14347 results for ""Pennsylvania+German"+ACS+study+'Socius'+open+access"

in 39.01 milliseconds.

• Rare coding variants in lupus risk genes

  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototypic systemic autoimmune disease. It is thought that many common variant gene loci of weak effect act additively to predispose to common autoimmune diseases, while the contribution of rare variants remains unclear. Here we describe that rare coding variants in lupus-risk genes are present in most SLE patients and healthy controls. We demonstrate the functional consequences of rare and low frequency missense variants in the interacting proteins BLK and BANK1, which are present alone, or in combination, in a substantial proportion of lupus patients. The rare variants found in patients, but not those found exclusively in controls, impair suppression of IRF5 and type-I IFN in human B cell lines and increase pathogenic lymphocytes in lupus-prone mice. Thus, rare gene variants are common in SLE and likely contribute to genetic risk.

  Study EGAS00001003548

• Short and long-read sequencing of Brugada syndrome samples

  Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are instrumental in identifying loci with an impact on human traits and disease. Typically, however, most GWAS information is considered redundant as it is based on neighboring single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD). In this context, besides the most significant hit (lead SNV) in every trait- or disease-associated locus, the rest of GWAS hits are often marginally reported, examined, or exploited. To interrogate the value of integrating the information provided by the full set of GWAS hits and fine-mapping haplotypes containing these SNVs, here we focused on a locus repeatedly associated with traits of the cardiac electrical conduction system and arrhythmia (SCN5A-SCN10A). We found that the same SNV can exhibit differing associations depending on haplotype. Thus, these analyses provide corroborative evidence that assuming redundancy among neighboring GWAS hits has the risk of missing critical disease-risk associations.

  Study EGAS00001004927

• Genomic landscape and molecularly-informed therapy in thymic carcinoma and other advanced thymic epithelial tumors (H021, HIPO)

  The molecular landscape of malignant thymic epithelial tumors (TET) is largely unknown. To better understand and target these clinically challenging entities, we characterize 81 patients harboring 46 thymus carcinomas (TC), 8 neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus (NET) and 27 thymomas using WGS/WES, transcriptome and methylome analysis. TC harbor different molecular alterations compared to thymoma and NET and have higher tumor mutational burden than thymomas. 14/76 TET patients show (likely) pathogenic germline alterations. Composite biomarker analysis indicates homologous repair deficiency in a subset of patients. We identify immunologically hot and cold TC. Cold TC show significantly shorter overall survival. 71/81 patients receive molecularly-informed therapy recommendations, which are applied in 28/71 cases leading to a DCR of 60% and an ORR of 24% (both n=25). 8/23 patients reach PFS ratios > 1.3, seven of them having TC.

  Study EGAS00001006408

• Gene copy number variation in pediatric mental illness in a general population

  We assessed the relationship of gene copy number variation (CNV) in mental health/neurodevelopmental traits and diagnoses, physical health, and cognitive biomarkers in a community sample of 7,100 unrelated European, and East Asian children and youth (Spit for Science). Diagnoses of mental health disorders were found in 17.5% of participants and 27.6% scored in the highest 10% on either or both ADHD and OCD trait measures. Clinically relevant CNVs were present in 3.9% of participants and were associated with elevated scores on a continuous measure of ADHD (p=5.0×10-3), on a cognitive biomarker of mental health (response inhibition (p=1.0×10-2)), and on prevalence of mental disorders (p=1.9×10-6, odds ratio: 3.09). With a rise of mental illness, our data establishes a baseline for delineating genetic contributors in paediatric-onset conditions.

  Study EGAS00001006659

• Single-cell RNA-seq of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in severe COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 stimulated classical blood monocytes

  We analyzed pulmonary monocyte and macrophage responses as well as and pulmonary pathology in two cohorts of patients with COVID-19 associated ARDS. Monocyte-derived macrophages accumulated in the lung during ARDS and acquired a profibrotic signature, characterized by high expression of known fibrogenic factors like TGFB1, SPP1 and LGMN. COVID-19 associated macrophages showed highly significant transcriptional similarity with profibrotic macrophage populations identified in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Notably, overnight exposure to SARS-CoV-2, but not influenza A virus or viral RNA analogues, induced a similar phenotype in human monocytes from healthy volunteers in vitro. Patients with severe COVID-19 associated ARDS showed clear clinical, radiographic and histopathological features of scarring and fibrotic tissue remodeling. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 triggers profibrotic macrophage responses, fibroproliferative ARDS, and lung fibrosis

  Study EGAS00001004928

• single nuclei RNASeq of 5 regions of the human prenatal brain

  Data generated through single nuclei RNA sequencing on 5 regions of the brain (frontal cortex, ganglionic eminence, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum) from 3 fetuses (two of 14 and one of 15 post-conception weeks, all female). Tissue was acquired from the MRC-Wellcome Trust Human Developmental Biology Resource (HDBR) with ethical approval. snRNA-seq libraries were prepared from ∼10,000 nuclei from each sample using Chromium Single Cell 3ʹ (v3) reagents (10X Genomics). Quality control of libraries was performed using the Agilent 5200 Fragment Analyzer before sequencing on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 to a depth of at least 865 million (median = 1.01 billion) read pairs per library. Raw sequencing data were converted into FASTQ files. For a full description of data generation, please see Cameron et al, Biological Psychiatry 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.033.

  Study EGAS00001006537

• Erythroid/megakaryocytic differentiation confers BCL-XL dependency and venetoclax resistance in acute myeloid leukemia

  Myeloid neoplasms with erythroid or megakaryocytic differentiation include pure erythroid leukemia (PEL), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with erythroid features, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (FAB M7) and are characterized by poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Here, we investigate the drug sensitivity landscape of these rare malignancies. We show that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells with erythroid or megakaryocytic differentiation depend on the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL, rather than BCL-2, using combined ex vivo drug sensitivity testing, genetic perturbation, and transcriptomic profiling. Single-cell and bulk transcriptomics of patient samples with erythroid and megakaryoblastic leukemias identified high BCL2L1 expression compared to other subtypes of AML and other hematological malignancies, where BCL2 and MCL1 were more prominent. Our results suggest targeting BCL-XL as a potential therapy option in erythroid/megakaryoblastic leukemias and highlight an AML subgroup with potentially reduced sensitivity to venetoclax-based treatments.

  Study EGAS00001006819

• Genomic profiling of localized (lFL) and systemic follicular lymphoma (sFL) reveals novel insights into FL pathogenesis

  At diagnosis, the majority of FL presents with symptomatic disease in advanced/systemic stages of FL (sFL). In contrast only around 10 to 15% of cFL are diagnosed in localized stages (lFL). The biological knowledge is mainly based on data derived from global sFL analysis and only small cohorts of lFL were characterized intensively so far. It is well-known that the hallmark BCL2 translocation is less frequently observed in lFL. Furthermore, lFL differs from sFL concerning their gene expression and their N-glycosylation profiles. In consequence, comprehensive global analysis with CNA profiling and whole exome sequencing was performed in a large cohort of lFL. Additionally, the mutational profile as well as the CNA landscape of lFL and sFL, as well as for BCL2 translocation-positive and -negative was compared.

  Study EGAS00001006927

• Reprogramming of stroma-derived chemokine networks drives the loss of tissue organization in nodal B cell lymphoma

  Here, we utilized single-cell and spatial mapping to interrogate the mechanisms directing tissue architecture in human lymph nodes (LN) and its disruption in nodal B cell lymphoma. Specifically, we mapped the cellular landscape of follicular lymphoma (FL; n=6) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL; n=8) alongside non-malignant reactive LNs (rLN; n=5) using single-cell RNA sequencing. Our data support the central role of LN-resident stromal cells in chemokine-driven lymphocyte zonation and reveal an inflammatory feedback loop fueled by tumor-reactive T cells, triggering stromal remodeling, progressive loss of homeostatic chemokine gradients and tissue organization from non-malignant to FL and DLBCL. Collectively, our results highlight the principles of LN organization and suggest how lymphoma-induced microenvironmental reprogramming drives loss of tissue organization.

