UTX is an escape from X-inactivation tumor-suppressor in B cell lymphoma

To explain the excess cancer rate in males, several candidates for “escape from X-inactivation tumor-suppressor” (EXITS) were recently identified. In this report we provide direct experimental evidence supporting UTX’s role as an EXITS gene. Using a mouse lymphoma model, we show clear dosage effect of UTX copy number during tumorigenesis, which strongly supports the EXITS theory. Importantly, UTX deletion not only accelerates lymphomagenesis, it also strongly promotes tumor progression. UTX-knockout tumors are more aggressive, showing enhanced brain dissemination and formation of blood vessels. Efnb1 is overexpressed in UTX KO tumors and can lead to such phenotypes. In human patients, lymphomas with low UTX expression also express high levels of Efnb1, and cause significantly poor survival. Lastly, we show that UTX deficiency renders lymphoma sensitive to cytarabine treatment. Taken together, these data highlight UTX loss’s profound impacts on tumor initiation and drug response.