Novel bioinformatic classification system for genetic signatures identification in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a spectrum of disease comprising more than 30% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Although studies have identified several molecular subgroups, the heterogeneous genetic background of DLBCL remains ambiguous. In this study we aimed to develop a novel approach and to provide a distinctive classification system to unravel its molecular features. METHOD: A cohort of 342 patient samples diagnosed with DLBCL in our hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this study. A total of 46 genes were included in next-generation sequencing panel. Non-mutually exclusive genetic signatures for the factorization of complex genomic patterns were generated by random forest algorithm. RESULTS: A total of four non-mutually exclusive signatures were generated, including those with MYC-translocation (MYC-trans) (n = 62), with BCL2-translocation (BCL2-trans) (n = 69), with BCL6-translocation (BCL6-trans) (n = 108), and those with MYD88 and/or CD79B mutations (MC) signatures (n = 115). Comparison analysis between our model and traditional mutually exclusive Schmitz's model demonstrated consistent classification pattern. And prognostic heterogeneity existed within EZB subgroup of de novo DLBCL patients. As for prognostic impact, MYC-trans signature was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor. Furthermore, tumors carrying three different signature markers exhibited significantly inferior prognoses compared with their counterparts with no genetic signature. CONCLUSION: Compared with traditional mutually exclusive molecular sub-classification, non-mutually exclusive genetic fingerprint model generated from our study provided novel insight into not only the complex genetic features, but also the prognostic heterogeneity of DLBCL patients.

[Comparative analysis of the efficacies of entecavir capsules and lamivudine in chronic hepatitis B patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy profile of entecavir capsule (ETV) as a chronic hepatitis B therapy, as compared to lamivudine (LAM). METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group evaluation of ETV, 232 subjects were administered a 96-week course of 0.5 mg/day ETV or 100 mg/day LAM. PCR measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was conducted throughout the treatment course to determine achievement of complete virologic response (CVR; defined as less than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA) or experience of virology rebound ( more than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA after achievement of CVR). RESULTS: After week-48 of treatment, the ETV group showed a higher CVR rate (90.3% vs. LAM: 59.4%) and lower virology rebound rate (1.9% vs. LAM: 13.9%). After week-96 of treatment, the ETV group continued to have a higher CVR rate (86.0% vs. LAM: 71.4%), and virology rebound was experienced by significantly less subjects in the ETV group (1.2% vs. LAM: 11.9%, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: ETV therapy can quickly and continuously suppress HBV replication in chronic hepatitis B patients, and has a lower resistance rate than LAM. Compared to LAM, ETV may be a superior long-term treatment choice for chronic hepatitis B.

Inherited Genetic Susceptibility to Nonimmunosuppressed Epstein-Barr Virus-associated T/NK-cell Lymphoproliferative Diseases in Chinese Patients.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative diseases are characterized by clonal expansion of EBV-infected T or NK cells, including chronic active EBV infection of T/NK-cell type (CAEBV+T/NK), EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV+HLH), extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma of nasal type (ENKTL), and aggressive NK-cell leukemia (ANKL). However, the role of inherited genetic variants to EBV+T/NK-LPDs susceptibility is still unknown. A total of 171 nonimmunosuppressed patients with EBV+T/NK-LPDs and 104 healthy donors were retrospectively collected and a targeted sequencing study covering 15 genes associated with lymphocyte cytotoxicity was performed. The 94 gene variants, mostly located in UNC13D, LYST, ITK, and PRF1 genes were detected, and mutations covered 28/50 (56.00%) of CAEBV-T/NK, 31/51 (60.78%) of EBV+HLH, 13/28 (46.42%) of ENKTL, and 13/48 (27.09%) of ANKL. Most mutations represented monoallelic and missense. Three-year overall survival rate of patients with CAEBV-T/NK and EBV+HLH was significantly lower in patients with germline mutations than in those without germline mutations (P=0.0284, P=0.0137). Our study provided novel insights into understanding a spectrum of nonimmunosuppressed EBV+T/NK-LPDs with respect to genetic defects associated with lymphocyte cytotoxicity and reminded us that the gene sequencing may be an auxiliary test for diagnosis and risk stratification of EBV+T/NK-LPDs.

Clinical Features and MicroRNA Expression Patterns Between AML Patients With DNMT3A R882 and Frameshift Mutations.

