14312 results for ""Pennsylvania+German"+ACS+study+'Socius'+open+access"

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• A benchmarking resource for NGS testing of cancer predisposition genes

  A benchmarking resource of 639 individuals, to assess the analytical sensitivity of cancer predisposition gene (CPG) testing.The dataset includes sequencing data generated using the TruSight Cancer Panel (TSCP) a targeted NGS assay for analysis of CPGs and orthogonally generated data supporting at least one pathogenic variant in a CPG for a total of 645 pathogenic CPG variants.The set of pathogenic CPG variants includes strong representation of some of the most challenging types of pathogenic variants, with 339 indels, including 16 complex indels and 24 insertions or deletions with length greater than 5bp, and 74 exon CNVs, including 23 single exon CNVs. There are 502 pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2, making this an important first-line validation dataset for laboratories performing NGS testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2.

  Study EGAS00001002993

• Synthetic data - Genome in a Bottle

  In May, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its first genome in a bottle, a reference sample of DNA for validating human genome sequences. This so-called truth sequence comes from a decades-old sample donated by a Utah woman for (other) research purposes (NA12878 cell line), which, over the years, has been one of the most studied, and hence best-characterized, human samples. Seeing genomic medicine moving toward mainstream healthcare, researchers at NIST recognized the need for a reference human genome and assembled a private-public consortium in 2012 to create one. As detailed in a 2014 Nature Biotechnology paper (Nat. Biotechnol.32, 246–251, 2014), the group integrated and arbitrated among sequences from 14 data sets, five sequencing technologies, seven read mappers and three variant callers.

  Study EGAS00001005591

• Correction of a Factor VIII genomic inversion with designer recombinases

  Despite advances in nuclease-based genome editing technologies, correcting human disease-causing genomic inversions remains a challenge. Here, we describe the potential use of a recombinase-based system to correct the 140 kb inversion of the F8 gene frequently found in patients diagnosed with severe Hemophilia A. Employing substrate-linked directed molecular evolution, we developed a coupled heterodimeric recombinase system (RecF8) achieving 30% inversion of the target sequence in human tissue culture cells. Transient RecF8 treatment of endothelial cells, differentiated from patient derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of a hemophilic donor, resulted in 12% correction of the inversion and restored Factor VIII mRNA expression. Our data suggests that designer-recombinases may represent efficient and specific means towards treatment of monogenic diseases caused by large gene inversions.

  Study EGAS00001005496

• Integrative Profiling of T790M Negative EGFR Mutated NSCLC Reveals Pervasive Lineage Transition and Therapeutic Opportunities

  We performed whole exome and transcriptome analysis of 59 first- and second-generation EGFR TKI resistant metastatic EGFR mutated patients to characterize and compare molecular alterations mediating resistance in T790M positive and negative disease. Transcriptomic analysis revealed ubiquitous loss of adenocarcinoma lineage gene expression in T790M negative tumors, orthogonally validated using multiplex immunohistochemistry. There was enrichment of genomic features such as TP53 alterations, 3q chromosomal amplifications, whole genome doubling and non-aging mutational signatures in T790M negative tumors. Almost half of resistant tumors were further classified as Immunehot, with clinical outcomes conditional on immune cell infiltration state and T790M status. Finally, using a Bayesian statistical approach, we explored how T790M negative and positive disease might be predicted using comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic profiles of treatment-naïve patients.

  Study EGAS00001005389

• Mullighan - PAX5-driven Subtypes

  Using integrated genomic analysis of 1.988 childhood and adult cases, we describe a revised taxonomy of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which incorporates 23 subtypes defined by chromosomal rearrangements, sequence mutations, or heterogeneous genomic alterations. Two subtypes have frequent alterations of the B lymphoid transcription factor gene PAX5. One, PAX5alt, has diverse PAX5 alterations, and a second subtype is defined by a single mutation, PAX5 P80R. We show that P80R impairs B lymphoid development and promotes the development of B-ALL in vivo. These results demonstrate the utility of transcriptome sequencing to classify B-ALL and reinforce the central role of PAX5 as a checkpoint in B lymphoid maturation and leukemogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001003266

• Neuroblastoma tumor heterogeneity and cell plasticity (from PDX and cell lines)

  Two cell identities, noradrenergic and mesenchymal, have been characterized in neuroblastoma cell lines according to their epigenetic landscapes relying on specific core regulatory circuitries of transcription factors. Yet, their relationship and relative contribution in patient tumors remain to be defined. Here, we document a spontaneous plasticity between the noradrenergic and mesenchymal identities in a subset of cell lines. Strikingly, mesenchymal neuroblastoma cells revert to a noradrenergic phenotype in vivo. Consistently, tumor cells with a mesenchymal identity are detected in single-cell transcriptomic analyses of neuroblastoma tumors and PDX models. Our data also highlight neuroblastoma intra-tumor heterogeneity with the co-existence of distinct tumor populations, including sympathoblast-like and chromaffin-like cells suggesting that neuroblastoma cells arise from a common sympatho-adrenal progenitor.

