HAEM5:T-large granular lymphocytic leukaemia

Haematolymphoid Tumours (WHO Classification, 5th ed.)

editContent Update To WHO 5th Edition Classification Is In Process; Content Below is Based on WHO 4th Edition Classification

This page was converted to the new template on 2023-12-07. The original page can be found at HAEM4:T-cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia.

(General Instructions – The focus of these pages is the clinically significant genetic alterations in each disease type. This is based on up-to-date knowledge from multiple resources such as PubMed and the WHO classification books. The CCGA is meant to be a supplemental resource to the WHO classification books; the CCGA captures in a continually updated wiki-stye manner the current genetics/genomics knowledge of each disease, which evolves more rapidly than books can be revised and published. If the same disease is described in multiple WHO classification books, the genetics-related information for that disease will be consolidated into a single main page that has this template (other pages would only contain a link to this main page). Use HUGO-approved gene names and symbols (italicized when appropriate), HGVS-based nomenclature for variants, as well as generic names of drugs and testing platforms or assays if applicable. Please complete tables whenever possible and do not delete them (add N/A if not applicable in the table and delete the examples); to add (or move) a row or column in a table, click nearby within the table and select the > symbol that appears. Please do not delete or alter the section headings. The use of bullet points alongside short blocks of text rather than only large paragraphs is encouraged. Additional instructions below in italicized blue text should not be included in the final page content. Please also see Author_Instructions and FAQs as well as contact your Associate Editor or Technical Support.)

Primary Author(s)*

• Michelle Don, MD, MS

WHO Classification of Disease

Structure	Disease
Book	Haematolymphoid Tumours (5th ed.)
Category	T-cell and NK-cell lymphoid proliferations and lymphomas
Family	Mature T-cell and NK-cell neoplasms
Type	Mature T-cell and NK-cell leukaemias
Subtype(s)	T-large granular lymphocytic leukaemia

WHO Essential and Desirable Genetic Diagnostic Criteria

(Instructions: The table will have the diagnostic criteria from the WHO book autocompleted; remove any non-genetics related criteria. If applicable, add text about other classification systems that define this entity and specify how the genetics-related criteria differ.)

WHO Essential Criteria (Genetics)*
WHO Desirable Criteria (Genetics)*
Other Classification

*Note: These are only the genetic/genomic criteria. Additional diagnostic criteria can be found in the WHO Classification of Tumours.

Related Terminology

(Instructions: The table will have the related terminology from the WHO autocompleted.)

Acceptable
Not Recommended

Gene Rearrangements

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Driver Gene	Fusion(s) and Common Partner Genes	Molecular Pathogenesis	Typical Chromosomal Alteration(s)	Prevalence -Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: ABL1	EXAMPLE: BCR::ABL1	EXAMPLE: The pathogenic derivative is the der(22) resulting in fusion of 5’ BCR and 3’ABL1.	EXAMPLE: t(9;22)(q34;q11.2)	EXAMPLE: Common (CML)	EXAMPLE: D, P, T	EXAMPLE: Yes (WHO, NCCN)	EXAMPLE: The t(9;22) is diagnostic of CML in the appropriate morphology and clinical context (add reference). This fusion is responsive to targeted therapy such as Imatinib (Gleevec) (add reference). BCR::ABL1 is generally favorable in CML (add reference).
EXAMPLE: CIC	EXAMPLE: CIC::DUX4	EXAMPLE: Typically, the last exon of CIC is fused to DUX4. The fusion breakpoint in CIC is usually intra-exonic and removes an inhibitory sequence, upregulating PEA3 genes downstream of CIC including ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5.	EXAMPLE: t(4;19)(q25;q13)	EXAMPLE: Common (CIC-rearranged sarcoma)	EXAMPLE: D		EXAMPLE: DUX4 has many homologous genes; an alternate translocation in a minority of cases is t(10;19), but this is usually indistinguishable from t(4;19) by short-read sequencing (add references).
EXAMPLE: ALK	EXAMPLE: ELM4::ALK Other fusion partners include KIF5B, NPM1, STRN, TFG, TPM3, CLTC, KLC1	EXAMPLE: Fusions result in constitutive activation of the ALK tyrosine kinase. The most common ALK fusion is EML4::ALK, with breakpoints in intron 19 of ALK. At the transcript level, a variable (5’) partner gene is fused to 3’ ALK at exon 20. Rarely, ALK fusions contain exon 19 due to breakpoints in intron 18.	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Rare (Lung adenocarcinoma)	EXAMPLE: T		EXAMPLE: Both balanced and unbalanced forms are observed by FISH (add references).
EXAMPLE: ABL1	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Intragenic deletion of exons 2–7 in EGFR removes the ligand-binding domain, resulting in a constitutively active tyrosine kinase with downstream activation of multiple oncogenic pathways.	EXAMPLE: N/A	EXAMPLE: Recurrent (IDH-wildtype Glioblastoma)	EXAMPLE: D, P, T

editv4:Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)

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• No known chromosomal rearrangements

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editv4:Clinical Significance (Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Implications).

