Compendium of Cancer Genome Aberrations

Chronic myeloid leukaemia

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Haematolymphoid Tumours (5th ed.)

editHAEM5 Conversion Notes
This page was converted to the new template on 2023-11-03. The original page can be found at HAEM4:Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), BCR-ABL1 Positive.

Primary Author(s)*

Jack Reid, MD (University of California, Irvine)

Mark Evans, MD (University of California, Irvine)

Fabiola Quintero-Rivera, MD (University of California, Irvine)

Cancer Category/Type

Myeloproliferative neoplasm

Cancer Sub-Classification / Subtype

Not applicable.

Definition / Description of Disease

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that is characterized by clonal expansion of predominantly granulocytic proliferation (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils). The majority of the patients with CML are known to have a gene rearrangement called the Philadelphia Chromosome, which is a balanced genetic translocation t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2) involving a fusion of the Abelson gene (ABL1) from chromosome 9q34 with the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene on chromosome 22q11.2. Althought 80% of the clonal evolution in CML cases can be attributed to classic Ph chromosome, secondary cytogenetic aberrations can be seen such as isochromosome 17q, gain of chromosome 8 or 19. ML was first recognized in 1845[1]. Nowell and Hungerford in 1960, who coined the term Philadelphia Chromosome after realizing consistent chromosomal abnormality in leukemic cells.[2] Later in 1973, the characteristic cytogenetic feature of CML was identified: reciprocal translocation of t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2).[3] CML has the capacity to expand in both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. However, expansion is predominantly in the granulocyte compartment of the myeloid lineages in the bone marrow.[4] In the previous WHO 4th edition, CML was be divided into 3 phases of disease: chronic phase, accelerated phase and blastic phase. Currently, in the revised classification of CML, AP at diagnosis or during treatment has been omitted and replaced by recognising only the chronic and blast phases

Synonyms / Terminology

Formerly chronic myelogenous leukemia or chronic granulocytic leukemia

Epidemiology / Prevalence

Global annual incidence of CML is 1-2 cases per 100,000 population. CML has male predominance with male to female ratio of 1.4:1. The prevalence of CML is increasing due to successful Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Predilection of CML among certain ethnic groups has not been reported.[5] Regional variations in age at diagnosis and overall survival among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia from low and middle income countries.[6] The median age of patients diagnosed with CML is 66 years according to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and Medical Research Council (MRC) data. Although the etiology of CML  is largely unknown, cases of CML have been reported in association with radiation exposure. No studies have shown any genetic inheritance of CML.

Clinical Features

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instruction: Can include references in the table)

Signs and Symptoms EXAMPLE Asymptomatic (incidental finding on complete blood counts)

EXAMPLE B-symptoms (weight loss, fever, night sweats)

EXAMPLE Fatigue

EXAMPLE Lymphadenopathy (uncommon)

Laboratory Findings EXAMPLE Cytopenias

EXAMPLE Lymphocytosis (low level)


editv4:Clinical Features
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Approximately 50% of the patients who are diagnosed with CML are asymptomatic and diagnosed during the routine blood tests.[7] CML is a hematological disease that occurs predominantly in adults but in rare cases, it can occur in the pediatric population.[8] The onset of CML is insidious. Patients with CML usually experience dragging sensation of the abdomen due to splenomegaly. The clinical hallmark of CML is the uncontrolled proliferation of mature and maturing granulocytes at all stages of maturation: metamyelocytes, myelocytes, promyelocytes, and myeloblasts. Patients with CML usually begin with the initial chronic phase before entering the terminal blastic phase and 60-80% of the patients go through accelerated phase before reaching the terminal blastic phase. In chronic phase, CML patients show abnormal routine blood tests with clinical symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, satiety, fatigue, insomnia and palpable splenomegaly. In rare cases, hyperviscosity syndrome can be a manifestation with a wide spectrum of features such as priapism, tinnitus, hearing loss, cerebral accidents and blindness. In the blastic phase, CML leukemic cells resemble acute leukemic cells morphologically. CNS and lymph node involvement are notable in the blastic phase of CML. If untreated, CML patients will progress to the terminal blastic phase in 3 to 5 years.