  Study EGAS00001004781

• Personalised therapy with MEK inhibition leads to a sustained complete response in an adolescent patient with a recurrent malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

  The prognosis of recurrent malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) is dismal, with surgical resection being the only definitive salvage therapy. Treatment with chemo-radiation approaches has not significantly improved patient outcomes. Similarly, trials of therapies targeting MPNST genomic drivers have thus far been unsuccessful. Improved understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of MPNST indicates frequent activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cell signaling pathway. MEK inhibitors have shown activity in preclinical studies; however, their clinical efficacy has not been reported to date. We describe here a case of sustained complete response to MEK inhibition in an adolescent patient with a recurrent metastatic MPNST with multiple alterations in the MAPK pathway, guided by a precision oncology approach.

  Study EGAS00001004899

• Germline variant analysis in childhood AML

  Analysis of rare germline variants in childhood AML in a large panel of cancer predisposition genes (n=216) compiled from literature review, and including genes involved in familial hematological malignancies (HM) and bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes. The prevalence of extremely rare variants in the combined childhood AML cohort (n=72) was compared to that in the Medical Genome Reference Bank (MGRB; n=2570) comprising individuals aged at least 70 years with no history of cardiovascular disease, dementia or cancer. This showed a significant increase of rare alleles in childhood AML for 100% of subset comparisons. Next additional stringent filtering was applied to determine predicted damaging germline predisposition variants. Overall, 21% of the Australian cohort and 25% of the TARGET cohort presented germline variants predicted to be damaging predisposition variants.

  Study EGAS00001006276

• Single cell whole genome sequencing of high hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  This dataset was collected from viable bone marrow cells obtained at diagnosis from nine patients with high hyperdiploid ALL and one normal bone marrow sample. All samples were subjected to low pass single cell whole genome sequencing with the median sequencing coverage of 0.02x. Single nuclei in G0/G1 phase were isolated using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) cytometer. DNA libraries were constructed and associated next-generation sequencing was carried out by European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Further details regarding the DNA libraries construction are available by Bos et. al., 2019 (https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007/978-1-4939-8931-7_15). The dataset has been used for copy number aberrations analysis.

  Study EGAS00001006347

• Pathogenic variants damage cell compositions and single cell transcription in cardiomyopathies

  Pathogenic variants in genes that cause dilated (DCM) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies (ACM) convey high risks for the development of heart failure (HF) through unknown mechanisms. Using single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq), we characterized the transcriptome of 880,000 nuclei from 18 control and 61 failing, non-ischemic human hearts with pathogenic variants in DCM and ACM genes or idiopathic disease. We performed genotype-stratified analyses of the ventricular cell lineages and transcriptional states. The resultant DCM and ACM ventricular cell atlas demonstrated distinct right and left ventricular responses, highlighting genotype-associated pathways, intercellular interactions, and differential gene expression at single cell resolution. Together these data illuminate both shared and distinct cellular and molecular architectures of human HF and suggest novel candidate therapeutic targets.

  Study EGAS00001006374

• Upper respiratory microbiome of COVID-19 patients

  Understanding the pathology of COVID-19 is a global research priority. Early evidence suggests that the microbiome may be playing a role in disease progression, yet current studies report contradictory results. Here, we examine potential confounders in COVID-19 microbiome studies by analyzing the upper respiratory tract microbiome in well-phenotyped COVID-19 patients and controls combining microbiome sequencing, viral load determination, and immunoprofiling. We found that time in the intensive care unit and the type of oxygen support explained the most variation within the upper respiratory tract microbiome, dwarfing (non-significant) effects from viral load, disease severity, and immune status. Specifically, mechanical ventilation was linked to altered community structure, lower species- and higher strain-level diversity, and significant shifts in oral taxa previously associated with COVID-19.

