1. |
- Agathangelidis, A, et al.
(author)
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Immunoglobulin gene sequence analysis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: the 2022 update of the recommendations by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL
- 2022
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5551 .- 0887-6924. ; 36:8, s. 1961-1968
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The somatic hypermutation (SHM) status of the clonotypic immunoglobulin heavy variable (IGHV) gene is a critical biomarker for assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Importantly, independent studies have documented that IGHV SHM status is also a predictor of responses to therapy, including both chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) and novel, targeted agents. Moreover, immunogenetic analysis in CLL has revealed that different patients may express (quasi)identical, stereotyped B cell receptor immunoglobulin (BcR IG) and are classified into subsets based on this common feature. Patients in certain stereotyped subsets display consistent biology, clinical presentation, and outcome that are distinct from other patients, even with concordant IGHV gene SHM status. All of the above highlights the relevance of immunogenetic analysis in CLL, which is considered a cornerstone for accurate risk stratification and clinical decision making. Recommendations for robust immunogenetic analysis exist thanks to dedicated efforts by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL, covering all test phases, from the pre-analytical and analytical to the post-analytical, pertaining to the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of the findings. That said, these recommendations apply to Sanger sequencing, which is increasingly being superseded by next generation sequencing (NGS), further underscoring the need for an update. Here, we present an overview of the clinical utility of immunogenetics in CLL and update our analytical recommendations with the aim to assist in the refined management of patients with CLL.
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2. |
- Attarbaschi, A., et al.
(author)
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Second malignant neoplasms after treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma—a retrospective multinational study of 189 children and adolescents
- 2021
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0887-6924 .- 1476-5551. ; 35, s. 534-549
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Data on the spectrum of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) after primary childhood non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) are scarce. One-hundred-and-eighty-nine NHL patients diagnosed in a 30 years period of 1980–2010 developing an SMN were retrieved from 19 members of the European Intergroup for Childhood NHL and/or the international Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster Study Group. Five subgroups of SMNs were identified: (1) myeloid neoplasms (n = 43; 23%), (2) lymphoid neoplasms (n = 51; 27%), (3) carcinomas (n = 48; 25%), (4) central nervous system (CNS) tumors (n = 19; 10%), and (5) “other” SMNs (n = 28; 15%). In 37 patients (20%) preexisting disorders were reported with 90% having any kind of cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS). For the 189 primary NHL patients, 5-year overall survival (OS) after diagnosis of an SMN was 56 ± 4%, being worst for patients with preexisting disorders at 28 ± 8%. Five-year OS rates were 38 ± 8%, 59 ± 7%, 79 ± 8%, 34 ± 12%, and 62 ± 11%, respectively, for patients with myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms, carcinomas, CNS tumors, and “other” SMNs (p < 0.0001). Patients with SMNs after childhood NHL having a reported CPS, mostly mismatch repair disorders, carried a very poor prognosis. Moreover, although outcome was favorable in some subtypes of SMNs after childhood NHL (carcinomas, lymphoid neoplasms), other SMNs such as myeloid neoplasms and CNS tumors had a dismal prognosis. © 2020, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
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3. |
- Berndt, Sonja, I, et al.
(author)
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Distinct germline genetic susceptibility profiles identified for common non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes
- 2022
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Nature. - 0887-6924 .- 1476-5551. ; 36:12, s. 2835-2844
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lymphoma risk is elevated for relatives with common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes, suggesting shared genetic susceptibility across subtypes. To evaluate the extent of mutual heritability among NHL subtypes and discover novel loci shared among subtypes, we analyzed data from eight genome-wide association studies within the InterLymph Consortium, including 10,629 cases and 9505 controls. We utilized Association analysis based on SubSETs (ASSET) to discover loci for subsets of NHL subtypes and evaluated shared heritability across the genome using Genome-wide Complex Trait Analysis (GCTA) and polygenic risk scores. We discovered 17 genome-wide significant loci (P < 5 × 10−8) for subsets of NHL subtypes, including a novel locus at 10q23.33 (HHEX) (P = 3.27 × 10−9). Most subset associations were driven primarily by only one subtype. Genome-wide genetic correlations between pairs of subtypes varied broadly from 0.20 to 0.86, suggesting substantial heterogeneity in the extent of shared heritability among subtypes. Polygenic risk score analyses of established loci for different lymphoid malignancies identified strong associations with some NHL subtypes (P < 5 × 10−8), but weak or null associations with others. Although our analyses suggest partially shared heritability and biological pathways, they reveal substantial heterogeneity among NHL subtypes with each having its own distinct germline genetic architecture.
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4. |
- Blixt, L., et al.
(author)
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Covid-19 in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia : clinical outcome and B- and T-cell immunity during 13 months in consecutive patients
- 2022
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Nature. - 0887-6924 .- 1476-5551. ; 36:2, s. 476-481
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We studied clinical and immunological outcome of Covid-19 in consecutive CLL patients from a well-defined area during month 1–13 of the pandemic. Sixty patients (median age 71 y, range 43–97) were identified. Median CIRS was eight (4–20). Patients had indolent CLL (n = 38), had completed (n = 12) or ongoing therapy (n = 10). Forty-six patients (77%) were hospitalized due to severe Covid-19 and 11 were admitted to ICU. Severe Covid-19 was equally distributed across subgroups irrespective of age, gender, BMI, CLL status except CIRS (p < 0.05). Fourteen patients (23%) died; age ≥75 y was the only significant risk factor (p < 0.05, multivariate analysis with limited power). Comparing month 1–6 vs 7–13 of the pandemic, deaths were numerically reduced from 32% to 18%, ICU admission from 37% to 15% whereas hospitalizations remained frequent (86% vs 71%). Seroconversion occurred in 33/40 patients (82%) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detectable at six and 12 months in 17/22 and 8/11 patients, respectively. Most (13/17) had neutralizing antibodies and 19/28 had antibodies in saliva. SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells (ELISpot) were detected in 14/17 patients. Covid-19 continued to result in high admission even among consecutive and young early- stage CLL patients. A robust and durable B and/or T cell immunity was observed in most convalescents.
