690 results for ""PhD+2001"+"Professor+of+Bioinformatics"+2012+18000+citations+profile"

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• Whole Exome Sequencing of Head and Neck Patients-Derived Tumor Organoids and Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded Tumor Tissue

  In this study, tissue specimens were procured from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients undergoing routine diagnostic procedures as part of their standard of care. For surgical cases, only excess tissue remaining after allocation for essential pathological diagnosis was utilized for research purposes. We aimed to validate the genomic fidelity of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) compared to their originating tumors. Whole exome sequencing was performed on four paired sets of PDOs and matched surgical specimens preserved as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. The objective was to demonstrate that the in vitro PDO models maintain the genomic profile of the patient-specific tumors, thus supporting their potential application in identifying efficacious personalized treatment regimens. Comparative analyses of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variants (CNVs) between matched PDO and FFPE pairs were conducted to assess global genomic similarity and shared HNSCC-relevant variants. The results indicated that the PDOs closely recapitulated the mutational landscape of the resected tumors from which they were derived. This finding supports the validity of the employed in vitro culture conditions for potential use in precision medicine approaches for HNSCC. The data submitted to dbGaP comprise eight whole exome sequencing profiles of matched pairs of HNSCC FFPE and PDO samples from four subjects. Novogene (Novogene Co., Ltd, CA, USA) generated these profiles from 1.0μg genomic DNA per sample, using the Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon kit (Agilent Technologies, CA, USA). Deposited files include raw BAM files of reads aligned to human genome Hg19 using BWA (v.0.7.8-r455), sorted with Samtools (v1.0), and filtered for duplicate reads using Picard (v1.111). Additionally, we've deposited VCF files of SNV variant calls from GATK (v3.8).

  Study phs003755

• Investigating Delayed-Onset Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions Prospectively

  Delayed-type drug hypersensitivity reactions (dtDHR) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality, but the origin, phenotype and function of pathogenic T cells across the spectrum of severity are unknown. Research has been hampered by several barriers. We leveraged recent technical advancements to study skin-resident memory T cells (TRM) versus recruited T cell subsets in the pathogenesis of severe systemic forms of disease, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and skin-limited disease, morbilliform drug eruption (MDE). As part of the overarching study, we used single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with CITE sequencing and TCR sequencing on prospectively collected skin and blood samples from patients with SJS/TEN and MDE patients. We compared this to healthy controls obtained from discarded skin from surgeries and discarded blood collars from a blood donation center. These data are included here in dbGaP database. The overarching study also performed bulk transcriptional profiling and microscopic analysis of clinical skin samples, as well as a mouse model of MDE (PMID: 39042477). Together, the data supported clonal expansion and recruitment of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (identified using the mean normalized expression of NKG7, GNLY, GZMA, GZMB, and PRF1) from circulation into skin, along with both expanded and non-expanded cytotoxic CD8+ skin TRM in SJS/TEN whereas MDE displayed a cytotoxic T cell profile without expansion or recruitment of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells from circulation implicating TRM as the potential cause of disease. Concurrently, MDE displayed a pro-Treg signature, highlighted by CCR8 and TNFRSF4 (OX40), which promotes Treg survival compared to SJS/TEN.

  Study phs003344

• Sequencing of 3D Organoids Derived From Colorectal Cancer Patients

  This study focuses on the whole-exome sequencing (WES) of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) established from colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors collected at Columbia University. CRC remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality due to its metastatic progression and resistance to therapy. To model CRC at the patient level, we generated 3D organoid cultures from primary and metastatic tumors, preserving their genetic and phenotypic characteristics. The study cohort consists of 9 CRC patients with microsatellite-stable adenocarcinomas from the ascending, transverse, and descending colon, as well as the rectum, with differentiation statuses ranging from well to moderate and moderate-poor. Notably, for one patient, we generated organoids from both the primary tumor and matched liver metastases, allowing for a comparative analysis of tumor evolution. PDOs were derived from these tumors and subjected to WES at early passage to profile somatic mutations, copy number variations, and other genomic alterations to identify mutational signatures. Mutations identified in the PDOs were cross-referenced and confirmed with mutational data from the Columbia Solid Tumor Panel, which was conducted on all tumor tissues prior to organoid establishment. Molecular technologies employed include next-generation sequencing (NGS) for WES, enabling high-resolution characterization of the genomic landscape of CRC PDOs. WES of PDOs allowed us to classify tumor samples based on oncogenic mutations and mutation types, with a specific focus on PIK3CA. Notably, the efficacy of PI3Kα-specific pharmacologic inhibitors in suppressing organoid growth was dependent on the mutational status of KRAS and PIK3CA, underscoring the importance of genomic context in therapeutic response. The dataset available through dbGaP includes raw WES data from CRC PDOs.