  Study EGAS00001004951

• Single-cell multi-omics of relapse/refractory multiple myeloma patients (Hipo K08K/H067/K43R)

  Therapy resistance in cancers is ingrained in complex clonal dynamics. While the major clonal population in a tumour might respond well to the employed intervention, minor clones will eventually mutate, consequently acquiring a selective advantage and drug resistance. Hence, to improve cancer therapy, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms behind clonal evolution. Here, we applied single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics, as well as whole-genome sequencing to 15 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). By profiling longitudinal samples throughout varying treatment regimens, we were able to interrogate patterns of evolution across patients. In particular, by defining clones based on copy number aberrations (CNAs), we found evidence for the majority of clones being diminished but not fully eradicated during treatment.

  Study EGAS00001006538

• Longitudinal monitoring of cell-free DNA methylation in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients

  Here, we performed genome-wide 5-mC profiling in plasma of metastatic ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. We established a strategy to identify ALK-specific 5-mC changes from cfDNA and demonstrated the suitability of the identified markers for cancer detection, prognosis and therapy monitoring. Longitudinal plasma samples (n = 79) of 21 ALK-positive NSCLC patients and 13 healthy donors were collected alongside 15 ALK-positive tumor tissue and 10 healthy lung tissue specimens. All plasma and tissue samples were analyzed by cell-free DNA methylation immunoprecipitation sequencing to generate genome-wide 5-mC profiles. Information on genomic alterations (i.e., somatic mutations/fusions and copy number alterations) determined in matched plasma samples were available from previous studies.

  Study EGAS00001006573

• Persistent Mutation Burden Drives Sustained Anti-Tumor Immune Responses

  Tumor mutation burden is an imperfect proxy of tumor foreignness and has therefore failed to consistently demonstrate clinical utility in predicting responses in the context of immunotherapy. We evaluated mutations in regions of the genome that are unlikely to undergo loss and discovered that clonal mutations in single-copy regions and those present in multiple copies per cell constitute a persistent tumor mutation burden (pTMB) that is linked with therapeutic response to immune checkpoint blockade. Persistent mutations were retained in the context of tumor evolution under selective pressure of immunotherapy and tumors with a high pTMB content were characterized by a more inflamed tumor microenvironment. pTMB imposes an evolutionary bottleneck that cancer cells cannot overcome and may thus drive sustained immunologic tumor control in the context of immunotherapy.

  Study EGAS00001006660

• The Iberian Roma genetic variant server

  The Roma are the most numerous ethnic minority in Europe. The Iberian Roma arrived in the Iberian Peninsula five centuries ago and still today, they keep a strong group identity. Demographic and cultural reasons lie behind a high rate of Mendelian disease often related to founder variants. We have analysed exome data from 119 Iberian Roma individuals collected from 2018 to 2020. A database of variant frequency has been implemented (IRPVS) and made available online. We have analysed the carrier rate of founder private alleles as well as pathogenic variants present in the general population. Significant enrichment in structural variants involving gene clusters related to keratinization and epidermal growth suggest that evolutive mechanisms have developed towards climate and environmental adaptation. IRPVS can be accessed at http://irpvs.clinbioinfosspa.es/

  Study EGAS00001006758

• Lung Adenocarcinoma Promotion by Air Pollutants

  A complete understanding of how environmental carcinogenic exposures promote cancer formation is lacking. Over 70 years ago, tumour formation was proposed to occur in a two step process: an initiating step which induces mutations in normal tissue, followed by a promoter step which triggers cancer development. Recent evidence has revealed healthy human tissue contains a patchwork of clones harbouring oncogenic mutations.This led us to hypothesise that environmental particulate matter measuring PM2.5, known to be associated with lung cancer risk, might promote lung cancer by acting on pre-existing cells harbouring oncogenic mutations in normal lung tissue. Here we use a combination of WGS and RNA-seq of mouse tumours from pollution-exposed mice to examine the impact of particulate matter on mutagenesis and gene expression respectively.

  Study EGAS00001006951

• GCparagon: Evaluation and correction of GC biases in cell-free DNA at the fragment level

  We present GCparagon, a two-stage algorithm for computing and correcting GC biases in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples. The length of the highly fragmented cfDNAs and the number of GC bases are essential parameters in the calculations. Regions of low mappability, known reference genome assembly errors and regions surrounding assembly gaps are excluded from the bias computation. GCparagon outputs a bias matrix and an optional tagged BAM file with GC bias balance weights as alignment tags. Parallelization allows calculation of a GC bias estimate in less than 2 minutes per sample with between 99.0% and 99.9% of fragments already corrected. We propose that GCparagon can help standardize cfDNA applications and evaluate the impact of GC bias on algorithms used in the analysis of liquid biopsy data.

