Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia With Torque Teno Mini Virus::RARA Fusion: An Approach to Screening and Diagnosis.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with variant RARA translocation is linked to over 15 partner genes. Recent publications encompassing 6 cases have expanded the spectrum of RARA partners to torque teno mini virus (TTMV). This entity is likely underrecognized due to the lack of clinician and pathologist familiarity, inability to detect the fusion using routine testing modalities, and informatic challenges in its recognition within next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. We describe a clinicopathologic approach and provide the necessary tools to screen and diagnose APL with TTMV::RARA using existing clinical DNA- or RNA-based NGS assays, which led to the identification of 4 cases, all without other known cytogenetic/molecular drivers. One was identified prospectively and 3 retrospectively, including 2 from custom automated screening of multiple data sets (50,257 cases of hematopoietic malignancy, including 4809 acute myeloid leukemia/myeloid sarcoma/APL cases). Two cases presented as myeloid sarcoma, including 1 with multiple relapses after acute myeloid leukemia-type chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Two cases presented as leukemia, had a poor response to induction chemotherapy, but achieved remission upon reinduction (including all-trans retinoic acid in 1 case) and subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Neoplastic cells demonstrated features of APL including frequent azurophilic granules and dim/absent CD34 and HLA-DR expression. RARA rearrangement was not detected by karyotype or fluorescent in situ hybridization. Custom analysis of NGS fusion panel data identified TTMV::RARA rearrangements and, in the prospectively identified case, facilitated monitoring in sequential bone marrow samples. APL with TTMV::RARA is a rare leukemia with a high rate of treatment failure in described cases. The diagnosis should be considered in leukemias with features of APL that lack detectable RARA fusions and other drivers, and may be confirmed by appropriate NGS tests with custom informatics. Incorporation of all-trans retinoic acid may have a role in treatment but requires accurate recognition of the fusion for appropriate classification as APL.

Genomic and immune signatures predict clinical outcome in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with immunotherapy regimens.

Despite improving outcomes, 40% of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with regimens containing daratumumab, a CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody, progress prematurely. By integrating tumor whole-genome and microenvironment single-cell RNA sequencing from upfront phase 2 trials using carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone with daratumumab ( NCT03290950 ), we show how distinct genomic drivers including high APOBEC mutational activity, IKZF3 and RPL5 deletions and 8q gain affect clinical outcomes. Furthermore, evaluation of paired bone marrow profiles, taken before and after eight cycles of carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone with daratumumab, shows that numbers of natural killer cells before treatment, high T cell receptor diversity before treatment, the disappearance of sustained immune activation (that is, B cells and T cells) and monocyte expansion over time are all predictive of sustained minimal residual disease negativity. Overall, this study provides strong evidence of a complex interplay between tumor cells and the immune microenvironment that is predictive of clinical outcome and depth of treatment response in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with highly effective combinations containing anti-CD38 antibodies.

African American patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have higher proportions of CD19+ and CD20+ B-cell lineage cells in their cerebrospinal fluid than White MS patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare proportions of B-cell lineage CD19+ and CD20+ cells in CSF of African-American (AA) and White (W) patients with MS. BACKGROUND: AA MS patients are more likely to have oligoclonal bands in CSF, higher IgG index in CSF, and higher circulating plasmablasts in blood than W MS patients. It is unknown whether the proportion of B-cells in CSF differs between AA and W patients in MS. METHODS: Demographics, disease-related information, treatment history were retrospectively collected on patients with MS who self-identified as AA or W and underwent flow cytometry of CSF during diagnostic work-up. Proportion of B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, NK cells, monocytes, and plasma cells were analyzed with flow cytometry. RESULTS: 20 AA and 56 W MS patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The groups had similar demographics, CSF cell counts, protein and glucose CSF concentrations, and oligoclonal band number. IgG index was higher in AA compared to W (1.08 vs. 0.85, p = 0.031). AA had higher proportions of CD19+ (5.46 % AA vs. 2.26 % W, p = 0.006) and CD20+ (4.64 % AA vs. 1.91 % W, p = 0.004) cells but did not significantly differ in proportion of CD4+, CD8+, CD38+ bright B-cells, NK cells and monocytes. CONCLUSIONS: B-cells are overrepresented in the CSF of African American patients with MS relative to Whites.

