IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Undetermined Significance Research Articles

Targeted Next Generation Sequencing Identifies Novel Genetic Mutations in Patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia/Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma or IgM-Monoclonal Gammopathies of Undetermined Significance

Background. TheMYD88 (L265P) somatic mutation is present in more than 90% of patients (pts) with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM)/lymphoplasmacitic lymphoma (LPL). The second most common mutations are nonsense (NS) or frameshift (FS) mutations in the CXCR4 gene, detectable in approximately 25-30% of WM pts by Sanger sequencing. Limited data are available about other genetic mutations in WM/LPL and its precursor condition IgM-monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS).Pts and methods. Using targeted next generation sequencing (NGS), we evaluated the prevalence of somatic mutations of 11 genes selected on the basis of evidences available from the literature (MYD88, CXCR4, ARID1A, KMT2D, TP53, NOTCH2, PRDM1, CD79b, TRAF3,TNFAIP3, MYDBBP1A) in 119 pts, classified as WM/LPL (n=63) or IgM-MGUS (n=56) according to International Consensus Criteria. Median age of pts (67 males, 52 females) was 65 years (range: 38-82). Samples were collected at diagnosis (n=101), after diagnosis but before any treatment (n=9) or at progression after therapy (n=9). Paired tumor and germline DNA extracted respectively from CD19-selected and CD19-depleted bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells was available in all pts. Mean resequencing depth across gene panel was 1009x. Only mutations tagged as oncogenic or possibly oncogenic based on information derived from the literature and on in silico prediction effect were considered in the analysis. For MYD88 (L265P) and CXCR4 mutations, results obtained with NGS were compared with those obtained respectively with allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) and Sanger sequencing.Results. Overall, we found 151 mutations in 88 pts (74%). The median number of mutations was significantly higher in WM/LPL as compared with IgM-MGUS and in pts previously treated as compared with untreated ones (median 2 versus 1, P < 0.001 for both comparisons). MYD88 mutations were found in 80/119 pts (67%), with a median allele burden of 34.2% (range: 2.5-93.3%). The prevalence of MYD88 mutations was significantly higher in WM/LPL as compared with IgM-MGUS (86% versus 46%, P <0.001). MYD88 mutations other than classical L265P (n=76) were found in 4 pts and were represented by V217F (n=2), S219C (n=1), M232T (n=1). Fifteen pts who were MYD88 (L265P) wild-type by NGS were found to be mutated by AS-PCR (K coefficient of concordance between NGS and AS-PCR: 70%, P < 0.001). CXCR4 mutations were found in 19/119 pts (16%), with a median allele burden of 34% (range: 4.2-84%). The prevalence of CXCR4 mutations was significantly higher in WM/LPL as compared with IgM-MGUS (24% versus 7%, P < 0.02). The K coefficient of concordance between NGS and Sanger was 83% (P < 0.001), with 2 pts mutated only by NGS and 2 pts mutated only by Sanger. Somatic mutations were also found in KMT2D (formerly known as MLL2) (16% of pts), TP53 (8%), NOTCH2 (7%), PRDM1 (4%), ARID1A (3%), CD79b (2%), and TRAF3 (1%). No mutations were found in MYBBP1A and TNFAI3. Overall, the prevalence of these mutations was significantly lower in pts wild-type either for MYD88 or CXCR4 as compared with those with MYD88 and/or CXCR4 mutations (15% versus 41%, P = 0.04). The prevalence of KMT2D mutations was significantly higher in WM/LPL as compared with MGUS (25% versus 5%), while for the other genes the distribution was not statistically different according to diagnosis. With a median follow-up of 20 months (range: 0-264), we did not find a statistically significant correlation between genetic mutations and pts’ outcome in terms of overall survival or time to first treatment.Conclusions. In this cohort of pts with WM/LPL and IgM-MGUS studied with NGS we could demonstrate that: i) NGS identifies MYD88 mutations other than L265P in a small proportion of pts; ii) the prevalence of CXCR4 mutations by Sanger is confirmed by NGS, despite the higher sensitivity of the latter method; iii) the subgroup of pts wild type either for MYD88 or CXCR4 shows a low incidence of other genetic mutations; iv) 25% of pts with WM/LPL were found to carry KMT2D mutations, a prevalence similar to that reported in marginal zone lymphoma; v) genetic mutations are more common in WM/LPL than in IgM-MGUS in agreement with the hypothesis that multiple genetic hits are required for progression from a pre-benign condition to a neoplastic disease; vi) due to the indolent nature of these disorders, longer follow-up is probably needed to see the prognostic impact of these mutations, if any. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Profiling of Circulating Exosomes in Patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Introduction. Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a low- grade B-cell lymphoma with a heterogeneous clinical presentation. In many patients, the diagnosis is preceded by an asymptomatic precursor state of IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering WM. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the progression from asymptomatic WM to symptomatic WM. Exosomes are small vesicles secreted by cells that enable the transfer of nucleic acids, proteins and lipids between distant cells in the organism. Because of the active role of exosomes in promoting tumor growth and metastasis, we investigated the microRNA content of circulating exosomes in patients at different stages of WM in order to identify possible markers of progression.Methods.We isolated exosomes by ultracentrifugation from the peripheral blood plasma of 101 patients with WM and 10 normal donors. The WM cases included 7 patients with IgM MGUS, 42 patients with smoldering WM and 52 patients with symptomatic WM. We first profiled microRNAs from the exosomes of 14 patients and 5 normal controls using the TaqMan Array Human MicroRNA A Card (Thermo Fisher Scientific) which enables the quantitation of 377 human microRNAs. Exosomes from an additional group of 14 individuals (2 normal donors, 8 patients with asymptomatic WM and 4 patients with symptomatic WM) were profiled with the Oncology Panel of the Firefly Multiplex Circulating miRNA Assay (Abcam), which measures the expression level of 68 different human microRNAs. Following these analyses, a group of 33 microRNAs deregulated between patients' groups was selected and a custom microRNA panel was built to allow quantitation of these microRNAs with the Firefly Multiplex Circulating miRNA Assay (Abcam). The level of expression of these 33 microRNAs was measured in a group of 80 individuals comprised of healthy controls (n=8), patients with asymptomatic WM including IgM MGUS and smoldering WM (n=34) and patients with previously untreated symptomatic WM (n=11), relapsed WM (n=21) and refractory WM (n=6). Additionally, exosomes were imaged using electron microscopy with immunogold labeling for the detection of the exosome-specific receptors CD63 and CD81.Results. Imaging with electron microscopy showed vesicles with a size ranging from 50 to 150 nm and expressing CD63 and CD81, thus validating our ultracentrifugation method for exosome isolation. Among the 33 microRNAs analyzed, 12 were significantly deregulated between WM patients and healthy controls (P<0.05), of which 6 were upregulated and 6 downregulated. When comparing patients with IgM MGUS and smoldering WM to patients with symptomatic WM, the expression level of 7 microRNAs differed significantly (P<0.05), including 2 microRNAs underexpressed and 5 microRNAs overexpressed in symptomatic patients. Among the microRNAs whose expression most significantly correlated with disease progression were let-7d, miR-93-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-192-5p and miR-320b.Conclusion. The microRNA content of circulating exosomes differs at different stages of WM progression. This could potentially be used to further define prognostic markers of progression in patients with WM, specifically progression from asymptomatic WM to overt WM. The study of these deregulated microRNAs' effect on in vitro and in vivo WM models can help us gain insights on mechanisms of disease progression in WM. DisclosuresCastillo:Janssen: Honoraria; Abbvie: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria; Biogen: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Millennium: Research Funding. Treon:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy. Roccaro:Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited: Honoraria. Hermine:Novartis: Research Funding; AB science: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Ghobrial:Noxxon: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria.

