Mutations In Gata2 Are Rare In Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia

Germline mutations in GATA2, a gene that encodes for transcription factors involved in hematopoiesis and vascular development, have recently been described in MonoMAC syndrome, Emberger syndrome and in select cases of mild chronic neutropenia. These disorders are unified by their predisposition to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients with MonoMAC syndrome have also been noted to display monosomy 7 in their bone marrows in up to 50% of cases. Overexpression of GATA2 due to somatic mutations in cases of de novo pediatric AML, has also been shown to be a negative predictor of outcome.