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Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation
Published on: November 26, 2018
Genetic Profile, Treatment Response, and Outcomes of BCR::ABL1-Positive Mixed-Phenotype Acute Leukemia: A Study From
Qiudan Shen1, Xiaoyan Huang2, Xiaoqiong Wang3
1Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Abstract:
Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) with BCR::ABL1 fusion is rare, and its clinicopathological features, genetic landscape, therapeutic response, and patient outcomes remain incompletely defined, as does its relationship to blast-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. In this multicenter study of 44 patients, 86.4% had B/myeloid MPAL, 72.7% showed lymphoid predominance, 40.9% had complex karyotypes, and 68.3% harbored somatic mutations, most commonly RUNX1 mutations (46.3%). RUNX1 mutations frequently co-occurred with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-associated alterations, whereas DNMT3A, TET2, and BCORL1 mutations were restricted to RUNX1-mutated cases. In contrast, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-associated alterations (IKZF1 mutation/deletion and ETV6 mutations) were confined to RUNX1-wild-type patients. TP53 and signaling pathway mutations (NRAS, KRAS, PTPN11, and FLT3) were not detected. Forty-two patients received induction chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors: 74.2% of lymphoid-predominant patients and 63.6% of myeloid-predominant patients received ALL- and AML-type therapies, respectively. Ten patients relapsed, and 2 had primary refractory disease; some exhibited a dynamic shift in predominant lineage immunophenotype, chromosomal alterations, and somatic mutations at the relapse or refractory stage. The overall remission rate was 86.8%, with no significant differences across ALL-, AML-, or hybrid-type regimens. After a median follow-up of 24.2 months, the median overall survival was 52.5 months. Complex karyotype was associated with inferior overall survival compared with cases lacking additional chromosomal alterations (P = .02), whereas RUNX1 mutations were not. No significant differences in genetic profiles, treatment response, or outcomes were observed between patients with and without chronic myeloid leukemia-like features. This study provides a comprehensive genomic and clinical characterization of BCR::ABL1-positive MPAL, supporting improved risk stratification and future therapeutic strategies.
Insights
This study characterizes rare BCR::ABL1-positive mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL), revealing common RUNX1 mutations and complex karyotypes. Outcomes show an 86.8% remission rate, with complex karyotypes linked to poorer survival.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) with BCR::ABL1 fusion is a rare subtype with poorly defined characteristics.
- Understanding its genetic landscape and relationship to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is crucial for treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize the clinicopathologic features, genetic landscape, and outcomes of BCR::ABL1-positive MPAL.
- To investigate the relationship between BCR::ABL1-positive MPAL and blast-phase CML.
- To inform risk stratification and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter study of 44 patients with BCR::ABL1-positive MPAL.
- Analysis of clinicopathologic data, cytogenetics (complex karyotypes), and somatic mutations (including RUNX1, DNMT3A, TET2, BCORL1, IKZF1, ETV6).
- Evaluation of treatment response (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors) and patient outcomes (remission rates, overall survival).
Main Results:
- 86.4% of cases were B/myeloid MPAL, with 72.7% showing lymphoid predominance.
- 68.3% harbored somatic mutations, most commonly RUNX1 (46.3%), often co-occurring with AML-associated alterations.
- Complex karyotypes were present in 40.9% and associated with inferior overall survival (OS).
- Overall remission rate was 86.8%; median OS was 52.5 months.
- No significant differences in outcomes were observed between patients with or without CML-like features.
Conclusions:
- BCR::ABL1-positive MPAL exhibits distinct genetic features, notably RUNX1 mutations and complex karyotypes.
- Treatment response and outcomes are influenced by factors like complex karyotypes, but not significantly by CML-like features.
- This genomic and clinical characterization aids in improved risk stratification and future therapeutic development for this rare leukemia.
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