  Study EGAS00001006963

• Evolutionary landscape of clonal hematopoiesis in 3359 individuals from the general population

  This project contains longitudinal data for processed somatic variant calls and data on core phenotypic variables for 3359 community-based individuals ≥60 years, a sub-cohort of the population-based Lifelines cohort (167,729 participants). Cases with peripheral blood count abnormalities and population-based controls were included. Next-generation sequencing data were generated with a median time period of 43 months between baseline and follow-up visit. For 327 individuals a third visit sample was included. Error-corrected sequencing was performed using single-molecule tagged molecular inversion probes targeting 27 myeloid and lymphoid driver genes. The threshold for variant calling was set at ≥1% VAF and ≥10 consensus variant reads. Details on sample selection, sequencing technique, variant calling procedures and data curation are described (van Zeventer et al. 2023).

  Study EGAS00001007087

• ATAC-Seq of inflamed and non-inflamed biopsies

  Inflamed and non-inflamed biopsies were digested for 45 minutes at 37ºC with collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum (Sigma). Suspension cells were then stained with an antibody cocktail to sort live CD8-CD4+ T cells. After isolating crude nuclei of two thousand live CD4+ T cells, they 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 EGAS00001007344

• Single cell transcriptomics of human adrenal gland reveal chromosomal alterations in adrenocortical cells

  Adrenocortical cells get replenished throughout our lifetime and as such they are a cellular population of high interest in relation to adrenocortical tumours. Single cell transcriptomics of human adrenal gland were performed to identify rare subpopulations of cells, dynamics of cellular turnover and clone expansions in the adrenal cortex. The adrenal gland of this particular individual is characterized by the presence of mutant clone charecterized by aneuploidy in chromosomes 8, 9, 13 and 22, occupying the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata. Differential expression analysis of the mutant cells revealed upregulation of MC2R (adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor), CYP21A2, HSD3B2 genes (enzymes involved in cortisol production). Overall, this donor sample is an example of clonal tissue expansions carrying chromosomal rearrangements that likely impact organ morphology and function but are seemingly benign.

  Study EGAS00001007488

• Genomics Define Malignant Transformation in Myeloma Precursor Conditions

  Multiple myeloma (MM) is consistently preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). While these precursor conditions are asymptomatic, they are not entirely benign and carry a lifelong risk of progression to MM. Unlike other cancers defined by pathology, malignant transformation from MGUS or SMM to MM has so far relied on demonstration of clinical end-organ damage as morphology and cytogenetics cannot reliably distinguish them. In this study, using genomic data from 374 patients with MGUS or SMM (277 training, 97 validation), to our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time the ability to identify malignant transformation in MGUS and SMM. We introduce the concept of genomic MM and genomic MGUS to differentiate the subsets of MGUS and SMM that are biologically malignant with genomic features indistinguishable from MM from the subset that is premalignant and unlikely to progress to malignancy. Importantly, we find that most SMM has biological features of malignant transformation indistinguishable from MM. As expected, this subset that we consider having genomic MM is associated with a high risk of progression to MM although some patients remained progression-free beyond 5 years. Conversely, 60% of MGUS and 10% of SMM have no evidence of malignant transformation (genomic MGUS), with no progression during follow-up. Integration of genomic features with the 2/20/20 International Myeloma Working Group model significantly improved the prediction of progression among genomic MM. These findings support the use of genomic criteria to refine the classification and the risk stratification in myeloma precursor conditions.

  Dataset EGAD00001015768

• Defining T cell States Associated with Response to Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Melanoma