Sites of Involvement

Spleen is known to be the most common site of involvement as patients with CML usually present with splenomegaly. Literature has shown that bone marrow is always involved in patients with CML.

Morphologic Features

 
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Image courtesy of Jack Reid, MD

Morphologically, peripheral blood smear shows the classic features of chronic-phase CML: granulocytic leukocytosis with left shift, neutrophilia, no increase in blasts, myelocyte “bulge” and basophilia.[9] Granulocytes seen in CML patients usually lack dysplastic features. In bone marrow, the aspirate smear shows classic features of CML: marked increase in neutrophils and precursors with a myeloid: erythroid ratio of > 10:1 and small hypolobated megakaryocytes. CML can sometimes present with thrombocytosis in peripheral blood smear, mimicking essential thrombocythemia (ET). Most of the time, primary myelofibrosis (PMF) share overlapping morphological features with CML in the peripheral blood; one distinguishing feature is that the megakaryocyte morphology in PMF is large, bizarre, and hyperchromatic, which is the feature not seen in the CML.

Immunophenotype

The role of immunohistochemistry is minimal in diagnosing CML. CML usually shows blastic markers (CD 34, CD 117, TdT), which can be useful to confirm extramedullary (splenic involvement with blastic transformation). Lineage-specific markers (MPO, lysosome, CD42b, CD79a, PAX5, CD3) are helpful in distinguishing among myeloid, lymphoid or megakaryocytic transformation.

Finding Marker
Positive CD34
Positive CD117

Positive

Tdt

Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)

Put your text here and fill in the table

Chromosomal Rearrangement Genes in Fusion (5’ or 3’ Segments) Pathogenic Derivative Prevalence Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) EXAMPLE 3'ABL1 / 5'BCR EXAMPLE der(22) EXAMPLE 20% (COSMIC)

EXAMPLE 30% (add reference)

Yes No Yes 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).


editv4:Chromosomal Rearrangements (Gene Fusions)
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CML is the first cancer that is known to be linked to a specific genetic abnormality, namely the balanced chromosomal translocation known as Philadelphia Chromosome. A focal gene area of BCR (Breakpoint Cluster Region) from chromosome 22 is fused with another gene ABL (Tyrosine protein kinase ABL) that is located on chromosome 9. The chimeric oncogene BCR-ABL is the central to the pathology of CML because ABL carries a domain that is capable of phosphorylating tyrosine residues, activating a cascade of proteins that control the cell cycle. It was reported that 90% - 95% of the CML in chronic phase shows characteristic t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) reciprocal translocation that results in the Ph chromosome. This balanced translocation leads to the formation of the BCR/ABL fusion gene on chromosome 22 and a reciprocal ABL/BCR fusion gene on chromosome 9. Studies has shown that the latter gene ABL/BCR fusion gene does not seem to have any crucial role in CML and no ABL/BCR protein has been found.

Chromosomal Rearrangement Genes in Fusion (5’ or 3’ Segments) Prevalence
t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2) 3'ABL1 / 5'BCR More than 90%


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)

Diagnosis:

Currently four FDA approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) - imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib - are the first line of treatment for patients with newly diagnosed CML in chronic phase (CML-CP).[10] For many years, inhibitors of the specific BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase are considered to be the most effective targeted therapy. A subset of CML patients can demonstrate resistance to TKI therapy through mutations in ABL1 and other mechanisms. The culprit of the resistance to TKI therapy can be attributed to so-called leukemic stem cells (LSCs), pluripotent BCR-ABL1+ progenitors that are largely quiescent.[11] Therefore, understanding of signaling pathways related to survival of LSCs may be helpful.