Please incorporate this section into the relevant tables found in:

• Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)
• Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH
• Characteristic Chromosomal Patterns
• Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

• There are no FDA approved targeted therapies for T-LGL
• STAT3 mutations can be used to follow-up, in response to treatment
  • Take caution as STAT mutations are not specific to T-LGL and can be seen in other T-cell lymphomas
• STAT3 mutation, Y640F, has a predicted response to initial therapy with methotrexate
• Bortezomib is considered due to NF-κB constitutive activity in T-LGL leukemia

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Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Includes aberrations not involving gene rearrangements. Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information can be provided in the notes section. Can refer to CGC workgroup tables as linked on the homepage if applicable. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Chr #	Gain, Loss, Amp, LOH	Minimal Region Cytoband and/or Genomic Coordinates [Genome Build; Size]	Relevant Gene(s)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: 7	EXAMPLE: Loss	EXAMPLE: chr7	EXAMPLE: Unknown	EXAMPLE: D, P	EXAMPLE: No	EXAMPLE: Presence of monosomy 7 (or 7q deletion) is sufficient for a diagnosis of AML with MDS-related changes when there is ≥20% blasts and no prior therapy (add reference).  Monosomy 7/7q deletion is associated with a poor prognosis in AML (add references).
EXAMPLE: 8	EXAMPLE: Gain	EXAMPLE: chr8	EXAMPLE: Unknown	EXAMPLE: D, P		EXAMPLE: Common recurrent secondary finding for t(8;21) (add references).
EXAMPLE: 17	EXAMPLE: Amp	EXAMPLE: 17q12; chr17:39,700,064-39,728,658 [hg38; 28.6 kb]	EXAMPLE: ERBB2	EXAMPLE: D, P, T		EXAMPLE: Amplification of ERBB2 is associated with HER2 overexpression in HER2 positive breast cancer (add references). Add criteria for how amplification is defined.

editv4:Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH

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• No known recurrent copy number gain/loss/LOH, chromosomal abnormalities have been reported in few cases

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Characteristic Chromosomal or Other Global Mutational Patterns

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Included in this category are alterations such as hyperdiploid; gain of odd number chromosomes including typically chromosome 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 17; co-deletion of 1p and 19q; complex karyotypes without characteristic genetic findings; chromothripsis; microsatellite instability; homologous recombination deficiency; mutational signature pattern; etc. Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Chromosomal Pattern	Molecular Pathogenesis	Prevalence - Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE: Co-deletion of 1p and 18q	EXAMPLE: See chromosomal rearrangements table as this pattern is due to an unbalanced derivative translocation associated with oligodendroglioma (add reference).	EXAMPLE: Common (Oligodendroglioma)	EXAMPLE: D, P
EXAMPLE: Microsatellite instability - hypermutated		EXAMPLE: Common (Endometrial carcinoma)	EXAMPLE: P, T

editv4:Characteristic Chromosomal Aberrations / Patterns

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• No characteristic chromosomal aberrations have been identified
• Unique cytogenetic findings include: (reported in one case report of γδ variant T-cell LGL)
  • Interstitial deletion of 3p21.31, monosomy X, trisomy 5, monosomy 21, and CN‐LOH located at 17q

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Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: This table is not meant to be an exhaustive list; please include only genes/alterations that are recurrent or common as well either disease defining and/or clinically significant. If a gene has multiple mechanisms depending on the type or site of the alteration, add multiple entries in the table. For clinical significance, denote associations with FDA-approved therapy (not an extensive list of applicable drugs) and NCCN or other national guidelines if applicable; Can also refer to CGC workgroup tables as linked on the homepage if applicable as well as any high impact papers or reviews of gene mutations in this entity. Details on clinical significance such as prognosis and other important information such as concomitant and mutually exclusive mutations can be provided in the notes section. Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Gene	Genetic Alteration	Tumor Suppressor Gene, Oncogene, Other	Prevalence - Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)	Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T	Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source)	Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
EXAMPLE:EGFR	EXAMPLE: Exon 18-21 activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Oncogene	EXAMPLE: Common (lung cancer)	EXAMPLE: T	EXAMPLE: Yes (NCCN)	EXAMPLE: Exons 18, 19, and 21 mutations are targetable for therapy. Exon 20 T790M variants cause resistance to first generation TKI therapy and are targetable by second and third generation TKIs (add references).
EXAMPLE: TP53; Variable LOF mutations	EXAMPLE: Variable LOF mutations	EXAMPLE: Tumor Supressor Gene	EXAMPLE: Common (breast cancer)	EXAMPLE: P		EXAMPLE: >90% are somatic; rare germline alterations associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (add reference). Denotes a poor prognosis in breast cancer.
EXAMPLE: BRAF; Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: Oncogene	EXAMPLE: Common (melanoma)	EXAMPLE: T

Note: A more extensive list of mutations can be found in cBioportal, COSMIC, and/or other databases. When applicable, gene-specific pages within the CCGA site directly link to pertinent external content.

editv4:Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

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Somatic activating STAT3 and STAT5b mutations are the most common SNVs in T-LGL.

