HAEM5:Acute myeloid leukaemia with BCR::ABL1 fusion: Difference between revisions

Little is known about the characteristics clinical features of BCR-ABL1 positive AML. In contrast to CML, BCR-ABL1 positive AML has no antecedent hematologic disease/abnormality and no splenomegaly. Unexplained leucocytosis and/or splenomegaly point towards the diagnosis of CML myeloid blast crisis (CML-MBC) than AML<ref name=":2" />. Soupir et al. reported 16 cases of BCR-ABL1 positive AML, noting there was some overlap phenotypically and morphologically with CML myeloid blast crisis, but BCR-ABL1 positive AML cases presented less often with splenomegaly, lacked basophilia and had lower bone marrow cellularity<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Soupir|first=Chad P.|last2=Vergilio|first2=Jo-Anne|last3=Dal Cin|first3=Paola|last4=Muzikansky|first4=Alona|last5=Kantarjian|first5=Hagop|last6=Jones|first6=Dan|last7=Hasserjian|first7=Robert P.|date=2007|title=Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia: a rare aggressive leukemia with clinicopathologic features distinct from chronic myeloid leukemia in myeloid blast crisis|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17369142|journal=American Journal of Clinical Pathology|volume=127|issue=4|pages=642–650|doi=10.1309/B4NVER1AJJ84CTUU|issn=0002-9173|pmid=17369142}}</ref>.

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==Sites of Involvement==

The t(9:22)(q34.1;q11.2) results in the formation of the Ph chromosome and the chimeric BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. In AML, the most common BCR-ABL1 transcripts p190 and p210 have been detected in nearly equal distribution<ref name=":2" />. Since p190 is very rare in CML (p210 transcripts in >99% of cases), the presentation with a p190 transcript is in favour of the diagnosis of AML rather than CML<ref name=":1" />.

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* Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH

* Characteristic Chromosomal Patterns

BCR-ABL1 positive AML is an emerging entity. The proliferation of BCR-ABL1 positive blasts present a diagnostic dilemma. While it may be difficult, it is essential to distinguish between BCR-ABL1 positive AML and CML-MBC, in order to choose the most appropriate therapy (e.g., intensive induction chemotherapy versus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) followed by an early allogeneic stem cell transplant). After the exclusion of acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage (a separate entity according to WHO) by flow cytometry, it is helpful to note any past history of antecedent hematological disease. Absence of basophilia and absence of splenomegaly favour the diagnosis of BCR-ABL1 positive AML (over CML-MBC). The detection of p190 transcript and the occurrence of any BCR-ABL1 transcript in less than 100% of metaphases supports the diagnosis of AML rather than CML. Persistent CCyR (Complete Cytogenetic Response) after conventional chemotherapy is unusual for CML-MBC and supports the diagnosis of BCR-ABL1 positive AML<ref name=":2" />.  

The overall prognosis of BCR-ABL1 positive AML is generally unfavourable. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for AML categorise this entity into the poor-risk group, comparable with complex aberrant karyotype AML<ref>O’Donnell MR, Tallman MS, (2016). NCCN Clinical Practise Guidelines in Oncology: AML. Version 1. Available at: NCCN.org.</ref>. It appears that the prognosis of BCR-ABL1 positive AML depends more on the genetic background (concurrent aberrations) than on BCR-ABL1 itself. Unlike in CML, BCR-ABL1 does not appear to be the key driver in AML though may provide a proliferative advantage to a particular BCR-ABL1 positive subclone There is currently no standardized treatment approach for BCR-ABL1 positive AML. Therapy with TKI alone does not produce sustained responses in BCR-ABL1 positive AML. This may be due to a very rapid clonal evolution, resulting in resistance in a much higher proportion of patients and in a significantly shorter time than in CML<ref name=":2" />.

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==Individual Region Genomic Gain / Loss / LOH==

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AML with BCR-ABL1 carries unique genome imbalances. Nacheva et al., used array comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) to perform a comparative study between several BCR-ABL1 positive entities. BCR-ABL1 positive AML displays characteristic of lymphoid disease (found in BCR-ABL1 positive ALL and CML): deletions of ''IKZF1'' and/or ''CDKN2A/B'' genes were recurrent findings in BCR-ABL1 positive AML as well as cryptic deletions within the immunoglobulin ''IGH'' and T cell receptor gene (''TRG alpha'') complexes<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nacheva|first=Ellie P.|last2=Grace|first2=Colin D.|last3=Brazma|first3=Diana|last4=Gancheva|first4=Katya|last5=Howard-Reeves|first5=Julie|last6=Rai|first6=Lena|last7=Gale|first7=Rosemary E.|last8=Linch|first8=David C.|last9=Hills|first9=Robert K.|date=2013|title=Does BCR/ABL1 positive acute myeloid leukaemia exist?|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23521501|journal=British Journal of Haematology|volume=161|issue=4|pages=541–550|doi=10.1111/bjh.12301|issn=1365-2141|pmid=23521501}}</ref>. Importantly, these aberrations were found to be absent in CML-MBC and hence they are potentially a helpful diagnostic tool for difficult cases.