Prognosis: Acquired resistance to imatinib therapy , mostly with mutation in BCR-ABL kinase domain, is known to be associated with poor prognosis.[12] Five prognostic factors were shown to be associated with major cytogenetic response: the absence of blasts in peripheral blood, a hemoglobin level of more than 12 g per deciliter, the presence of less than 5 percent blasts in marrow, a time from diagnosis of CML to start of treatment of less than one year, and a history of cytogenetic relapse during interferon therapy.[13]

Therapeutic implication: Studies have shown that median survival

Complete cytogenetic  response is defined as 0% of Philadelphia-chromosome (Ph)-positive cells in metaphase in bone marrow.[14]

Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Includes aberrations not involving gene fusions. Can include references in the table. Can refer to CGC workgroup tables as linked on the homepage if applicable.)

Chr # Gain / Loss / Amp / LOH Minimal Region Genomic Coordinates [Genome Build] Minimal Region Cytoband Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE

7

EXAMPLE Loss EXAMPLE

chr7:1- 159,335,973 [hg38]

EXAMPLE

chr7

Yes Yes 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 reference).

EXAMPLE

8

EXAMPLE Gain EXAMPLE

chr8:1-145,138,636 [hg38]

EXAMPLE

chr8

No No No EXAMPLE

Common recurrent secondary finding for t(8;21) (add reference).

editv4:Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH
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Not Applicable.

Characteristic Chromosomal Patterns

Put your text here (EXAMPLE PATTERNS: 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)

Chromosomal Pattern Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE

Co-deletion of 1p and 18q

Yes No No EXAMPLE:

See chromosomal rearrangements table as this pattern is due to an unbalanced derivative translocation associated with oligodendroglioma (add reference).

editv4:Characteristic Chromosomal Aberrations / Patterns
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Atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) is a subtype of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm that lacks Philadelphia chromosome or rearrangements of PDGFRA, PDGFRB, or FGFR1. This hematological disorder has a considerable overlapping clinicopathological features with CML and CMML. It differs from CML by older median age, lower level of granulocytosis, multilineage dysplasia and lack of basophilia. Up until now, no cytogenetic changes have been associated with aCML. In peripheral blood smear, aCML typically shows granulocytic leukocytosis with striking neutrophil dysplasia (nuclear hyposegmentation and hypogranularity).

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 and common as well either disease defining and/or clinically significant. Can include references 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.)

Gene; Genetic Alteration Presumed Mechanism (Tumor Suppressor Gene [TSG] / Oncogene / Other) Prevalence (COSMIC / TCGA / Other) Concomitant Mutations Mutually Exclusive Mutations Diagnostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Prognostic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Therapeutic Significance (Yes, No or Unknown) Notes
EXAMPLE: TP53; Variable LOF mutations

EXAMPLE:

EGFR; Exon 20 mutations

EXAMPLE: BRAF; Activating mutations

EXAMPLE: TSG EXAMPLE: 20% (COSMIC)

EXAMPLE: 30% (add Reference)

EXAMPLE: IDH1 R123H EXAMPLE: EGFR amplification EXAMPLE:  Excludes hairy cell leukemia (HCL) (add reference).


Note: A more extensive list of mutations can be found in cBioportal (https://www.cbioportal.org/), COSMIC (https://cancer.sanger.ac.uk/cosmic), ICGC (https://dcc.icgc.org/) 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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A few genes were noted to be altered during the transformed stages of CML, namely TP53, RB1, MYC, CDKN2A, NRAS, KRAS, RUNX1, MECOM, TET2, CBL, ASXL1, IDH1 and IDH2.

Epigenomic Alterations

Not Applicable.

Genes and Main Pathways Involved

Put your text here and fill in the table (Instructions: Can include references in 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
The content below was from the old template. Please incorporate above.
 
