Comprehensive Transcriptome Profiling of Cryptic CBFA2T3-GLIS2 Fusion-positive AML Defines Novel Therapeutic Options - A COG and TARGET Pediatric AML Study.

2019

2019 Nov 12

1078-0432

<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>A cryptic inv(16)(p13.3q24.3) encoding the CBFA2T3-GLIS2 fusion is associated with poor outcome in infants with acute megakaryocytic leukemia. We aimed to broaden our understanding of the pathogenesis of this fusion through transcriptome profiling.</p>

<p><strong>EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: </strong>Available RNA from children and young adults with de novo AML (N=1,049) underwent transcriptome sequencing (mRNA and miRNA). Transcriptome profiles for those with the CBFA2T3-GLIS2 fusion (N=24) and without (N=1,025) were contrasted to define fusion-specific miRNAs, genes, and pathways. Clinical annotations defined distinct fusion-associated disease characteristics and outcomes.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The CBFA2T3-GLIS2 fusion was restricted to infants &lt; 3 years-old (p&lt;0.001) and presence of this fusion was highly associated with adverse outcome (p&lt;0.001) across all morphological classifications. Further, there was a striking paucity of recurrent cooperating mutations and transduction of cord blood stem cells with this fusion was sufficient for malignant transformation. CBFA2T3-GLIS2 positive cases displayed marked up-regulation of genes with cell membrane/extracellular matrix localization potential, including NCAM1 and GABRE. Additionally, miRNA profiling revealed significant over-expression of mature miR-224 and miR-452, which are intronic miRNAs transcribed from the GABRE locus. Gene-set enrichment identified dysregulated Hippo, TGFβ, and hedgehog signaling, as well as NCAM1 (CD56) Interaction pathways. Therapeutic targeting of fusion-positive leukemic cells with CD56-directed ADC caused significant cytotoxicity in leukemic blasts.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>The CBFA2T3-GLIS2 fusion defines a highly refractory entity limited to infants that appears to be sufficient for malignant transformation. Transcriptome profiling elucidated several highly targetable genes and pathways, including the identification of CD56, providing a highly plausible target for therapeutic intervention.</p>

10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-19-1800

Clin. Cancer Res.

31719049