Gene*	Mutation	Presumed Mechanism (LOF/GOF/Other; Driver/Passenger)	Prevalence	Additional information
STAT3	Src-like homologue 2 (SH2) domain of STAT3 Most frequently affecting codons Y640 or D661 Also affecting: N647I K658S Causing constitutive phosphorylation of the mutated proteins, and increased the transcriptional activity of STAT3 in vitro	GOF	40-70%	17% of patients with STAT3 mutations, had multiple mutations in the STAT3 gene, solely in cytotoxic CD8+ or NK cells. Take caution as STAT3 mutation can also be seen in other T-cell lymphomas including hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma
STAT5B	Src-like homologue 2 (SH2) domain of STAT5 Including: N642H mutation (associated with more aggressive disease) Causing constitutive phosphorylation of the mutated proteins, and increased the transcriptional activity of STAT5B in vitro	GOF	2%	Take caution as STAT5B mutations can also be seen in other T-cell lymphomas including hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma N642H mutation is associated with CD3+/CD56+ phenotype
TNFAIP3	Somatic mutations Y353X K354K Q741Q E630X A717T F127C	LOF (Nonsense mutations)	Identified in 3/39 patients	In one study three of four of the patients with non‐synonymous TNFAIP3 alterations also harbored a STAT3 mutation (p  = 0.004) TNFAIP3 itself is a NF‐κB target gene

*More comprehensive listing of specific mutations in these genes can be found elsewhere (COSMIC, cBioPortal)

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Epigenomic Alterations

• Epigenetic inactivation of JAK/STAT pathway inhibitors
  • SOCS3 has a crucial role in regulating STAT3 activation
  • An epigenetic inhibition mechanism to SOCS3 gene is hypothesized
  • KIR3DL1 has been shown to be down-modulated by hypermethylation of the promoter

Genes and Main Pathways Involved

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Please include references throughout the table. Do not delete the table.)

Gene; Genetic Alteration	Pathway	Pathophysiologic Outcome
EXAMPLE: BRAF and MAP2K1; Activating mutations	EXAMPLE: MAPK signaling	EXAMPLE: Increased cell growth and proliferation
EXAMPLE: CDKN2A; Inactivating mutations	EXAMPLE: Cell cycle regulation	EXAMPLE: Unregulated cell division
EXAMPLE: KMT2C and ARID1A; Inactivating mutations	EXAMPLE: Histone modification, chromatin remodeling	EXAMPLE: Abnormal gene expression program

editv4:Genes and Main Pathways Involved

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• JAK/STAT
  • Constitutive activation
• NK-κB
  • Activation of this pathway
  • Preventing apoptosis
• T-LGL's express high levels of FAS and FASL
  • Resistant to FAS mediated apoptosis
  • Leading to activation of prosurvival pathways
  • Postulated to lead to neutropenia seen in these patients.
• RAS/RAF1/MEK1/ERK
  • Overactive RAS
  • Constitutive activation of RAS and ERK
• PI3K/AKT
  • Dysregulation
  • Contributing to apoptosis inhibition

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Genetic Diagnostic Testing Methods

• Morphologic assessment, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry
• PCR to assess for clonality, T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements
  • TCR gamma (TCRG) gene is rearranged in all cases, regardless of the type of TCR expressed, thus proves clonality
    • Can be helpful in differentiating a reactive lymphocytosis from clonal T-LGL's
  • NK LGL proliferations do not express TCR, making assessment of clonality difficult
    • Expression of activating isoforms of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) can be used as a surrogate marker of clonality in NK LGL

Familial Forms

• No known familiar forms as of yet.

Additional Information

• N/A

Links

• Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma

References

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Notes

*Primary authors will typically be those that initially create and complete the content of a page.  If a subsequent user modifies the content and feels the effort put forth is of high enough significance to warrant listing in the authorship section, please contact the Associate Editor or other CCGA representative.  When pages have a major update, the new author will be acknowledged at the beginning of the page, and those who contributed previously will be acknowledged below as a prior author.

Prior Author(s):

*Citation of this Page: “T-large granular lymphocytic leukaemia”. Compendium of Cancer Genome Aberrations (CCGA), Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC), updated 03/24/2025, https://ccga.io/index.php/HAEM5:T-large_granular_lymphocytic_leukaemia.

Other Sections

Cancer Category

• Mature T- and NK-cell Neoplasm