Detection of MYD88 L265P and Whim-like CXCR4 Mutation in Patients with IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy

Objectives The presence of IgM monoclonal gammopathy can occur in a broad spectrum of diseases, including Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), various B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and so on. MYD88 L265P and WHIM-like CXCR4 mutation are highly prevalent in WM. However, the data is lacking in other IgM monoclonal gammopathy related diseases (IgM-RD). Therefore we investigated MYD88 L265P and WHIM-like CXCR4 mutation in various IgM-RD.Methods Patients with sIFE confirmed IgM monoclonal gammopathy and had enough material for DNA extraction between January 2008 and May 2016 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled in this cohort. Bone marrow samples or paraffin-embedded tumor tissues were collected. We performed Real-time allele-specific-polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR), AS-PCR and Sanger sequencing to explore the presence of MYD88 L265P and WHIM-like CXCR4 mutation.Results Ninety-three patients (51 male and 42 female patients) were included in this retrospective study. Median age at diagnosis was 62 years (range, 30-84 years). As for the type of light chain, 65 patients were IgM kappa (69.9%), 28 patients were IgM lambda (30.1%). The median level of serum IgM was 7.9g/L (range, 0.6-104.0g/L). There were 32 patients (34.4%) diagnosed with WM, 5 patients (5.4%) diagnosed with smoldering WM (sWM), 38 patients (40.9%) diagnosed with B cell NHL and 9 patients (9.7%) were diagnosed with MGUS. We outlined the main diagnosis, clinical characteristics and MYD88 L265P, WHIM-like CXCR4 mutation of the 93 patients in Table 1. MYD88 L265P mutation was detected in 30/32 (93.8%) patients with WM, 2/5 (40%) with sWM, 4/9 (44.4%) with IgM-MGUS, 6/14 (42.9%) with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 2/6 (33.3%) with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), 3/5 (60%) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), 1/7 (4.3%) with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT), 1/2 (50%) with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), 1/1 patients with primary amyloidosis (AL) and 1/1 patients with Castleman disease (CD). WHIM-like CXCR4 mutation was detected 7/32 (21.9%) patients with WM, 1/5 (20%) with sWM and 1/14 (7.1%) with DLBCL.Conclusion IgM monoclonal gammopathy is most frequently found in WM, but it contains a broad spectrum of diseases. MYD88 L265P mutation is highly prevalent in WM and IgM MGUS, and the prevalence of MYD88 mutation in IgM related NHL is higher than that in not specified NHL reported in the literature. WHIM-like CXCR4 mutation is common in WM, but rare in other IgM-RD. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Genetic Characterization of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia By Next Generation Sequencing: An Analysis of Fouteen Genes in a Series of 61 Patients

