Comprehensive Analysis of Hypermutation in Human Cancer.

We present an extensive assessment of mutation burden through sequencing analysis of >81,000 tumors from pediatric and adult patients, including tumors with hypermutation caused by chemotherapy, carcinogens, or germline alterations. Hypermutation was detected in tumor types not previously associated with high mutation burden. Replication repair deficiency was a major contributing factor. We uncovered new driver mutations in the replication-repair-associated DNA polymerases and a distinct impact of microsatellite instability and replication repair deficiency on the scale of mutation load. Unbiased clustering, based on mutational context, revealed clinically relevant subgroups regardless of the tumors' tissue of origin, highlighting similarities in evolutionary dynamics leading to hypermutation. Mutagens, such as UV light, were implicated in unexpected cancers, including sarcomas and lung tumors. The order of mutational signatures identified previous treatment and germline replication repair deficiency, which improved management of patients and families. These data will inform tumor classification, genetic testing, and clinical trial design.

Whole exome sequencing reveals mutations in FAT1 tumor suppressor gene clinically impacting on peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified represents a diagnostic category comprising clinically, histologically, and molecularly heterogeneous neoplasms that are poorly understood. The genetic landscape of peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified remains largely undefined, only a few sequencing studies having been conducted so far. In order to improve our understanding of the genetics of this neoplasm, we performed whole exome sequencing along with RNA-sequencing in a discovery set of 21 cases. According to whole exome sequencing results and mutations previously reported in other peripheral T-cell lymphomas, 137 genes were sequenced by a targeted deep approach in 71 tumor samples. In addition to epigenetic modifiers implicated in all subtypes of T-cell neoplasm (TET2, DNMT3A, KMT2D, KMT2C, SETD2), recurrent mutations of the FAT1 tumor suppressor gene were for the first time recorded in 39% of cases. Mutations of the tumor suppressor genes LATS1, STK3, ATM, TP53, and TP63 were also observed, although at a lower frequency. Patients with FAT1 mutations showed inferior overall survival compared to those with wild-type FAT1. Although peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified remains a broad category also on molecular grounds, the present study highlights that FAT1 mutations occur in a significant proportion of cases, being provided with both pathogenetic and prognostic impact.

Correction: Whole exome sequencing reveals mutations in FAT1 tumor suppressor gene clinically impacting on peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: genomics mark epigenetic dysregulation as a primary therapeutic target.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy for which there is still no effective therapy. In order to identify genetic alterations useful for a new treatment design, we used whole-exome sequencing to analyze 14 BPDCN patients and the patient-derived CAL-1 cell line. The functional enrichment analysis of mutational data reported the epigenetic regulatory program to be the most significantly undermined (P<0.0001). In particular, twenty-five epigenetic modifiers were found mutated (e.g. ASXL1, TET2, SUZ12, ARID1A, PHF2, CHD8); ASXL1 was the most frequently affected (28.6% of cases). To evaluate the impact of the identified epigenetic mutations at the gene-expression and Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation/acetylation levels, we performed additional RNA and pathology tissue-chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing experiments. The patients displayed enrichment in gene signatures regulated by methylation and modifiable by decitabine administration, shared common H3K27-acetylated regions, and had a set of cell-cycle genes aberrantly up-regulated and marked by promoter acetylation. Collectively, the integration of sequencing data showed the potential of a therapy based on epigenetic agents. Through the adoption of a preclinical BPDCN mouse model, established by CAL-1 cell line xenografting, we demonstrated the efficacy of the combination of the epigenetic drugs 5'-azacytidine and decitabine in controlling disease progression in vivo.

Aggressive embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in a 3-month-old boy: A clinical and molecular analysis.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) represents the most common soft tissue sarcoma in the pediatric age group. While RMS has been traditionally classified on the basis of its histological appearance (with embryonal and alveolar being most common), it is now clear that the PAX-FOXO1 fusion product drives prognosis. We report here a case of pelvic embryonal RMS in a 3-month-old male who was subsequently found to have developed brain metastases during the course of chemotherapy. Cytogenetic analysis of the brain metastases at the time of autopsy as well as next-generation sequencing analysis revealed a reciprocal translocation involving the SH3 domain containing ring finger 3 gene (SH3RF3, on chromosome 2q13) and the Lipase C gene (LIPC, on chromosome 15q21.3). Due to the poor quality of the pretreatment and postresection samples, cytogenetics and NGS analysis looking for the presence of this balanced translocation in these specimens could not be performed. To the authors' knowledge, this translocation has never been described in RMS. Further studies are needed to determine the biological and clinical implications of this novel translocation.

Distinct Viral and Mutational Spectrum of Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma.

Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is primarily found in children in equatorial regions and represents the first historical example of a virus-associated human malignancy. Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and MYC translocations are hallmarks of the disease, it is unclear whether other factors may contribute to its development. We performed RNA-Seq on 20 eBL cases from Uganda and showed that the mutational and viral landscape of eBL is more complex than previously reported. First, we found the presence of other herpesviridae family members in 8 cases (40%), in particular human herpesvirus 5 and human herpesvirus 8 and confirmed their presence by immunohistochemistry in the adjacent non-neoplastic tissue. Second, we identified a distinct latency program in EBV involving lytic genes in association with TCF3 activity. Third, by comparing the eBL mutational landscape with published data on sporadic Burkitt lymphoma (sBL), we detected lower frequencies of mutations in MYC, ID3, TCF3 and TP53, and a higher frequency of mutation in ARID1A in eBL samples. Recurrent mutations in two genes not previously associated with eBL were identified in 20% of tumors: RHOA and cyclin F (CCNF). We also observed that polyviral samples showed lower numbers of somatic mutations in common altered genes in comparison to sBL specimens, suggesting dual mechanisms of transformation, mutation versus virus driven in sBL and eBL respectively.

Bone marrow stroma CD40 expression correlates with inflammatory mast cell infiltration and disease progression in splenic marginal zone lymphoma.

Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is a mature B-cell neoplasm characterized by rather indolent clinical course. However, nearly one third of patients experience a rapidly progressive disease with a dismal outcome. Despite the characterization of clone genetics and the recognition of deregulated immunologic stimulation in the pathogenesis of SMZL, little is known about microenvironment dynamics and their potential biological influence on disease outcome. Here we investigate the effect of stroma-intrinsic features on SMZL disease progression by focusing on the microenvironment of the bone marrow (BM), which represents an elective disease localization endorsing diagnostic and prognostic relevance. We show that the quality of the BM stromal meshwork of SMZL infiltrates correlates with time to progression. In particular, we describe the unfavorable prognostic influence of dense CD40 expression by BM stromal cells, which involves the contribution of CD40 ligand (CD40L)-expressing bystander mast cells infiltrating SMZL BM aggregates. The CD40/CD40L-assisted crosstalk between mesenchymal stromal cells and mast cells populating the SMZL microenvironment finds correlation in p53(-/-) mice developing SMZL and contributes to the engendering of detrimental proinflammatory conditions. Our study highlights a dynamic interaction, playing between nonneoplastic elements within the SMZL niche, toward disease progression.

The combination of hypomethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors produce marked synergy in preclinical models of T-cell lymphoma.

T-cell lymphomas (TCL) are aggressive lymphomas usually treated with CHOP (cyclophsophamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone)-like regimens upfront. Recent data suggest that TCL are driven by epigenetic defects, potentially rendering them sensitive to epigenetic therapies. We explored the therapeutic merits of a combined epigenetic platform using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMT) in in vitro and in vivo models of TCL. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) values revealed romidepsin was the most potent HDACI, with an IC50 in the low nanomolar range. The combination with a hypomethylating agent produced synergy across all cell lines, which was confirmed in cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays. An in vivo xenograft study demonstrated inhibition of tumour growth in the combination cohort compared to the single agent. Gene expression array and global methylation profiling revealed differentially expressed genes and modulated pathways for each of the single treatment conditions and the combination. Most of the effects induced by the single agent treatment were maintained in the combination group. In total, 944 unique genes were modulated by the combination treatment, supporting the hypothesis of molecular synergism. These data suggest combinations of hypomethylating agents and HDACIs are synergistic in models of TCL, which is supported at the molecular level.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression in mycosis fungoides.

AIMS: High levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) seem to herald a worse prognosis in mycosis fungoides (MF). In this study, we aimed to characterize more clearly VEGFA gene and protein expression in MF. METHODS AND RESULTS: First, we compared VEGFA mRNA levels in MF and in normal T lymphocyte samples; significantly higher VEGFA levels were found in MF. We then studied VEGFA expression in different normal T cell subsets, focusing on CD4(+) , CD8(+) , resting and activated T lymphocytes. We applied the gene signatures of the normal T cell subsets to MF samples and found that activated T lymphocytes represented the closest normal counterpart of the tumour. However, VEGFA mRNA levels were significantly higher in MF than in activated normal T cells, suggesting that VEGFA overexpression in MF represents an attribute acquired during neoplastic transformation: no significant VEGFA expression differences were recorded between early and advanced stages. Gene expression profile results were supported by immunohistochemistry in routine sections from 27 MF cases. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we demonstrate VEGFA expression in MF cells, suggesting that the VEGF pathway may be implicated in MF pathogenesis and can represent a novel therapeutic target.

Burkitt lymphoma beyond MYC translocation: N-MYC and DNA methyltransferases dysregulation.