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5. |
- Boberg, E, et al.
(author)
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Cognitive impairments correlate with increased central nervous system immune activation after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- 2023
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5551 .- 0887-6924. ; 37:4, s. 888-900
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Murine studies indicate that, after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT), donor-derived macrophages replace damaged microglia and alloreactive T-cells invade the central nervous system (CNS). The clinical relevance of this is unknown. We assessed CNS immune surveillance and metabolic activity involved in neuronal survival, in relation to fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in 25 long-term survivors after aHSCT. Patients with cognitive dysfunction exhibited increased proportions of activated T-cells and CD16 + NK-cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Immune cell activation was paralleled with reduced levels of anti-inflammatory factors involved in T-cell suppression (transforming growth factor-β, programmed death ligand-1), NK-cell regulation (poliovirus receptor, nectin-2), and macrophage and microglia activation (CD200, chemokine [C-X3-C motif] ligand-1). Additionally, the CSF mRNA expression pattern was associated with neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Furthermore, proteomic, and transcriptomic studies demonstrated decreased levels of neuroprotective factors, and an upregulation of apoptosis pathway genes. The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism was activated in the CNS of all aHSCT patients, resulting in accumulation of neurotoxic and pro-inflammatory metabolites. Cognitive decline and fatigue are overlooked but frequent complications of aHSCT. This study links post-transplant CNS inflammation and neurotoxicity to our previously reported hypoactivation in the prefrontal cortex during cognitive testing, suggesting novel treatment targets.
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6. |
- Bruford, Elspeth A., et al.
(author)
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HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) recommendations for the designation of gene fusions
- 2021
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0887-6924 .- 1476-5551. ; 35:11, s. 3040-3043
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gene fusions have been discussed in the scientific literature since they were first detected in cancer cells in the early 1980s. There is currently no standardized way to denote the genes involved in fusions, but in the majority of publications the gene symbols in question are listed either separated by a hyphen (-) or by a forward slash (/). Both types of designation suffer from important shortcomings. HGNC has worked with the scientific community to determine a new, instantly recognizable and unique separator—a double colon (::)—to be used in the description of fusion genes, and advocates its usage in all databases and articles describing gene fusions.
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9. |
- Chatzikonstantinou, T, et al.
(author)
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COVID-19 severity and mortality in patients with CLL: an update of the international ERIC and Campus CLL study
- 2021
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5551 .- 0887-6924. ; 35:12, s. 3444-3454
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to age, disease, and treatment-related immunosuppression. We aimed to assess risk factors of outcome and elucidate the impact of CLL-directed treatments on the course of COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective, international study, collectively including 941 patients with CLL and confirmed COVID-19. Data from the beginning of the pandemic until March 16, 2021, were collected from 91 centers. The risk factors of case fatality rate (CFR), disease severity, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. OS analysis was restricted to patients with severe COVID-19 (definition: hospitalization with need of oxygen or admission into an intensive care unit). CFR in patients with severe COVID-19 was 38.4%. OS was inferior for patients in all treatment categories compared to untreated (p < 0.001). Untreated patients had a lower risk of death (HR = 0.54, 95% CI:0.41–0.72). The risk of death was higher for older patients and those suffering from cardiac failure (HR = 1.03, 95% CI:1.02–1.04; HR = 1.79, 95% CI:1.04–3.07, respectively). Age, CLL-directed treatment, and cardiac failure were significant risk factors of OS. Untreated patients had a better chance of survival than those on treatment or recently treated.
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10. |
- Cheung, LC, et al.
(author)
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Preclinical efficacy of azacitidine and venetoclax for infant KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals a new therapeutic strategy
- 2023
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In: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5551 .- 0887-6924. ; 37:1, s. 61-71
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Infants with KMT2A-rearranged B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a dismal prognosis. Survival outcomes have remained static in recent decades despite treatment intensification and novel therapies are urgently required. KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cells are characterized by an abundance of promoter hypermethylation and exhibit high BCL-2 expression, highlighting potential for therapeutic targeting. Here, we show that hypomethylating agents exhibit in vitro additivity when combined with most conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, in a subset of samples an antagonistic effect was seen between several agents. This was most evident when hypomethylating agents were combined with methotrexate, with upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters identified as a potential mechanism. Single agent treatment with azacitidine and decitabine significantly prolonged in vivo survival in KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL xenografts. Treatment of KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cell lines with azacitidine and decitabine led to differential genome-wide DNA methylation, changes in gene expression and thermal proteome profiling revealed the target protein-binding landscape of these agents. The selective BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, exhibited in vitro additivity in combination with hypomethylating or conventional chemotherapeutic agents. The addition of venetoclax to azacitidine resulted in a significant in vivo survival advantage indicating the therapeutic potential of this combination to improve outcome for infants with KMT2A-rearranged ALL.
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