HAEM5:B-lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma with iAMP21

Haematolymphoid Tumours (WHO Classification, 5th ed.)

Primary Author(s)*

Holli M. Drendel, PhD, FACMGG, Carolinas Pathology Group, Charlotte

WHO Classification of Disease

Structure	Disease
Book	Haematolymphoid Tumours (5th ed.)
Category	B-cell lymphoid proliferations and lymphomas
Family	Precursor B-cell neoplasms
Type	B-lymphoblastic leukaemias/lymphomas
Subtype(s)	B-lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma with iAMP21

Related Terminology

Acceptable	N/A
Not Recommended	N/A

Gene Rearrangements

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Driver Gene	Fusion(s) and Common Partner Genes	Molecular Pathogenesis	Typical Chromosomal Alteration(s)	Prevalence -Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: ABL1	EXAMPLE: BCR::ABL1	EXAMPLE: The pathogenic derivative is the der(22) resulting in fusion of 5’ BCR and 3’ABL1.	EXAMPLE: t(9;22)(q34;q11.2)	EXAMPLE: Common (CML)	EXAMPLE: D, P, T	EXAMPLE: Yes (WHO, NCCN)	EXAMPLE: The t(9;22) is diagnostic of CML in the appropriate morphology and clinical context (add reference). This fusion is responsive to targeted therapy such as Imatinib (Gleevec) (add reference). BCR::ABL1 is generally favorable in CML (add reference).
EXAMPLE: CIC	EXAMPLE: CIC::DUX4	EXAMPLE: Typically, the last exon of CIC is fused to DUX4. The fusion breakpoint in CIC is usually intra-exonic and removes an inhibitory sequence, upregulating PEA3 genes downstream of CIC including ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5.	EXAMPLE: t(4;19)(q25;q13)	EXAMPLE: Common (CIC-rearranged sarcoma)	EXAMPLE: D		EXAMPLE: DUX4 has many homologous genes; an alternate translocation in a minority of cases is t(10;19), but this is usually indistinguishable from t(4;19) by short-read sequencing (add references).
EXAMPLE: ALK	EXAMPLE: ELM4::ALK Other fusion partners include KIF5B, NPM1, STRN, TFG, TPM3, CLTC, KLC1	EXAMPLE: Fusions result in constitutive activation of the ALK tyrosine kinase. The most common ALK fusion is EML4::ALK, with breakpoints in intron 19 of ALK. At the transcript level, a variable (5’) partner gene is fused to 3’ ALK at exon 20. Rarely, ALK fusions contain exon 19 due to breakpoints in intron 18.	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Rare (Lung adenocarcinoma)	EXAMPLE: T		EXAMPLE: Both balanced and unbalanced forms are observed by FISH (add references).
EXAMPLE: ABL1	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Intragenic deletion of exons 2–7 in EGFR removes the ligand-binding domain, resulting in a constitutively active tyrosine kinase with downstream activation of multiple oncogenic pathways.	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Recurrent (IDH-wildtype Glioblastoma)	EXAMPLE: D, P, T

Some rearrangements have been seen as secondary abnormalities.

Chromosomal Rearrangement	Genes in Fusion (5’ or 3’ Segments)	Pathogenic Derivative	Prevalence	Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Notes
del(X)(p22.33p22.33)/del(Y)(p11.32p11.32)	P2RY8-CRLF2	der(X)/der(Y)					Because of the unique nature of the iAMP21 abnormality, cases that present with additional genomic lesions that may suggest another category, such as a CRLF2 rearrangement, should still be classified as B-ALL with iAMP21.
t(12;21)(p13.2;q22.1)	ETV6-RUNX1	der(21)
t(9;22)(q34;q11.2)	BCR-ABL1	der(22)

Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH

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Chr #	Gain, Loss, Amp, LOH	Minimal Region Cytoband and/or Genomic Coordinates [Genome Build; Size]	Relevant Gene(s)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: 7	EXAMPLE: Loss	EXAMPLE: chr7	EXAMPLE: Unknown	EXAMPLE: D, P	EXAMPLE: No	EXAMPLE: Presence of monosomy 7 (or 7q deletion) is sufficient for a diagnosis of AML with MDS-related changes when there is ≥20% blasts and no prior therapy (add reference).  Monosomy 7/7q deletion is associated with a poor prognosis in AML (add references).
EXAMPLE: 8	EXAMPLE: Gain	EXAMPLE: chr8	EXAMPLE: Unknown	EXAMPLE: D, P		EXAMPLE: Common recurrent secondary finding for t(8;21) (add references).
EXAMPLE: 17	EXAMPLE: Amp	EXAMPLE: 17q12; chr17:39,700,064-39,728,658 [hg38; 28.6 kb]	EXAMPLE: ERBB2	EXAMPLE: D, P, T		EXAMPLE: Amplification of ERBB2 is associated with HER2 overexpression in HER2 positive breast cancer (add references). Add criteria for how amplification is defined.

Cytogenetic morphology of the abnormal chromosome 21 can vary markedly between patients.

iAMP21 in a ring formation; Courtesy of Fullerton Genetics Lab

In ~80% of iAMP21 B-ALL cases, recurrent secondary abnormalities, both chromosomal and molecular, have been documented. Deletions involving particular genes such as; IKZF1, CDKN2A/B, PAX5, SH2B3, ETV6 and RB1 have also been observed.

Chr #	Gain / Loss / Amp / LOH	Minimal Region Genomic Coordinates [Genome Build]	Minimal Region Cytoband	Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Notes
X	Gain	EXAMPLE: chr7:1- 159,335,973 [hg38]	EXAMPLE: chr7	Yes	Yes	No	EXAMPLE: Presence of monosomy 7 (or 7q deletion) is sufficient for a diagnosis of AML with MDS-related changes when there is ≥20% blasts and no prior therapy (add reference).  Monosomy 7/7q deletion is associated with a poor prognosis in AML (add reference).
10	Gain	EXAMPLE: chr8:1-145,138,636 [hg38]	EXAMPLE: chr8	No	No	No	EXAMPLE: Common recurrent secondary finding for t(8;21) (add reference).
14	Gain
7/7q	Loss
11q	Loss

Characteristic Chromosomal or Other Global Mutational Patterns

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Included in this category are alterations such as hyperdiploid; gain of odd number chromosomes including typically chromosome 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 17; co-deletion of 1p and 19q; complex karyotypes without characteristic genetic findings; chromothripsis; microsatellite instability; homologous recombination deficiency; mutational signature pattern; etc. Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Chromosomal Pattern	Molecular Pathogenesis	Prevalence - Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: Co-deletion of 1p and 18q	EXAMPLE: See chromosomal rearrangements table as this pattern is due to an unbalanced derivative translocation associated with oligodendroglioma (add reference).	EXAMPLE: Common (Oligodendroglioma)	EXAMPLE: D, P
EXAMPLE: Microsatellite instability - hypermutated		EXAMPLE: Common (Endometrial carcinoma)	EXAMPLE: P, T

iAMP21 cases have a characteristic pattern that is both complex and variable. This pattern comprises multiple regions of gain, amplification and deletion. Interestingly, RUNX1 amplification is not always intrachromosomal. The formation of iAMP21 is considered to be due to breakage-fusion-bridge cycles followed by chromothripsis and other complex structural rearrangements of chromosome 21. Studies, molecular and cytogenetic, have elucidated a common 5.1 Mb region that includes the RUNX1 gene. However, even though RUNX1 is included in the amplified region, there has not yet been any conclusive evidence that RUNX1 is critical in the pathogenesis of disease given that it is not overexpressed in some individuals with this abnormality.

Chromosomal Pattern	Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Notes
Amplification of RUNX1				See CMA image displaying the amplification of RUNX1. This is part of the critical region consistently amplified: chr21:32.8-37.9 Mb (hg19).
Terminal deletion of 21q

Characteristic iAMP21 CMA; Courtesy of Fullerton Genetics Lab

Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: This table is not meant to be an exhaustive list; please include only genes/alterations that are recurrent or common as well either disease defining and/or clinically significant. If a gene has multiple mechanisms depending on the type or site of the alteration, add multiple entries in the table. For clinical significance, denote associations with FDA-approved therapy (not an extensive list of applicable drugs) and NCCN or other national guidelines if applicable; Can also refer to CGC workgroup tables as linked on the homepage if applicable as well as any high impact papers or reviews of gene mutations in this entity. Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information such as concomitant and mutually exclusive mutations can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Gene	Genetic Alteration	Tumor Suppressor Gene, Oncogene, Other	Prevalence - Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE:EGFR	EXAMPLE: Exon 18-21 activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Oncogene	EXAMPLE: Common (lung cancer)	EXAMPLE: T	EXAMPLE: Yes (NCCN)	EXAMPLE: Exons 18, 19, and 21 mutations are targetable for therapy. Exon 20 T790M variants cause resistance to first generation TKI therapy and are targetable by second and third generation TKIs (add references).
EXAMPLE: TP53; Variable LOF mutations	EXAMPLE: Variable LOF mutations	EXAMPLE: Tumor Supressor Gene	EXAMPLE: Common (breast cancer)	EXAMPLE: P		EXAMPLE: >90% are somatic; rare germline alterations associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (add reference). Denotes a poor prognosis in breast cancer.
EXAMPLE: BRAF; Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Oncogene	EXAMPLE: Common (melanoma)	EXAMPLE: T

Note: A more extensive list of mutations can be found in cBioportal, COSMIC, and/or other databases. When applicable, gene-specific pages within the CCGA site directly link to pertinent external content.