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==Characteristic Chromosomal Patterns==

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In AML, BCR-ABL1 has been described together with different class II aberrations such as CBFB-MYH11, RUNX1- RUNX1T1 and PML-RARA<ref name=":2" />. In AML, BCR-ABL1 seems to cooperate with several AML-specific aberrations such as inv(16), t(8;21) and myelodysplasia-related cytogenetic aberrations<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bacher|first=Ulrike|last2=Haferlach|first2=Torsten|last3=Alpermann|first3=Tamara|last4=Zenger|first4=Melanie|last5=Hochhaus|first5=Andreas|last6=Beelen|first6=Dietrich W.|last7=Uppenkamp|first7=Michael|last8=Rummel|first8=Mathias|last9=Kern|first9=Wolfgang|date=2011|title=Subclones with the t(9;22)/BCR-ABL1 rearrangement occur in AML and seem to cooperate with distinct genetic alterations|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21275954|journal=British Journal of Haematology|volume=152|issue=6|pages=713–720|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2141.2010.08472.x|issn=1365-2141|pmid=21275954}}</ref>. (For diagnostic purpose, note that inv(16) is not restricted to AML and can also be found in CML-MBC).

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==Gene Mutations (SNV / INDEL)==

Coinciding molecular events such as ''NPM1'' mutations have been reported<ref name=":1" />.

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==Epigenomic Alterations==

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The ''BCR'' gene product has serine/threonine kinase activity and is a GTPase-activating protein for p21rac<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Maru|first=Y.|last2=Witte|first2=O. N.|date=1991|title=The BCR gene encodes a novel serine/threonine kinase activity within a single exon|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1657398|journal=Cell|volume=67|issue=3|pages=459–468|doi=10.1016/0092-8674(91)90521-y|issn=0092-8674|pmid=1657398}}</ref>. The ''ABL1'' gene is a proto-oncogene that encodes a protein tyrosine kinase involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell division, adhesion, differentiation, and response to stress. The activity of this protein is negatively regulated by its SH3 domain, whereby deletion of the region encoding this domain results in an oncogene<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wang|first=Jean Y. J.|date=2014|title=The capable ABL: what is its biological function?|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24421390|journal=Molecular and Cellular Biology|volume=34|issue=7|pages=1188–1197|doi=10.1128/MCB.01454-13|issn=1098-5549|pmc=3993570|pmid=24421390}}</ref>. The t(9,22)(q34;q11) leads to the formation of a Philadelphia chromosome and generates an active chimeric BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase. The fusion gene is created by juxtaposing the ''ABL1'' gene on chromosome 9 (region q34) to a part of ''BCR'' (breakpoint cluster region) gene on chromosome 22 (region q11). This is a reciprocal translocation, creating an elongated chromosome 9 (der 9), and a truncated chromosome 22 (the Philadelphia chromosome, 22q-), the oncogenic BCR-ABL1 being found on the shorter derivative 22 chromosome<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kurzrock|first=Razelle|last2=Kantarjian|first2=Hagop M.|last3=Druker|first3=Brian J.|last4=Talpaz|first4=Moshe|date=2003|title=Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias: from basic mechanisms to molecular therapeutics|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12755554|journal=Annals of Internal Medicine|volume=138|issue=10|pages=819–830|doi=10.7326/0003-4819-138-10-200305200-00010|issn=1539-3704|pmid=12755554}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Melo|first=J. V.|date=1996|title=The diversity of BCR-ABL fusion proteins and their relationship to leukemia phenotype|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8839828|journal=Blood|volume=88|issue=7|pages=2375–2384|issn=0006-4971|pmid=8839828}}</ref>. This gene encodes for a BCR-ABL1 fusion protein, a tyrosine kinase. Tyrosine kinase activities are typically regulated in an auto-inhibitory manner, but the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene codes for a protein that is continuously activated, causing unregulated cell division. This is a result of the replacement of the myristoylated cap region which causes a conformational change rendering the kinase domain inactive, with a truncated portion of the BCR protein<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nagar|first=Bhushan|last2=Hantschel|first2=Oliver|last3=Young|first3=Matthew A.|last4=Scheffzek|first4=Klaus|last5=Veach|first5=Darren|last6=Bornmann|first6=William|last7=Clarkson|first7=Bayard|last8=Superti-Furga|first8=Giulio|last9=Kuriyan|first9=John|date=2003|title=Structural basis for the autoinhibition of c-Abl tyrosine kinase|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12654251|journal=Cell|volume=112|issue=6|pages=859–871|doi=10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00194-6|issn=0092-8674|pmid=12654251}}</ref>. The enzyme is responsible for the uncontrolled growth of leukemic cells which survive better than normal blood cells. As a result of BCR/ABL1 variable splicing (fusion RNA and hybrid proteins), two transcripts p190 and p210 are found for BCR-ABL1 positive AML.

[[File:BCR-ABL1 translocation image.jpg|Figure 1. Philadelphia chromosome. A piece of chromosome 9 and a piece of chrosomome 22 break off and trade places. The BCR-ABL1 gene is formed on chromosome 22 where the piece of chromosome 9 attaches. The changed chromosome 22 is called Philadelphia chromosome. Image from National Cancer Institute website https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/bcr-abl-fusion-gene|frame|center]]

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==Genetic Diagnostic Testing Methods==