Multiomic Mapping of Acquired Chromosome 1 Copy-Number and Structural Variants to Identify Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Multiple Myeloma.

PURPOSE: Chromosome 1 (chr1) copy-number abnormalities (CNA) and structural variants (SV) are frequent in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and are associated with a heterogeneous impact on outcomes, the drivers of which are largely unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A multiomic approach comprising CRISPR, gene mapping of CNAs and SVs, methylation, expression, and mutational analysis was used to document the extent of chr1 molecular variants and their impact on pathway utilization. RESULTS: We identified two distinct groups of gain(1q): focal gains associated with limited gene-expression changes and a neutral prognosis, and whole-arm gains, which are associated with substantial gene-expression changes, complex genetics, and an adverse prognosis. CRISPR identified a number of dependencies on chr1 but only limited variants associated with acquired CNAs. We identified seven regions of deletion, nine of gain, three of chromothripsis (CT), and two of templated insertion (TI), which contain a number of potential drivers. An additional mechanism involving hypomethylation of genes at 1q may contribute to the aberrant gene expression of a number of genes. Expression changes associated with whole-arm gains were substantial and gene set enrichment analysis identified metabolic processes, apoptotic resistance, signaling via the MAPK pathway, and upregulation of transcription factors as being key drivers of the adverse prognosis associated with these variants. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple layers of genetic complexity impact the phenotype associated with CNAs on chr1 to generate its associated clinical phenotype. Whole-arm gains of 1q are the critically important prognostic group that deregulate multiple pathways, which may offer therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Haplodeficiency of the 9p21 tumor suppressor locus causes myeloid disorders driven by the bone marrow microenvironment.

The chromosome 9p21 locus comprises several tumor suppressor genes including MTAP, CDKN2A, and CDKN2B, and its homo- or heterozygous deletion is associated with reduced survival in multiple cancer types. We report that mice with germ line monoallelic deletion or induced biallelic deletion of the 9p21-syntenic locus (9p21s) developed a fatal myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN)-like disease associated with aberrant trabecular bone formation and/or fibrosis in the bone marrow (BM). Reciprocal BM transfers and conditional targeting of 9p21s suggested that the disease originates in the BM stroma. Single-cell analysis of 9p21s-deficient BM stroma revealed the expansion of chondrocyte and osteogenic precursors, reflected in increased osteogenic differentiation in vitro. It also showed reduced expression of factors maintaining hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, including Cxcl12. Accordingly, 9p21s-deficient mice showed reduced levels of circulating Cxcl12 and concomitant upregulation of the profibrotic chemokine Cxcl13 and the osteogenesis- and fibrosis-related multifunctional glycoprotein osteopontin/Spp1. Our study highlights the potential of mutations in the BM microenvironment to drive MDS/MPN-like disease.

Faster B-cell repletion after anti-CD20 infusion in Black patients compared to white patients with neurologic diseases.

This retrospective, single-center study aimed to characterize and compare the kinetics of B-cell reemergence following anti-CD20 infusion (anti-CD20i) in African American (AA) and white patients with MS or NMOSD. In a logistic regression model that included race, time since anti-CD20i, body mass index, and diagnosis, only AA race (p=0.01) and time since anti-CD20i (p=0.0003) were significant predictors of B-cell repletion. However, B-cell subset composition was similar between AA and white patients with detectable CD19+ B-cell counts. These findings highlight the importance of including a diverse study population in future studies of anti-CD20 therapies.

EMSY inhibits homologous recombination repair and the interferon response, promoting lung cancer immune evasion.

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) harboring KEAP1 mutations are often resistant to immunotherapy. Here, we show that KEAP1 targets EMSY for ubiquitin-mediated degradation to regulate homologous recombination repair (HRR) and anti-tumor immunity. Loss of KEAP1 in NSCLC induces stabilization of EMSY, producing a BRCAness phenotype, i.e., HRR defects and sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Defective HRR contributes to a high tumor mutational burden that, in turn, is expected to prompt an innate immune response. Notably, EMSY accumulation suppresses the type I interferon response and impairs innate immune signaling, fostering cancer immune evasion. Activation of the type I interferon response in the tumor microenvironment using a STING agonist results in the engagement of innate and adaptive immune signaling and impairs the growth of KEAP1-mutant tumors. Our results suggest that targeting PARP and STING pathways, individually or in combination, represents a therapeutic strategy in NSCLC patients harboring alterations in KEAP1.