Background: Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare immunoproliferative neoplasia with indolent characteristics that shows important variability, involving three different stages of presentation: IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (IgM-MGUS), asymptomatic WM (AWM), and Symptomatic WM (SWM). Whole-genome sequencing and some specific approaches have identified MYD88 L265P (90%) and CXCR4 (29%) mutations as the most recurrent somatic mutations in WM. However, other genetic abnormalities under as well as the mechanisms responsible for this clinical heterogeneity still remain to be clarified. Therefore, our aim was to analyze the genomic landscape of WM, distinguishing between the three stages of the disease, by using a targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) strategy.Methods: In this study, we performed a comprehensive mutation analysis of genes previously described as frequently involved in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia in a large and well characterized cohort of WM patients with the aim to dissect relationships between genotype and clinical and biological characteristics to integrate somatic mutations into a clinical/molecular prognostic model. Twelve genes of interest (ARID1A, CD79A, CD79B, TP53, MYBBP1A, TRAF2, TRAF3, RAG2, HIST1H1B, HIST1H1C, HIST1H1D, and HIST1H1E) were analyzed by high throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, San Diego, CA) with a novel custom amplicon-based panel in a cohort of 61 patients (pts) diagnosed according to WHO classification as follows: 14 MGUS, 23 AWM and 24 SWM. DNA was extracted from bone marrow separated CD19+ B-cells and sequenced in a MiSeq (Illumina) using 150-bp paired-end reads and a mean depth of 2000X. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out with Illumina VariantStudio 2.2. Results were correlated with biological and clinical data of the patients. MYD88 and CXCR4 mutation status, available in all cases, was assessed by ASO-PCR and Sanger Sequencing, respectively.Results: Apart from MYD88 L265P mutations (present in 90% of cases) and CXCR4WHIM (21% of cases), 23 non-synonymous mutations were found, corresponding to 18/61 (30%) patients. Only one patient with MGUS demonstrated one additional mutation (7%), while seven of the AWM (30%), and 10 of the SWM (42%) demonstrated additional mutations (p<0.05 for linear association), suggesting an association between the clinical behavior of the disease and a higher number of mutations. Interestingly, patients with a wild MYD88 gene (n=6), showed no additional mutations in any of these studied genes. Genes most frequently mutated were CD79B (n=5, 8%), HIST1H1E (n=4, 7%), MYBBP1A (n=3, 5%), ARID1A and HIST1H1B (n=2, 3% for both). There were three patients who presented more than one gene mutated (TP53/CD79B; RAG2/ARID1A; HIST1H1B/HIST1H1E).Apart from the clinical diagnosis and the requirement of therapy, no relevant correlations between the presence of mutations and the final clinical behavior was found in any patient, although the patient with a mutated TP53 corresponded to a very high resistant form of the disease. Finally, no relevant differences in progression free and overall survival were seen in this series based on the presence or absence of somatic mutations.Conclusion: Our data reveal an increased incidence of mutations along the different steps of evolution in WM: IgM MGUS, asymptomatic WM and symptomatic WM. Thus, this would mean that in contrast to MYD88 L265P, present from the beginning of the pathogenesis, most of these mutations would be acquired during the evolution of the disease, and before therapy initiation. Finally, CD79B, which is part of the B-cell receptor pathway, was frequently mutated gene in our series, emerging as an interesting therapeutic target. This confirms the relevance of the BCR signaling pathway, reinforcing the use of biological agents blocking this pathway in the treatment of these patients. DisclosuresMateos:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria. Ocio:Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen/Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Pharmamar: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Puig:Janssen: Consultancy; The Binding Site: Consultancy.

Analyzing Relationship Between Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) with Different Types of Neuropathy: An Observational Study.