  Checkpoint blockade therapy using antibodies targeting CTLA4, PD1 or PDL1 have changed the way cancer patients with advanced disease are being treated, as evident by their FDA approval in a wide variety of malignancies, and their ability to induce high response rates when compared to conventional therapies (e.g. chemotherapy). However, even in melanoma, despite the high response rate, most patients are refractory to therapy or acquire resistance in 10-12 months. To identify key immunological elements coupled with response or resistance to checkpoint immunotherapy, we performed an unbiased analysis on 16,291 CD45+ immune cells from 32 patients (48 samples) treated with checkpoint therapy (anti-PD1=37; anti-PD1/CTLA4=11), using single cell transcriptomics. Initial unsupervised clustering of all CD45+ cells identified 11 clusters. When examining the association of these clusters with clinical outcome, we found that two clusters (B-cells, p=0.005; memory T-cells, p=0.03) were significantly enriched in responder lesions while 4 clusters (monocytes/macrophages, p=0.003; dendritic cells, p=0.015; exhausted CD8+ T-cells, p=0.005; and exhausted/cell-cycle lymphocytes, 1.3x10-5) are enriched in non-responder lesions. Next, by leveraging our unbiased single cell approach, we identified not only clusters but also specific markers associated with either responder lesions (PLAC8, LTB, LY9, SELL, TCF7, IGKC and CCR7) or non-responder ones (CCL3, CD38, HAVCR2, ENTPD1 and WARS), many of which were not previously reported to be associated with clinical outcome to checkpoint therapy. Due to the importance of CD8+ T-cells in controlling tumors, the significant association of T-cell states with clinical outcome, and their high abundance in melanoma tumors, we next focused our analysis on CD8+ T-cells and identified 2 main clusters CD8_G (with increased expression of genes linked to memory) and CD8_B (enriched for genes linked to cell dysfunction), that were significantly enriched in responder (CD8_G, p=1.4x10-6) and non-responder (CD8_B, p=0.005) lesions, respectively. Since cells with both states coexist in each of the responder and non-responder lesions, we decided to calculate the ratio between the number of cells in these 2 clusters and observed a significant separation between responders (CD8_G/CD8_B>1) and non-responders (CD8_G/CD8_B<1) when looking at all samples, baseline or post samples separately. Similar results were detected when looking at the expression of a single transcription factor, TCF7, in CD8 T-cells in an independent cohort (n=43) using a simple immunofluorescence assay. Additionally, we validated the identity and function of some of the newly identified cell states as well as their epigenetic landscape, and found that cells expressing the inhibitory molecules CD39 and TIM3, on top of being enriched in non-responder lesions, are likely to play a crucial role in T-cell exhaustion in melanoma. Collectively, our study provides extensive unbiased data in human tumors for discovery of predictors and therapeutic targets to checkpoint immunotherapy.

  Study phs001680

• Whole-Genome Sequencing in Multiplex Epilepsy Families

  Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic disorders, affecting approximately 4% of individuals at some time in their lives. More than 30% of people with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite treatment, and improved approaches to treatment and prevention are sorely needed. In the search for new strategies to reduce the burden of disease, the discovery of specific genes that influence risk offers a novel opportunity to clarify pathogenic mechanisms, identify susceptible individuals prior to seizure onset, and treat and prevent seizures in people at risk. Despite clear evidence of the importance of genetics in susceptibility to epilepsy, only limited progress has been made in identifying the specific genes that influence risk. One of the greatest challenges for genetic research on this disorder is its extreme clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Although epilepsy is broadly defined by recurrent unprovoked seizures, it is so variable in its clinical manifestations, natural history, and treatment response that most epileptologists view it as a collection of different syndromes ("epilepsies") with distinct etiologies. The genetic effects on susceptibility are also likely to be extremely variable, ranging from rare variants with high penetrance (some of which produce Mendelian patterns of inheritance) to common variants with low penetrance. Recent findings strongly suggest that rare gene variants play a major role in the genetic architecture of the epilepsies. The purpose of this study was to discover new genetic risk factors for epilepsy. The primary approach was to use whole-genome sequencing to interrogate classes of genetic variants, including very rare variants, in multiplex families. Our main hypothesis was that, in at least some proportion of these families, a single variant would explain all instances of epilepsy. Variants identified within the families could then be tested for cosegregation within the family and also validated by seeing enrichment in sporadic epilepsy cases. Furthermore, understanding the impact of rare variation in epilepsy also has the potential to provide insight into the genetic architecture of other complex human diseases. Our analysis focused on families containing multiple individuals with non-acquired (idiopathic or unknown cause) epilepsy under the hypothesis that these would be enriched for genetic control. The families studied had been previously collected and phenotyped in detail, and contain an average of 3.8 individuals per family with a range of different types of epilepsy. We selected one or two affected individuals from each family for sequencing. This work has generated NGS data on 60 samples from 29 multiplex epilepsy families. We have established that, under a monogenic model of inheritance, sequencing pairs of distantly related relatives is an effective method for reducing the number of candidate variants. Critically, we have found that no single variant can explain a large proportion of these epilepsy families. This work emphasizes that identifying causal variants among the many genetic candidates found in this work will require very large sample sizes and gene-based analyses.