Loss of FBXO31-mediated degradation of DUSP6 dysregulates ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling and promotes prostate tumorigenesis.

FBXO31 is the substrate receptor of one of many CUL1-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL1) complexes. Here, we show that low FBXO31 mRNA levels are associated with high pre-operative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and Gleason grade in human prostate cancer. Mechanistically, the ubiquitin ligase CRL1FBXO31 promotes the ubiquitylation-mediated degradation of DUSP6, a dual specificity phosphatase that dephosphorylates and inactivates the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2). Depletion of FBXO31 stabilizes DUSP6, suppresses ERK signaling, and activates the PI3K-AKT signaling cascade. Moreover, deletion of FBXO31 promotes tumor development in a mouse orthotopic model of prostate cancer. Treatment with BCI, a small molecule inhibitor of DUSP6, suppresses AKT activation and prevents tumor formation, suggesting that the FBXO31 tumor suppressor activity is dependent on DUSP6. Taken together, our studies highlight the relevance of the FBXO31-DUSP6 axis in the regulation of ERK- and PI3K-AKT-mediated signaling pathways, as well as its therapeutic potential in prostate cancer.

CRL4AMBRA1 is a master regulator of D-type cyclins.

D-type cyclins are central regulators of the cell division cycle and are among the most frequently deregulated therapeutic targets in human cancer1, but the mechanisms that regulate their turnover are still being debated2,3. Here, by combining biochemical and genetics studies in somatic cells, we identify CRL4AMBRA1 (also known as CRL4DCAF3) as the ubiquitin ligase that targets all three D-type cyclins for degradation. During development, loss of Ambra1 induces the accumulation of D-type cyclins and retinoblastoma (RB) hyperphosphorylation and hyperproliferation, and results in defects of the nervous system that are reduced by treating pregnant mice with the FDA-approved CDK4 and CDK6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor abemaciclib. Moreover, AMBRA1 acts as a tumour suppressor in mouse models and low AMBRA1 mRNA levels are predictive of poor survival in cancer patients. Cancer hotspot mutations in D-type cyclins abrogate their binding to AMBRA1 and induce their stabilization. Finally, a whole-genome, CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified AMBRA1 as a regulator of the response to CDK4/6 inhibition. Loss of AMBRA1 reduces sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors by promoting the formation of complexes of D-type cyclins with CDK2. Collectively, our results reveal the molecular mechanism that controls the stability of D-type cyclins during cell-cycle progression, in development and in human cancer, and implicate AMBRA1 as a critical regulator of the RB pathway.

The molecular make up of smoldering myeloma highlights the evolutionary pathways leading to multiple myeloma.

Smoldering myeloma (SMM) is associated with a high-risk of progression to myeloma (MM). We report the results of a study of 82 patients with both targeted sequencing that included a capture of the immunoglobulin and MYC regions. By comparing these results to newly diagnosed myeloma (MM) we show fewer NRAS and FAM46C mutations together with fewer adverse translocations, del(1p), del(14q), del(16q), and del(17p) in SMM consistent with their role as drivers of the transition to MM. KRAS mutations are associated with a shorter time to progression (HR 3.5 (1.5-8.1), p = 0.001). In an analysis of change in clonal structure over time we studied 53 samples from nine patients at multiple time points. Branching evolutionary patterns, novel mutations, biallelic hits in crucial tumour suppressor genes, and segmental copy number changes are key mechanisms underlying the transition to MM, which can precede progression and be used to guide early intervention strategies.

Epigenetic silencing of the ubiquitin ligase subunit FBXL7 impairs c-SRC degradation and promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis.

Epigenetic plasticity is a pivotal factor that drives metastasis. Here, we show that the promoter of the gene that encodes the ubiquitin ligase subunit FBXL7 is hypermethylated in advanced prostate and pancreatic cancers, correlating with decreased FBXL7 mRNA and protein levels. Low FBXL7 mRNA levels are predictive of poor survival in patients with pancreatic and prostatic cancers. FBXL7 mediates the ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of active c-SRC after its phosphorylation at Ser 104. The DNA-demethylating agent decitabine recovers FBXL7 expression and limits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cell invasion in a c-SRC-dependent manner. In vivo, FBXL7-depleted cancer cells form tumours with a high metastatic burden. Silencing of c-SRC or treatment with the c-SRC inhibitor dasatinib together with FBXL7 depletion prevents metastases. Furthermore, decitabine reduces metastases derived from prostate and pancreatic cancer cells in a FBXL7-dependent manner. Collectively, this research implicates FBXL7 as a metastasis-suppressor gene and suggests therapeutic strategies to counteract metastatic dissemination of pancreatic and prostatic cancer cells.

