Resistance mechanisms and clonal dynamics in mantle cell lymphoma treated with sequential BTKi and venetoclax therapy

In recent years, targeted therapies have become the standard of care for refractory/relapsed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Although the mutational profile of MCL has been extensively studied, there is a lack of understanding of resistance mechanisms and genetic factors that impact the response to novel treatments. Since patients relapsing on targeted treatment experience poor clinical outcomes, understanding the genetic foundation of resistance mechanisms in MCL is essential. In this study, we aimed to scrutinize the copy number profile and clonal dynamics of double-resistant MCL patients treated sequentially with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) and venetoclax using low-coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS). Samples obtained after systemic therapy showed more copy number alterations (CNAs) (p = 0.039; Wilcoxon) compared to samples collected before treatment initiation. Patients showing early progression on BTKi demonstrated CNAs affecting cytobands encompassing the coding regions of NOTCH1, TRAF2, BIRC2, BIRC3, and ATM. A deletion in chromosome 9p21.3 was identified in two out of three venetoclax-resistant patients. For patient MCL2, progressing on ibrutinib but showing venetoclax resistance, a 9p21.3 deletion was found throughout the disease course, with acquired SMARCA4-del(19)(p13.3–q13.11) and DLC1–del(8)(p23.2–q11.1) observed at relapse, highlighting their role in disease progression and therapy resistance. Using lcWGS, an innovative genome-wide approach, this study revealed novel putative primary and acquired resistance mechanisms in BTKi and venetoclax double-resistant MCL patients.