  Study EGAS00001006986

• The impact of mutational clonality in predicting the response to anti-PD-L1/PD-L1 in advanced urothelial cancer

  The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has radically changed the management and therapeutic treatment landscape for patients with cancer. It has been shown that the use of these inhibitors can result in long-term complete remissions even in cases with advanced stages of the disease. However, only a small fraction of patients respond to the treatment. A better understanding of which factors could drive this clinical benefit is fundamental to building more accurate predictive biomarkers and developing alternative therapeutic options for patients who are unlikely to benefit. In order to address this issue, we have generated and analyzed whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing (RNASeq) data from a cohort of metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients (N = 27) treated with ICI such as anti-PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibodies.

  Study EGAS00001007086

• RNA stability controlled by m6A methylation contributes to X-to-autosome dosage compensation in mammals

  In mammals, X-chromosomal genes are expressed from a single copy since males (XY) possess a single X chromosome, while females (XX) undergo X inactivation. To compensate for this reduction in dosage compared to two active copies of autosomes, it has been proposed that genes from the active X chromosome exhibit dosage compensation. However, the existence and mechanism of X-to-autosome dosage compensation are still under debate. Here, we show that X-chromosomal transcripts are reduced in m6A modifications and more stable compared to their autosomal counterparts. Acute depletion of m6A selectively stabilises autosomal transcripts, resulting in perturbed dosage compensation in mouse embryonic stem cells. We propose that higher stability of X-chromosomal transcripts is directed by lower levels of m6A, indicating that mammalian dosage compensation is partly regulated by epitranscriptomic RNA modifications.

  Study EGAS00001007112

• Establishment and characterization of an Epstein-Barr virus-positive cell line from a non-keratinizing differentiated primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma

  Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer that is etiologically associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is endemic in Southern China and Southeast Asia. The scarcity of representative NPC cell lines owing to the frequent loss of EBV episomes following prolonged propagation and compromised authenticity of previous models underscores the critical need for new EBV-positive NPC models. Herein, we describe the establishment of a new EBV-positive NPC cell line, designated NPC268 from a primary non-keratinizing, differentiated NPC tissue. NPC268 can undergo productive lytic reactivation of EBV and is highly tumorigenic in immunodeficient mice. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed close similarities with the tissue of origin, including large chromosomal rearrangements, while whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing demonstrated a hypomethylated genome and enrichment in immune-related pathways, respectively.

  Study EGAS00001007172

• Analysis of a cohort of familial ademomatous polyposis patients bearing APC gene mutation

  large number of colorectal adenomas with high risk of evolving into colorectal tumors. Mutations of the Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is often at the origin of this disease, as well as of a high percentage of spontaneous colorectal tumors. APC is therefore considered a tumor suppressor gene. While the role of APC in intestinal epithelium homeostasis is well characterized, its importance in immune responses remains ill defined. We investigated an array of immune cell features in FAP subjects carrying APC mutations. A group of 12 FAP subjects and age and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. In particular, the expression of 579 immune response genes was analyzed in whole blood cells using the Nanostring nCounter Human Immunology kit v2. (Cuche C. et al. Frontiers in Immunology, 2023, in press)

  Study EGAS00001007237

• ATAC-Seq of healthy and IBD blood samples

  PBMCs from blood samples of 9 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects and 25 IBD patients were isolated through a Ficoll density gradient and used to isolate live CD4 T cells through a magnetic cell isolation kit (Miltenyi Biotec). Twelve thousand live CD4 T cells were then used to prepare ATAC-Seq libraries. Briefly, crude nuclei of live CD4+ T cells were treated with Tagment DNA buffer and Tagment DNA Enzyme (Nextera DNA Library Prep Kit, Illumina), and then the DNA was purified by MinElute PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen). Transposed DNA fragments were amplified using specific adapters followed by purification with MinElute PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen). Fragments from 240-360pb were selected in the PippinHT system (Sage Science). The quality of the library and its DNA concentration were assessed by Bioanalyzer instruments (Agilent Technologies) and ultimately submitted for sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer, V4 chemistry.

  Study EGAS00001007343

• RNA sequencing in primary inflammatory (TPP) macrophages following deletion of a disease-associated gene desert at chr21q22, disruption of ETS2, or treatment of ETS2-edited macrophages with a HIF1α stabiliser.

  GWAS studies in five different inflammatory diseases have identified a strong genetic association at a gene desert at the chr21q22 locus. We have shown that this locus contains a monocyte/macrophage-specific enhancer that regulates ETS2 - a gene whose role in primary human monocytes/macrophages is incompletely understood. We therefore used a CRISPR-Cas9-based approach to delete the enhancer region or to disrupt ETS2, and performed RNA-sequencing to examine the transcriptional consequences. One effect of ETS2 disruption was upregulation of genes involved in aerobic respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. We therefore treated ETS2-edited inflammatory macrophages with roxadustat, a HIF1α stabiliser that can promote glycolysis via HIF1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming, and performed RNA-sequencing to determine whether this drug might rescue the transcriptional effects of ETS2 disruption.

  Study EGAS00001007553

• Organoid drug profiling identifies methotrexate as a therapy for SCCOHT, a rare pediatric cancer

  Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and lethal tumor in adolescent and young adult patients. Currently, there is no standard-of-care treatment for these patients. Reliable models that represent this disease and can be used for translational research are scarce. To model SCCOHTs, we have established eight patient-derived tumoroid lines from tumor lesions of three patients with SCCOHT. The tumoroids recapitulate genomic and transcriptomic characteristics of the corresponding patient tumors and capture intrapatient tumor heterogeneity. Organoid drug profiling using a library of 153 clinical compounds identified methotrexate as an effective and selective drug against SCCOHTs with a clinically relevant IC50 of 35 nmol/L. RNA sequencing demonstrated that methotrexate induced TP53 pathway activation and apoptosis. These data underscore that organoid technology can support the design of therapeutic strategies for rare cancers.

  Study EGAS00001007911

• Tracking the evolution of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma under dynamic immune selection by multi-omics sequencing

  Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) has been linked to decreased efficacy of clinical treatments. However, although genomic ITH has been characterized in genetic, transcriptomic and epigenetic alterations are hallmarks of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the extent to which these are heterogeneous in ESCC has not been explored in a unified framework. Further, the extent to which tumor-infiltrated T lymphocytes (TILs) are directed against cancer cells, but how the immune infiltration acts as a selective force to shape the clonal evolution of ESCC is unclear. In this study, we perform multi-omic sequencing on 186 samples from 36 primary ESCC patients. Through multi-omics analyses, it is discovered that genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic ITH are underpinned by ongoing chromosomal instability. Based on the RNA-seq data, we observe diverse levels of immune infiltrate across different tumor sites from the same tumor. We reveal genetic mechanisms of neoantigen evasion under distinct selection pressure from the diverse immune microenvironment. Overall, our work offers an avenue of dissecting the complex contribution of the multi-omics level to the ITH in ESCC and thereby enhances the development of clinical therapy.

  Dataset EGAD00001009482

• Molecular risk stratification in patients with T1 colorectal cancer_WES

  The introduction of bowel cancer screening has led to a significant increase in the proportion of patients being diagnosed with asymptomatic, early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC). Although the majority of these patients are successfully treated with surgery alone, a small proportion of patients have 'born-to-be-bad' aggressive lesions with early dissemination leading to distant metastases. Current standard of care histological assessment is unable to distinguish between these aggressive versus non-aggressive early lesions which is essential to provide appropriate clinical management decisions. This study aims to carry out molecular and histological profiling of approximately 300 T1 CRCs in order to develop a molecular stratifier based on the risk of relapse in early-invasive CRC. This novel T1 cohort will represent the world's largest molecularly characterised T1 cohort of samples, with digital pathology assessment alongside whole exome sequencing, copy number variation analysis and 3' RNA-seq. This data will be used to generate a robust panel of molecular and/or histological markers applicable to formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) archival tissue which discriminates between T1 lesions based on risk of relapse, which will ultimately be used to inform clinical management of CRC at the earliest stages of the disease.

  Dataset EGAD00001010890

• cfDNA and CDX/PDX methylation profiling in Small Cell Lung Cancer

  This study contains methyl-binding domain sequencing and shallow whole genome sequencing from circulating free DNA (cfDNA) for 79 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 78 non-cancer controls. We also sequence genomic DNA (both methyl-binding domain sequencing and shallow whole genome sequencing) from 30 circulating-tumour-cell derived explant models (CDXs, from 23 unique patients with SCLC), 20 patient derived explant models (PDXs, from 10 unique patients with SCLC) and 13 lung tissue samples.