In a 2016 paper, it was shown that in the iAMP21-ALL exome, the mutations were more commonly transitions (for example: C>T) than transversions or indels. Frequently, mutations in the RAS signaling pathway have been observed. Interestingly, these mutations were observed to coexist in patterns ranging from 2-3 mutated genes to 2-4 mutations in the same gene in one sample. Further, the FLT3-ITD was more prevalent in iAMP21-ALL.

Gene; Genetic Alteration	Presumed Mechanism (Tumor Suppressor Gene [TSG] / Oncogene / Other)	Prevalence (COSMIC / TCGA / Other)	Concomitant Mutations	Mutually Exclusive Mutations	Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown)	Notes
NRAS	EXAMPLE: TSG	45%	EXAMPLE: IDH1 R123H	EXAMPLE: EGFR amplification				EXAMPLE:  Excludes hairy cell leukemia (HCL) (add reference).
KRAS		18%
FLT3		20%
PTPN11		11%
BRAF		2%
NF1		2%

Note: A more extensive list of mutations can be found in cBioportal (https://www.cbioportal.org/), COSMIC (https://cancer.sanger.ac.uk/cosmic), ICGC (https://dcc.icgc.org/) and/or other databases. When applicable, gene-specific pages within the CCGA site directly link to pertinent external content.

Epigenomic Alterations

N/A

Genes and Main Pathways Involved

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Gene; Genetic Alteration	Pathway	Pathophysiologic Outcome
RUNX1	RAS pathway	EXAMPLE: Increased cell growth and proliferation
EXAMPLE: CDKN2A; Inactivating mutations	EXAMPLE: Cell cycle regulation	EXAMPLE: Unregulated cell division
EXAMPLE:  KMT2C and ARID1A; Inactivating mutations	EXAMPLE:  Histone modification, chromatin remodeling	EXAMPLE:  Abnormal gene expression program

Genetic Diagnostic Testing Methods

Different methodologies are able to detect the iAMP21, such as:

• Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) utilizing the probe set for the t(12;21)

• Conventional chromosome analysis

• Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA)

• Chromosomal microarray (CMA)

• Next generation sequencing (NGS).

Familial Forms

N/A

Additional Information

This disease is defined/characterized as detailed below:

• Intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21) is a neoplasm of lymphoblasts that are of the B-cell lineage. It is characterized by amplification of the RUNX1 gene at 21q22.3 on a structurally abnormal chromosome 21. Amplification is defined as ≥5 copies of RUNX1 detected by FISH or ≥3 copies of RUNX1 on a single abnormal chromosome 21.

The epidemiology/prevalence of this disease is detailed below:

• iAMP21 is observed most often in the older pediatric group (median age of 9 years, with a range of 2-30 years). It accounts for ~2% of B-ALL cases including ~2% of standard-risk and 3% of high-risk patients. The incidence in adult B-ALL has not been established; however, it appears to be less prevalent than in the pediatric population.
• Further, patients carrying a rob(15;21)(q10;q10) have an ~2700-fold increased risk of developing iAMP21 ALL compared to the general population. Additionally, patients with a constitutional ring chromosome 21, r(21), may potentially be predisposed to iAMP21 ALL.

The clinical features of this disease are detailed below:

• ~50% of cases are classified as high-risk based on an age of ≥10 years. Pediatric iAMP21 has been associated with a poor outcome. It displays an increased rate of relapse when treated on standard protocols. Further, the event-free survival and overall survival were significantly worse for individuals with the iAMP21 and standard-risk B-ALL, but not significant in individuals with iAMP21 and high-risk B-ALL.
• Laboratory findings - Low platelet count; Low WBC count (<50,000/μl)

The sites of involvement of this disease are detailed below:

• Bone Marrow and peripheral blood

The morphologic features of this disease are detailed below:

• There are no unique morphological or cytochemical features that distinguish this entity from other types of ALL.

The immunophenotype of this disease is detailed below:

• No detailed information is known, other than these cases occur exclusively in B-ALL.

Links

RUNX1

References

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Notes

*Primary authors will typically be those that initially create and complete the content of a page.  If a subsequent user modifies the content and feels the effort put forth is of high enough significance to warrant listing in the authorship section, please contact the Associate Editor or other CCGA representative.  When pages have a major update, the new author will be acknowledged at the beginning of the page, and those who contributed previously will be acknowledged below as a prior author.

Prior Author(s):

*Citation of this Page: “B-lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma with iAMP21”. Compendium of Cancer Genome Aberrations (CCGA), Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC), updated 07/3/2025, https://ccga.io/index.php/HAEM5:B-lymphoblastic_leukaemia/lymphoma_with_iAMP21.