Targeted ultra-deep sequencing reveals recurrent and mutually exclusive mutations of cancer genes in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm

Oncotarget. 2014 Aug 15;5(15):6404-13. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2223.

Abstract

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare haematopoietic malignancy characterized by dismal prognosis and overall poor therapeutic response. Since the biology of BPDCN is barely understood, our study aims to shed light on the genetic make-up of these highly malignant tumors. Using targeted high-coverage massive parallel sequencing, we investigated 50 common cancer genes in 33 BPDCN samples. We detected point mutations in NRAS (27.3% of cases), ATM (21.2%), MET, KRAS, IDH2, KIT (9.1% each), APC and RB1 (6.1%), as well as in VHL, BRAF, MLH1, TP53 and RET1 (3% each). Moreover, NRAS-, KRAS- and ATM-mutations were found to be mutually exclusive and we observed recurrent mutations in NRAS, IDH2, APC and ATM. CDKN2A deletions were detected in 27.3% of the cases followed by deletions of RB1 (9.1%), PTEN and TP53 (3% each). The mutual exclusive distribution of some mutations may point to different subgroups of BPDCN whose biological significance remains to be explored.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blast Crisis / pathology*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis / methods
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology*
  • Female
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Plasmacytoma / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*