  Study phs000690

• Robust detection of translocations in lymphoma FFPE samples using Targeted Locus Capture-based sequencing

  Chromosomal translocations with immunoglobin (IG) loci are the classic drivers in a large subset of B-cell lymphomas. Detection of these translocations is important for confirmation of diagnosis and for prognosis and therapy decisions. Currently, molecular diagnosis of translocations in lymphomas is not addressed well by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The standard method for detection of translocations is Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), which is labor-intensive, and can be difficult to interpret. There is a need for a robust technology that can be standardized. Targeted Locus Capture (TLC) selectively enriches and sequences entire genes based on the crosslinking of physically proximal sequences, and thereby enables complete sequencing of genes of interest, including detection of large structural variants. Because the technology is based on the crosslinking and fragmenting of DNA, it has particular advantages in the analysis of Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples, in which DNA is inherently crosslinked and fragmented. In order to validate the FFPE-TLC technology as a novel approach for translocation detection in lymphoma samples, we have developed a panel assay containing genes with frequent translocations (MYC, BCL2, BCL6, IG loci). With this assay we have analyzed >140 lymphoma and control FFPE samples of variable input amounts and qualities that had previously been analyzed with FISH, and a subset also with standard targeted NGS. Good concordance with FISH results was observed for both translocation positive and negative samples. In 10 cases for which FFPE-TLC detected a relevant fusion and FISH had been called negative, discordance could be explained by higher sensitivity of FFPE-TLC or by inconclusive FISH results. In a specific case, FFPE-TLC detected a small-distance rearrangement on chromosome 3 that caused a BCL6 fusion but led to insufficient and therefore undetectable break-apart with FISH. Secondly, the FFPE-TLC approach was tested on a set of 19 B-cell lymphoma FFPE samples that had previously been analyzed using standard targeted NGS and FISH and was enriched for discordant results between these methods. FFPE-TLC-based NGS enables more robust translocation calling as the detection relies on broad sequencing coverage across the translocation partner rather than on breakpoint sequences only. In 3 cases, FFPE-TLC could proof false negative calls in standard targeted NGS due to breakpoints located in regions difficult to capture or to sequence. In 1 case, standard targeted NGS had made a false positive call on a breakpoint sequence that was shown to be caused by a small insertion rather than a genuine translocation. This study shows that FFPE-TLC promises to be a robust alternative for FISH analysis and standard targeted NGS procedures in lymphoma diagnostics and possibly in other cancers with frequent structural variants. The FFPE-TLC approach enables a single, DNA-based NGS test detecting both small mutations and translocations.

  Study EGAS00001004760

• Charles R. Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine (IPM) BioBank Genome Wide Association Study of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Phenotypes

  The Institute for Personalized Medicine (IPM) Biobank Project is a consented, EMR-linked medical care setting biorepository of the Mount Sinai Medical Center (MSMC) drawing from a population of over 70,000 inpatients and 800,000 outpatient visits annually. MSMC serves diverse local communities of upper Manhattan, including Central Harlem (86% African American), East Harlem (88% Hispanic Latino), and Upper East Side (88% Caucasian/white) with broad health disparities. IPM Biobank populations include 28% African American (AA), 38% Hispanic Latino (HL) predominantly of Caribbean origin, 23% Caucasian/White (CW). IPM Biobank disease burden is reflective of health disparities with broad public health impact: average body mass index of 28.9 and frequencies of hypertension (55%), hypercholesterolemia (32%), diabetes (30%), coronary artery disease (25%), chronic kidney disease (23%), among others. Biobank operations are fully integrated in clinical care processes, including direct recruitment from clinical sites, waiting areas and phlebotomy stations by dedicated Biobank recruiters independent of clinical care providers, prior to or following a clinician standard of care visit. Recruitment currently occurs at a broad spectrum of over 30 clinical care sites. Minorities are strikingly underrepresented in GWAS, including Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Chronic Kidney Disease; multigenic genetic risk scores for CAD have been recently validated in European ancestry populations, but not in AA or HL populations. Several important opportunities exist for extending additional GWAS to minority populations with a shared risk spectrum of CAD and CKD. For example, progressive CKD is a major and independent risk factor for CVD with an inverse relationship between estimated GFR (eGFR), and risk for mortality and cardiovascular events. This increased risk is only partially explained by the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among these patients. We conducted a GWAS of CAD and CKD related phenotypes in IPM Biobank with the primary objective to explore the genetics of overlapping CAD and CKD predominantly in minority populations characterized by increased risk.

  Study phs000388