Prognostic interaction between ASXL1 and TET2 mutations in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Blood Cancer J. 2016 Jan 15;6(1):e385. doi: 10.1038/bcj.2015.113.

Abstract

Mutations involving epigenetic regulators (TET2~60% and ASXL1~40%) and splicing components (SRSF2~50%) are frequent in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). On a 27-gene targeted capture panel performed on 175 CMML patients (66% males, median age 70 years), common mutations included: TET2 46%, ASXL1 47%, SRSF2 45% and SETBP1 19%. A total of 172 (98%) patients had at least one mutation, 21 (12%) had 2, 24 (14%) had 3 and 30 (17%) had >3 mutations. In a univariate analysis, the presence of ASXL1 mutations (P=0.02) and the absence of TET2 mutations (P=0.03), adversely impacted survival; while the number of concurrent mutations had no impact (P=0.3). In a multivariable analysis that included hemoglobin, platelet count, absolute monocyte count and circulating immature myeloid cells (Mayo model), the presence of ASXL1 mutations (P=0.01) and absence of TET2 mutations (P=0.003) retained prognostic significance. Patients were stratified into four categories: ASXL1wt/TET2wt (n=56), ASXL1mut/TET2wt (n=31), ASXL1mut/TET2mut (n=50) and ASXL1wt/TET2mut (n=38). Survival data demonstrated a significant difference in favor of ASXL1wt/TET2mut (38 months; P=0.016), compared with those with ASXL1wt/TET2wt (19 months), ASXL1mut/TET2wt (21 months) and ASXL1mut/TET2mut (16 months) (P=0.3). We confirm the negative prognostic impact imparted by ASXL1 mutations and suggest a favorable impact from TET2 mutations in the absence of ASXL1 mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Dioxygenases
  • Epistasis, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic / mortality*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ASXL1 protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Dioxygenases
  • TET2 protein, human