Image courtesy of Fabiola Quintero-Rivera, MD

Breakpoint Cluster Region protein (BCR) is encoded by BCR gene, located on chromosome 22. BCR protein has serine/threonine kinase activity.[7] The protein is also a GTPase-activating protein for p21rac and other kinases.[15] BCR protein is involved in the two main pathways: FGFR1 mutant receptor activation and G-protein signaling HRAS regulation pathway.[16] BCR-associated genetic rearrangement gives rise to hematological disorders. The ABL1 gene is located on chromosome 9q34.12 and encodes for ABL1 protein, which was discovered to be a tyrosine kinase protein.[17] Depending on the breakpoint of the BCR gene, the size of the fusion protein can vary:  p190bcr-abl, p210bcr-abl, and p230bcr-abl, leading to three different isoforms.[7] BCR-ABL1 gene fusion encodes a chimeric protein, which is mostly 210 kDa(P210BCRABL1) with constitutive tyrosine-kinase activity, escaping the cytokine regulation and regulatory controls of many intracellular signaling pathways that are associated with proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.[18][19] Many of the target proteins that are affected by dimerization of constitutive kinase activity of BCR-ABL fusion protein include STAT, RAS, RAF, JUN kinase, MYC, AKT, and other transducers.[20][21] It was shown that when CML progresses to the blastic crisis phase, a new additional mutation is acquired GSK3beta, which leads to the activation of beta-catenin, preventing myeloid cell lineages to mature.[22][23]

 
Image courtesy of Fabiola Quintero-Rivera, MD

Genetic Diagnostic Testing Methods

Majority of the patients with CML are initially diagnosed through a blood test - complete blood count - before clinical manifestations. Bone marrow aspirate and core biopsy are performed sequentially to further support the process of making diagnosis as well as assessing percentage of blasts and basophils.[24] Histologic features of CML in the peripheral blood are helpful in deriving the CML diagnosis. Ancillary tests are performed to clinch the diagnosis: immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, conventional cytogenetic analysis, FISH and molecular RT-PCR-based studies.

Cytogenetic testing is used in CML patients to monitor how patients are responding to the treatment by detecting the number of cells with the Philadelphia chromosome. In conjunction with cytogenetic testing, FISH and PCR are ordered to quantify treatment  monitoring processes in CML. FISH allows the detection of BCR-ABL gene, which is essentially considered to be more of a sensitive test compared to cytogenetic testing. PCR is performed to find BCR-ABL fusion gene and other molecular abnormalities.  PCR is very efficient because it can detect even one abnormal cell from approximately 1 million healthy cells. FISH can be used in rare cases where molecular transcripts are not detected.

Continuous monitoring is part of the standard of care in CML patients because it allows the clinicians to identify treatment failure, disease evolution and drug regimen adherence. Minimal residual disease monitoring is done by using RT-PCR.  Major molecular response (MMR) is the critical goal of CML treatment. Complete or deep molecular response is achieved when there is absence of BCR-ABL1 transcript or >4.5 logs below baseline level.[25]

Familial Forms

Not Applicable.

Additional Information

Put your text here

Links

ABL1

BCR

References

(use the "Cite" icon at the top of the page) (Instructions: Add each reference into the text above by clicking on where you want to insert the reference, selecting the “Cite” icon at the top of the page, and using the “Automatic” tab option to search such as by PMID to select the reference to insert. The reference list in this section will be automatically generated and sorted. If a PMID is not available, such as for a book, please use the “Cite” icon, select “Manual” and then “Basic Form”, and include the entire reference.)