  Study phs003965

• New set of services for all users unveiled at the EGA

  The European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA) releases today a brand-new website as well as a set of improved services for users, comprising a revamped Submitter Portal with an improved API and data brokering functionality for submitters, as well as a new DAC Portal for Data Access Committee members to easily manage data access requests. The EGA team has been working hard over the past months on these improvements that will provide a better experience for the users. Discover them below! Visit our new EGA website and check the new functionalities and updated guides Our new website is live, with a fresh look and updated features to discover all the novelties. The homepage now includes three pathways to guide our users, depending on whether they want to deposit, download or manage data within the Archive. One of the most outstanding developments is the introduction of a streamlined process for requesting access to data: EGA Users can now directly request access to their preferred datasets through the website using their EGA accounts. Additionally, users can customise their profile, oversee active sessions, and manage the public keys, essential for our latest array of services, alongside a range of other features. Another major change is our new Help Desk contact method: a built-in website form tailored for user inquiries. This system, called "Need Help?", can be easily located on the top right-hand side of the website. It will encompass both EGA and Federated EGA node users' requests. We will detail its use soon, so stay tuned. Register your metadata to the EGA easily with our new Submitter Portal The new Submitter Portal makes the submission process quicker and more intuitive. The process is currently divided into sections that the user will know beforehand by taking the tour that the EGA team has created to guide users through the Portal before starting the first submission. Do not complete your data submissions alone! Our Submitter Portal now includes a collaboration mode so that every submission can be completed by authorised collaborators with an EGA Profile. There are a lot more features that we will be detailing from now on in incoming posts. A new platform for Data Access Committee Members The new DAC Portal brings novelties for individuals engaged in governance, legal, technical, operational roles, or those acting as data stewards. DAC members will be able to easily manage DACs, policies, and data access requests with the new Portal. Take the tour now to check them out! Help us improve the services completing the EGA Survey As part of our ongoing journey to improve your experience, we have created an EGA User Survey. This questionnaire covers a wide range of aspects such as user experience, support and data accessibility, among others. Participate now and take the opportunity to suggest your own improvements. Help us enhance your experience in this new era for the EGA. Subscribe to the EGA Mailing List and stay tuned In the next weeks we will share more information about the possibilities of the new services. You can easily join the EGA Mailing List to receive all the updates.

  Blog new-set-of-services-at-EGA

• Multi-site tumor sampling highlights molecular intra-tumor heterogeneity in malignant pleural mesothelioma

  Background:Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a heterogeneous cancer. Better knowledge of molecular and cellular intra-tumor heterogeneity throughout the thoracic cavity is required to develop efficient therapies. This study focuses on molecular intra-tumor heterogeneity using the largest series to date in MPM and is the first to report on the multi-omics profiling of a substantial series of multi-site tumor samples. Methods:Intra-tumor heterogeneity was investigated in 16 patients from whom biopsies were taken at distinct anatomical sites. The paired biopsies collected from apex, side wall, costo-diaphragmatic or highest metabolic sites as well as 5 derived cell lines were screened using targeted sequencing. Whole exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and DNA methylation were performed on a subset of the cohort for deep characterization. Molecular classification, recently defined histo-molecular gradients, and cell populations of the tumor microenvironment were assessed. Results:Sequencing analysis identified heterogeneous variants notably in NF2, a key tumor suppressor gene of mesothelial carcinogenesis. Subclonal tumor populations were shared among paired biopsies, suggesting a polyclonal dissemination of the tumor. Transcriptome analysis highlighted dysregulation of cell adhesion and extracellular matrix pathways, linked to changes in histo-molecular gradient proportions between anatomic sites. Methylome analysis revealed contribution of epigenetic mechanisms in two patients. Finally, significant changes in the expression of immune mediators and genes related to immunological synapse, as well as differential infiltration of immune populations in the tumor environment were observed and led to a switch from a hot to a cold immune profile in three patients. Conclusions:This comprehensive analysis reveals patient-dependent spatial intra-tumor heterogeneity at the genetic, transcriptomic and epigenetic levels and in the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment. Results support

