Identification and prioritization of myeloid malignancy germline variants in a large cohort of adult patients with AML.

Inherited predisposition to myeloid malignancies is more common than previously appreciated. We analyzed the whole-exome sequencing data of paired leukemia and skin biopsy samples from 391 adult patients from the Beat AML 1.0 consortium. Using the 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines for variant interpretation, we curated 1547 unique variants from 228 genes. The pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline variants were identified in 53 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients (13.6%) in 34 genes, including 6.39% (25/391) of patients harboring P/LP variants in genes considered clinically actionable (tier 1). 41.5% of the 53 patients with P/LP variants were in genes associated with the DNA damage response. The most frequently mutated genes were CHEK2 (8 patients) and DDX41 (7 patients). Pathogenic germline variants were also found in new candidate genes (DNAH5, DNAH9, DNMT3A, and SUZ12). No strong correlation was found between the germline mutational rate and age of AML onset. Among 49 patients who have a reported history of at least one family member affected with hematological malignancies, 6 patients harbored known P/LP germline variants and the remaining patients had at least one variant of uncertain significance, suggesting a need for further functional validation studies. Using CHEK2 as an example, we show that three-dimensional protein modeling can be one of the effective methodologies to prioritize variants of unknown significance for functional studies. Further, we evaluated an in silico approach that applies ACMG curation in an automated manner using the tool for assessment and (TAPES) prioritization in exome studies, which can minimize manual curation time for variants. Overall, our findings suggest a need to comprehensively understand the predisposition potential of many germline variants in order to enable closer monitoring for disease management and treatment interventions for affected patients and families.

Cytogenetically Cryptic Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Cytogenetically cryptic acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is rare, characterized by typical clinical and morphological features, but lacks t(15;17)(q24;q21)/PML::RARA translocation seen in conventional karyotyping or FISH. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of APL are critical due to life-threatening complications associated with this disease. However, cryptic APL cases remain a diagnostic challenge that could mislead the appropriate treatment. We describe four cryptic APL cases and review reported cases in the literature. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most efficient diagnostic modality to detect these cases, and alternative methods are also discussed. This study highlights the importance of using parallel testing methods to diagnose cryptic APL cases accurately and effectively.

Graft-versus-host disease after liver transplantation is associated with bone marrow failure, hemophagocytosis, and DNMT3A mutations.

Graft-versus-host disease after liver transplantation (LT-GVHD) is rare, frequently fatal, and associated with bone marrow failure (BMF), cytopenias, and hyperferritinemia. Given hyperferritinemia and cytopenias are present in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and somatic mutations in hematopoietic cells are associated with hyperinflammatory responses (clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential, CHIP), we identified the frequency of hemophagocytosis and CHIP mutations in LT-GVHD. We reviewed bone marrow aspirates and biopsies, quantified blood/marrow chimerism, and performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a targeted panel of genes relevant to myeloid malignancies, CHIP, and BMF. In all, 12 marrows were reviewed from 9 LT-GVHD patients. In all, 10 aspirates were evaluable for hemophagocytosis; 7 had adequate DNA for NGS. NGS was also performed on marrow from an LT cohort (n = 6) without GVHD. Nine of 10 aspirates in LT-GVHD patients showed increased hemophagocytosis. Five (71%) of 7 with LT-GVHD had DNMT3A mutations; only 1 of 6 in the non-GVHD LT cohort demonstrated DNMT3A mutation (p = .04). Only 1 LT-GVHD patient survived. BMF with HLH features was associated with poor hematopoietic recovery, and DNMT3A mutations were over-represented, in LT-GVHD patients. Identification of HLH features may guide prognosis and therapeutics. Further studies are needed to clarify the origin and impact of CHIP mutations on the hyperinflammatory state.

CRISPR-Cas9-mediated saturated mutagenesis screen predicts clinical drug resistance with improved accuracy.

Developing tools to accurately predict the clinical prevalence of drug-resistant mutations is a key step toward generating more effective therapeutics. Here we describe a high-throughput CRISPR-Cas9-based saturated mutagenesis approach to generate comprehensive libraries of point mutations at a defined genomic location and systematically study their effect on cell growth. As proof of concept, we mutagenized a selected region within the leukemic oncogene BCR-ABL1 Using bulk competitions with a deep-sequencing readout, we analyzed hundreds of mutations under multiple drug conditions and found that the effects of mutations on growth in the presence or absence of drug were critical for predicting clinically relevant resistant mutations, many of which were cancer adaptive in the absence of drug pressure. Using this approach, we identified all clinically isolated BCR-ABL1 mutations and achieved a prediction score that correlated highly with their clinical prevalence. The strategy described here can be broadly applied to a variety of oncogenes to predict patient mutations and evaluate resistance susceptibility in the development of new therapeutics.