To analyze multiple variables, including immunoglobulin subtypes in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and different types of neuropathy. This was a retrospective, single center study done in a tertiary care hospital in the United States. The data was collected for years 2001-2011. Inclusion criteria were the presence of MGUS and neuropathy. Exclusion criteria were the presence of other factors such as diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcoholism etc. which can cause neuropathy. Patients with IgM MGUS were compared with patients having Non-IgM MGUS. A total of 281 patients were analyzed in this study. The average age at the time of diagnosis of MGUS and neuropathy was 68years. The most common type of neuropathy was sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy (46%). The most common location of neuropathy was the lower extremities (68%). Among our patients, 52% had their neuropathy symptoms for 1-5years before presenting to the clinic. When IgM MGUS was compared with Non-IgM MGUS, a statistically significant difference was found in terms of race (White vs. Others, OR 4.43, 95% CI 2.13, 9.19, p<0.001) and survival status (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.01, 3.90, p=0.046). Patients with MGUS are prone to develop different types of neuropathies. Caucasians are more likely to have IgM MGUS as compared to other races. IgM MGUS is generally related to worse outcomes as compared to Non-IgM MGUS. Medical therapies, including gabapentin and pregabalin are effective treatments and the response rate can be as high as 80-90% with these medications.

The cellular origin and malignant transformation of Waldenström macroglobulinemia

AbstractAlthough information about the molecular pathogenesis of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) has significantly advanced, the precise cell of origin and the mechanisms behind WM transformation from immunoglobulin-M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) remain undetermined. Here, we undertook an integrative phenotypic, molecular, and genomic approach to study clonal B cells from newly diagnosed patients with IgM MGUS (n = 22), smoldering (n = 16), and symptomatic WM (n = 11). Through principal component analysis of multidimensional flow cytometry data, we demonstrated highly overlapping phenotypic profiles for clonal B cells from IgM MGUS, smoldering, and symptomatic WM patients. Similarly, virtually no genes were significantly deregulated between fluorescence-activated cell sorter-sorted clonal B cells from the 3 disease groups. Interestingly, the transcriptome of the Waldenström B-cell clone was highly different than that of normal CD25−CD22+ B cells, whereas significantly less genes were differentially expressed and specific WM pathways normalized once the transcriptome of the Waldenström B-cell clone was compared with its normal phenotypic (CD25+CD22+low) B-cell counterpart. The frequency of specific copy number abnormalities [+4, del(6q23.3-6q25.3), +12, and +18q11-18q23] progressively increased from IgM MGUS and smoldering WM vs symptomatic WM (18% vs 20% and 73%, respectively; P = .008), suggesting a multistep transformation of clonal B cells that, albeit benign (ie, IgM MGUS and smoldering WM), already harbor the phenotypic and molecular signatures of the malignant Waldenström clone.

MYD88 L265P Mutation Detection: Analysis of Flow Cytometry Sorted Plasma and Lymphoid Cell Clones Improves Sensitivity and Specificity for WM/LPL Diagnosis

Background:Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) are lymphoproliferative disorders with bone marrow infiltration by clonal lymphoplasmacytic cells (Treon et al., 2003, 2005). The somatic point mutation L265P in the myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MYD88) has been reported in more than 90% of WM patients (Treon et al., 2012). Therefore MYD88 mutation analysis has been implemented in clinical practice to support the diagnosis of LPL/WM.After the implementation of MYD88 L265P assays with increased detection sensitivity, a substantial portion of patients with IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS) was also reported MYD88 L265P positive. Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD) and diffused large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have been found positive with much lower incidence rates (Varettoni et al., 2013; Xu et al., 2013).Hence the remaining need to differentiate WM/LPL from other lymphoproliferative disorders with co-occurring plasma cells with high confidence.Patients and Methods:In this study, flow cytometric cell sorting was utilized to isolate clonal plasma and B lymphoid cell fractions as previously described (Zehentner et al., 2011). 69 patient specimen fractions with a clinical history of WM /LPL, multiple myeloma, CLL and lymphoma were analyzed for MYD88 L265P mutation using Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, the Biomed-2 primer sets for the immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) and/or the immunoglobulin kappa light chain region (IgK) were used to compare B cell clonality profiles in the lymphoid versus plasma cell compartments.Results:MYD88 L265P mutation was detected in all specimens with confirmed Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (17/17, 100%). Of these 16/17 (94%) revealed MYD88 L265P as well as identical monoclonality profile by gene rearrangement analysis in both the plasma and the B lymphoid cell collections. In 47% (8/17), the mutation was only detected in the plasma and B cell fractions, but not in the whole bone marrow specimens.21 patient specimens with a known clinical history of LPL and co-occurring clonal plasma cells were tested. 9 of 21 (43%) were categorized with identical B cell clonality profile when comparing plasma and B lymphoid cells; whereas 12 (57%) had unrelated clonality profiles. 7 of the 9 (78%) specimens in the identical clonality group tested positive for MYD88 L265P in both the plasma and B lymphoid clone. None of the unrelated clonality group specimens carried the mutation in both cell fractions; for 7/12 (58%) MYD88 L265P was found in either the plasma (2) or the B-cell fraction (5) whereas 5/12 (42%) tested negative.11 bone marrow aspirate specimen with known presence of lymphoma (including splenic marginal zone (SMZL), mantle cell and marginal zone) were analyzed. 10/11 (90%) tested negative for MYD88 L265P, with the exception of one SMZL specimen. Furthermore, 12 known myeloma, 5 CLL and 3 healthy donor specimens were analyzed, all tested negative.Conclusions:In this study, we developed and tested a novel approach to assess MYD88 L265P mutation status in order to assist WM/LPL diagnosis. Flow cytometric cell sorting for clonal plasma and B cell populations was combined with molecular analysis. Subsequently, MYD88 L265P mutation as well as B-cell clonality profile was compared in both cell fractions.Our study postulates a significant improvement in sensitivity and most importantly specificity when applying MYD88 L265P mutation status in combination with cell sorting for WM/LPL diagnostic decisions. 47% WM patients (8/17) and 44% LPL patients (4/9) were positive for the MYD88 mutation exclusively in both flow cytometry sorted cell fractions but not in whole bone marrow specimens. 94% (16/17) WM as well as 78% (7/9) LPL specimens with identical plasma and B-cell clonality profile revealed the presence of the MYD88 L265P mutation in both the plasma cell and the B lymphoid cell clones. Whereas LPL specimens with unrelated clonality profile of the plasma and lymphoid cell fractions as well as other control specimens (lymphoma, myeloma, CLL and healthy) either tested negative or positive only in one of the sorted cell fractions.We therefore conclude that confirming the presence of MYD88 L265P in both B-lymphoid and plasma cell fraction is an important prerequisite to distinguish LPL/WM from related disorders with high confidence. DisclosuresWang:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Fritschle:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Bennington:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Burnworth:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Bennington:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Wentzel:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Verkamp:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Nguyen:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Ghirardelli:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Broderson:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment. Wells:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Loken:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Zehentner:HematoLogics Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Detection Of MYD88 L265P In Peripheral Blood Of Patients With Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia and IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Undetermined Significance