  Study EGAS00001005328

• PCGP Ph-like ALL

  Background: BCR-ABL1-like, or Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia is characterized by a gene expression profile similar to BCR-ABL1 positive ALL, genetic alterations of lymphoid transcription factor genes, and poor outcome. Sequencing of small numbers of Ph-like ALL cases has identified genetic alterations activating kinase signaling suggesting Ph-like ALL may be amenable to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, the spectrum of genetic alterations in childhood and adult Ph-like ALL is incompletely understood. Methods: We performed genomic profiling of 1736 B-ALL cases and next-generation sequencing for 160 Ph-like cases. We examined the functional effects of chimeric fusion proteins in mouse cell lines. Results: The frequency of Ph-like ALL rose from 11% in children to 26% in young adults, and was associated with very poor outcome. Kinase-activating alterations were identified in 90% of Ph-like cases, most commonly fusions involving 10 kinase or cytokine receptor genes (ABL1, ABL2, CRLF2, CSF1R, EPOR, JAK2, NTRK3, PDGFRB, PTK2B and TYK2), and mutations involving FLT3, IL7R and SH2B3. Expression of ABL1, ABL2, CSF1R and JAK2 fusions resulted in cytokine-independent proliferation of cell lines and activation of pSTAT5. Cells expressing ABL1, ABL2, CSF1R and PDGFRB fusions were sensitive to dasatinib, and JAK2 fusions to ruxolitinib. Conclusions: Ph-like ALL is characterized by a diverse range of genomic alterations that converge on a limited number of kinase signaling pathways amenable to inhibition with currently available tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Trials identifying Ph-like ALL and testing the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy are warranted

  Study EGAS00001000654

• The Genetic Landscape of BCL2 Break Negative Follicular Lymphoma

  Background: 15% of high and 50% of low stage FL lack the t(14;18). Nevertheless, most of these cases express BCL2 by so far unknown mechanisms. Principals/Methodology: To find molecular mechanisms, triggering FL-pathogenesis in t(14;18)-negative FL, the exonic SNV-profiles of 33 FL with and 16 FL without t(14;18) were assessed by whole exome-sequencing and external SNV-data integration. The SNV-profile of the whole exome-sequenced FL was correlated with copy number, LOH and gene-expression data. Finally, the N-glycosylation status was assessed (LympTrack assay) in a separate validation cohort. Results: SNVs in FL with and without t(14;18) affected different genes, but accumulated in similar pathways, e.g. apoptosis, epigenetic processes and cell cycle/proliferation. Mutations in genes associated with immune-response were more prominently and those associated with NFkB and N-glycosylation selectively enriched in t(14;18)-negative FL. ~50% of mutated genes showed BCL2-asociation at high confidence in FL with and without t(14;18). Moreover, among the genes mutated in t(14;18)-negative FL 555 (~1/3) were affected by copy number alterations and/or copy-neutral LOH, 125 were differently expressed between FL with and without t(14;18) (p<0.01) and 62 were differentially expressed and affected by copy number alterations and/or copy-neutral LOH. N-glycosylation was strongly reduced in t(14;18)-negative FL as compared to results reported for historical FL cohorts. Conclusion: These results suggest a stronger crosstalk with the microenvironment that may compensate for the lack of N-glycosylation and a diverse portfolio of SNVs that may contribute to the upregulation of BCL2 and FL pathogenesis in t(14;18)-negative FL.

  Study EGAS00001002164

• Phase 1/2 Study of the Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 Inhibitor Linrodostat Mesylate Combined With Nivolumab or Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Advanced Solid Tumors or Hematologic Malignancies