Background: DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) plays a unique role in hematopoiesis and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) pathogenesis. While the influences of DNMT3A mutation subtypes are still under debate. Purpose: Exploration of the clinical and molecular differences between AML patients carrying DNMT3A R882 mutations and DNMT3A frameshift mutations. Methods: Next generation of sequencing (NGS) and clinical data of 118 AML patients in our center were analyzed and compared. NGS, mRNA and miRNA profiling and clinical data from 12 patients in TCGA database were integrative analyzed. Results: Among all patients enrolled, 113 patients were positive for the variants of interest. Overall, a total of 295 variants were discovered, among which 24 DNMT3A mutations were detected, including 1 non-sense, 20 missense, 3 frameshift mutations. And 7 DNMT3A R882 mutations (3 R882H, 2 R882C, and 2 R882P) were found. Clinical analysis from our cohort and TCGA database indicated that patients carrying DNMT3A R882 mutation exhibited significantly higher levels of peripheral blood hemoglobin and non-significantly inferior prognosis compared with patients with DNMT3A frameshift mutations. Integrative analysis indicated that miR-10b, miR-143, and miR-30a were significantly decreased in the DNMT3A R882 group. High miR-143 expression is significantly associated with better prognosis in AML patients with DNMT3A mutations. Conclusion: Different molecular and clinical characteristics existed between patients with DNMT3A variant subtypes. The distinct microRNA expression pattern for DNMT3A R882 AML patients might not only act as markers to predict disease prognosis, but also could be further investigated to develop novel therapeutic targets for patients with DNMT3A mutations.

Tenofovir rescue therapy in pregnant females with chronic hepatitis B.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tenofovir monotherapy in pregnant females resistant to lamivudine or telbivudine. The effect of tenofovir on the fetus was also assessed. METHODS: The clinical data of 17 females were reviewed in this study. Adverse events and pregnancy outcomes from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013 were evaluated in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. These pregnant females developed lamivudine (LAM)- or telbivudine (LdT)-resistant chronic hepatitis B and received tenofovir (TDF) therapy (300 mg/d), and its curative effect, maternal and perinatal adverse events, fetal growth and development, and neonatal prognosis were evaluated. RESULTS: The median hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level in the pregnant females with LAM or LdT resistance was 5.9 (range, 4.2-7.2) log10 copies/mL before the initiation of TDF. Ten of these females had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The patients were treated with TDF for a median of 24 wk (range, 12-40 wk). Fourteen females (82.4%) had an HBV DNA level of <500 copies/mL at the time of delivery. This decrease was statistically significant (P<0.0001). Serum ALT levels were normalized in all subjects with an elevated serum ALT level at baseline (P=0.0003). There were no significant changes in serum creatinine and phosphorus levels during TDF treatment. In addition, no adverse events related to TDF treatment were observed. Seventeen females delivered 17 live infants, and all infants had good Apgar scores. The mean birth weight was 3226.5±331.7 g, and the mean length at birth was 50.4±1.1 cm. The growth and development of the infants was normal at birth, and no infants had birth defects related to TDF treatment. Eleven infants completed HBV vaccination and had no evidence of vertical transmission. CONCLUSION: The use of TDF in pregnant females with chronic HBV and LAM or LdT resistance was safe and effective.

Safety of lamivudine treatment for chronic hepatitis B in early pregnancy.

AIM: To evaluate the safety of lamivudine (LAM) treatment for chronic hepatitis B in early pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 92 pregnant women who received LAM treatment either before pregnancy or in early pregnancy were enrolled in this study. All of the pregnant women volunteered to take lamivudine during pregnancy and were not co-infected with hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus, or other viruses. All infants received passive-active immunoprophylaxis with 200 IU hepatitis B immunoglobulin and three doses of 10 µg hepatitis B vaccines (0-1-6 mo) according to the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Adverse events were observed throughout the entire pregnancy and perinatal period, and the effectiveness of lamivudine treatment for blocking mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was evaluated. All adverse events in mothers and infants during pregnancy and the perinatal period and the HBV mother-to-infant transmission blocking rate were compared with the literature. RESULTS: Among the 92 pregnant women, spontaneous abortions occurred in 11 cases, while 3 mothers had a second pregnancy after the initial abortion; 72 mothers delivered 73 live infants, of whom 68 infants were followed up for no less than 6 mo, and 12 mothers were still pregnant. During pregnancy, the main maternal adverse events were vaginitis (12/72, 16.7%), spontaneous abortion (11/95, 11.6%), and gestational diabetes (6/72, 8.3%); only one case had 1-2 degree elevation of the creatine kinase level (195 U/L). During the perinatal period, the main maternal adverse events were premature rupture of the membranes (8/72, 11.1%), preterm delivery (5/72, 6.9%), and meconium staining of the amniotic fluid (4/72, 5.6%). In addition, 2 infants were found to have congenital abnormalities; 1 had a scalp hemangioma that did not change in size until 7 mo, and the other had early cerebral palsy, but with rehabilitation training, the infant's motor functions became totally normal at 2 years of age. The incidence of adverse events among the mothers or abnormalities in the infants was not higher than that of normal mothers or HBV-infected mothers who did not receive lamivudine treatment. In only 2 cases, mother-to-infant transmission blocking failed; the blocking rate was 97.1% (66/68), which was higher than has been previously reported. CONCLUSION: Lamivudine treatment is safe for chronic HBV-infected pregnant mothers and their fetuses with a gestational age of less than 12 wk or throughout the entire pregnancy.