BACKGROUND: The oncogenic transcription factor MYC is pathologically activated in many human malignancies. A paradigm for MYC dysregulation is offered by Burkitt lymphoma, where chromosomal translocations leading to Immunoglobulin gene-MYC fusion are the crucial initiating oncogenic events. However, Burkitt lymphoma cases with no detectable MYC rearrangement but maintaining MYC expression have been identified and alternative mechanisms can be involved in MYC dysregulation in these cases. METHODS: We studied the microRNA profile of MYC translocation-positive and MYC translocation-negative Burkitt lymphoma cases in order to uncover possible differences at the molecular level. Data was validated at the mRNA and protein level by quantitative Real-Time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: We identified four microRNAs differentially expressed between the two groups. The impact of these microRNAs on the expression of selected genes was then investigated. Interestingly, in MYC translocation-negative cases we found over-expression of DNA-methyl transferase family members, consistent to hypo-expression of the hsa-miR-29 family. This finding suggests an alternative way for the activation of lymphomagenesis in these cases, based on global changes in methylation landscape, aberrant DNA hypermethylation, lack of epigenetic control on transcription of targeted genes, and increase of genomic instability. In addition, we observed an over-expression of another MYC family gene member, MYCN that may therefore represent a cooperating mechanism of MYC in driving the malignant transformation in those cases lacking an identifiable MYC translocation but expressing the gene at the mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our results showed that MYC translocation-positive and MYC translocation-negative Burkitt lymphoma cases are slightly different in terms of microRNA and gene expression. MYC translocation-negative Burkitt lymphoma, similarly to other aggressive B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphomas, may represent a model to understand the intricate molecular pathway responsible for MYC dysregulation in cancer.

Comparative genomics revealed key molecular targets to rapidly convert a reference rifamycin-producing bacterial strain into an overproducer by genetic engineering.

Rifamycins are mainstay agents in treatment of many widespread diseases, but how an improved rifamycin producer can be created is still incompletely understood. Here, we describe a comparative genomic approach to investigate the mutational patterns introduced by the classical mutate-and-screen method in the genome of an improved rifamycin producer. Comparing the genome of the rifamycin B overproducer Amycolatopsis mediterranei HP-130 with those of the reference strains A. mediterranei S699 and U32, we identified 250 variations, affecting 227 coding sequences (CDS), 109 of which were HP-130-specific since they were absent in both S699 and U32. Mutational and transcriptional patterns indicated a series of genomic manipulations that not only proved the causative effect of mutB2 (coding for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase large subunit) and argS2 (coding for arginyl tRNA synthetase) mutations on the overproduction of rifamycin, but also constituted a rational strategy to genetically engineer a reference strain into an overproducer.

Use of Next Generation Sequencing to Define the Origin of Primary Myelofibrosis.

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by progressive bone marrow sclerosis, extra-medullary hematopoiesis, and possible transformation to acute leukemia. In the last decade, the molecular pathogenesis of the disease has been largely uncovered. Particularly, genetic and genomic studies have provided evidence of deregulated oncogenes in PMF as well as in other MPNs. However, the mechanisms through which transformation to either the myeloid or lymphoid blastic phase remain obscure. Particularly, it is still debated whether the disease has origins in a multi-potent hematopoietic stem cells or instead in a commissioned myeloid progenitor. In this study, we aimed to shed light upon this issue by using next generation sequencing (NGS) to study both myeloid and lymphoid cells as well as matched non-neoplastic DNA of PMF patients. Whole exome sequencing revealed that most somatic mutations were the same between myeloid and lymphoid cells, such findings being confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Particularly, we found 126/146 SNVs to be the e same (including JAK2V617F), indicating that most genetic events likely to contribute to disease pathogenesis occurred in a non-commissioned precursor. In contrast, only 9/27 InDels were similar, suggesting that this type of lesion contributed instead to disease progression, occurring at more differentiated stages, or maybe just represented "passenger" lesions, not contributing at all to disease pathogenesis. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that genetic lesions characteristic of PMF occur at an early stage of hematopoietic stem cell differentiation, this being in line with the possible transformation of the disease in either myeloid or lymphoid acute leukemia.

Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Driven by ETV6-ABL1 in an Adolescent with Recent History of Burkitt Leukemia.