  Purpose: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and biomarker data of linrodostat mesylate, a selective, oral indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor, combined with nivolumab ± ipilimumab in advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Patients and Methods: In this phase 1/2 study, patients received once-daily (QD) linrodostat (part 1 [escalation], 25-400 mg; part 2 [expansion], 100 or 200 mg) plus nivolumab (480 mg every [Q] 4 weeks [W] or 240 mg Q2W) or triplet therapy (part 3, linrodostat 20-100 mg QD; nivolumab 360 mg Q3W or 480 mg Q4W; ipilimumab 1 mg/kg Q6W or Q8W). Endpoints included safety and efficacy (co-primary; parts 2, 3), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, biomarkers, and efficacy (part 1). Results: Fifty-five, 494, and 41 patients were enrolled in parts 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Linrodostat exposures exceeded predicted therapeutic target concentrations starting at 50 mg. Rates of grade 3/4 adverse events were 50.1%-63.4%. The maximum tolerated linrodostat dose was 200 mg; dose-limiting toxicities were primarily immune related. Responses were observed across different cohorts, study parts, and tumor types, particularly in immunotherapy-naive patients. Kynurenine decreased with linrodostat + nivolumab, regardless of response. In contrast, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) gene expression signature was associated with response; in nonmelanoma patients, a composite of low tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) gene expression plus high IFN-γ signature was associated with response. Conclusions: Linrodostat + nivolumab ± ipilimumab demonstrated a manageable safety profile. Kynurenine changes supported IDO1 pathway inhibition but did not correlate with response. A composite biomarker of low TDO2 expression plus high IFN-γ gene expression may predict response to linrodostat + nivolumab.

  Study EGAS50000000710

• A reference map of potential determinants for the human serum metabolome

  The collection of metabolites circulating in the human blood, termed the serum metabolome, contains a plethora of biomarkers and causative agents. Although the origin of specific compounds is known, we have a poor understanding of the key determinants of most metabolites. Here, we measured the levels of 1251 circulating metabolites in serum samples from a healthy human cohort of 491 individuals, and devised machine learning algorithms to predict their levels in held-out subjects based on a comprehensive profile consisting of host genetics, gut microbiome, clinical parameters, diet, lifestyle, anthropometric measurements and medication data. Notably, we obtained statistically significant predictions for over 76% of the profiled metabolites. Despite using the strict out-of-sample prediction metric, which is a lower bound for the explained variance, diet and microbiome each explained hundreds of metabolites, with over 50% of the variance explained in some metabolites. We further validated the robustness of the microbiome related associations by showing a high replication rate in two geographically independent cohorts that were not available to us when developing the algorithms. We also demonstrate that some of these interactions are causal, as some metabolites we predicted to be positively associated with bread increased in level following a randomized clinical trial of bread intervention. Microbiome-explained metabolites were enriched with unnamed metabolites, and we devised an algorithm that accurately predicts their biological pathway, finding that they mainly include food components, aromatic amino acids and secondary bile acid derivatives. Overall, our results unravel potential determinants of over 800 metabolites, paving the way towards mechanistic understanding of alterations in metabolites under different conditions and to designing interventions for manipulating circulating metabolite levels.

  Study EGAS00001004512

• Matching of actionable mutations with therapies in cancer patients: comparison of three commercial decision support platforms

  Purpose: In oncology, precision medicine centers on tailoring the most appropriate therapy to a patient according to their tumor molecular profile. We addressed the question whether there is a consensus in the classification of actionability of somatic variants and their alignment to treatment recommendations. To this end, we evaluated three commercial clinical decision support tools to assess their variant classification and drug matching strategies.Methods: In this two centers study 48 patients with metastatic breast (n=12), colorectal (n=17) or non-small cell lung cancer (n=19) were recruited based on circulating tumor DNA levels in peripheral blood. In individual patients’ plasma samples, we established somatic copy number alterations and somatic mutations across a 77 cancer-associated gene panel and exposed the obtained molecular profiles to the decision support packages NAVIFY Mutation Profiler (NMP; Roche), Qiagen Clinical Insight (QCI) Interpret (Qiagen) and CureMatch Bionov (CureMatch).Results: In the plasma samples, altogether 492 somatic alterations were assessed. Each decision support platform varied in their format of data input, mode of variant classification and strategies for identifying druggable targets and clinical trials, which resulted in discrepancies in tier classification as well as designations of actionability. The frequency of concordant actionable events for tier I-A or tier I-B classifications, i.e. those with the strongest clinical evidence, was only 4.3%, 9.5% and 28.4% when comparing NMP with QCI, NMP with CureMatch, and CureMatch with QCI, respectively. As a consequence, the obtained treatment recommendations differed drastically, and alignment of treatment recommendations was limited to established predictive markers.Conclusions: The lack of standards for the extraction of treatment recommendations from comprehensive tumor molecular profiling data challenge the promising concepts of precision oncology.

