Molecular and pharmacological heterogeneity of ETV6::RUNX1 acute lymphoblastic leukemia

ETV6 :: RUNX1 is the most common fusion gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) associated with favorable prognosis, but the optimal therapy for this subtype remains unclear. Profiling the genomic and pharmacological landscape of 194 pediatric ETV6 :: RUNX1 ALL cases, we uncover two transcriptomic clusters, C1 (61%) and C2 (39%). Compared to C1, the C2 subtype features higher white blood cell counts and younger age at diagnosis, as well as better early treatment responses. Pharmacologically, C2 is more sensitive to thiopurines and prednisolone, partially explained by the enrichment of PAX5 deletions. Re-introducing PAX5 in ETV6 :: RUNX1 ALL of the C2 subtype converts its gene expression and drug resistance profile to C1, with partial blockade of G1 to S transition mediated by CDK6 expression. Our results point to molecular heterogeneity within ETV6 :: RUNX1 ALL linked to divergent drug responses, providing insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic vulnerability of this common pediatric ALL subtype. Acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) with an ETV6 :: RUNX1 fusion comprise the largest subtype of this cancer, and their optimal treatment strategy remains unclear. Here, the authors perform genomic profiling of 194 ETV6 :: RUNX1 -rearranged pediatric ALL cases, finding two molecular subtypes associated with distinct drug sensitivities.