Abstract 2282: Rapid identification of targetable CSF3R mutations that define neutrophilic leukemia by combining functional and genomic screens.
Authors: Maxson Julia , Gotlib Jason , Pollyea Daniel , Fleischman Angela , Eide Christopher , Bottomly Daniel , Wilmot Beth , McWeeney Shannon , Tognon Cristina , Pond J. Blake , Collins Robert , Deininger Michael , Chang Bill , Loriaux Marc , Druker Brian , Tyner Jeffrey 
Published: August 2014

Large scale sequencing efforts are currently being applied to numerous cancers and although significant numbers of mutations are being identified, functional validation to identify driver mutations is lagging. To accelerate progress in the identification of genetic drivers in hematological malignances, we are taking an integrated approach of deep sequencing coupled with functional screens using molecularly targeted drugs and siRNA screening of primary patient leukemia samples. The functional screens allow prioritization of mutations for validation. Using this approach, we identified a CSF3R mutation in a patient with chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL). Patients with CNL and the related disorder, atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML), have neoplastic expansion of granulocytic cells with the diagnosis including exclusion of genetic drivers known to occur in other types of World Health Organization-defined myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) or myelodysplastic syndrome/MPN overlap disorders. After identifying a CSF3R mutation in our index case, we examined 21 additional cases of CNL and aCML and found that 59% of patients with CNL/aCML harbor CSF3R mutations. Two distinct regions of mutations within the CSF3R gene were identified. Expression of these classes of mutations in a growth factor-dependent myeloid cell line, BaF3, transformed these cells to growth factor independence. Interestingly, these two mutational classes produce preferential downstream kinase signaling (via TNK2/SRC or JAK kinases) and differential sensitivity to kinase inhibitors. Specifically, mutants signaling through TNK2/SRC are sensitive to SRC inhibitors such as dasatinib while mutants signaling thought JAK kinases were sensitive to JAK inhibitors such as ruxolitinib. One patient with CNL carrying a CSF3R mutation that signals through JAK kinases showed a dramatic and durable clinical improvement after treatment with the JAK1/2 kinase inhibitor, ruxolitinib. Mutations in the CSF3R define a large subset of patients with CNL/aCML and testing for these mutations will complement histopathologic diagnosis of CNL and aCML. Patients with CSF3R mutations may benefit from clinical administration of TNK2/SRC inhibitors (such as dasatinib) or JAK inhibitors (such as ruxolitinib). Our studies demonstrate that combining functional screens with genome sequencing can significantly accelerate target validation to define driving mutations that can be matched with therapies.

Citation Format: Julia Maxson, Jason Gotlib, Daniel Pollyea, Angela Fleischman, Christopher Eide, Daniel Bottomly, Beth Wilmot, Shannon McWeeney, Cristina Tognon, J. Blake Pond, Robert Collins, Michael Deininger, Bill Chang, Marc Loriaux, Brian Druker, Jeffrey Tyner. Rapid identification of targetable CSF3R mutations that define neutrophilic leukemia by combining functional and genomic screens. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2282. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2282