  Study EGAS00001004383

• IMCISION DNAseq

  Standard-of-care (SOC) surgery for locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is intensive and results in 30‒50% five-year overall survival. Anti-PD1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) durably improves survival rates in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. We report on the non-randomized phase Ib/IIa IMCISION trial (NCT03003637) of 32 HNSCC patients treated with two doses neoadjuvant nivolumab (NIVO MONO, n=6, phase Ib arm A) or two doses of nivolumab plus a single dose of ipilimumab (COMBO, n=26, 6 in phase Ib arm B and 20 in phase IIa) prior to surgery and, if indicated, adjuvant radiotherapy. Neoadjuvant ICB was feasible in all phase Ib patients, meeting the phase Ib primary feasibility endpoint. One phase IIa patient had progressive disease precluding surgery. Primary tumor pathological response (phase IIa primary endpoint), defined as the % change in viable tumor cells from baseline biopsy to on-treatment resection, was evaluable in 29 patients. . We observed a major pathological response (MPR, 90‒100% response) in 8/23 (35%) evaluable COMBO and 1/6 (17%) NIVO MONO patients. None of the patients with MPR after NIVO MONO or COMBO developed a tumor relapse after 24.0 months median follow-up. FDG-PET-based total lesion glycolysis identified MPR patients prior to surgery. A baseline AID/APOBEC-associated mutational profile and an on-treatment decrease in hypoxia signature expression were observed in MPR patients. Our data indicate that neoadjuvant NIVO MONO and COMBO are safe in HNSCC, and that particularly COMBO ICB shows encouraging effectivity. IMCISION provides rationales for future HNSCC trials aiming to pre-operatively select patients with a likely MPR after neoadjuvant ICB for de-escalation of SOC.

  Study EGAS00001005466

• Molecular and clinical diversity in primary central nervous system lymphoma: a LOC Network study

  Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a distinct extranodal lymphoma presenting with limited stage disease but variable response rates to treatment despite homogenous pathological presentation. The likely underlying molecular heterogeneity and its clinical impact is poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of 147 PCNSL from fresh-frozen tumor tissue from immunocompetent, treatment naïve PCNSL patients, employing whole-exome sequencing, assessment of somatic copy number alterations and DNA methylation, and RNA expression. These data were integrated and correlated with the clinico-radiological characteristics and outcomes of the patients. We validated our results in an independent series of 93 PCNSL formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Consensus clustering of multi-omics data identified four robust, non-overlapping, prognostically significant clusters (CS) within PCNSL. The CS1 group, characterized by high proliferation and Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) complex activity had an intermediate outcome between CS2/CS3 and CS4. Patients who had PCNSL with an “immune-hot” (CS4) profile had the most favorable clinical outcome. In contrast, patients with the immune-cold hypermethylated CS2 and the heterogenous-immune CS3 groups had a poor prognosis. Nearly all PCNSL patients with meningeal infiltration harbored HIST1H1E mutations, enriched in the CS3 group. The integrated analysis suggests that the CS4 group may be more susceptible to immunotherapy. The integration of genome-wide data from multi-omics data revealed four molecular patterns in PCNSL with a distinctive prognostic impact that significantly improved the current clinical stratification. This molecular classification using FFPE samples facilitates routine use in clinical practice and provides potential precision-medicine strategies in PCNSL.

  Study EGAS00001006191

• Ultra-fast deep-learned pediatric CNS tumor classification.

  The primary treatment of CNS tumors starts with a neurosurgical resection in order to obtain tumor tissue for diagnosis and to reduce tumor load and mass effect. The neurosurgeon has to decide between radical resection versus a more conservative strategy to prevent surgical morbidity. The prognostic impact of a radical resection varies between tumor types. However due to a lack of pre-operative tissue-based diagnostics, limited knowledge of the precise tumor type is available at the time of surgery. Current standard practice includes preoperative imaging and intraoperative histological analysis, but these are not always conclusive. After surgery, histopathological and molecular tests are performed to diagnose the precise tumor type. The results may indicate that an additional surgery is needed or that the initial surgery could have been less radical. Using rapid Nanopore sequencing, a sparse methylation profile can be directly obtained during surgery, making it ideally suited to enable intraoperative diagnostics. We developed a state-of-the-art neural-network approach called Sturgeon, to deliver trained models that are lightweight and universally applicable across patients and sequencing depths. We demonstrate our method to be accurate and fast enough to provide a correct diagnosis with as little as 20 to 40 minutes of sequencing data in 45 out of 49 pediatric samples, and inconclusive results in the other four. In four intraoperative cases we achieved a turnaround time of 60-90 minutes from sample biopsy to result; well in time to impact surgical decision making. We conclude that machine-learned diagnosis based on intraoperative sequencing can assist neurosurgical decision making, allowing neurological comorbidity to be avoided or preventing additional surgeries.