IFNγ-Induced IFIT5 Promotes Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer via miRNA Processing.

IFNγ, a potent cytokine known to modulate tumor immunity and tumoricidal effects, is highly elevated in patients with prostate cancer after radiation. In this study, we demonstrate that IFNγ can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in prostate cancer cells via the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, leading to the transcription of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) such as IFN-induced tetratricopeptide repeat 5 (IFIT5). We unveil a new function of IFIT5 complex in degrading precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNA) that includes pre-miR-363 from the miR-106a-363 cluster as well as pre-miR-101 and pre-miR-128, who share a similar 5'-end structure with pre-miR-363. These suppressive miRNAs exerted a similar function by targeting EMT transcription factors in prostate cancer cells. Depletion of IFIT5 decreased IFNγ-induced cell invasiveness in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. IFIT5 was highly elevated in high-grade prostate cancer and its expression inversely correlated with these suppressive miRNAs. Altogether, this study unveils a prometastatic role of the IFNγ pathway via a new mechanism of action, which raises concerns about its clinical application.Significance: A unique IFIT5-XRN1 complex involved in the turnover of specific tumor suppressive microRNAs is the underlying mechanism of IFNγ-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer.See related commentary by Liu and Gao, p. 1032.

The F-Box Domain-Dependent Activity of EMI1 Regulates PARPi Sensitivity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancers.

The BRCA1-BRCA2-RAD51 axis is essential for homologous recombination repair (HRR) and is frequently disrupted in breast cancers. PARP inhibitors (PARPis) are used clinically to treat BRCA-mutated breast tumors. Using a genetic screen, we identified EMI1 as a modulator of PARPi sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. This function requires the F-box domain of EMI1, through which EMI1 assembles a canonical SCF ubiquitin ligase complex that constitutively targets RAD51 for degradation. In response to genotoxic stress, CHK1-mediated phosphorylation of RAD51 counteracts EMI1-dependent degradation by enhancing RAD51's affinity for BRCA2, leading to RAD51 accumulation. Inhibition of RAD51 degradation restores HRR in BRCA1-depleted cells. Human breast cancer samples display an inverse correlation between EMI1 and RAD51 protein levels. A subset of BRCA1-deficient TNBC cells develop resistance to PARPi by downregulating EMI1 and restoring RAD51-dependent HRR. Notably, reconstitution of EMI1 expression reestablishes PARPi sensitivity both in cellular systems and in an orthotopic mouse model.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with multi-organ failure presenting as a pancreatic mass: a case with atypical presentation and definite diagnosis postmortem.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a very rare extra nodal lymphoma that tends to proliferate within small blood vessels, particularly capillaries and postcapillary venules while sparing the organ parenchyma. The cause of its affinity for the vascular bed remains unknown. Because of its rarity and unremarkable clinical presentation, a timely diagnosis of IVLBCL is very challenging. Here, we describe a case of IVLBCL presenting as pancreatic mass that was ultimately diagnosed at autopsy. A 71-year-old Caucasian female presented with a 3-month history of fatigue, abdominal pain, and weight loss. She was referred to the emergency room with a new diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis and lactic acidosis. During her hospital course she was found to have a 1.9 × 1.8 cm lesion in the pancreatic tail on imaging; The cytologic specimen on the mass showed a high-grade lymphoma. A bone marrow biopsy showed no involvement. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorated and she, later, died due to multi-organ failure. An autopsy revealed diffuse intravascular invasion in multiple organs by the lymphoma cells. Based on our literature review-and to the best of our knowledge-there are virtually no reports describing the presentation of this lymphoma with a discernible tissue mass and associated multi-organ failure. The immunophenotypic studies performed revealed de novo CD5+ intravascular large B-cell lymphoma, which is known to be aggressive with very poor prognosis. Although it is a very rare lymphoma, it should be considered as a potential cause of multi-organ failure when no other cause has been identified. A prompt tissue diagnosis, appropriate high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation remain the only viable alternative to achieve some kind of remission.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Novel Potential Driver of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) allows epithelial cancer cells to assume mesenchymal features, endowing them with enhanced motility and invasiveness, thus enabling cancer dissemination and metastatic spread. The induction of EMT is orchestrated by EMT-inducing transcription factors that switch on the expression of "mesenchymal" genes and switch off the expression of "epithelial" genes. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of cancer and has been associated with progression to a metastatic and drug-resistant phenotype. The mechanistic link between metastasis and mitochondrial dysfunction is gradually emerging. The discovery that mitochondrial dysfunction owing to deregulated mitophagy, depletion of the mitochondrial genome (mitochondrial DNA) or mutations in Krebs' cycle enzymes, such as succinate dehydrogenase, fumarate hydratase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase, activate the EMT gene signature has provided evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and EMT are interconnected. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the role of different types of mitochondrial dysfunction in inducing EMT in cancer cells. We place emphasis on recent advances in the identification of signaling components in the mito-nuclear communication network initiated by dysfunctional mitochondria that promote cellular remodeling and EMT activation in cancer cells.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with multi-organ failure presenting as a pancreatic mass: a case with atypical presentation and definite diagnosis postmortem