Next-generation sequencing-defined minimal residual disease before stem cell transplantation predicts acute myeloid leukemia relapse.

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the assessment of post-treatment minimal residual disease (MRD) may inform a more effective management approach. We investigated the prognostic utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based MRD detection undertaken before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Forty-two AML subjects underwent serial disease monitoring both by standard methods, and a targeted 42-gene NGS assay, able to detect leukemia-specific mutant alleles (with >0.5% VAF) (mean 5.1 samples per subject). The prognostic relevance of any persisting diagnostic mutation before transplant (≤27 days) was assessed during 22.1 months (median) of post-transplant follow-up. The sensitivity of the NGS assay (27 MRD-positive subjects) exceeded that of the non-molecular methods (morphology, FISH, and flow cytometry) (11 positive subjects). Only one of the 13 subjects who relapsed after HSCT was NGS MRD-negative (92% assay sensitivity). The cumulative incidence of post-transplant leukemic relapse was significantly higher in the pre-transplant NGS MRD-positive (vs MRD-negative) subjects (P = .014). After adjusting for TP53 mutation and transplant conditioning regimen, NGS MRD-positivity retained independent prognostic significance for leukemic relapse (subdistribution hazard ratio = 7.3; P = .05). The pre-transplant NGS MRD-positive subjects also had significantly shortened progression-free survival (P = .038), and marginally shortened overall survival (P = .068). In patients with AML undergoing HSCT, the pre-transplant persistence of NGS-defined MRD imparts a significant, sensitive, strong, and independent increased risk for subsequent leukemic relapse and death. Given that NGS can simultaneously detect multiple leukemia-associated mutations, it can be used in the majority of AML patients to monitor disease burdens and inform treatment decisions.

Highly accurate molecular genetic testing for HFE hereditary hemochromatosis: results from 10 years of blinded proficiency surveys by the College of American Pathologists.

PURPOSE: The College of American Pathologists offers blinded proficiency testing (PT) for laboratories performing HFE genetic tests for hereditary hemochromatosis (common C282Y and H63D variants). This study used 10 years of PT data to determine laboratory performance for HFE analytical genotyping and clinical interpretation. METHODS: Laboratories were graded for accuracy of genotype determination (six possible C282Y/H63D genotypes) and clinical interpretation regarding whether the genotype was likely to have contributed to iron overload in a hypothetical patient. RESULTS: The analytical genotyping error rate was low (0.73%) in 7,663 results (from 257 unique laboratories). Genotyping errors were significantly higher in C282Y heterozygous, H63D homozygous, and C282Y homozygous samples, in non-American laboratories, and in laboratories with lower testing volume. Analytical sensitivity and specificity were >98.5 and >99.5%. The interpretive error rate (4.3%) was higher than the genotyping error rate, with two problematic genotypes (C282Y heterozygous and H63D homozygous) accounting for 77% of total interpretive errors. There was a time-dependent improvement in the interpretation of the clinical significance of HFE genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: HFE molecular genetic testing, performed by non-US Food and Drug Administration-approved laboratory-developed tests, demonstrated excellent accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Clinical interpretations were more heterogeneous, probably owing to the low clinical penetrance of some common HFE genotypes.Genet Med 18 12, 1206-1213.

Mutant calreticulin-expressing cells induce monocyte hyperreactivity through a paracrine mechanism.

Mutations in the calreticulin gene (CALR) were recently identified in approximately 70-80% of patients with JAK2-V617F-negative essential thrombocytosis and primary myelofibrosis. All frameshift mutations generate a recurring novel C-terminus. Here we provide evidence that mutant calreticulin does not accumulate efficiently in cells and is abnormally enriched in the nucleus and extracellular space compared to wildtype calreticulin. The main determinant of these findings is the loss of the calcium-binding and KDEL domains. Expression of type I mutant CALR in Ba/F3 cells confers minimal IL-3-independent growth. Interestingly, expression of type I and type II mutant CALR in a nonhematopoietic cell line does not directly activate JAK/STAT signaling compared to wildtype CALR and JAK2-V617F expression. These results led us to investigate paracrine mechanisms of JAK/STAT activation. Here we show that conditioned media from cells expressing type I mutant CALR exaggerate cytokine production from normal monocytes with or without treatment with a toll-like receptor agonist. These effects are not dependent on the novel C-terminus. These studies offer novel insights into the mechanism of JAK/STAT activation in patients with JAK2-V617F-negative essential thrombocytosis and primary myelofibrosis.

