The preferential occurrence of FLT3-TKD mutations in inv(16) AML and impact on survival outcome: a combined analysis of 1053 core-binding factor AML patients

Acute myeloid leukemia with unreported translocation (x; 3) (q24; p13): A case report

Key Clinical Message

Novel and rare chromosomal aberrations in AML are important to understand, particularly if associated with tumorigenesis and how they contribute to prognostic risk. It is important that acute leukemia be treated right away. Herein, novel (x; 3) (q24; p13) is described.

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. Here, we report an unusual case of AML with an unreported translocation associated with AML.

Molecular dissection of a hyper-aggressive CBFB-MYH11/FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a haematological malignancy showing a hypervariable landscape of clinical outcomes and phenotypic differences, explainable by heterogeneity at the cellular and molecular level. Among the most common genomic alterations, CBFB-MYH11 rearrangement and FLT3-ITD gene mutations, have opposite clinical significance and are unfrequently associated. We present here a Molecular Case Report in which these two events co-exist an ultra-aggressive phenotype resulting in death in 4 days from hospital admittance. Somatic and germline Whole Exome Sequencing analysis was performed to uncover other putative driver mutations, de-novo genomic structural events or germline clusters increasing cancer insurgence. Only three mutations in LTK, BCAS2 and LGAS9 were found, unlikely causative of the exhibited phenotype, prompting to additional investigation of the rare CBFB-MYH11/ FLT3-ITD scenario.

Outcome of Core Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Mutation

BACKGROUND

Core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) encodes 2 recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities, t(8;21) and inv(16), which carries an overall good prognosis. However, some patients will develop a relapse. We sought define the unfavorable group of CBF-AML by analysis of (c-KIT and FLT3-ITD) and to correlate them with treatment outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study of 70 patients with CBF-AML diagnosed and managed at the medical oncology department of the (National Cancer Institute), Cairo University, with analysis of c-KIT and FLT3 mutations. All patients had received "3 + 7" induction, followed by 3 to 4 courses of high-dose cytarabine consolidation. The institutional review board approved the present study.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 31 years (range, 18-60 years), with a male/female ratio of 4:3. Of the 70 patients, 42 (60%) had t(8;21) and 28 had inv(16) (40%). c-KIT mutations (exons 8 and 17) were detected in 10 of 52 tested patients, and FLT3-ITD was detected in 3 of 70 patients. Patients with inv(16) experienced more lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, had a higher median initial leukocyte count. Hepatitis C antibody positivity (8 of 42) was exclusively present in patients with t(8;21). The median overall survival (OS) was 19.5 months, and the median disease-free survival (DFS) was not reached. Patients with inv(16) had near-significant (P = .07) better DFS than patients with t(8;21). c-KIT mutations had no significant effect on OS or DFS. However, reverse tyrosine kinase mutations had a negative effect on DFS but not OS (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

CBF-AML with reverse tyrosine kinase mutation conveys a worse prognosis. Hepatitis C virus antibody positivity might be associated with t(8;21) AML and inv(16) with more extramedullary disease.

Conformational modifications induced by internal tandem duplications on the FLT3 kinase and juxtamembrane domains

The aberrant expression of FLT3 tyrosine kinase is associated primarily with acute myeloid leukaemia. This blood malignancy is often related to the onset of internal tandem duplications (ITDs) in the native sequence of the protein. The ITDs occur mainly in the juxtamembrane domain of the protein and alter the normal activity of the enzyme. In this work, we have studied the native form of FLT3 and six mutants by molecular dynamics simulations. The catalytic activity of FLT3 is exerted by the tyrosine kinase domain (KD) and regulated by the juxtamembrane (JM) domain. Analysis of the dynamics of these two domains have shown that the introduction of ITDs in the JM domain alters both structural and dynamic parameters. The presence of ITDs allowed the protein to span a larger portion of the conformational space, particularly in the JM domain and the activation loop. The FLT3 mutants were found to adopt more stable configurations than the native enzyme. This was due to the different arrangements assumed by the JM domain. Larger fluctuations of the activation loop were found in four of the six mutants. In the native FLT3, the key residue Tyr572 is involved in a strong and stable interaction with an ion pair. This interaction, which is thought to keep the JM in place hence regulating the activity of the enzyme, was found to break in all FLT3 mutants.

Does FLT3 mutation impact survival after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia? A Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with FMS like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a poor prognosis and are referred for early allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT).

METHODS

Data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) were used to evaluate 511 adult patients with de novo AML who underwent HCT during 2008 through 2011 to determine whether FLT3 mutations had an impact on HCT outcomes.

RESULTS

In total, 158 patients (31%) had FLT3 mutations. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed an increased risk of relapse at 3 years in the FLT3 mutated group compared with the wild-type (WT) group (38% [95% confidence interval (CI), 30%-45%] vs 28% [95% CI, 24%-33%]; P = .04; relative risk, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.15-2.22]; P = .0048). However, FLT3 mutation status was not significantly associated with nonrelapse mortality, leukemia-free survival, or overall survival. Although more patients in the FLT3 mutated group died from relapsed primary disease compared with those in the WT group (60% vs 46%), the 3-year overall survival rate was comparable for the 2 groups (mutated group: 49%; 95% CI, 40%-57%; WT group: 55%, 95% CI, 50%-60%; P = .20).