  Study EGAS00001007475

• Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the histological hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypoxia and inflammation (i.e., interleukin (IL)-1β signalling) are independent mediators of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. However, the physiological response of human kidney tubular cells to IL-1β/IL-1RI signalling under the hypoxic conditions of CKD is poorly understood and remains a clinical imperative for therapeutic targeting. This study reports that hypoxia and IL-1β act in synergy to trigger cell cycle arrest/cellular senescence of ex vivo patient-derived primary proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs).

  Hypoxia and interleukin (IL)-1β are independent mediators of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, the histological hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we examine how hypoxia and IL-1β act in synergy to augment maladaptive proximal tubular epithelial cell (PTEC) repair in human CKD. Ex vivo patient-derived PTECs were cultured under normoxic (21% O2) or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions in the absence or presence of IL-1β and examined for maladaptive repair signatures. Hypoxic PTECs incubated with IL-1β displayed a discrete transcriptomic profile distinct from PTECs cultured under hypoxia alone, IL-1β alone or under normoxia. Hypoxia+IL-1β-treated PTECs had 692 ‘unique’ differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared to normoxic PTECs, with ‘cell cycle’ the most significantly enriched KEGG pathway based on ‘unique’ down-regulated DEGs (including CCNA2, CCNB1 and CCNB2). Hypoxia+IL-1β-treated PTECs displayed signatures of cellular senescence, with reduced proliferation, G2/M cell cycle arrest, elevated senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity and increased production of pro-inflammatory/fibrotic senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors compared to normoxic conditions. Treatment of Hypoxia+IL-1β-treated PTECs with either a senolytic drug combination, quercetin+dasatinib, or a type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RI) neutralizing antibody attenuated senescent cell burden. Our data identify a mechanism whereby hypoxia in combination with IL-1β/IL-1RI signalling trigger PTEC senescence, providing novel therapeutic and diagnostic check-points for restoring tubular regeneration in human CKD.

  Study EGAS00001007904

• Identifying transcriptional programs underlying anti-EGFR small molecule response and resistance with TraCe-seq

  To QC the TraCe-seq strategy, single-cell RNA-seq libraries were generated from a variety of human cancer cell lines transduced with the TraCe-seq library to validate the TraCe-seq strategy. Specifically, 5 different cell lines (PC9, MCF-10A, MDA-MB-231, NCI-H358, and NCI-H1373) were each transduced with a unique TraCe-seq barcode. The transduced cells were selected with puromycin only, dissociated to single cell suspensions, and then mixed together. The complex mixture of the 5 cell lines was profiled by 10X scRNA-seq. Furthermore, transduced NCI-H1373 cells were sorted by FACS to enrich for the top 50% of eGFP positive cells, and sorted cells were cultured briefly and used to construct scRNA-seq libraries and profiled by 10x scRNA-seq. To carry out the full TraCe-seq experiment, ~600 PC9 cells carrying unique TraCe-seq barcodes were expanded over 12 doublings to establish the barcoded population. A subset of the barcoded PC9 population was used to generate scRNA-seq libraries and profiled by 10x scRNA-seq prior to treatment to establish a baseline transcription profile for each barcoded clone. The rest of the cells were then treated for four days with 1 µM erlotinib, 1 µM GNE-069, or 1 µM GNE-104 respectively. scRNA-seq libraries were then generated form the treated cells and profiled by 10x scRNA-seq.

  Dataset EGAD00001007872

• Molecular profiling of tissue autopsies and ctDNA

  The dataset contains high-throughput sequencing data derived from a cancer autopsy series of 10 patients. As part of this study, whole-exome sequencing and RNA-seq were performed for spatially distinct tissue biopsies from the patients. In addition, plasma samples from the patients were sequenced using a custom panelt to profile ctDNA. There are 106 files containing whole-exome sequencing data, 107 files containing RNA-seq data, and 9 files containing plasma sequencing data.