The BCR-ABL35INS insertion/truncation mutant is kinase-inactive and does not contribute to tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Chronic myeloid leukemia is effectively treated with imatinib, but reactivation of BCR-ABL frequently occurs through acquisition of kinase domain mutations. The additional approved ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) nilotinib and dasatinib, along with investigational TKIs such as ponatinib (AP24534) and DCC-2036, support the possibility that mutation-mediated resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia can be fully controlled; however, the molecular events underlying resistance in patients lacking BCR-ABL point mutations are largely unknown. We previously reported on an insertion/truncation mutant, BCR-ABL(35INS), in which structural integrity of the kinase domain is compromised and all ABL sequence beyond the kinase domain is eliminated. Although we speculated that BCR-ABL(35INS) is kinase-inactive, recent reports propose this mutant contributes to ABL TKI resistance. We present cell-based and biochemical evidence establishing that BCR-ABL(35INS) is kinase-inactive and does not contribute to TKI resistance, and we find that detection of BCR-ABL(35INS) does not consistently track with or explain resistance in clinical samples from chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

TNFα facilitates clonal expansion of JAK2V617F positive cells in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα are elevated in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), but their contribution to disease pathogenesis is unknown. Here we reveal a central role for TNFα in promoting clonal dominance of JAK2(V617F) expressing cells in MPN. We show that JAK2(V617F) kinase regulates TNFα expression in cell lines and primary MPN cells and TNFα expression is correlated with JAK2(V617F) allele burden. In clonogenic assays, normal controls show reduced colony formation in the presence of TNFα while colony formation by JAK2(V617F)-positive progenitor cells is resistant or stimulated by exposure to TNFα. Ectopic JAK2(V617F) expression confers TNFα resistance to normal murine progenitor cells and overcomes inherent TNFα hypersensitivity of Fanconi anemia complementation group C deficient progenitors. Lastly, absence of TNFα limits clonal expansion and attenuates disease in a murine model of JAK2(V617F)-positive MPN. Altogether our data are consistent with a model where JAK2(V617F) promotes clonal selection by conferring TNFα resistance to a preneoplastic TNFα sensitive cell, while simultaneously generating a TNFα-rich environment. Mutations that confer resistance to environmental stem cell stressors are a recognized mechanism of clonal selection and leukemogenesis in bone marrow failure syndromes and our data suggest that this mechanism is also critical to clonal selection in MPN.

NGS-defined measurable residual disease (MRD) after initial chemotherapy as a prognostic biomarker for acute myeloid leukemia.

Treated AML patients often have measurable residual disease (MRD) due to persisting low-level clones. This study assessed whether residual post-treatment somatic mutations, detected by NGS, were significantly prognostic for subsequent clinical outcomes. AML patients (n = 128) underwent both pre-and post-treatment testing with the same 42-gene MRD-validated NGS assay. After induction, 59 (46%) patients were mutation-negative (0.0024 VAF detection limit) and 69 (54%) had ≥1 persisting NGS-detectable mutation. Compared with NGS-negative patients, NGS-positive patients had shorter overall survival (17 months versus median not reached; P = 0.004; hazard ratio = 2.2 [95% CI: 1.3-3.7]) and a shorter time to relapse (14 months versus median not reached; P = 0.014; HR = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1-3.1]). Among 95 patients with a complete morphologic remission (CR), 43 (45%) were MRD-positive by NGS and 52 (55%) were MRD-negative. These MRD-positive CR patients had a shorter overall survival (16.8 months versus median not reached; P = 0.013; HR = 2.1 [95% CI: 1.2-3.9]) than did the MRD-negative CR patients. Post-treatment persisting MRD positivity, defined by the same NGS-based test used at diagnosis, is thus a more sensitive biomarker for low-level leukemic clones compared to traditional non-molecular methods and is prognostic of subsequent relapse and death.

BCR-ABL SH3-SH2 domain mutations in chronic myeloid leukemia patients on imatinib.

