Donor-derived MDS/AML in families with germline GATA2 mutation

TO THE EDITOR:

GATA2 encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor that is required for proliferation and survival of hematopoietic stem cells.¹  First described in 2011, germline heterozygous mutations in GATA2 lead to haploinsufficiency²  and are associated with bone marrow failure, immunodeficiency, lymphedema, and other organ dysfunction, with a high propensity for transformation to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML).^3-8  Multigenerational family cohorts demonstrate that age of disease presentation, phenotypic manifestations, and progression are highly variable,^9-12  which may hinder recognition of familial disease. The overall lifetime risk of developing MDS/AML in GATA2 deficiency is estimated at 75% to 90%,^13,14  with a median age of onset of 20 years. The prevalence of germline GATA2 mutations varies from 3.9% of inherited bone marrow failure¹⁵  to 15% of pediatric/adolescent MDS, and 72% of adolescent MDS with monosomy 7.^13,16  Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers the only cure for MDS/AML and reconstitution of the immune system.^17,18 

Related mutation-positive donors, with or without a clinical phenotype, should be avoided. For the first time, we describe 3 families with germline GATA2 mutations (Table 1), in which 1 member was transplanted using a mutation-positive healthy related donor resulting in donor-derived posttransplant MDS/AML, recurrent MDS/AML, or fatal infection due to impaired immune reconstitution.

The proband of the first family presented with malaise, fatigue, and pancytopenia at 21 years of age. His family history was negative for known hematological or immunodeficiency disorders. The bone marrow revealed AML with MDS-related changes (Figure 1A) and monosomy 7 and trisomy 13 on cytogenetic analysis. An NRAS mutation (c.182A>G, p.Q61R) was also detected. Remission was induced with daunorubicin and cytarabine followed by consolidation with high-dose cytarabine. He underwent haploidentical allogeneic HSCT in August 2014, using his healthy 64-year-old mother as a donor after fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and total body irradiation (TBI) on BMT CTN trial 1101. Post-HSCT studies revealed complete engraftment with 100% donor chimerism. Cytogenetic studies of marrow 1-year posttransplant revealed a female karyotype with trisomy 8 (47,XX,+8[3]/46,XX[20]). Two years after HSCT, he developed neutropenia, and cytogenetic studies revealed the donor karyotype with trisomy 8 and monosomy 7. Molecular sequencing panel identified a germline GATA2 mutation (c.1061C>T; p.T354M) in both the parent donor and the recipient. Three years after HSCT, the marrow showed dysplastic changes (Figure 1A) with monosomy 7 in all donor metaphases (45,XX,−7[20]), indicative of donor-derived MDS. Targeted sequencing analysis identified a mutation in SETBP1 (c.2608G>A, p.G870S) with variant allele frequency (VAF) of 44.5% (see supplemental Methods, available on the Blood Web site). The mother is alive and continues to be asymptomatic.

The index patient of the second family presented at age 13 with MDS-EB with monosomy 7. He had a history of warts. The family history was negative for hematologic/immunodeficiency disorders. Two older siblings and his identical twin brother were healthy. The white blood cell count was 8.1 × 10⁹/L with 5% circulating blasts. Severe anemia (6.5 g/dL) and thrombocytopenia (14 × 10⁹/L) were present. He underwent syngeneic HSCT from his healthy monozygotic twin brother after cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and TBI in March 1995. There was reemergence of MDS-EB with monosomy 7 and additional t(6;20)(q15;p13) on day +140. The patient died, and autopsy revealed leukemic blasts infiltrating the spleen, lungs, and liver. Seventeen years later, at age 31, the identical twin donor presented with pancytopenia, disseminated warts, and lung infiltrates. His marrow showed hypocellular MDS with features commonly seen in GATA2 deficiency,^7,19  including dysplastic megakaryocytes, and loss of monocytes, B cells, B-cell precursors, and natural killer cells (Figure 1B). A germline GATA2 mutation (c.1082G>A; p.R361H) was identified along with mutation in STAG2 (c.993T>A, p.Y331Termination; VAF 26.4%). He progressed to MDS-EB with neutropenia and expired prior to HSCT due to sepsis in 2013.

The third family has numerous members with blood disorders over multiple generations and was previously reported in 1978.²⁰  The father of the proband was diagnosed with aplastic anemia (AA) and lymphedema at age 30 and died at 41.²⁰  Four of the 7 children were diagnosed in adolescence or young adulthood with “MDS vs AA,” with transformation to high-grade MDS or AML. Two female siblings underwent matched related donor (MRD) HSCT for MDS using the same healthy male sibling donor. The first sister presented at age 15 with multiple infections. She died 30 days after HSCT (performed in 1988) secondary to fatal disseminated fungal infection. The second sister presented with pancytopenia. Her initial bone marrow revealed MDS with monosomy 18 and trisomy 22. She underwent MRD HSCT after TBI in April 1991. The posttransplant evaluation revealed 100% donor chimerism. Her post-HSCT course was complicated by persistent neutropenia, GVHD, and fatal CMV infection. Twenty years later, the male sibling donor presented with disseminated MAC, and MDS/AML with trisomy 8 and deletion 7q. He died following MUD HSCT secondary to disseminated MAC infection, GVHD, sepsis, and multiorgan failure. One decade later, a remaining male sibling (proband) presented with chronic neutropenia, numerous warts, recurrent infections, and bilateral lymphedema at 51 years of age. Marrow analysis showed MDS with multilineage dysplasia with trisomy 8, and immunodeficiency with absence of monocytes, dendritic cells, B-cell precursors, and B lymphopenia. Initial genetic sequencing was negative; however, subsequent in-depth analysis revealed a large novel germline GATA2 deletion (c.1018-50_1143+247del; p.340_381del), and targeted sequencing identified a STAG2 mutation (1810C>T, p. R604Termination; VAF 53.9%). The patient underwent successful MUD-HSCT in 2017 with restoration of normal hematopoiesis and immune reconstitution.

The experiences of these 3 families underscore the importance of considering germline mutations in GATA2 in pediatric/adolescent and young adult patients diagnosed with MDS/AML regardless of family history or phenotypic manifestations. For this reason, we recommend that all pediatric, adolescent, and young adults diagnosed with MDS/AML be screened for germline mutations in GATA2 and other genes predisposing to MDS/AML, particularly if there is consideration of using a related donor for HSCT. All healthy potential related donors should be tested for the patient’s mutation prior to HSCT²¹  to avoid donor-derived MDS/AML, failed engraftment, or failed immune reconstitution after HSCT. Similar poor outcomes have also been reported in families with germline predisposition to MDS/AML and mutations in CEBPA,²² RUNX1,²³  and DDX41²⁴