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is characterized by bone marrow (BM) infiltration with lymphoplasmacytic cells and production of an IgM paraprotein. Lymphocytosis is uncommon in WM, and many patients exhibit peripheral B-cell lymphopenia. Recently, by whole genome sequencing, we identified a highly recurrent somatic mutation (L265P) in MYD88. Using real-time allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR), we demonstrated the presence of MYD88 L265P in 93% and 54% of patients with WM and IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), respectively (Xu et al, Blood 2013).To clarify the feasibility of using real-time AS-PCR assay to detect MYD88 L265P in peripheral blood, we first examined unselected mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PB) samples of 88 patients with untreated WM. 81/88 (92%) of these patients were MYD88 L265P positive by bone marrow (BM) examination of CD19 selected B-cells; Of the 81 BM-MYD88 L265P positive patients, 32 (40%) demonstrated MYD88 L265P by AS-PCR in unselected PB mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained at the time of BM examination. To enhance the ability to detect MYD88 L265P in PB samples, we next used AS-PCR in CD19 selected PBMC obtained from 198 WM patients which included untreated and previously treated patients. Among untreated patients, 106/118 (89.8%) were positive for MYD88 L265P in CD19 selected PB, whereas among previously treated patients, 55/80 (68.8%) were positive for MYD88 L265P (p=0.0002 vs. untreated). Simultaneously analyzed PB and BM samples from 65 untreated WM patients demonstrated positivity for MYD88 L265P in 58/65 (89.2%) and 55/65 (84.6%) of CD19 selected BM and PB samples, respectively. These findings yielded a sensitivity of 94.8%, specificity of 100%, positive and negative predictive values of 100% and 70%, respectively for AS-PCR testing of PB CD19+ cells for MYD88 L265P in untreated WM patients. In addition, we analyzed 12 untreated IgM MGUS patients with paired sampling of CD19 selected PB and BM cells. 6/12 (50%) IgM MGUS patients were positive for MYD88 L265P in BM CD19+ cells, with 5/6 (83%) of these positive patients demonstrating MYD88 L265P by AS-PCR in CD19 selected PB samples.The overall results demonstrate a high concordance of MYD88 L265P status between PB and BM CD19 selected samples, particularly in untreated WM patients. The detection of MYD88 L265P by CD19 selected PB AS-PCR examination provides a convenient and less invasive method to support the diagnosis of WM and IgM MGUS. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Clues to pathogenesis of Waldenström macroglobulinemia and immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance provided by analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement and clustering of B-cell receptors