Point mutations in the kinase domain of BCR-ABL are the most common mechanism of drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with ABL kinase inhibitors, including imatinib. It has also been shown in vitro that mutations outside the kinase domain in the neighboring linker, SH2, SH3, and Cap domains can confer imatinib resistance. In the context of ABL, these domains have an autoinhibitory effect on kinase activity, and mutations in this region can activate the enzyme. To determine the frequency and relevance to resistance of regulatory domain mutations in CML patients on imatinib, we screened for such mutations in a cohort of consecutive CML patients with various levels of response. Regulatory domain mutations were detected in 7 of 98 patients, whereas kinase domain mutations were detected in 29. One mutation (T212R) conferred in vitro tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and was associated with relapse, whereas most other mutations did not affect drug sensitivity. Mechanistic studies showed that T212R increased the activity of ABL and BCR-ABL and that T212R-induced resistance may be partially the result of stabilization of an active kinase conformation. Regulatory domain mutations are uncommon but may explain resistance in some patients without mutations in the kinase domain.

Establishment of the first World Health Organization International Genetic Reference Panel for quantitation of BCR-ABL mRNA.

Serial quantitation of BCR-ABL mRNA levels is an important indicator of therapeutic response for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but there is substantial variation in the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction methodologies used by different testing laboratories. To help improve the comparability of results between centers we sought to develop accredited reference reagents that are directly linked to the BCR-ABL international scale. After assessment of candidate cell lines, a reference material panel comprising 4 different dilution levels of freeze-dried preparations of K562 cells diluted in HL60 cells was prepared. After performance evaluation, the materials were assigned fixed percent BCR-ABL/control gene values according to the International Scale. A recommendation that the 4 materials be established as the first World Health Organization International Genetic Reference Panel for quantitation of BCR-ABL translocation by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was approved by the Expert Committee on Biological Standardization of the World Health Organization in November 2009. We consider that the development of these reagents is a significant milestone in the standardization of this clinically important test, but because they are a limited resource we suggest that their availability is restricted to manufacturers of secondary reference materials.

Adult acute myeloid leukemia patients with NUP98 rearrangement have frequent cryptic translocations and unfavorable outcome.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NUP98 rearrangement (AML-NUP98) has been uncommonly reported in adults, and its incidence in our institution is ∼2.5%. There were four men and five women with a median age of 49 years, among which six cases were de novo AML and three were therapy-related. Five cases were AML with minimal differentiation or without maturation, followed by four with monocytic differentiation. NUP98 rearrangement was confirmed in all cases by FISH, and five cases showed cryptic translocations. The median overall survival (OS) was 13 months, shorter than that of AML-NPM1 (p < 0.05), and similar to that in AML-KMT2A patients in our institution. The unfavorable OS was further confirmed by comparing to AML patients in TCGA database. In conclusion, adult AML-NUP98 is associated with cryptic translocations and an unfavorable outcome. Our study suggests that incorporating the NUP98 probe into AML FISH panels are warranted to improve clinical management.

Comprehensive molecular characterization of a rare case of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia.

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) resulting from the t(9;22) translocation generates the oncogenic BCR::ABL1 fusion protein that is most commonly associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Ph-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). There are also rare instances of patients (≤1%) with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that harbor this translocation (Paietta et al., Leukemia 12: 1881 [1998]; Keung et al., Leuk Res 28: 579 [2004]; Soupir et al., Am J Clin Pathol 127: 642 [2007]). AML with BCR::ABL has only recently been provisionally classified by the World Health Organization as a diagnostically distinct subtype of AML. Discernment from the extremely close differential diagnosis of myeloid blast crisis CML is challenging, largely relying on medical history rather than clinical characteristics (Arber et al., Blood 127: 2391 [2016]). To gain insight into the genomic features underlying the evolution of AML with BCR::ABL, we identified a patient presenting with a high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome that acquired a BCR::ABL alteration after a peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Serial samples were collected and analyzed using whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, and ex vivo functional drug screens. Persistent subclones were identified, both at diagnosis and at relapse, including an SF3B1p.Lys700Glu mutation that later cooccurred with an NRASp.Gly12Cys mutation. Functional ex vivo drug screening performed on primary patient cells suggested that combination therapies of ABL1 with RAS or PI3K pathway inhibitors could have augmented the patient's response throughout the course of disease. Together, our findings argue for the importance of genomic profiling and the potential value of ABL1 inhibitor-inclusive combination treatment strategies in patients with this rare disease.