  Dataset EGAD00001008673

• Genomic analysis for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

  Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (iCCs) are characterized by their rarity, difficulty in diagnosis, and overall poor prognosis. We performed comprehensive genomic characterization of treatment-naive iCC. This study reports a large-scale genomic analysis of iCC. The findings could assist in patient stratification with iCCs and in developing rational therapeutic strategies.

  Dataset EGAD00001008557

• Epithelial, fibroblast, myeloid, T cell, primary prostate cancer

  The collection and use of tissue for this study had Melbourne Health institutional review board approval and patients provided written informed consent (Melbourne Health Local Project Number: 2016.087). Following the prostatectomy of 13 patients, ranging from 52 to 78 years of age and from CAPRA-S risk score of 0 (attributed to benign tissue samples, harvested from a site far from a low grade, low volume cancer) to 7 (Supplementary file 2), a four millimeter tissue core was collected from the prostate tumour site, conditional to histopathological verification66,67. If not otherwise specified, all procedures were carried out at 4 °C. Tissue blocks were washed in Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution for 2 minutes and minced for 2 minutes with a scalpel. Homogenised tissue was added to a solution (total volume of 7 ml) composed by of 1 mg/ml collagenase IV (Worthington Biochemical Corp, USA), 0.02 mg/ml DNase 1 (New England Biolabs, USA), 0.2 mg/ml dispase (Merck, USA). The tissue homogenised was serially digested at 37 °C at 180 rpm, through three steps of 5, 10 and 10 minutes of duration, with the final 3 minutes dedicated to sedimentation at 0 rpm. After each digestion step, the supernatant was aspirated and filtered through a 70 μm strainer into a pre-chilled tube, diluting the solution with 15 ml of 2% bovine serum PBS to quench the enzymatic reaction. The resulting cumulative solution was then centrifuged at 1500 rpm for five minutes, with the supernatant collected and the cell pellet resuspended into 1 ml 2% PBS-serum prior to labelling (Fig. S1).

  Dataset EGAD00001004948

• CHILD Study Dataset

  This data set contains the CRAM files for the samples in the CHILD cohort, sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq X platform.

  Dataset EGAD00001009710

• Genomic profiling of subcutaneous patient derived xenograft models of solid childhood cancer

  The pediatric cancer cohort in this study included 70 PDX models from 65 different individuals. This cohort included a total of 16 different pediatric solid tumor subtypes, including fourteen Wilms tumors, thirteen hepatoblastomas, thirteen osteosarcomas, ten germ cell tumors, four neuroblastomas, three clear cell sarcomas, two adrenal cortical carcinomas, two leydig cell tumors, two medulloblastomas, one embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), one Ewing sarcoma, one pleomorphic sarcoma, one adenocarcinoma, one glioblastoma, one mesothelioma and one ovarian tumor. Notably, we have five samples with multiple PDX models from same patient, including two cases with duplicates (564 and 564-Dup, 1796 and 1796-Dup), one case with two different metastasis (560-SM, 560-LM), one case with two blocks from same tumor (1939 and 1939-Dup), and one case with different primary tumor from same patient (2264 and 1932). We have a total of 353 sequencing data, including 82 RNA sequencing data (RNA-seq), 138 whole-exome sequencing (WES) and 135 low-pass whole-genome sequencing (WGS). For RNA-seq data, we have 61 PDXs and 21 PTs; for WES, we have 67 PDXs, 30 PTs and 40 matched normal germlines; for WGS, we have 64 PDXs, 30 PTs and 40 matched normal germlines. Of which, 19 PT-PDX paired RNA-seq, 28 paired PT-PDX paired WES and WGS were included.

  Dataset EGAD00001009863

• Ancestry and somatic profile predict acral melanoma origin and prognosis – RNA

  Acral melanoma, which is not ultraviolet (UV)-associated, is the most common type of melanoma in several low- and middle-income countries including Mexico. Latin American samples are significantly underrepresented in global cancer genomics studies, which directly affects patients in these regions as it is known that cancer risk and incidence may be influenced by ancestry and environmental exposures. To address this, we characterise the genome and transcriptome of 123 acral melanoma tumours from 92 Mexican patients, a population notable because of its genetic admixture. Compared with other studies of melanoma, we found fewer frequent mutations in classical driver genes such as BRAF, NRAS or NF1. While most patients had predominantly Amerindian genetic ancestry, those with higher European ancestry had increased frequency of BRAF mutations and a lower median number of structural variants. The tumours with activating BRAF mutations have a transcriptional profile more similar to cutaneous non-volar melanocytes, suggesting that acral melanomas in these patients may arise from a distinct cell of origin compared to other tumours arising in these locations. KIT mutations were found in a subset of these tumours, and quadruple wild-type samples (non BRAF/NRAS/NF1/KIT) differed from mutated samples in their structural genomic profile and overall and recurrence-free survival patterns. Transcriptional profiling defined three expression clusters; these characteristics were associated with recurrence-free and overall survival. We highlight potential novel low-frequency drivers, such as PTPRJ, NF2 and RDH5. Our study enhances knowledge of this understudied disease and underscores the importance of including samples from diverse ancestries in cancer genomics studies.

  Dataset EGAD00001015756

• TRACERx NSCLC, multiregion sequencing of the first 100 tumors

  BACKGROUND TRACERx (TRAcking Cancer Evolution through therapy (Rx)) is a prospective cohort study designed to investigate intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) in relation to clinical outcome, and to determine the clonal nature of driver events and evolutionary processes in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Multiregion high-depth whole-exome sequencing (M-seq) was performed on 100 early stage NSCLC tumors resected prior to systemic therapy. A total of 327 tumor regions were sequenced and analyzed to define evolutionary histories, obtain a census of clonal and subclonal events, and assess the relationship between ITH and recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS Widespread ITH was observed for both somatic copy number alterations (median 48% [0.03-88%]) and mutations (median 30% [0.5-93%]). Driver mutations in EGFR, MET, BRAF and TP53 were almost always clonal. However, heterogeneous driver alterations occurring later in evolution were found in over 75% of tumors and were common in PIK3CA, NF1 and genes involved in chromatin modification and DNA response and repair. Genome doubling and ongoing dynamic chromosomal instability (CIN), illustrated by mirrored subclonal allelic imbalance, were identified as causes of ITH resulting in parallel evolution of driver copy number events, including amplifications of CDK4, FOXA1, and BCL11A. Elevated copy number heterogeneity was associated with shorter RFS (HR=4.9, P=0.00044), which remained significant in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS ITH mediated through CIN, rather than point mutational heterogeneity, was associated with increased risk of relapse, supporting its value as a prognostic predictor, and the need to target this high-risk phenotype.

  Dataset EGAD00001003206

• ENOC WGS for the study Genomic consequences of aberrant DNA repair mechanisms stratify ovarian cancer histotypes

  For ENOC cohorts, OvCaRe cases were reviewed, including frozen material, by at least two expert gynecopathologists prior to inclusion in the sequencing cohort who provided the confirmation on final selected cohort. Frozen H&E from Tokyo were also used for evaluation along with representative H&E photos and review done at the Jikei School of Medicine. For ENOC, DAH985 and DG1288 are recurrent and both were treated with chemotherapy after their first surgery. DAH123 is a untreated sample, metastasis from an primary endometrial tumour. All HGSC, GCT, CCOC and the rest ENOC tumours are primary tumour samples. Library construction and sequencing Frozen specimens with >50% tumour cellularity (based on initial slide review) were used for cryosectioning and subsequent nucleic acid extraction. Patient tumour and normal blood samples derived from primary, untreated fresh frozen tumour specimens harvested at diagnosis during standard of care debulking surgery. Germline DNA was provided from peripheral blood buffy coat on all specimens except 13 from Tokyo, where non-cancer frozen tissue was used as a germline source. DNA extraction from both matched normal (blood) and tumour samples (frozen tissue) were performed using the QIAamp Blood and Tissue DNA kit (Qiagen) and quantified using a Qbit fluorometer and reagents (high-sensitivity assay). Three lanes of Illumina HiSeq 2500 v4 chemistry for normal samples and five lanes for tumour samples were obtained. The PCR-free protocol was adopted to eliminate the PCR-induced bias and improve coverage across the genome.