We characterized immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene rearrangements and searched for clusters of stereotyped B-cell receptors in 123 patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM; n = 59) or immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS) (n = 64). A productive monoclonal IGHV-D-J rearrangement was obtained in 99/123 patients (80%). Immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) genes were mutated in 94/99 patients (95%) with a median somatic hypermutation rate of 6.7% (2.1–14.5). Compared with the normal B-cell repertoire, patients with WM/IgM-MGUS showed an over-representation of the IGHV3 subgroup (83% vs. 55%, p < 0.0001) and an under-representation of IGHV1 (7% vs. 14%, p = 0.04) and IGHV4 (7% vs. 23%, p = 0.0001) subgroups. At the gene level, in WM/IgM-MGUS there was an over-representation of IGHV3-23 (24% vs. 12%, p = 0.0003), IGHV3-64 (3% vs. < 1%, p = 0.003), IGHV3-7 (12% vs. 4%, p = 0.0001) and IGHV3-74 (9% vs. 2%, p < 0.0001), while IGHV4-39 was never used (0 vs. 5%, p = 0.03). Intra-WM/IgM-MGUS search for HCDR3 similarity showed no association fulfilling criteria for stereotyped receptors. WM/IgM-MGUS sequences were unrelated to known chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) subsets. In conclusion, the IGHV gene usage in WM and IgM-MGUS is remarkably biased as compared to the normal B-cell repertoire. WM and IgM-MGUS-specific HCDR3 clusters do not occur with a frequency detectable with currently available databases, not supporting a B-cell receptor-driven pathogenesis in WM and IgM-MGUS.

Improved accuracy of discrimination between IgM Multiple Myeloma and Waldenström Macroglobulinaemia by testing for MYD88 L265P mutations

Improved accuracy of discrimination between IgM Multiple Myeloma and Waldenström Macroglobulinaemia by testing for <i><scp>MYD</scp>88</i> L265P mutations

Prevalence and clinical significance of the MYD88 (L265P) somatic mutation in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and related lymphoid neoplasms

AbstractA study has shown that MYD88 (L265P) is a recurring somatic mutation in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). We developed an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for this mutation, and analyzed bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from 58 patients with WM, 77 with IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS), 84 with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), and 52 with B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD). MYD88 (L265P) was detected in 58/58 (100%) patients with WM, 36/77 (47%) with IgM-MGUS, 5/84 (6%) with SMZL, and 3/52 (4%) with B-CLPD. Compared to IgM-MGUS patients with wild-type MYD88, those carrying MYD88 (L265P) showed significantly higher levels of IgM (P < .0001) and presented Bence-Jones proteinuria more frequently at diagnosis (P = .002). During follow-up, 9 patients with IgM-MGUS progressed to WM or to marginal zone lymphoma. Using a case-control approach, the risk of evolution of patients carrying MYD88 (L265P) was significantly higher than that of patients with wild-type MYD88 (odds ratio 4.7, 95% confidence interval 0.8 to 48.7, P = .047). These findings indicate that the allele-specific PCR we developed is a useful diagnostic tool for patients with WM or IgM-MGUS. In this latter condition, MYD88 (L265P) is associated with greater disease burden and higher risk of disease progression, and the mutation may therefore also represent a useful prognostic marker.

Microarray Demonstrates Different Gene Expression Profiling Signatures Between Waldenström Macroglobulinemia and IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) (symptomatic and indolent) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgMMGUS) can be identified based on the bone marrow (BM) infiltration and the existence of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological and genetic characteristics of both disorders comparing the molecular signature of WM versus IgMMGUS using microarray analysis. We investigated BM CD19(+) cells isolated from 21 WM patients and 10 IgMMGUS cases, and CD138(+) BM cells isolated from all of the WM patients and 4 of the IgMMGUS cases. Gene expression profiling of WM versus IgMMGUS CD19(+) cells highlighted 151 differently expressed genes and the comparison with CD138(+) cells demonstrated 43 differently expressed genes in WM versus IgMMGUS. Regulation of transcription, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways are the relevant gene ontology biological processes occurring in CD19(+) cells, and immune response, cell activation, and signaling processes developing in CD138(+) cells mainly distinguish WM and IgMMGUS.

MYD88 L265P in Waldenström macroglobulinemia, immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathy, and other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders using conventional and quantitative allele-specific polymerase chain reaction

AbstractBy whole-genome and/or Sanger sequencing, we recently identified a somatic mutation (MYD88 L265P) that stimulates nuclear factor κB activity and is present in >90% of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) patients. MYD88 L265P was absent in 90% of immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) patients. We therefore developed conventional and real-time allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) assays for more sensitive detection and quantification of MYD88 L265P. Using either assay, MYD88 L265P was detected in 97 of 104 (93%) WM and 13 of 24 (54%) IgM MGUS patients and was either absent or rarely expressed in samples from splenic marginal zone lymphoma (2/20; 10%), CLL (1/26; 4%), multiple myeloma (including IgM cases, 0/14), and immunoglobulin G MGUS (0/9) patients as well as healthy donors (0/40; P < 1.5 × 10−5 for WM vs other cohorts). Real-time AS-PCR identified IgM MGUS patients progressing to WM and showed a high rate of concordance between MYD88 L265P ΔCT and BM disease involvement (r = 0.89, P = .008) in WM patients undergoing treatment. These studies identify MYD88 L265P as a widely present mutation in WM and IgM MGUS patients using highly sensitive and specific AS-PCR assays with potential use in diagnostic discrimination and/or response assessment. The finding of this mutation in many IgM MGUS patients suggests that MYD88 L265P may be an early oncogenic event in WM pathogenesis.

