Detection of early seeding of Richter transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Richter transformation (RT) is a paradigmatic evolution of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) into a very aggressive large B cell lymphoma conferring a dismal prognosis. The mechanisms driving RT remain largely unknown. We characterized the whole genome, epigenome and transcriptome, combined with single-cell DNA/RNA-sequencing analyses and functional experiments, of 19 cases of CLL developing RT. Studying 54 longitudinal samples covering up to 19 years of disease course, we uncovered minute subclones carrying genomic, immunogenetic and transcriptomic features of RT cells already at CLL diagnosis, which were dormant for up to 19 years before transformation. We also identified new driver alterations, discovered a new mutational signature (SBS-RT), recognized an oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)(high)-B cell receptor (BCR)(low)-signaling transcriptional axis in RT and showed that OXPHOS inhibition reduces the proliferation of RT cells. These findings demonstrate the early seeding of subclones driving advanced stages of cancer evolution and uncover potential therapeutic targets for RT. Single-cell genomic and transcriptomic analyses of longitudinal samples of patients with Richter syndrome reveal the presence and dynamics of clones driving transformation from chronic lymphocytic leukemia years before clinical manifestation

Automated summary

By analyzing the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome of CLL cases developing RT, this study reveals the presence of minute subclones with RT features at CLL diagnosis and identifies potential therapeutic targets through OXPHOS inhibition.