Genomic and global gene expression profiling in pediatric and young adult acute leukemia with PICALM::MLLT10 Fusion

Leukemia. 2024 May;38(5):981-990. doi: 10.1038/s41375-024-02194-x. Epub 2024 Mar 1.

Abstract

MLLT10 fusion is a rare but recurrent genetic driver in acute leukemias. To better understand the genomic landscape of PICALM::MLLT10 (PM) positive acute leukemia, we performed genomic profiling and gene expression profiling in twenty PM-positive patients, including AML (n = 10), T-ALL/LLy (n = 8), Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL), T/B (n = 1) and acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL) (n = 1). Besides confirming the known activation of HOXA, differential gene expression analysis compared to hematopoietic stem cells demonstrated the enrichment of genes associated with cell proliferation-related pathways and relatively high expression of XPO1 in PM-AML and PM-T-ALL/LLy. Our study also suggested PHF6 disruption as a key cooperating event in PICALM::MLLT10-positive leukemias. In addition, we demonstrated differences in gene expression profiles as well as remarkably different spectra of co-occurring mutations between PM-AML and PM-T-ALL/LLy. Alterations affecting TP53 and NF1, hallmarks of PM-AML, are strongly associated with disease progression and relapse, whereas EZH2 alterations are highly enriched in PM-T-ALL/LLy. This comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic profiling provides insights into the pathogenesis and development of PICALM::MLLT10 positive acute leukemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
  • Genomics / methods
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Male
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion* / genetics
  • Prognosis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcriptome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • MLLT10 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor