B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients with germline RUNX1 mutations

Blood Adv. 2021 Aug 24;5(16):3199-3202. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004653.

Abstract

Germline RUNX1 mutations underlie a syndrome, RUNX1-familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD), characterized by bleeding symptoms that result from quantitative and/or qualitative defect in platelets and a significantly increased risk for developing hematologic malignancies. Myeloid neoplasms are the most commonly diagnosed hematologic malignancies, followed by lymphoid malignancies of T-cell origin. Here, we describe the first 2 cases of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in patients with confirmed germline RUNX1 mutations. While 1 of the patients had a known diagnosis of RUNX1-FPD with a RUNX1 p.P240Hfs mutation, the other was the index patient of a kindred with a novel RUNX1 variant, RUNX1 c.587C>T (p.T196I), noted on a targeted genetic testing of the B-ALL diagnostic sample. We discuss the clinical course, treatment approaches, and the outcome for the 2 patients. Additionally, we describe transient resolution of the mild thrombocytopenia and bleeding symptoms during therapy, as well as the finding of clonal hematopoiesis with a TET2 mutant clone in 1 of the patients. It is critical to consider testing for germline RUNX1 mutations in patients presenting with B-ALL who have a personal or family history of thrombocytopenia, bleeding symptoms, or RUNX1 variants identified on genetic testing at diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / genetics
  • Germ Cells
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute*
  • Mutation
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
  • RUNX1 protein, human