  Dataset EGAD00001007040

• The transition from quiescent to activated states in human hematopoietic stem cells is governed by dynamic 3D genome reorganization

  To elucidate the epigenetic changes which occur when human long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSC) become activated we performed Bulk ATAC-Seq on 13 sorted bulk hematopoietic populations from cord bloodas well as single-cell ATAC-Seq upon CD34+CD38-CD45RA- cells enriched for HSC as well as CD34+/CD38+ progenitor cells both from cord blood. These studies revealed gains of chromatin accessibility around CTCF binding sites during HSPC activation, as such we additionally performed Low-C to directly profile the 3D conformation of human cord-blood derived LT-HSC and Short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSC), as well as Hi-C , ATAC-Seq and CTCF ChIP-Seq upon the OCIAML-2 cell line in which CTCF sites gained during LT-HSC activation are enriched. Finally we transduced human cord-blood LT-HSC with an shCTCF vector; in-vitro cultured LT-HSC cells harbouring shCTCF were used to perform RNA-Seq, and scATAC-Seq was performed on CD34+/CD38- human CB cells transduced with shCTCF, four weeks post xeno-transplantation into mice. Collectively these studies have helped us demonstrate the role of 3D chromatin conformation changes during human LT-HSC activation.

  Dataset EGAD00001006447

• From research to data sharing: exploring EGA user's experiences

  The Cell Plasticity and Regeneration Group at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL focuses on the process of recruitment of macrophages that takes place in the small intestine during injury and healing. They recently published a paper titled “Mucosal Macrophages Govern Intestinal Regeneration in Response to Injury" in Gastroenterology Journal. As part of the research, some experiments were conducted using human intestinal organoid lines. These cells were processed for RNA sequencing, and the sequencing data were deposited at the EGA to be made available to the scientific community. When dealing with human genomic information, repositories must ensure the availability of the datasets while ensuring data protection. In this context, the European Genome-phenome Archive stands as a service for secure archiving and sharing of genetic, phenotypic and clinical data resulting from biomedical research. Following the recent publication of their paper, we took the opportunity to talk to Ilias Moraitis, first author, and Jordi Guiu, group leader, to find out about their experience with data sharing. Could you explain the focus of your research? In the lab, we study intestinal regeneration and how immune cells participate in this process. We use several techniques: engineered mouse models, image tracing, as well as mouse and human cells intestinal organoids. What challenges do you face regarding data management? We didn’t have a lot of problems. Always the informatic part, the data analysis, can give problems. But everything was smooth and working. We think it’s very important to deposit the data in repositories. For the mouse data it is very straightforward, but for us it was the first time depositing human data, which is sensitive because it comes from patients, and this is legally regulated. That’s why we thought about the EGA, and it was our first time. Why do you think it is important to submit data to repositories such as EGA? Because we think data is important for the science. Nowadays, we are sequencing a lot everywhere worldwide and having these resources shared with the scientific community it’s not only good for science, but it is also saving money and reducing costs. And there is so much data in there that can be used for other projects and for other questions. And it saves time! How was the process of submitting the data to the EGA? The communication worked very well but it was slower than we would like. But I think this is something we learn on the way. People usually wait until the last minute to do this before publication but if you know it in advance, you can start the process earlier. If you had to repeat the process, would you do anything differently? It’s like everything, isn’t it? For the first time you don’t know, you aren’t sure, but for the second time you know the steps, you know what to do and it’s faster. Of course, we would to do it earlier. Also, there were some things related to the control access that we didn’t know how to manage, but it was something more internal to us. Who is going to receive the communications and when, is our ethical committee going to evaluate this? All these technicalities that we didn’t know before starting this process, so we had to think about all these things. Next time it will be faster on our side. Do you have any suggestions for us to improve the submission process? Maybe we’ll need to ask our bioinformatician who did it! He was in charge of this part. Besides that, we think if the process were faster, it would be better for everyone. Also, in science a lot of times you have to do a lot of things at the very last minute, because of the nature of the experiments, or the need to accomplish for submitting a paper. Being faster in the process would be a plus. On your side, we went through the process and were able to find some information, but there were aspects we weren't aware of and weren't sure how to handle. I'm not sure if other institutes have different protocols for managing data requests or how they handle these internally. We believe the main issue lies in how the forms are filled out. Do you have any recommendations for other submitters? The main advice is to do this with enough time. Submit the data when you have the sequences, and don’t wait until the last minute. And then it can be under embargo, so you don’t need to make it public at that moment. As soon as you sequence, upload it and then it will be there for whenever you need to publish. How do you think we could encourage other researchers to submit their data? There are different layers here. One is that it is mandatory. You have to do this. The other is that we belong to a research community, to the same community and sharing this is making our research community stronger and more efficient. And then, also because this gives you visibility. The data is there, other people can analyse your data, and this also will bring citations to your papers. It has many advantages.

