Characteristics and literature review of ETV6::ABL1 fusion gene-positive acute myeloid leukemia

Int J Hematol. 2024 May;119(5):564-572. doi: 10.1007/s12185-024-03729-9. Epub 2024 Mar 5.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the features of ETV6::ABL1 AML as well as the clinical treatment and outcomes.

Methods: Clinical data were collected from three patients diagnosed with ETV6::ABL1 AML at Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital and Beijing Lu Daopei Hospital. Their clinical and laboratory features were analyzed, and the treatment process and outcomes were described. Ten reported cases of ETV6::ABL1 AML from the literature were also included for analysis.

Results: The median age of the patients was 34 years, and 2 patients were male. No patient had a history of blood disorders before diagnosis. After relapse, they were referred to our hospital, where the ETV6::ABL1 gene was detected. Unfortunately, Patient 1 died rapidly after leukemia relapse due to severe infection. Patients 2 and 3 received salvage therapy with a dasatinib-containing regimen, followed by allo-HSCT, and are currently alive and disease-free.

Conclusion: ETV6::ABL1 is a rare but recurrent genetic aberration in AML, and the combined use of fluorescence in situ hybridization and PCR can better identify this fusion gene. Patients carrying ETV6::ABL1 have a high relapse rate and a poor prognosis. TKIs are a reasonable treatment option for this group, and allo-HSCT may be curative.

Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; ETV6::ABL1; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • ETS Translocation Variant 6 Protein*
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / diagnosis
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion* / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets* / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins* / genetics
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • ETS Translocation Variant 6 Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl
  • ABL1 protein, human