  Dataset EGAD00001003266

• HGSC WGS for the study Genomic consequences of aberrant DNA repair mechanisms stratify ovarian cancer histotypes

  HGSC cases in the OvCaRe and CRCHUM Tumour Banks were selected according to the following criteria: (i) were administered platinum taxane based therapy; (ii) relapsed within 12 months (365 days) or had at least longer than 4.5 years (1642.5 days) follow-up data; (iii) had at least 50% tumour content by H&E staining and expert pathology review. All cases were re-reviewed by expert pathologists to confirm the diagnosis of HGSC. Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 was determined for all patients through hereditary cancer screening programs. The design of cases selection as a discovery cohort was engineered to amplify biological differences by selecting cases from the extremes of the outcome distribution. All HGSC tumours are primary tumour samples. Library construction and sequencing Frozen specimens with >50% tumour cellularity (based on initial slide review) were used for cryosectioning and subsequent nucleic acid extraction. Patient tumour and normal blood samples derived from primary, untreated fresh frozen tumour specimens harvested at diagnosis during standard of care debulking surgery. Germline DNA was provided from peripheral blood buffy coat on all specimens except 13 from Tokyo, where non-cancer frozen tissue was used as a germline source. DNA extraction from both matched normal (blood) and tumour samples (frozen tissue) were performed using the QIAamp Blood and Tissue DNA kit (Qiagen) and quantified using a Qbit fluorometer and reagents (high-sensitivity assay). Three lanes of Illumina HiSeq 2500 v4 chemistry for normal samples and five lanes for tumour samples were obtained. The PCR-free protocol was adopted to eliminate the PCR-induced bias and improve coverage across the genome.

  Dataset EGAD00001003268

• Characterisation of the genomic landscape of CRLF2-d ALL

  To determine the clinical and genetic landscape of CRLF2 deregulated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CRLF2-d ALL). We identified 172 patients with a CRLF2 rearrangement treated on either the UKALL2003 trial for children and adolescents (1-24 years) or the UKALLXII trial for adolescents and adults (15-59 years). Genomic technologies from conventional karyotyping, and FISH through to whole genome and exome sequencing were used to characterise the genomes of patients with CRLF2-d ALL. This is the largest study to date to investigate the genomic landscape of CRLF2-d ALL and define CRLF2-d as a unique subgroup of B-other ALL. We have confirmed the high incidence of CRLF2-d in Down syndrome-ALL and demonstrated the co-existence of CRLF2-d with other primary chromosomal rearrangements, suggesting that in these patients CRLF2-d can be a secondary genetic abnormality. Other defining features included enrichment of IKZF1, BTG1 and ADD3 deletions in IGH-CRLF2 patients and specific chromosomal gains seen at much higher frequencies than B-other ALL . We report recurrent established and new co-operating abnormalities and the novel involvement of USP9X and DDX3X in CRLF2-d ALL. It is clear from these data that CRLF2-d ALL is heterogenoeus, requiring a combination of genetic abnormalities in functionally relevent genes, to work alongside the deregulated expression of CRLF2 in order to initiate and drive leukaemogenesis in this subtype. Although the functional relevance of many of the abnormalities presented here are currently unknown, many are likely to activate alternate pathways or sensitize patients to current therapies.

  Dataset EGAD00001002008

• Characterisation of the genomic landscape of CRLF2-d ALL

  To determine the clinical and genetic landscape of CRLF2 deregulated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CRLF2-d ALL). We identified 172 patients with a CRLF2 rearrangement treated on either the UKALL2003 trial for children and adolescents (1-24 years) or the UKALLXII trial for adolescents and adults (15-59 years). Genomic technologies from conventional karyotyping, and FISH through to whole genome and exome sequencing were used to characterise the genomes of patients with CRLF2-d ALL. This is the largest study to date to investigate the genomic landscape of CRLF2-d ALL and define CRLF2-d as a unique subgroup of B-other ALL. We have confirmed the high incidence of CRLF2-d in Down syndrome-ALL and demonstrated the co-existence of CRLF2-d with other primary chromosomal rearrangements, suggesting that in these patients CRLF2-d can be a secondary genetic abnormality. Other defining features included enrichment of IKZF1, BTG1 and ADD3 deletions in IGH-CRLF2 patients and specific chromosomal gains seen at much higher frequencies than B-other ALL . We report recurrent established and new co-operating abnormalities and the novel involvement of USP9X and DDX3X in CRLF2-d ALL. It is clear from these data that CRLF2-d ALL is heterogenoeus, requiring a combination of genetic abnormalities in functionally relevent genes, to work alongside the deregulated expression of CRLF2 in order to initiate and drive leukaemogenesis in this subtype. Although the functional relevance of many of the abnormalities presented here are currently unknown, many are likely to activate alternate pathways or sensitize patients to current therapies.

  Dataset EGAD00001002007

• Co-culture experiment (hashed samples)

  The principles governing tissue architecture and the mechanisms underlying its disruption in disease remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized single-cell and spatial mapping to interrogate the mechanisms directing immune cell organization in human lymph nodes and its disruption in architecturally distinct lymphoma entities: indolent follicular lymphoma (FL) and aggressive diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Our data substantiate the central role of lymph node stromal cells in chemokine-driven lymphocyte zonation and reveal an inflammatory feedback loop fueled by tumor-reactive T cells, triggering stromal remodeling, progressive loss of homeostatic chemokine gradients and tissue organization from non-malignant to FL and DLBCL. Loss of homeostatic chemokines was associated with adverse patient survival, identifying the underlying architectural rearrangement as a key event during lymphomagenesis. Collectively, our results highlight the principles of lymph node organization and suggest how lymphoma-induced microenvironmental reprogramming drives loss of tissue organization.

  Study EGAS50000001252

• RNA-seq as a tool for evaluating human embryo competence

  The majority of embryos that are created through IVF do not implant. It seems plausible that rates of implantation would improve if we had a better understanding of molecular factors affecting embryo competence. Currently, the process of selecting an embryo for uterine transfer utilizes an ad-hoc combination of morphological criteria, the kinetics of development, and genetic testing for aneuploidy. However, no single criterion can ensure selection of a viable embryo. In contrast, RNA-sequencing of embryos could yield highly dimensional data, which may provide additional insight and illuminate the discrepancies among current selection criteria. Indeed, recent advances enabling the production of RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) libraries from single cells have facilitated the application of this technique to the study of some transcriptional events in early human development. However, these studies have not assessed the quality of their constituent embryos relative to commonly used embryological criteria. Here, we perform proof-of-principle advancement to clinical selection procedures by generating high quality RNA-seq libraries from a trophectoderm biopsy as well as the remaining whole embryo. We combine state-of-the-art embryological methods with low-input RNA-seq to develop the first transcriptome-wide approach for use in future predictive embryology studies. Specifically, we demonstrate the capacity of RNA-seq as a promising tool in preimplantation screening by showing that biopsies of an embryo can capture valuable information content available in the whole embryo from which they are derived. Furthermore, we show that this technique can be used to generate a RNA-based digital karyotype, and to identify candidate competence-associated genes. Together, these data establish the foundation for a future RNA-based diagnostic in IVF.

  Dataset EGAD00001005044

• Longitudinal profiling of the immune response to Plasmodium vivax in naive hosts by RNA-sequencing

  Plasmodium vivax offers unique challenges for control and elimination, and may prove a tougher hurdle to overcome than Plasmodium falciparum. And yet compared to P. falciparum we know very little about the innate and adaptive immune responses that need to be harnessed to reduce disease and transmission. We recently generated a blood bank of a new clonal field isolate of P. vivax (PvW1) for human challenge studies and used systems immunology tools to track the host response throughout infection and convalescence. As part of this study, RNA-sequencing was used to resolve changes in whole blood gene expression through time in 6 volunteers (7-9 time-points per volunteer). In summary, these data show that P. vivax induces two distinct transcriptional programmes in whole blood during and after infection. During infection, transcriptional profiling reveals the rapid mobilisation of an emergency myeloid response, which leads to systemic inflammation and the recruitment of all major T cell subsets into lymphoid tissues. Six days after infection, this innate response subsides and a transcriptional signature of proliferation is revealed. This most likely represents widespread activation of lymphocytes, which return to the circulation after parasite clearance - transcriptional profiling of T cells at this time-point could therefore reveal the outcomes of critical cell-cell interactions that take place within the spleen during infection. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/ .