Determining the rise in BCR-ABL RNA that optimally predicts a kinase domain mutation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia on imatinib.

In imatinib-treated chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), secondary drug resistance is often caused by mutations in the BCR-ABL kinase domain (KD). As alternative therapies are available for imatinib resistance, early identification of mutations may prevent disease progression. Because most patients are routinely monitored by BCR-ABL quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), it is important to define the optimal increase in BCR-ABL that should trigger mutation testing. Expert panels have provisionally recommended a 10-fold BCR-ABL increase as the trigger for mutation screening, acknowledging the lack of consensus. To address this question, we monitored 150 CML patients by quantitative PCR and DNA sequencing. Thirty-five different mutations were identified in 53 patients, and, during 22.5 months (median) of follow-up after sequencing, mutations were significantly predictive of shorter progression-free survival. An unbiased receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a 2.6-fold increase in BCR-ABL RNA as the optimal cutoff for predicting a concomitant KD mutation, with a sensitivity of 77% (94% if including subsequent samples). The 2.6-fold threshold approximated the analytic precision limit of our PCR assay. In contrast, transcript rise cutoffs of 5-fold or greater had poor diagnostic sensitivity and no significant association with mutations. We conclude that the currently recommended 10-fold threshold to trigger mutation screening is insensitive and not universally applicable.

Engrafted Donor-Derived Clonal Hematopoiesis after Allogenic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation is Associated with Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Requiring Immunosuppressive Therapy, but no Adverse Impact on Overall Survival or Relapse.

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is an age-associated condition defined by the presence of a somatic mutation in a leukemia-associated gene in individuals who otherwise have no evidence of a hematologic malignancy. In the allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) setting, clonal hematopoiesis (CH) mutations present in donor stem cells can be transferred to recipients at the time of HCT. Given that the consequences of donor-derived CH in HCT recipients are not entirely clear, we sought to investigate clinical outcomes in patients with engrafted donor-derived CH using a matched cohort analysis of both related and unrelated donors. Of 209 patients with next-generation sequencing performed before and after HCT, donor-derived CH mutations were detected in 15 (5.2%). DNMT3A was the most commonly mutated gene (9 of 15; 60%); mutations in SF3B1, CSF3R, STAT3, CBLB, TET2, and ASXL1 were also identified. Donor-derived CH was not associated with delayed neutrophil or platelet engraftment, and there was no impact on conversion to full donor chimerism. No patients with donor-derived CH experienced relapse, in contrast to 15.6% (7 of 45) in the matched control cohort without CH (P = .176). Donor-derived CH was not associated with worse overall survival; however, patients with donor-derived CH were more likely to develop chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) necessitating systemic immunosuppressive therapy (IST) (P = .045) and less likely to discontinue IST (P = .03) compared with controls without donor-derived CH. We conclude that donor-derived CH does not have an adverse impact on relapse, survival, or engraftment outcomes but may potentiate a graft-versus-leukemia effect, as reflected by increased chronic GVHD necessitating IST.

Desirable performance characteristics for BCR-ABL measurement on an international reporting scale to allow consistent interpretation of individual patient response and comparison of response rates between clinical trials.

An international basis for comparison of BCR-ABL mRNA levels is required for the common interpretation of data derived from individual laboratories. This will aid clinical decisions for individual patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and assist interpretation of results from clinical studies. We aligned BCR-ABL values generated by 38 laboratories to an international scale (IS) where a major molecular response (MMR) is 0.1% or less. Alignment was achieved by application of laboratory-specific conversion factors calculated by comparisons performed with patient samples against a reference method. A validation procedure was completed for 19 methods. We determined performance characteristics (bias and precision) for consistent interpretation of MMR after IS conversion. When methods achieved an average BCR-ABL difference of plus or minus 1.2-fold from the reference method and 95% limits of agreement within plus or minus 5-fold, the MMR concordance was 91%. These criteria were met by 58% of methods. When not met, the MMR concordance was 74% or less. However, irrespective of precision, when the bias was plus or minus 1.2-fold as achieved by 89% of methods, there was good agreement between the overall MMR rates. This indicates that the IS can deliver accurate comparison of molecular response rates between clinical trials when measured by different laboratories.