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a very rare extra nodal lymphoma that tends to proliferate within small blood vessels, particularly capillaries and postcapillary venules while sparing the organ parenchyma. The cause of its affinity for the vascular bed remains unknown. Because of its rarity and unremarkable clinical presentation, a timely diagnosis of IVLBCL is very challenging. Here, we describe a case of IVLBCL presenting as pancreatic mass that was ultimately diagnosed at autopsy. A 71-year-old Caucasian female presented with a 3-month history of fatigue, abdominal pain, and weight loss. She was referred to the emergency room with a new diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis and lactic acidosis. During her hospital course she was found to have a 1.9 × 1.8 cm lesion in the pancreatic tail on imaging; The cytologic specimen on the mass showed a high-grade lymphoma. A bone marrow biopsy showed no involvement. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorated and she, later, died due to multi-organ failure. An autopsy revealed diffuse intravascular invasion in multiple organs by the lymphoma cells. Based on our literature review­and to the best of our knowledge­there are virtually no reports describing the presentation of this lymphoma with a discernible tissue mass and associated multi-organ failure. The immunophenotypic studies performed revealed de novo CD5+ intravascular large B-cell lymphoma, which is known to be aggressive with very poor prognosis. Although it is a very rare lymphoma, it should be considered as a potential cause of multi-organ failure when no other cause has been identified. A prompt tissue diagnosis, appropriate high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation remain the only viable alternative to achieve some kind of remission.

Mitochondria and cancer chemoresistance.

Mitochondria, known for more than a century as the energy powerhouse of a cell, represent key intracellular signaling hub that are emerging as important determinants of several aspects of cancer development and progression, including metabolic reprogramming, acquisition of metastatic capability, and response to chemotherapeutic drugs. The majority of cancer cells harbors somatic mutations in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and/or alterations in the mtDNA content, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Decreased mtDNA content is also detected in tumor-initiating cells, a subpopulation of cancer cells that are believed to play an integral role in cancer recurrence following chemotherapy. Although mutations in mitochondrial genes are common in cancer cells, they do not shut down completely the mitochondrial energy metabolism and functionality. Instead, they promote rewiring of the bioenergetics and biosynthetic profile of a cancer cell through a mitochondria-to-nucleus signaling activated by "dysfunctional" mitochondria that results in changes in transcription and/or activity of cancer-related genes and signaling pathways. Different cancer cell types may undergo different bioenergetic changes, some to more glycolytic and some to more oxidative. These different metabolic signatures may coexist within the same tumor mass (intra-tumor heterogeneity). In this review we describe the current understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of cancer chemoresistance with special attention to the role of mtDNA alterations. We put emphasis on potential therapeutic strategies targeting different metabolic events specific to cancer cells, including glycolysis, glutaminolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and the retrograde signaling, to prevent chemoresistance. We also highlight novel genome-editing strategies aimed at "correcting" mtDNA defects in cancer cells. We conclude on the importance of considering intratumor metabolic heterogeneity to develop effective metabolism-based cancer therapy that can overcome chemoresistance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Mitochondria in Cancer, edited by Giuseppe Gasparre, Rodrigue Rossignol and Pierre Sonveaux.