grade aGVHD occurred in 12 cases (33.3%) (95% CI 20%-47.2%) , and Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade a GVHD in 8 cases (20%) (95% CI 9.8% -32.8%). In 5 cases of 40 patients survived over 100 days, the chronic GVHD (cGVHD) occurred after transplantation, among which 4 were localized, and 1 was extensive. 3 patients relapsed, and the 2-year cumulative relapse rate was 9.5% (95% CI 2.4%-22.8%). The median follow-up time was 23.5 (0.9-89.67) months, 10 patients died, 2-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 72.7%, and overall survival rate (OS) was 75.5%. Multivariate analysis showed that Ⅲ-Ⅳ. acute GVHD (aGVHD) affected overall survival.@*CONCLUSION@#UCBT is an effective rescue treatment for patients with high-risk refractory AML1-ETO positive AML.

Caracterización del gen de fusión RUNX1-RUNX1T1 en pacientes cubanos con leucemia mieloide aguda, 2000-2016 / Characterization of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene in Cuban patients with acute myeloid leukemia, 2000-2016

Introducción: el gen de fusión RUNX1-RUNX1T codifica para una proteína quimérica con múltiples efectos en la proliferación, diferenciación y viabilidad de las células leucémicas. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento del RUNX1-RUNX1T1 en pacientes cubanos con dicha enfermedad. Método: Para ello se estudió el gen de fusión RUNX1-RUNX1T1 en 251 pacientes con leucemia mieloide aguda, mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología de La Habana, entre los años 2000 y 2016. Resultados: El 20,3 por ciento (51 pacientes) fue positivo para el gen de fusión RUNX1-RUNX1T1, con una edad comprendida entre los 11 meses y los 80 años, media de 26 años. En los pacientes pediátricos la frecuencia del transcrito fue casi el doble de la de los adultos (29,2 por ciento y 15,3 por ciento, respectivamente) (p= 0,009). Mayor cantidad de pacientes masculinos presentaron el gen quimérico. En menores de 25 años hubo una mayor frecuencia del transcrito (p=0,019) con predominio significativo de la mutación en los adolescentes (p=0,027). Cinco pacientes fueron positivos al RUNX1-RUNX1T1 y a la duplicación interna en tándem del gen FLT3 (12,2 por ciento). Ningún paciente positivo al RUNX1-RUNX1T1 presentó el gen de fusión CBFB-MYH11. La mayor asociación estuvo con la mutación A del gen NPM1 para un 25 por ciento. El debut de la enfermedad se caracterizó por anemia moderada (p= 0,024), trombocitopenia severa (p= 0,004) y gran infiltración medular. La mayor discrepancia entre diagnósticos se concentró entre las variantes morfológicas M2 y M3 (p= 0,000). Conclusiones: En pacientes cubanos la leucemia mieloide aguda con gen de fusión RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positivo, tiene un comportamiento similar a lo descrito internacionalmente con algunas particularidadesen las características hematológicas de presentación de la enfermedad. El estudio molecular es imprescindible para definir el diagnóstico, y la estrategia terapéutica en estos pacientes(AU)

Introduction: The RUNX1-RUNX1T fusion gene codes for a chimeric protein with multiple effects on the proliferation, differentiation and viability of leukemic cells. Objective: To describe the behavior of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 in Cuban patients with this disease. Method: The RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene was studied in 251 patients with acute myeloid leukemia, through the polymerase chain reaction, at the Institute of Hematology and Immunology of Havana, between 2000 and 2016. Results: The 20.3 percent (51 patients) were positive for the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene, with an age between 11 months and 80 years, average of 26 years.In pediatric patients, the transcript frequency was almost twice that of adults (29.2 percent and 15.3 percent , respectively) (p= 0.009). More male patients presented the chimeric gene. There was a higher frequency of the transcript in children under 25 years of age (p= 0.019) with a significant predominance of the mutation in adolescents (p= 0.027).Five patients were positive for RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and for internal tandem duplication of the FLT3 gene (12.2 percent ).No patient positive for RUNX1-RUNX1T1 presented the CBFB-MYH11 fusion gene. The greatest association was with the A mutation of the NPM1 gene for 25 percent . The onset of the disease was characterized by moderate anemia (p= 0.024), severe thrombocytopenia (p= 0.004) and extensive bone marrow infiltration. The greatest discrepancy between diagnoses was concentrated between the morphological variants M2 and M3 (p= 0.000). Conclusions: In Cuban patients, acute myeloid leukemia with a positive RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene has a behavior similar to that described internationally with some peculiarities in the hematological characteristics of the disease presentation.The molecular study is essential to define the diagnosis, and the therapeutic strategy in these patients(AU)

