Bouska A et al. – Based on the current study, a comprehensive genomic analysis revealed that the BCR signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target in adult (Burkitt lymphoma) BL and high-grade B-cell lymphoma with BL gene-signature (adult-mBL).

Methods

• High-resolution structural and functional genomic analysis of adult BL and adult-mBL was performed.

Results

• The MYC-ARF-p53 axis was shown to be the primary deregulated pathway.
• Adult-mBL had unique or more frequent genomic aberrations (del13q14, del17p, gain8q24, and gain18q21) compared with pediatric-mBL, but shared commonly mutated genes.
• Mutations in genes promoting the tonic B-cell receptor (BCR)?PI3K pathway (TCF3 and ID3) did not differ by age, whereas effectors of chronic BCR?NF-?B signaling were associated with adult-mBL.
• A subset of adult-mBL had BCL2 translocation and mutation, and elevated BCL2 mRNA and protein expression, but had a mutation profile similar to mBL.
• Gain/amplification of MIR17HG and its paralogue loci was observed in 50% of adult-mBL.