Lymphoplasmacytic non-Hodgkin lymphoma/Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with CD5+, CD23+, and CD10-

Lymphoplasmacytic non-Hodgkin lymphoma/Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with CD5+, CD23+, and CD10-

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of the MYD88 (L265P) Somatic Mutation in Patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia, IgM-Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance or Other Mature B-Cell Neoplasms.

Abstract 2667Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma associated with a monoclonal component of IgM type in the serum. WM is often preceded by an IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS). The cumulative probability of progression of IgM-MGUS to WM or to other lymphoproliferative disorders is approximately 1.5% per year. Other mature B-cell neoplasms such as splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) and B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD) can carry an IgM monoclonal component and should therefore be considered in differential diagnosis with WM.In a study based on parallel sequencing of the whole genome of lymphoplasmacytic cells and paired normal tissue from WM patients, Treon et al (Blood. 2011;118:Abstract 300) have identified a highly recurrent somatic mutation with oncogenic activity in the myeloid differentiation primary response (MYD88) gene, leading to a change from leucine to proline at position 265 of the aminoacid sequence [MYD88 (L265P)]. Targeted Sanger resequencing showed MYD88 (L265P) in 90% of WM patients, but only in a minority of patients with IgM-MGUS or other mature B-cell neoplasms such as SMZL.We developed an allele-specific PCR for the MYD88 (L265P) mutation, and studied 58 patients with WM, 77 with IgM-MGUS, 84 with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) and 52 with B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD). DNA was obtained from bone marrow cells (n=204) and peripheral blood (n=67). The aims of this study were: i) to assess the prevalence of the mutation in WM, IgM-MGUS, SMZL, and B-CLPD; ii) to analyze the relationship between MYD88 (L265P) mutation and clinical phenotype; iii) to evaluate the impact of the mutation on the risk of progression from IgM-MGUS WM or other lymphoproliferative disorders.The MYD88 (L265P) mutation was detected in 58/58 (100%) patients with WM, either asymptomatic (n=39) or symptomatic (n=18), and in 36/77 (47%) patients with IgM-MGUS. In addition, it was detected in 5/84 (6%) patients with SMZL and in 3/52 (6%) with B-CLPD; of these MYD88 (L265P)-positive subjects, 4 SMZL and 2 B-CLPD patients carried a serum IgM monoclonal component, while the remaining B-CLPD patient carried a double (IgM and IgG) monoclonal component.Compared with IgM-MGUS patients with wild-type MYD88, those carrying MYD88 (L265P) had significantly higher levels of IgM (P<.0001), lower levels of IgG (P=.04) and IgA (P=.04), and higher incidence of Bence-Jones proteinuria at diagnosis (P=.002). During the follow-up, 9 patients with IgM-MGUS progressed to WM (7 cases) or to marginal zone lymphoma (2 cases). Using a case-control approach, the risk of evolution of patients with MYD88 (L265P) was significantly higher as compared to that of patients with wild-type MYD88 sequence (OR 4.7, 95% confidence interval 0.8–48.7, P=.047).In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that: i) the allele-specific PCR we developed is able to detect the MYD88 (L265P) mutation in all patients with WM and in nearly half the patients with IgM-MGUS, and therefore represents a useful diagnostic tool; ii) MYD88 (L265P) is an uncommon molecular lesion in SMZL and in B-CLPD, but is associated with an IgM monoclonal component in the few positive patients, suggesting that some cases of B-CLPD might be included in the spectrum of WM; iii) in IgM-MGUS, the mutation is associated with greater disease burden and higher risk of disease progression, and therefore represents a useful prognostic marker. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

IgM-monoclonal gammopathy neuropathy and tremor: A first epidemiologic case control study