CONCLUSIONS

The current data indicate that FLT3 mutation status did not adversely impact overall survival after HCT, and about 50% of patients with this mutation who underwent HCT were long-term survivors. Cancer 2016;122:3005-3014. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Prognostic Significance of KIT Mutations in Core-Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The prognostic significance of KIT mutations in core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML), including inv(16) and t(8;21) AML, is uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of KIT mutations on the complete remission (CR) and relapse rates and overall survival (OS) of CBF-AML. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched and relevant studies were included. Negative effect was indicated on relapse risk of CBF-AML (RR [relative risk], 1.43; 95%CI [confidence interval], 1.20–1.70) and t(8;21) AML (RR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.31–2.21), not on OS of CBF-AML (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.97–1.23), CR (OR [odds ratio], 0.95; 95% CI, 0.52–1.74), relapse risk (RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.90–1.41) or OS (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.90–1.18) of inv(16) AML. Subgroup analysis of t(8,21) AML showed negative effect of KIT mutations on CR (OR, 2.03; 95%CI: 1.02–4.05), relapse risk (RR, 1.89; 95%CI: 1.51–2.37) and OS (RR, 2.26; 95%CI: 1.35–3,78) of non-Caucasians, not on CR (OR, 0.61; 95%CI: 0.19–1.95) or OS (RR, 1.12; 95%CI: 0.90–1.40) of Caucasians. This study indicates KIT mutations in CBF-AML to be included in the initial routine diagnostic workup and stratification system of t(8,21) AML. Prospective large-scale clinical trials are warranted to evaluate these findings.

Complex karyotype, older age, and reduced first-line dose intensity determine poor survival in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia patients with long-term follow-up

Approximately 40% of patients affected by core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ultimately die from the disease. Few prognostic markers have been identified. We reviewed 192 patients with CBF AML, treated with curative intent (age, 15-79 years) in 11 Italian institutions. Overall, 10-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and event-free survival were 63.9%, 54.8%, and 49.9%, respectively; patients with the t(8;21) and inv(16) chromosomal rearrangements exhibited significant differences at diagnosis. Despite similar high complete remission (CR) rate, patients with inv(16) experienced superior DFS and a high chance of achieving a second CR, often leading to prolonged OS also after relapse. We found that a complex karyotype (i.e., ≥4 cytogenetic anomalies) affected survival, even if only in univariate analysis; the KIT D816 mutation predicted worse prognosis, but only in patients with the t(8;21) rearrangement, whereas FLT3 mutations had no prognostic impact. We then observed increasingly better survival with more intense first-line therapy, in some high-risk patients including autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In multivariate analysis, age, severe thrombocytopenia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, and failure to achieve CR after induction independently predicted longer OS, whereas complex karyotype predicted shorter OS only in univariate analysis. The achievement of minimal residual disease negativity predicted better OS and DFS. Long-term survival was observed also in a minority of elderly patients who received intensive consolidation. All considered, we identified among CBF AML patients a subgroup with poorer prognosis who might benefit from more intense first-line treatment.

A Case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with a Previously Unreported Translocation (14; 15) (q32; q13)

Background. We hereby describe what we believe to be the first reported case of t (14; 15) (q32; q13) associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods. PubMed, Embase, and OVID search engines were used to review the related literature and similar published cases. Case. A47-year-old female presented in December 2011 with AML (acute myelomonocytic leukemia) with normal cytogenetics; molecular testing revealed FLT-3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation, while no mutations involving FLT3 D385/I836, NPM1 exon 12, or KIT exons 8 and 17 were detected. She was induced with 7 + 3 (cytarabine + idarubicin) and achieved complete remission after a second induction with high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) followed by uneventful consolidation. She presented 19 months after diagnosis with relapsed disease. Of note, at relapse cytogenetic analysis revealed t (14; 15) (q32; q13), while FLT-3 analysis showed a codon D835 mutation (no ITD mutation was detected). She proved refractory to the initial clofarabine-based regimen, so FLAG-idarubicin then was used. She continued to have persistent disease, and she was discharged on best supportive care. Conclusion. Based on this single case of AML with t (14; 15) (q32; q13), this newly reported translocation may be associated with refractory disease.

FLT3 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia: what is the best approach in 2013?

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia who harbor an FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation present several dilemmas for the clinician. The results of an FLT3 mutation test, which can be influenced by several variables, need to be interpreted according to the clinical setting and there is a need for internationally standardized FLT3 mutation assays. Because of the lack of prospective studies, the role of allogeneic transplantation as consolidation therapy is still somewhat controversial, but the preponderance of evidence suggests that transplantation in first remission, if possible, is probably the best option. Clinically useful FLT3 inhibitors are hopefully on the near horizon and are being studied in the context of current treatment paradigms.

Core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: can we improve on HiDAC consolidation?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21) or inv(16) is commonly referred to as core-binding factor AML (CBF-AML). The incorporation of high-dose cytarabine for postremission therapy has substantially improved the outcome of CBF-AML patients, especially when administered in the setting of repetitive cycles. For many years, high-dose cytarabine was the standard treatment in CBF-AML resulting in favorable long-term outcome in approximately half of the patients. Therefore, CBF-AML patients are generally considered to be a favorable AML group. However, a substantial proportion of patients cannot be cured by the current treatment. Additional genetic alterations discovered in CBF-AML help in our understanding of the process of leukemogenesis and some of them may refine the risk assessment in CBF-AML and, importantly, also serve as targets for novel therapeutic approaches. We discuss the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of CBF-AML, with a particular focus on the role of KIT mutations as a prognosticator, and also discuss recent efforts to target the KIT kinase in the context of existing therapeutic regimens.