  Dataset EGAD00001006924

• NHLBI TOPMed: My Life Our Future (MLOF) Research Repository of Patients with Hemophilia A (Factor VIII Deficiency) or Hemophilia B (Factor IX Deficiency)

  Hemophilia A and B are X-linked bleeding disorders resulting from a deficiency in coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX), respectively. Hemophilia affects approximately 1/5000 male births worldwide, and results in premature death and disability due to bleeding if coagulation factor replacement therapy is not used effectively. Hemophilia is clinically categorized by coagulation factor activity levels and ranges in severity from mild (6% to 30%) to moderate (1-5%) to severe (<1%). Many female "carriers" of hemophilia also have decreased factor activity and morbidity from bleeding. Hemophilia A and B are almost always caused by identifiable mutations in the F8 and F9 genes, respectively, and these mutations are found throughout the structural genes. Although the hemophilias are monogenic disorders, there are wide variations in disease severity and therapeutic outcomes which are not readily explained by the disease causing mutations alone. The My Life Our Future (MLOF) project (www.mylifeourfuture.org) is a national resource developed by a partnership of BloodworksNW (BWNW, formerly the Puget Sound Blood Center), the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN), the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) and Bioverativ, to provide free F8 and F9 gene variant analysis to patients with hemophilia A or B, and to establish a research repository of DNA sequence, DNA, RNA, buffy coat, serum and plasma. The sequence analysis and serum samples are linked to a phenotypic database hosted by ATHN, with samples submitted and clinical data entered at ~100 hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) nationwide. (See ATHN Research Report Brief in the resource center at www.athn.org). MLOF has become the largest hemophilia genetic project worldwide. The roles of the MLOF partners are: BWNW, to serve as the central laboratory for the project and house the research repository; ATHN, to support and provide the administrative link with HTCs, to facilitate the collection of accurate phenotypic data, to conduct research review and approval for use of the repository and with BWNW to provide samples and data for research projects; NHF, to provide consumer education and facilitate consumer input into the project; and Bioverativ, to provide financial support and scientific input. The project is governed by a Steering Committee consisting of one representative from each organization. Subject samples chosen from the MLOF parent study for TOPMed and WGS were drawn from those who gave (or parents gave) informed consent for the Research Repository and included patients of all severities and type, but with an emphasis on those with severe hemophilia and others at increased risk of neutralizing antibody (inhibitor) formation and who had samples in the Research Repository (plasma, serum, RNA) for potential additional -omic studies. Also included were samples from subjects where a likely causative variant for hemophilia was not found in the F8 or F9 coding region, intron-exon boundaries or immediate upstream and downstream regions. Since hemophilia is an X-linked disorder, the majority of subjects are male. Racial distribution is similar to the overall population distribution.

  Study phs001515

• RNA Expression in Diverse Donor Derived Dermal Fibroblasts Correlates with Reprogramming to Pluripotency

  The cohort used in this study includes 36 African American (17 female, 19 male) and 36 White American (19 female, 17 male) individuals. The total cohort has a median age of 32 years, with a range of 20-64 years. The African American cohort has a median age of 34, with a range of 21-52 years. The White American cohort has a median age of 31, with a range of 20-64 years. Primary dermal fibroblast lines were derived from skin biopsies obtained from adult individuals at the NIEHS under institutional review board approved protocol human subjects 10-E-0063, "Sample Collection Registry for Quality Control of Biological and Environmental Specimens and Assay Development and Testing protocol" (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01087307). All participants gave written informed consent for tissue donation. Donor sex, age, and ancestry were voluntarily self-reported. Fibroblast cells were reprogrammed via lentiviral transduction using six transcription factors contained in three plasmids (ADDGENE/PSIN4-EF2-N2L, ADDGENE/PSIN4-EF2-O2S and ADDGENE/PSIN4-CMV-K2M). Reprogramming efficiency was determined by alkaline phosphatase staining of triplicate 10cm reprogrammed dishes containing colonies, which were then scanned. The saved images were analyzed with ImageJ 1.51h (Wayne Rasband, National Institutes of Health, USA) to count colonies, using color threshold adjusted and binary converted images of each dish. Triplicate plates were averaged and reported as colony counts or percent reprogramming efficiency ((# of colonies/250,000) x100). The African American cohort had reprogramming efficiencies ranging from 0.06-1.37%, with a median of 0.655%. The White American cohort had reprogramming efficiencies ranging from 0.02-1.13%, with a median of 0.455%. Our goal was to define transcriptomic heterogeneity that could be contributing to differences in reprogramming efficiency between individuals and between groups. Total RNA was obtained from dermal fibroblasts and matched iPSCs. For each sample, 500 ng total RNA was used as input for preparation of whole transcriptome rRNA depleted libraries. An adapter-ligated library was prepared with the KAPA HyperPrep Kit (KAPA Biosystems, Wilmington, MA) using Bioo Scientific NEXTflex™ DNA Barcoded Adapters (Bioo Scientific, Austin, TX, USA) according to KAPA-provided protocol. Sequencing was performed using an Illumina HiSeq 2500 following Illumina-provided protocols for 2x150 bp paired-end sequencing. Each transcriptome was sequenced to a target depth of 125 million reads. The following mean raw reads were obtained: African American dermal fibroblasts= 129,571,450; White American dermal fibroblasts= 131,939,505; African American iPSCs= 132,501,335; White American iPSCs= 134,394,164. Raw reads were aligned to hg19 using the STAR alignment tool (https://github.com/alexdobin/STAR). The following mean aligned reads were obtained: African American dermal fibroblasts= 123,315,343; White American dermal fibroblasts= 125,178,035; African American iPSCs= 123,148,312; White American iPSCs= 123,886,992. Reprinted from L. C. Mackey et al., Epigenetic Enzymes, Age, and Ancestry Regulate the Efficiency of Human iPSC Reprogramming. Stem Cells 36, 1697-1708 (2018), with permission from Wiley. Reprinted from L. S. Bisogno et al., Ancestry-dependent gene expression correlates with reprogramming to pluripotency and multiple dynamic biological processes. Science Advances 6 (47) (2020) (PMID: 33219026), with permission from AAAS.

  Study phs002341

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Gene Discovery in Autosomal Dominant Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

  Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. The pathogenesis of FSGS has not been precisely defined and there are no consistently effective treatments. Recent studies identifying causal genes in rare, inherited FSGS, including our own study, have associated mutations in at least six genes with familial FSGS, and each discovery has clarified molecular mechanisms of glomerular injury. To build on this productive line of inquiry, we have ascertained and carefully characterized 118 families with familial FSGS. We have screened the remainder of our families for mutations in genes known to cause FSGS and identified the causal mutations in an additional 6 kindreds; the genetic basis of disease in the remaining 111 families is unknown. The objective of this proposal is to use this valuable and unique family resource to systematically identify causal genes for familial FSGS. Limitations of current conventional linkage and positional cloning approaches include their requirement for large, multiplex families. In addition, narrowing candidate areas in traditional linkage analysis can be difficult due to large regions that lack recombination events and hence these regions have required cumbersome and lengthy screening for causative mutations. Powerful new genetic tools can facilitate this screening process and improve variant discovery in smaller families. In particular, efficient whole-exome sequencing, the targeted capture of protein-coding gene sequences, should be particularly useful in our studies since most Mendelian disorders are caused by mutations affecting exomes of the target gene. Thus, by combining genome-wide linkage analysis (GWLS) and whole-exome sequencing, we can maximize impact of our family data and accelerate identification of novel mutations in FSGS. In preliminary studies, we have used this combination to identify a novel variant in the WT1 (Wilms' Tumor-1) gene in one FSGS family, and we have evidence suggesting it is the causal mutation. This success provides proof-of-concept and provides a roadmap of how genes will be identified and evaluated in the proposed studies. Our hypothesis is that causes of inherited FSGS in our cohort of families will be sequence variants in the coding region of genes not previously associated with familial FSGS. We aim to: 1) Use GWLS and whole-exome sequencing to identify genetic variants associated with familial FSGS. 2) Characterize functional consequences of candidate causative mutations and 3) Determine the prevalence in the Duke FSGS dataset of these new causative mutations identified in Aim 2. Any genes found to have causative mutations will be sequenced in the remaining families and take full advantage of our family resource. By combining genome-wide linkage analysis (GWLS), whole-exome sequencing, and characterization of variants' functional consequences, we will significantly improve understanding of normal glomerular biology and of the pathogenesis of FSGS and related glomerular diseases. Moreover, our discoveries are likely to reveal new opportunities to improve therapy for a disease that currently has few effective treatments.