IntroductionSmall case series suggest tremor occurs frequently in IgM-monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS) neuropathy. Epidemiologic study to confirm this association is lacking. Whether the neuropathy or another remote IgM-effect is causal remains unsettled. Materials and methodsAn IgM-MGUS neuropathy case cohort (n=207) was compared to age, gender, and neuropathy impairment score (NIS) matched, other-cause neuropathy controls (n=414). Tremor details were extracted from structured neurologic evaluation. All patients underwent nerve conductions. ResultsTremor occurrence was significantly higher in IgM-MGUS case cohort (29%) than in control cohort (9.2%) (p=0.001). In IgM-MGUS cases, tremor was associated with worse NIS (p=0.025) and demyelinating nerve conductions (p=0.020), but 11 of 60 (18%) IgM-MGUS cases with tremor had axonal neuropathy. In other-cause neuropathy controls, tremor was associated with axonal nerve conductions (p=0.03) but not with NIS severity (p=0.57). Tremor occurrence associated with older age in controls, (p=0.004) but not in IgM-MGUS cases (p=0.272). Most IgM-MGUS tremor cases (49/60) had a postural-kinetic tremor, 8 had rest tremor, 3 had mixed rest-action. Alternative causes of tremor was identified in 42% of IgM-MGUS cases, the most common type is inherited essential tremor 6/60 (p=0.04). ConclusionsThis first epidemiologic case-control study validates association between IgM-MGUS neuropathy and tremor. Among IgM-MGUS neuropathy cases, severity as well as type of neuropathy (demyelinating over axonal) correlated with tremor occurrence. IgM-MGUS paraproteinemia may increase tremor expression in persons recognized with common other risk factors for tremor.

An Update on Monoclonal Gammopathy and Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy is a rare but important cause of neuropathy that can herald serious underlying disease. IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is the most commonly found monoclonal gammopathy associated with neuropathy, with characteristic clinical, electrophysiologic, and pathologic features. The IgG and IgA monoclonal gammopathies are rarely associated with specific neuropathies. Standard immunomodulatory agents including steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis have shown limited efficacy in IgM MGUS. Neuropathies associated with specific lymphoproliferative disorders may not respond to treatments aimed at that disorder. Case series had shown promising results with rituximab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the B cell surface antigen CD20 and results in a rapid and sustained depletion of B cells; however, two recent randomized controlled trials with rituximab failed to provide evidence of efficacy in primary outcome measures, despite reduction in antibody levels. Long-term studies looking at the association between specific immunologic markers and disease recurrence are needed to ultimately develop targeted therapies.

Risk of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes after multiple myeloma and its precursor disease (MGUS)

AbstractUsing population-based data from Sweden, we identified all multiple myeloma (MM) patients (n = 8740) and 5652 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) patients diagnosed between 1986 and 2005. We calculated standardized incidence rates (SIRs) for all subsequent hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies for MM patients diagnosed before/after 1995 (introduction of high-dose melphalan/autologous stem cell transplantation [HDM-ASCT]) and 2000 (introduction of immunomodulatory drugs [IMiDs]), respectively. MM patients had an 11.51-fold (95% confidence interval: 8.19-15.74) increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); risk was very similar before/after 1995 and 2000, respectively. MGUS patients had an 8.01-fold (5.40-11.43) increased risk of AML/MDS. Risk was confined to IgG/IgA, while no IgM MGUS patients developed AML/MDS; patients with monoclonal-protein (M-protein) concentrations > 1.5 g/dL (SIR = 11.12; 3.61-25.96) had higher risk than those < 1.5 g/dL (SIR = 4.67; 1.71-10.16). An excess risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer was observed subsequent to both MM (SIR = 2.22; 1.74-2.80) and MGUS (SIR = 3.30; 2.76-3.90). Our novel observations of an excess risk for AML/MDS following IgG/IgA (but not IgM) MGUS, and the highest risk associated with M-protein concentrations > 1.5 g/dL, support a role for nontreatment-related factors in plasma cell dyscrasias. AML/MDS risk following MM was the same before/after the introduction of HDM-ASCT. Longer follow-up is needed to characterize second tumor risks in the IMiD era.

Successful treatment of IgM-monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance associated with cryoglobulinemia and cold agglutinin disease with immunochemotherapy with rituximab, fludarabine, and cyclophosphamide

Successful treatment of IgM-monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance associated with cryoglobulinemia and cold agglutinin disease with immunochemotherapy with rituximab, fludarabine, and cyclophosphamide

From myeloma precursor disease to multiple myeloma: new diagnostic concepts and opportunities for early intervention.

Since monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) was first described more than 30 years ago, the definition of the entity has evolved. Today, 3 distinct clinical MGUS subtypes have been defined: non-immunoglobulin M (IgM; IgG or IgA) MGUS, IgM MGUS, and light chain MGUS. Each clinical MGUS subtype is characterized by unique intermediate stages and progression events. Although we now have strong evidence that multiple myeloma is consistently preceded by a precursor state at the molecular level, there is urgent need to better understand mechanisms that regulate transformation from precursor to full-blown multiple myeloma. In the future, if such knowledge was available, it would allow clinicians to define high-risk and low-risk precursor patients for a more tailored clinical management. Also, it would provide insights on the individual patient's disease biology, which, in turn, can be used for targeted and more individualized treatment strategies. On the basis of current clinical guidelines, patients diagnosed with MGUS and smoldering myeloma should not be treated outside of clinical trials. In the near future, it seems reasonable to believe that high-risk precursor patients will likely become candidates for early treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss novel insights from recent studies and propose future directions of relevance for clinical management and research studies.