ASH 2024 Spotlight: Non-V600E BRAF Gene Alterations in Hairy Cell Leukemia

In December, the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (HCLF) proudly participated in the American Society of Hematology (ASH)'s annual meeting, the foremost global gathering for hematology. Hundreds of HCLF-affiliated researchers presented abstracts on hairy cell leukemia and other blood cancers.

We continue highlighting the numerous HCLF-affiliated abstracts and are proud to support HCL research presented for the first time at this international conference in hematology.

Dr. Evgeny Arons, Dr. Robert Kreitman, and their colleagues at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) analyzed samples from 213 patients using whole exome sequencing (WES) and/or TrueSight Oncology. WES is a sophisticated method used to quickly identify genetic variations. Eighty-eight of the patients in the NIH study had HCL Variant (HCLv), and 21 patients had IGHV4-34 HCL. Their objective was to examine the samples for unusual genetic mutations.

They found non-V600E BRAF genetic alterations in 18 of the 213 patients. These results were surprising because all 18 patients had classic HCL, and some had more than one non-BRAF mutation alongside the typical V600E BRAF.

Patients with atypical BRAF mutations may be more resistant to purine analogs like cladribine or pentostatin and have a less favorable response to purine analog monotherapy (without rituximab). Furthermore, the presence of non-BRAF mutations in patients with HCL presents an opportunity for further research into alternative treatments.

You can read Dr. Arons’ full ASH abstract here. >>

You can explore more about HCL research supported by the HCLF on our website. >>