  Study phs000777

• Heart Failure Network - Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition for Hyperuricemic Heart Failure Patients (HFN EXACT-BioLINCC)

  ObjectivesTo determine the effect of allopurinol after 24 weeks on a composite clinical endpoint that classifies subject's clinical status (improved, worsened, unchanged) in patients with heart failure and high uric acid levels.BackgroundMorbidity and mortality rates for patients with heart failure are high, despite guideline-recommended therapy. Heart failure is characterized by an imbalance between left ventricular (LV) performance and myocardial energy consumption. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests oxidative stress contributes to ventricular and vascular remodeling, and disease progression in heart failure. Targeting potential source(s) of oxidative stress, e.g. Xanthine oxidase (XO), was the focus of recent clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Increased XO activity has been shown to lead to production of superoxide and uric acid (UA). Serum uric acid levels are included in heart failure risk scores, and hyperuricemia is present in about 25% of patients with heart failure. Hyperuricemia is associated with exercise intolerance, reduced survival, and worsening symptoms. The EXACT-HF trial tested allopurinol, an inhibitor of XO, as a potential target therapy for hyperuricemic heart failure patients.Subjects253 subjects were enrolled in the EXACT-HF study. 128 participants were randomized to the allopurinol arm, and of those participants, 119 completed the trial and 9 did not. 125 participants were randomized to the placebo arm, and of those participants, 116 completed the trial and 9 did not.DesignEXACT-HF was a multi-center, double-blind, placebo controlled, 24-week trial of allopurinol. Eligible participants had to be receiving a stable regimen for at least two weeks (3 months for beta-blockers) prior to randomization. Participants were randomized by an automated system to either the allopurinol or placebo arm, and started treatment within 12 hours of completing the baseline visit. During the first week, participants in both treatment arms received 300mg daily of the respective medications. For the following 23 weeks, participants in both treatment arms received 600mg daily of the respective medications. Patients unable to tolerate 600 mg were maintained on 300 mg.The primary endpoint was a composite clinical endpoint (CCE) that classified a subject's clinical status as improved, worsened, or unchanged at 24 weeks. The CCE was determined based on the following: death; hospitalization, emergency room visit or emergent clinic visit for worsening HF; medication change for worsening HF; and Patient Global Assessment using a 7-point scale. Secondary endpoints at 12 and 24 weeks included changes in quality of life as assessed by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, and submaximal exercise capacity as assessed by a 6-minute walk test.ConclusionsParticipants who received allopurinol had significantly less serum uric acid laboratory levels after 24 weeks; however, no significant difference was observed in the primary and secondary endpoints between the allopurinol and placebo-treated patients. Therefore, in high-risk HF patients with reduced ejection fraction and elevated uric acid levels, xanthine oxidase inhibition with allopurinol failed to improve clinical status, exercise capacity, quality of life, or LVEF at 24 weeks (Circulation. 2015 May 19; 131(20):1763-71).

  Study phs003533

• A_study_of_the_genetic_basis_of_evation_by_Acute_Myeloid_Leukaemia_of_Graft_vs_Leukaemia_effects_after_allogeneic_bone_marrow_transplantation

  Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive and molecularly diverse disease with a poor overall survival of 20-25%. With an annual incidence of 2.9 per 100,000, AML is currently the commonest myeloid malignancy in Europe, yet the two main therapeutic options for this disease, anthracyclines and purine analogues, have remained unchanged for over 20 years. Currently patients are stratified at diagnosis according to a series of clinicopathological parameters (e.g. age, white cell count and presence/absence of previous clonal haematological disease) and molecular markers (e.g. chromosomal translocations/deletions, aneuploidy and mutations in genes such as FLT3 and NPM1). Patients with adverse prognostic features, whose prognosis is particularly poor (e.g. <15% long-term survival) are offered treatment with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) if a sibling or unrelated donor is available. This can significantly improve survival (e.g. up to 40% long-term survival in some contexts), albeit at the expense of significant toxicity and transplant-related mortality (TRM). Allo-BMT is thought to work in part by allowing the delivery of large doses of chemotherapy followed by haemopoietic "rescue" with donor haemopoietic stem cells (haemopoietic failure would otherwise ensue). However, potentially the most potent effect of allo-BMT is the cytotoxic effect of donor lymphocytes against AML blasts, a phenomenon known as graft-vs-leukaemia (GVL) effect. Increasingly, transplants using reduced chemotherapy intensity (mini-allografts) are being used that partially circumvent the toxicity from chemotherapy and rely on GVL to effect cure. Nevertheless, AML relapse after allo-BMT still occurs at a significant rate of up to 80% depending on the type of transplant. There is accumulating evidence that genetic events in residual leukaemic cells enable them to evade immunodetection and therefore survive the GVL effect and expand to cause relapse. The most striking example of this is the loss of HLA antigens after transplants in which donor and recipient are not fully HLA-matched. In these cases, the leukaemia "deletes" the genomic region containing the disparate HLA antigen which was preferentially targeted as "foreign" by the GVL effect. However, the genetic basis of immune evasion in the majority of transplants, which are fully HLA matched, is not known. One possibility is that loss of genes coding for antigens outside the HLA locus but which are also targets of GVL may operate, alternatively genetic events that affect processes downstream of immunological cytotoxicity may be responsible.The identification of genetic events that mediate immune evasion would not only facilitate the understanding of this process but can help plan therapeutic interventions that improve the outcomes of allogeneic transplantation for AML and other disorders. We intend to study this by conducting exome sequencing on 6 cases of AMLs from patients that attend my clinic at Addenbrooke's hospital and have relapsed after allogeneic transplantation. Samples from AML diagnosis, remission/normal and AML relapse (total n=18) will be studied to identify somatic mutations in the primary AML and those acquired by the relapsed clone. The 18 samples will also be studied by array CGH to detect regions of genomic amplification or deletion.

  Study EGAS00001000145

• Genomic Profiling Reveals Spatial Intra-tumour Heterogeneity in Follicular Lymphoma

  Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an incurable indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that behaves heterogeneously and is synonymous with the reciprocal translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21), leading to aberrant constitutive over-expression of BCL2 [ref]. High risk groups with poor overall survival include patients that transform to a high grade lymphoma, most commonly diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or progress early (within 2 years) of receiving treatment. Recently several studies have shed light on the diverse genomic landscape of FL, with frequently mutated genes including those involved in chromatin remodelling, (CREBBP, KMT2D, EZH2, EP300), immune modulation (TNFRSF14), JAK-STAT (STAT6, SOCS1), NF-ĸB (CARD11, MYD88, TNFAIP3) and mTORC1 signalling (RRAGC) [ref]. To date, the majority of these studies have either focussed on inter-patient genetic heterogeneity or established the extent of clonal heterogeneity as a patient’s tumour evolves over time. Furthermore, these temporal studies have alluded to the existence of a tumour-repopulating population (referred to as the common progenitor cell (CPC)) that evades treatment and acts as a reservoir, seeding each subsequent relapse and transformation event. Although these previous studies have illuminated the longitudinal clonal dynamics that occur in FL, our understanding of the degree of spatial or intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) that exists within an individual patient thus far remains limited. Earlier studies have predominantly focused on differences in cytological grade and immunophenotype between spatially separated lymph nodes and bone marrow, the most common site of extra-nodal involvement in FL, with genomic profiling restricted to examining somatic hypermutation patterns in IgVH genes [ref]. In contrast next generation sequencing has been increasingly utilised in solid organ malignancies to derive comprehensive genomic profiles from spatially separated sites. The seminal study by Gerlinger et al revealed profound differences in the genetic make-up between individual primary and metastatic sites of renal cell carcinoma [ref]. Significant heterogeneity has since been demonstrated both between and within lesions in the same patient in lung, pancreas and breast cancer with presumed driver mutations distributed within the “branches” of the evolutionary phylogenetic tree, suggesting that a single biopsy is incapable of capturing the full genomic heterogeneity of an individual’s malignancy [ref]. This geographical heterogeneity not only adds to the diverse pool of tumour subclones that may contribute to drug resistance mechanisms but importantly, presents a major obstacle for precision-based approaches focussed on targeting specific lesions within a single biopsy. In FL, the exponential increase in clinical trials using novel agents such as EZH2, PI3K and BTK inhibitors reflects this shift in cancer care and along with the development of molecular prognostic scores such as the m7-FLIPI highlights the clinical need to accurately define genomic alterations with clinical relevance. As the majority of FL patients manifest disseminated tumour involvement, we sought to uncover the extent and clinical importance of spatial heterogeneity in FL by comprehensively genetically profiling 22 synchronously removed spatially separated biopsies from 9 patients. Using a combination of whole exome and targeted deep sequencing, our results inferred the complex subclonal architecture within these tumours and the mutational differences between anatomical sites, demonstrating cases with significant intrinsic genetic diversity.

