Double CEBPA mutations, but not single CEBPA mutations, define a subgroup of acute myeloid leukemia with a distinctive gene expression profile that is uniquely associated with a favorable outcome

Blood. 2009 Mar 26;113(13):3088-91. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-09-179895. Epub 2009 Jan 26.

Abstract

Mutations in CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA) are seen in 5% to 14% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and have been associated with a favorable clinical outcome. Most AMLs with CEBPA mutations simultaneously carry 2 mutations (CEBPA(double-mut)), usually biallelic, whereas single heterozygous mutations (CEBPA(single-mut)) are less frequently seen. Using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and nucleotide sequencing, we identified among a cohort of 598 newly diagnosed AMLs a subset of 41 CEBPA mutant cases (28 CEBPA(double-mut) and 13 CEBPA(single-mut) cases). CEBPA(double-mut) associated with a unique gene expression profile as well as favorable overall and event-free survival, retained in multivariable analysis that included cytogenetic risk, FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutation, white blood cell count, and age. In contrast, CEBPA(single-mut) AMLs did not express a discriminating signature and could not be distinguished from wild-type cases as regards clinical outcome. These results demonstrate significant underlying heterogeneity within CEBPA mutation-positive AML with prognostic relevance.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / classification
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / mortality
  • Mutation, Missense* / physiology
  • Nucleophosmin
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • CEBPA protein, human
  • NPM1 protein, human
  • Nucleophosmin