  1. ↑ Jm, Goldman; et al. (2003). "Chronic Myeloid Leukemia--Advances in Biology and New Approaches to Treatment". PMID 14534339.
  2. ↑ Nowell, Peter C. (2007). "Discovery of the Philadelphia chromosome: a personal perspective". Journal of Clinical Investigation. 117 (8): 2033–2035. doi:10.1172/JCI31771. ISSN 0021-9738. PMC 1934591. PMID 17671636.
  3. ↑ Jd, Rowley (1973). "Letter: A New Consistent Chromosomal Abnormality in Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia Identified by Quinacrine Fluorescence and Giemsa Staining". PMID 4126434.
  4. ↑ S, Faderl; et al. (1999). "The Biology of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia". PMID 10403855.
  5. ↑ Jv, Melo; et al. (1993). "The ABL-BCR Fusion Gene Is Expressed in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia". PMID 8417787.
  6. ↑ Am, Mendizabal; et al. (2013). "Regional Variations in Age at Diagnosis and Overall Survival Among Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia From Low and Middle Income Countries". PMID 23411044.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Silver RT. Molecular Biology of CML. In: Kufe DW, Pollock RE, Weichselbaum RR, et al., editors. Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine. 6th edition. Hamilton (ON): BC Decker; 2003. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK13554/
  8. ↑ Am, Mendizabal; et al. (2013). "Regional Variations in Age at Diagnosis and Overall Survival Among Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia From Low and Middle Income Countries". PMID 23411044.
  9. ↑ Vardiman JW, et al., (2016). Chronic myeloid leukaemia, BCR-ABL1-positive, in World Health Organization Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues, Revised 4th edition. Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Harris NL, et al., Editors. IARC Press: Lyon, France, p30-36.
  10. ↑ Ja, Kennedy; et al. (2018). "Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Chronic-Phase CML: Strategies for Frontline Decision-making". doi:10.1007/s11899-018-0449-7. PMC 6023770. PMID 29687320.CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  11. ↑ S, Tabarestani; et al. (2016). "New Developments in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Implications for Therapy". doi:10.17795/ijcp-3961. PMC 4922205. PMID 27366312.CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  12. ↑ S, Branford; et al. (2003). "Detection of BCR-ABL Mutations in Patients With CML Treated With Imatinib Is Virtually Always Accompanied by Clinical Resistance, and Mutations in the ATP Phosphate-Binding Loop (P-loop) Are Associated With a Poor Prognosis". PMID 12623848.
  13. ↑ H, Kantarjian; et al. (2002). "Hematologic and Cytogenetic Responses to Imatinib Mesylate in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia". PMID 11870241.
  14. ↑ J, Cortes; et al. (2011). "Monitoring Molecular Response in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia". doi:10.1002/cncr.25527. PMC 4969001. PMID 20960522.CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  15. ↑ "BCR BCR activator of RhoGEF and GTPase [Homo sapiens (human)] - Gene - NCBI".
  16. ↑ Mn, Peiris; et al. (2019). "BCR: A Promiscuous Fusion Partner in Hematopoietic Disorders". doi:10.18632/oncotarget.26837. PMC 6505627. PMID 31105873.CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  17. ↑ B, Chereda; et al. (2015). "Natural Course and Biology of CML". PMID 25814077.
  18. ↑ Jb, Konopka; et al. (1984). "An Alteration of the Human C-Abl Protein in K562 Leukemia Cells Unmasks Associated Tyrosine Kinase Activity". PMID 6204766.
  19. ↑ R, Ren (2005). "Mechanisms of BCR-ABL in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia". PMID 15719031.
  20. ↑ S, Faderl; et al. (1999). "The Biology of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia". PMID 10403855.
  21. ↑ Cl, Sawyers (1999). "Chronic Myeloid Leukemia". PMID 10219069.
  22. ↑ Ch, Jamieson; et al. (2004). "Granulocyte-macrophage Progenitors as Candidate Leukemic Stem Cells in Blast-Crisis CML". PMID 15306667.
  23. ↑ Ae, Abrahamsson; et al. (2009). "Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3beta Missplicing Contributes to Leukemia Stem Cell Generation". doi:10.1073/pnas.0900189106. PMC 2646624. PMID 19237556.CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  24. ↑ E, Jabbour; et al. (2018). "Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: 2018 Update on Diagnosis, Therapy and Monitoring". PMID 29411417.
  25. ↑ gknation (2015). "Treatment Outcomes".

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 CCGA coordinators (contact information provided on the homepage).  Additional global feedback or concerns are also welcome. *Citation of this Page: “Chronic myeloid leukaemia”. Compendium of Cancer Genome Aberrations (CCGA), Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC), updated 11/3/2023, https://ccga.io/index.php/HAEM5:Chronic_myeloid_leukaemia.

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