ETV6-ABL1 gene fusion is a rare genetic rearrangement in a variety of malignancies, including myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we report the case of a 16-year-old male diagnosed with a MPN, 7 months post-completion of treatment for Burkitt leukaemia. RNA sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of an ETV6-ABL1 fusion transcript, with an intact, in-frame ABL tyrosine-kinase domain. Of note, secondary ETV6-ABL1-rearranged neoplastic diseases have not been reported to date. The patient was started on a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI; imatinib) and, subsequently, underwent a 10/10 matched unrelated haematopoietic stem cell transplant. He is disease-free five years post-transplant. Definitive evidence of the prognostic influence of the ETV6-ABL1 fusion in haematological neoplasms is lacking; however, overall data suggest that it is a poor prognostic factor, particularly in patients with ALL and AML. The presence of this ETV6-ABL1 fusion should be more routinely investigated, especially in patients with a CML-like picture. More routine use of whole-genome and RNA sequencing analyses in clinical diagnostic care, in conjunction with conventional cytogenetics, will facilitate these investigations.

Germline TP53 mutations undergo copy number gain years prior to tumor diagnosis.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome associated with germline TP53 pathogenic variants. Here, we perform whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis of tumors from 22 patients with TP53 germline pathogenic variants. We observe somatic mutations affecting Wnt, PI3K/AKT signaling, epigenetic modifiers and homologous recombination genes as well as mutational signatures associated with prior chemotherapy. We identify near-ubiquitous early loss of heterozygosity of TP53, with gain of the mutant allele. This occurs earlier in these tumors compared to tumors with somatic TP53 mutations, suggesting the timing of this mark may distinguish germline from somatic TP53 mutations. Phylogenetic trees of tumor evolution, reconstructed from bulk and multi-region WGS, reveal that LFS tumors exhibit comparatively limited heterogeneity. Overall, our study delineates early copy number gains of mutant TP53 as a characteristic mutational process in LFS tumorigenesis, likely arising years prior to tumor diagnosis.

The clinical utility of integrative genomics in childhood cancer extends beyond targetable mutations.

We conducted integrative somatic-germline analyses by deeply sequencing 864 cancer-associated genes, complete genomes and transcriptomes for 300 mostly previously treated children and adolescents/young adults with cancer of poor prognosis or with rare tumors enrolled in the SickKids Cancer Sequencing (KiCS) program. Clinically actionable variants were identified in 56% of patients. Improved diagnostic accuracy led to modified management in a subset. Therapeutically targetable variants (54% of patients) were of unanticipated timing and type, with over 20% derived from the germline. Corroborating mutational signatures (SBS3/BRCAness) in patients with germline homologous recombination defects demonstrates the potential utility of PARP inhibitors. Mutational burden was significantly elevated in 9% of patients. Sequential sampling identified changes in therapeutically targetable drivers in over one-third of patients, suggesting benefit from rebiopsy for genomic analysis at the time of relapse. Comprehensive cancer genomic profiling is useful at multiple points in the care trajectory for children and adolescents/young adults with cancer, supporting its integration into early clinical management.

PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in mycosis fungoides and Sézary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms involved in mycosis fungoides, and Sezary Syndrome progression are largely unknown. Over the last decade the interest in immune system contrast of neoplasm has grown owing to the introduction of immunotherapy. PD-1 and its ligand (PD-L1) are the target of several immunotherapy treatment. In the literature reports on the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 have provided contrasting results. METHODS: In our analysis we investigated PD-1 expression in neoplastic cells and in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as well as PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and in tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). PD-L1 and PD-1 positive cells were counted in 5 high-power fields (HPF) and scored as the average number of positive neoplastic cells/TILs/TAMs per HPF. RESULTS: From databases of two institutions (Bologna and Florence) thirty-five patients corresponding to 43 biopsies were retrieved. In seven instances sequential biopsies were present. No statistically significant expression was observed comparing early to advanced stages by analysing PD-1 by tumor cells and TILs and of PD-L1 by tumor cells and TAMs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results corroborate that PD-1 and PD-L1 expression is not stage-dependent in mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. However, PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in affected patients provides a rationale to schedule anti PD-1/PD-L1 drugs.

Widespread hypertranscription in aggressive human cancers.

Cancers are often defined by the dysregulation of specific transcriptional programs; however, the importance of global transcriptional changes is less understood. Hypertranscription is the genome-wide increase in RNA output. Hypertranscription's prevalence, underlying drivers, and prognostic significance are undefined in primary human cancer. This is due, in part, to limitations of expression profiling methods, which assume equal RNA output between samples. Here, we developed a computational method to directly measure hypertranscription in 7494 human tumors, spanning 31 cancer types. Hypertranscription is ubiquitous across cancer, especially in aggressive disease. It defines patient subgroups with worse survival, even within well-established subtypes. Our data suggest that loss of transcriptional suppression underpins the hypertranscriptional phenotype. Single-cell analysis reveals hypertranscriptional clones, which dominate transcript production regardless of their size. Last, patients with hypertranscribed mutations have improved response to immune checkpoint therapy. Our results provide fundamental insights into gene dysregulation across human cancers and may prove useful in identifying patients who would benefit from novel therapies.