Clinical features and curative effect analysis of patients with myeloid neoplasms and RUNX1 mutations / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the survival and prognostic factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for patients with myeloid neoplasms and RUNX1 mutations. Methods: From July 2014 to April 2018, the clinical data of forty-two AML/MDS patients with RUNX1 mutations in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristic features and distribution of the mutations frequently observed with RUNX1 mutations were summarized, the prognosis of allo-HSCT for these patients was also analyzed. Results: Among 42 AML/MDS patients with RUNX1 mutations, 27 were male, 15 were female. The median age was 43.5 (16-68) years old. There are 31 patients in allo-HSCT group and 11 patients in chemotherapy group. RUNX1 mutations co-occurred with many other gene mutations, the most frequent mutations were FLT3 (26.2%, 11/42) . Interestingly, FLT3 mutations only occurred in AML patients compared with MDS patients (P=0.014) . ASXL1 (25%, 3/12) mutations were observed as the most frequent co-mutations in MDS patients. One-year overall survival (OS) , disease-free survival (DFS) of allo-HSCT and chemotherapy patients were (70.6±9.0) %, (61.0±9.4) % and (34.4±16.7) %, (22.4±15.3) %, respectively. When OS and DFS between allo-HSCT and chemotherapy patients were compared, significant differences (χ(2)=4.843, 4.320, P<0.05) were showed. In univariate analysis, transplant age >45 years was a negative effect for OS [HR=4.819 (95% CI 1.145-20.283) , P=0.032] and DFS [HR=5.945 (95% CI 1.715-20.604) , P=0.005]. Also, complex chromosome karyotype abnormality was a negative effect for OS [HR=5.572 (95%CI 1.104-28.113) , P=0.038]. Conclusion: Transplant age (>45 years) and complex chromosome karyotype abnormality were negative prognostic factors in allo-HSCT for myeloid neoplasms patients with RUNX1 mutations.

HER2 Expression in Childhood ETV6/RUNX1 Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Its Correlation with Clinical Features / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the HER22 expression in children with ETV6/RUNX1 (E/R)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) and to investigate the relationship between the HER2 expression and clinical features.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-seven newly diagnosed E/R-positive ALL children and 6 controls (4 cases of ITP and 2 healthy children) were selected in Institute of hematology and blood disease hospital. The 37 patients were divided into standard risk (SR), intermediate risk(IR), high risk(HR) groups according to risk stratification; and they were divided into relapse and non-relapse groups according to follow-up result. The CD10CD19 cells were sorted by flow cytometry. The mRNA was extracted from these cells. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of HER2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 37 cases, 51.35% (n=19) were boys and 48.65% (n=18) were girls and their median age was 4.72 (1.72-11.99) years old. Among the 6 controls, 50% (n=3) were boys and 50% (n=3) were girls and the median age was 5.24 (1.53-13.17) years old. The expression level of HER2 in E/R-positive ALL patients were lower than that in controls (P<0.05). Although the difference of HER2 expression level between the 2 groups failed to achieve statistical significance, the expression level of HER2 in relapse patients were significantly lower than that in non-relapse patients, and the HER2 expression in HR group patients were lower than that in SR and IR groups. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the expression level of HER2 and the sex, age, initial white blood cell count, blast cell percentage and the level of LDH (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression level of HER2 in E/R ALL patients is lower than that in controls, and in relapse group lower than that in non-relapse patient. Thus, HER2 may play important roles in the pathogenesis and relapse mechanism of pediatric E/R-positive ALL patients.</p>

Expression of CD19 and CD56 in AML Patients with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 Mutation and Its Clinical Significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical significance of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 expression level in bone marrow of patients with acute non-M3 myeloid leukemia (AML non-M3), and to understand the biological characteristics of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive AML expressing lymphoid antigens CD19, CD56 and its effect on the initially induced remission rate and prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression level of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 in bone marrow of 200 patients with newly diagnosed AML (non-M3) was detected by real-time fluorescent Q-PCR, the expression level of lymphoid antigens was detected by flow cytometry, and the relationship of the initially induced remission rate (CR1) with the overall survival (OS) rate was analyzed, the CR1 and OS differences also were analyzed between CD56 and CD56 patients as well as CD19 and CD17 patients in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive patients with AML.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The CD56 patients at the initial diagnosis had lower CR1(P<0.05) in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive AML patients, the CR1 of CD19 patients was higher than that in CD19 patients at the initial diagnosis (P<0.05). The OS of CD56 patients was significantly high in comparison with CD56 patients (P<0.05), while the OS between CD19 patients and CD19 patients was not significantly different.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The bone marrow CD56 in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive AML patients suggests poor prognosis. The CD19 only correlates with CR1, but does not with OS.</p>

Tet2 Regulates Osteoclast Differentiation by Interacting with Runx1 and Maintaining Genomic 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) / 基因组蛋白质组与生物信息学报·英文版

As a dioxygenase, Ten-Eleven Translocation 2 (TET2) catalyzes subsequent steps of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) oxidation. TET2 plays a critical role in the self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, but its impact on mature hematopoietic cells is not well-characterized. Here we show that Tet2 plays an essential role in osteoclastogenesis. Deletion of Tet2 impairs the differentiation of osteoclast precursor cells (macrophages) and their maturation into bone-resorbing osteoclasts in vitro. Furthermore, Tet2 mice exhibit mild osteopetrosis, accompanied by decreased number of osteoclasts in vivo. Tet2 loss in macrophages results in the altered expression of a set of genes implicated in osteoclast differentiation, such as Cebpa, Mafb, and Nfkbiz. Tet2 deletion also leads to a genome-wide alteration in the level of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and altered expression of a specific subset of macrophage genes associated with osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, Tet2 interacts with Runx1 and negatively modulates its transcriptional activity. Our studies demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism controlling osteoclast differentiation and function by Tet2, that is, through interactions with Runx1 and the maintenance of genomic 5hmC. Targeting Tet2 and its pathway could be a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of abnormal bone mass caused by the deregulation of osteoclast activities.