  Study EGAS00001002492

• Procardis study on novel susceptibility genes for coronary artery disease (CAD)

  An increased level of Lp(a) lipoprotein has been identified as a risk factor for coronary artery disease that is highly heritable. The genetic determinants of the Lp(a) lipoprotein level and their relevance for the risk of coronary disease are incompletely understood. METHODS: We used a novel gene chip containing 48,742 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 2100 candidate genes to test for associations in 3145 case subjects with coronary disease and 3352 control subjects. Replication was tested in three independent populations involving 4846 additional case subjects with coronary disease and 4594 control subjects. RESULTS: Three chromosomal regions (6q26-27, 9p21, and 1p13) were strongly associated with the risk of coronary disease. The LPA locus on 6q26-27 encoding Lp(a) lipoprotein had the strongest association. We identified a common variant (rs10455872) at the LPA locus with an odds ratio for coronary disease of 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49 to 1.95) and another independent variant (rs3798220) with an odds ratio of 1.92 (95% CI, 1.48 to 2.49). Both variants were strongly associated with an increased level of Lp(a) lipoprotein, a reduced copy number in LPA (which determines the number of kringle IV-type 2 repeats), and a small Lp(a) lipoprotein size. Replication studies confirmed the effects of both variants on the Lp(a) lipoprotein level and the risk of coronary disease. A meta-analysis showed that with a genotype score involving both LPA SNPs, the odds ratios for coronary disease were 1.51 (95% CI, 1.38 to 1.66) for one variant and 2.57 (95% CI, 1.80 to 3.67) for two or more variants. After adjustment for the Lp(a) lipoprotein level, the association between the LPA genotype score and the risk of coronary disease was abolished. CONCLUSIONS: We identified two LPA variants that were strongly associated with both an increased level of Lp(a) lipoprotein and an increased risk of coronary disease. Our findings provide support for a causal role of Lp(a) lipoprotein in coronary disease.

  Study EGAS00000000055

• Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC): ImmunoChip Study

  The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) was formed to address issues of limited sample size and consistency of phenotyping that had limited genetic investigations on risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The T1DGC first collected affected sib pair (ASP) families from four geographic networks (Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, United Kingdom). In addition, T1D cases and controls were ascertained from existing and de novo collections. The T1DGC assembled 2,601 T1D ASP families and 69 Parent-T1D offspring trios, T1D cases from the UK Genetic Resource Investigating Diabetes (UKGRID, N=6,670), and controls from the British 1958 Birth Cohort (B58BC, N=6,523), the UK National Blood Services collection (NBS, N=2,893) and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre BioResource (CBR, N=2,846). All samples included in this series have reported or self-declared European ancestry. All DNA samples were collected after approval from relevant institutional research ethics committees. Genotyping was performed using a custom Illumina Infinium high-density genotyping array, ImmunoChip (Illumina, Inc; CA) according to manufacturer's protocols. The ImmunoChip was designed to densely genotype, using 1000 Genomes and any other available disease specific resequencing data, immune-mediated disease loci identified by common variant GWAS. The ImmunoChip Consortium selected 186 distinct loci containing markers meeting genome wide significance criteria (P<5x10-8) from twelve such diseases (autoimmune thyroid disease, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, IgA deficiency, multiple sclerosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, T1D and ulcerative colitis). All 1000 Genomes Project pilot phase CEU population variants (Sept 2009 release) within 0.1cM (HapMap3 CEU) recombination blocks around each GWAS region lead marker were submitted for array design. No filtering on correlated variants (linkage disequilibrium) was applied. Additional content included regional resequencing data (submitted by several groups) as well as a small proportion of investigator-specific undisclosed content including intermediate GWAS results. After data cleaning and quality control, a total of 154,939 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 186 loci on ImmunoChip were scored. Case-control and family data were analyzed independently and combined by meta-analysis.

  Study phs000911

• Genome-Wide Association Study of Genetic Susceptibility for Graft-vs-Host Disease Cohort 1

  Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) is the only curative therapy for many advanced hematologic malignancies. Allo-HSCT is associated with significant morbidities and mortality, mainly because of the graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) caused by donor T cells recognizing antigens present in recipient tissues, and initiating an alloimmune response resulting in damage to many organs including the skin, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and liver in recipient. More than half of all Allo-HSCT recipients develop different degrees of GVHD (grades I-IV). About 20% of recipients develop severe GVHD (grades III-IV) that is associated with a very high morbidity and mortality. The most important factor determining the severity of GVHD is the genetic disparities between donors and recipients, as is reflected in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes that are routinely checked for donor selection. Even when donors and recipients are HLA-identical, many recipients develop severe GVHD. As a result, non-HLA antigens are important determinants of acute GVHD. An interesting and unique aspect of GVHD is that it is the consequence of an interaction between antigens present in one individual with the immune system of another individual. As a result, genotypes of both donor and recipient, and their interactions affect the pathogenesis of GVHD. To determine the genetic risk factors for GVHD, in the first aim (discovery phase), we will conduct Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) in 3,000 patients who underwent Allo-HSCT and in their respective donors (6000 DNA samples) that are provided to us by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), a research collaboration between the NMDP and Medical College of Wisconsin. In the second aim, we will validate the association between high risk genotypes detected in the first aim and severe GVHD in 1,750 donors and 1,750 recipients of Allo-HSCT, and perform the joint analysis with the discovery samples. In the third aim, we will investigate the functional effect of SNPs detected and validated to be significantly correlated with the severity of acute GVHD in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), as an ex vivo surrogate for an alloimmune response.

  Study phs002185

• Histological Transformation and Progression in Follicular Lymphoma: a Clonal Evolution Study

  Background: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent, yet incurable B-cell malignancy. A subset of patients experience increased mortality rate driven by two distinct clinical end points: histological transformation and early progression after immuno-chemotherapy. The nature of tumor clonal dynamics leading to these clinical endpoints is poorly understood and previously determined genetic alterations do not explain the majority of transformed cases or accurately predict early progressive disease. We contend that detailed knowledge of the expansion patterns of specific cell populations plus their associated mutations would provide insight into therapeutic strategies and disease biology over the timecourse of FL clinical histories. Methods and Findings: Using a combination of whole genome sequencing, targeted deep sequencing and digital droplet PCR on matched diagnostic and relapse specimens, we deciphered the constituent clonal populations in n=15 transformation patients and n=6 progressors, and measured their change in abundance over time. We observed widely divergent patterns of clonal dynamics in transformed cases relative to progressed cases. Transformation specimens were generally composed of clones that were rare or absent in diagnostic specimens, consistent with dramatic clonal expansions that came to dominate the transformation specimen. This pattern was independent of time to transformation and treatment modality. By contrast, progression specimens were composed of clones that were already present in the diagnostic specimens and exhibited only moderate clonal dynamics, even in the presence of immuno-chemotherapy. Analysis of somatic mutations impacting 94 genes was undertaken in a validation cohort consisting of 395 samples from 277 patients in order to decipher disrupted biology in the two clinical endpoints. We found 12 genes were more commonly mutated in transformed samples than in preceding FL, including TP53, B2M, CCND3, GNA13, S1PR2 and P2RY8. Moreover, 10 genes were more commonly mutated in diagnostic specimens of early progressors including TP53, BTG1, MKI67 and XBP1. Conclusions: Our results illuminate contrasting modes of evolution shaping the clinical histories of transformation and progression. They have implication for interpretation of evolutionary dynamics in the context of treatment-induced selective pressures, and indicate that transformation and progression will require different clinical management strategies.