Clinical Utility of Next-Generation Sequencing in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a genetically heterogeneous disease that, even with current advancements in therapy, continues to have a poor prognosis. Recurrent somatic mutations have been identified in a core set of pathogenic genes including FLT3 (25-30% prevalence), NPM1 (25-30%), DNMT3A (25-30%), IDH1/2 (5-15%), and TET2 (5-15%), with direct diagnostic, prognostic, and targeted therapeutic implications. Advances in the understanding of the complex mechanisms of AML leukemogenesis have led to the development and recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of several targeted therapies: midostaurin and gilteritinib targeting activated FLT3, and ivosidenib and enasidenib targeting mutated IDH1/2. Several additional drug candidates targeting other recurrently mutated gene pathways in AML are also being actively developed. Furthermore, outside of the realm of predicting responses to targeted therapies, many other mutated genes, which comprise the so-called long tail of oncogenic drivers in AML, have been shown to provide clinically useful diagnostic and prognostic information for AML patients. Many of these recurrently mutated genes have also been shown to be excellent biomarkers for post-treatment minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring for assessing treatment response and predicting future relapse. In addition, the identification of germline mutations in a set of genes predisposing to myeloid malignancies may directly inform treatment decisions (particularly stem cell transplantation) and impact other family members. Recent advances in sequencing technology have made it practically and economically feasible to evaluate many genes simultaneously using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Mutation screening with NGS panels has been recommended by national and international professional guidelines as the standard of care for AML patients. NGS-based detection of the heterogeneous genes commonly mutated in AML has practical clinical utility for disease diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of targeted therapy response, and MRD monitoring.

Efficacy of Ruxolitinib in Patients With Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia and Atypical Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

PURPOSE: Colony-stimulating factor-3 receptor (CSF3R)-T618I is a recurrent activating mutation in chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) and to a lesser extent in atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) resulting in constitutive JAK-STAT signaling. We sought to evaluate safety and efficacy of the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in patients with CNL and aCML, irrespective of CSF3R mutation status. METHODS: We conducted a phase II study of ruxolitinib in 44 patients (21 CNL and 23 aCML). The primary end point was overall hematologic response rate (ORR) by the end of 6 continuous 28-day cycles for the first 25 patients enrolled. We considered a response as either partial (PR) or complete response (CR). We expanded accrual to 44 patients to increase our ability to evaluate secondary end points, including grade ≥ 3 adverse events, spleen volume, symptom assessment, genetic correlates of response, and 2-year survival. RESULTS: ORR was 32% for the first 25 enrolled patients (8 PR [7 CNL and 1 aCML]). In the larger cohort of 44 patients, 35% had a response (11 PR [9 CNL and 2 aCML] and 4 CR [CNL]), and 50% had oncogenic CSF3R mutations. The mean absolute allele burden reduction of CSF3R-T618I after 6 cycles was greatest in the CR group, compared with the PR and no response groups. The most common cause of death is due to disease progression. Grade ≥ 3 anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 34% and 14% of patients, respectively. No serious adverse events attributed to ruxolitinib were observed. CONCLUSION: Ruxolitinib was well tolerated and demonstrated an estimated response rate of 32%. Patients with a diagnosis of CNL and/or harboring CSF3R-T618I were most likely to respond.

Multi-Site PCR-based CMV viral load assessment-assays demonstrate linearity and precision, but lack numeric standardization: a report of the association for molecular pathology.

Viralload (VL) assessment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) by real-time PCR is an important tool for diagnosing and monitoring CMV viremia in patients with compromised immune systems. We report results from a sample exchange organized by members of the Association for Molecular Pathology that compared PCR results from 23 laboratories; 22 such laboratories used a laboratory-developed real-time PCR assay and one laboratory used a competitive PCR assay. The samples sent to each laboratory were comprised of a dilution panel of CMV virion-derived reference materials that ranged from 0 to 500,000 copies/ml. Accuracy, linearity, and intralaboratory precision were established for the different laboratory-developed assays. Overall, PCR results were linear for each laboratory (R(2) > 0.97 in all but two). While 13 laboratories showed no significant quantitative assay bias, 10 laboratories reported VLs that were significantly different compared with expected values (bias range, -0.82 to 1.4 logs). The intralaboratory precision [mean coefficient of variance of 2% to 5% (log-scale)] suggested that changes in VLs of less than 3- to fivefold may not be significantly different. There was no significant association between laboratory-specific technical variables (PCR platform, calibrator, extraction method) and assay linearity or accuracy. These data suggested that, within each laboratory, relative VL values were linear, but additional method standardization and a CMV DNA reference standard are needed to allow laboratories to achieve comparable numeric results.