  Study EGAS00001001709

• A small cell lung cancer genome reports complex tobacco exposure signatures

  Cancer is driven by mutation. Worldwide, tobacco smoking is the major lifestyle exposure that causes cancer, exerting carcinogenicity through 60 chemicals that bind and mutate DNA. Using massively parallel sequencing technology, we sequenced a small cell lung cancer cell line, NCI-H209, to explore the mutational burden associated with tobacco smoking. 22,910 somatic substitutions were identified, including 132 in coding exons. Multiple mutation signatures testify to the cocktail of carcinogens in tobacco smoke and their proclivities for particular bases and surrounding sequence context. Effects of transcription-coupled repair and a second, more general expression-linked repair pathway were evident. We identified a tandem duplication that duplicates exons 3-8 of CHD7 in-frame, and another two lines carrying PVT1-CHD7 fusion genes, suggesting that CHD7 may be recurrently rearranged in this disease. These findings illustrate the potential for next-generation sequencing to provide unprecedented insights into mutational processes, cellular repair pathways and gene networks associated with cancer.

  Study EGAS00000000051

• Geographical structure and differential natural selection among North European populations

  European populations and epidemiological cohorts are of special significance in the current era of genomic research aiming to characterize the background of common human diseases. The genome sequence, detailed information of genetic variations between individuals, high-throughput molecular technologies and novel statistical strategies create new possibilities to define genetic and life-style risk factors behind common health problems. Studies of large population cohorts are needed to transform the genetic information to detailed understanding of the predisposing factors in diseases affecting most human populations. European twin cohorts provide a unique competitive advantage for investigations of the role of genetics and environment or life style in the etiology of common diseases. This project will apply and develop new molecular and statistical strategies to analyze unique European twin and other population cohorts to define and characterise the genetic, environmental and life-style components in the background of health problems like obesity, migraine, coronary heart disease and stroke, representing major health care problems worldwide.

  Study EGAS00000000033

• HG_Retroduplications_in_Neurodevelopmental_Disorders

  Mobile genetic Elements (MEs) are pieces of DNA which, through an RNA intermediate, can generate new copies of themselves elsewhere in the host genome. Additionally, MEs can facilitate the duplication of non-ME transcripts, typically genes, through the mechanism of retroduplication. In humans, several disorders have been directly attributed to ME-derived mutagenesis but not to retroduplication events. We propose to whole genome sequence the 7 individuals with putative de novo gene retroduplications in order to identify the site of insertion. This sequencing will serve two primary purposes: 1.) Identify the first documented case of a de novo retrogene insertion event causing a disease in humans 2.) provide additional whole genome sequencing of undiagnosed probands recruited into the DDD This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001002907

• Origination of Ovarian Cancer is Dependent on Specific Aneuploidy Landscape

  Ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), a highly chromosomally instable malignancy, develops through sequential stages of precursors in fallopian tubes including histologically unremarkable but TP53 mutated clones (p53 signature) and serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). Here, we applied RealSeqS to assess aneuploidy in 127 microdissected tubal regions. We found nearly all p53 signatures lost the entire Chr17 chromosome, offering a “two-hit” mechanism of both TP53 and BRCA1 in BRCA1 germline mutation carriers. Proliferatively active STICs harbor gains of 19q12 (CCNE1), 19q13.2, 8q24 (MYCyc), or 8q arm, while proliferatively dormant STICs show 22q loss. Based on aneuploidy patterns in a training set (n= 67), we developed an algorithm, REAL-FAST, to classify NFTE and STICs into 5 clusters. In an independent validation set (n= 72), REAL-FAST was able to detect STIC/HGSC with high sensitivity and specificity. Taken together, REAL-FAST promises a molecular test for diagnosing HGSC precursor lesions based on specific aneuploidy patterns.

  Study EGAS00001007220

• Oxidative DNA damage and ubiquitin proteasome system dysfunction underpins neurodegeneration in young adults with a DNA repair disorder

  Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is caused by defective nucleotide excision-repair of DNA damage. This results in hypersensitivity to ultraviolet light and increased skin cancer risk, as sunlight-induced photoproducts remain unrepaired. However, many XP patients also display early-onset neurodegeneration, which leads to premature death. The mechanism of neurodegeneration is unknown. Here, we investigate XP neurodegeneration using pluripotent stem cells derived from XP patients and healthy relatives, performing functional multi-omics on samples during neuronal differentiation. We have identified substantially increased levels of 5',8-cyclopurine and 8-oxopurine in XP neuronal DNA secondary to marked oxidative stress. Furthermore, we find endoplasmic reticulum stress is upregulated, and, critically, XP neurons exhibit inappropriate downregulation of the protein clearance ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Chemical enhancement of UPS activity improves phenotypes, albeit inadequately, implying that early detection/prevention strategies are necessary to produce clinically impactful outcomes. Thus, we develop an early detection assay predicting neurodegeneration in at-risk patients.

  Study EGAS50000000160

• Oxidative DNA damage and ubiquitin proteasome system dysfunction underpins neurodegeneration in young adults with a DNA repair disorder

  Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is caused by defective nucleotide excision-repair of DNA damage. This results in hypersensitivity to ultraviolet light and increased skin cancer risk, as sunlight-induced photoproducts remain unrepaired. However, many XP patients also display early-onset neurodegeneration, which leads to premature death. The mechanism of neurodegeneration is unknown. Here, we investigate XP neurodegeneration using pluripotent stem cells derived from XP patients and healthy relatives, performing functional multi-omics on samples during neuronal differentiation. We have identified substantially increased levels of 5',8-cyclopurine and 8-oxopurine in XP neuronal DNA secondary to marked oxidative stress. Furthermore, we find endoplasmic reticulum stress is upregulated, and, critically, XP neurons exhibit inappropriate downregulation of the protein clearance ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Chemical enhancement of UPS activity improves phenotypes, albeit inadequately, implying that early detection/prevention strategies are necessary to produce clinically impactful outcomes. Thus, we develop an early detection assay predicting neurodegeneration in at-risk patients.

  Study EGAS50000000162

• Oxidative DNA damage and ubiquitin proteasome system dysfunction underpins neurodegeneration in young adults with a DNA repair disorder

  Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is caused by defective nucleotide excision-repair of DNA damage. This results in hypersensitivity to ultraviolet light and increased skin cancer risk, as sunlight-induced photoproducts remain unrepaired. However, many XP patients also display early-onset neurodegeneration, which leads to premature death. The mechanism of neurodegeneration is unknown. Here, we investigate XP neurodegeneration using pluripotent stem cells derived from XP patients and healthy relatives, performing functional multi-omics on samples during neuronal differentiation. We have identified substantially increased levels of 5',8-cyclopurine and 8-oxopurine in XP neuronal DNA secondary to marked oxidative stress. Furthermore, we find endoplasmic reticulum stress is upregulated, and, critically, XP neurons exhibit inappropriate downregulation of the protein clearance ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Chemical enhancement of UPS activity improves phenotypes, albeit inadequately, implying that early detection/prevention strategies are necessary to produce clinically impactful outcomes. Thus, we develop an early detection assay predicting neurodegeneration in at-risk patients.

  Study EGAS50000000158

• Karyotype Evolution in Response to Chemoradiotherapy and Upon Recurrence of Esophageal Adenocarcinomas

  The genome of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is highly unstable and might evolve over time. Here, we track karyotype evolution in EACs in response to treatment and upon recurrence through multi-region and longitudinal analysis. To this end, we introduce L-PAC, a bio-informatics technique that allows inference of absolute copy number aberrations (CNA) of low-purity samples by leveraging information of high-purity samples from the same cancer. Quantitative analysis of matched absolute CNAs reveals that the amount of karyotype evolution induced by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is predictive for early recurrence and depends on the initial level of karyotype intra-tumor heterogeneity. We observe that CNAs acquired in response to CRT are partially reversed back to the initial state upon recurrence. CRT hence alters the fitness landscape to which tumors can adjust by adapting their karyotype. Together, our results indicate that karyotype plasticity contributes to therapy resistance of EACs.

  Study EGAS00001007711