  Blog from-research-to-data-sharing

• Molecular Subtyping Reveals Immune Alterations Associated with Progression of Bronchial Premalignant Lesions

  Exposure to cigarette smoke creates a field of injury throughout the entire respiratory tract inducing genomic alterations that lead to an "at-risk" airway where lung cancers develop. Lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arises in the epithelial layer of the bronchial airways and is often preceded by the development of premalignant lesions (PMLs). Effective tools to identify and treat premalignant lesions at highest risk of progression to invasive carcinoma are not available. Endobronchial biopsies and brushings were obtained from high-risk subjects undergoing lung cancer screening at approximately 1-year intervals by white light and auto-fluorescence bronchoscopy and computed tomography at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Subjects were selected that had biopsies collected in repeat locations via serial bronchoscopies. mRNA sequencing was performed on a discovery cohort (DC) of samples comprising endobronchial biopsies and brushes collected between 2010 and 2012 (n=30 subjects, n=197 biopsies, and n=91 brushings). mRNA sequencing was subsequently performed on a validation cohort (VC) of samples comprising endobronchial biopsies and brushes collected between 2010 and 2015 (n=20 subjects, n=111 biopsies, and n=49 brushings). Data analysis identified four distinct molecular subtypes (Proliferative, Inflammatory, Secretory, and Normal) in the bronchial biopsies that correspond to a spectrum of biological and morphological alterations. The Proliferative subtype was enriched with dysplastic PMLs from current smokers that exhibit up-regulation of metabolic and cell cycle pathways and down-regulation of cilium-associated processes. Molecular subtype classification in the validation cohort biopsies replicated these significant clinical and biological associations. Airway brushes from normal fluorescing areas of the large airway classified as the Proliferative subtype specifically predict the presence of biopsies of this same subtype. Within the Proliferative subtype, genes associated with interferon signaling and antigen processing and presentation were observed to be down-regulated among dysplastic biopsies that persist or progress in the future. Innate and adaptive immune cells were computationally predicted to be depleted in these biopsies and this was confirmed via immunofluorescence staining of adjacent biopsies. These findings provide a proof of concept that molecular biomarkers of endobronchial biopsies can enhance histopathological grading and that immunoprevention strategies are an important future direction in intercepting the progression of PMLs to lung cancer.FASTQ files from the RNA sequencing of these biopsies and brushings will be available via dbGaP.

  Study phs003185

• Genomic Characterization of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

  Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth leading cancer by incidence worldwide(1). Various chemical carcinogens (tobacco, alcohol and betel nut), human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and genetic predisposition contribute to the etiology of HNSCC, and to the complex genetic alterations in tumor subsets that differ in prognosis and response to therapies (2). Recently, a comprehensive landscape of genomic and transcriptomic alterations in HNSCC tumors has emerged from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Network (3). TCGA revealed novel and previously recognized gene and chromosomal region copy number alterations (CNAs), mutations, and expression clusters, and defined their frequency, co-occurrence, and relationship to common and rare subtypes of HPV(-) and (+) tumors that vary in prognosis. To identify cell line models for determining the functional role and therapeutic importance of these alterations, we are performing whole exome and RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of an expanded panel of 15 HPV(-) and 11 HPV(+) HNSCC cell lines and primary oral keratinocytes. We find that the recurrent genomic alterations in cell lines are remarkably consistent with those found in more aggressive tumors, from which cell lines have traditionally been most readily adapted to culture (4). Genome-wide correlation of CN (copy number) with expression identified a suite of potential drivers or modifier genes that differ by HPV status, and are of potential biologic and therapeutic relevance. Further, our findings elucidate and validate genomic alterations underpinning numerous discoveries made with these widely-used and recently derived HNSCC lines, and provide a roadmap for their potential use as models for future studies of tumor subtypes with worse prognosis. References Torre LA, Bray F, Siegel RL, Ferlay J, Lortet-Tieulent J, Jemal A. Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA Cancer J Clin. 2015;65(2):87-108. Van Waes C, Musbahi O. Genomics and advances towards precision medicine for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2017;2(5):310-9. Cancer Genome Atlas N. Comprehensive genomic characterization of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Nature. 2015;517(7536):576-82. White JS, Weissfeld JL, Ragin CC, Rossie KM, Martin CL, Shuster M, et al. The influence of clinical and demographic risk factors on the establishment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Oral Oncol. 2007;43(7):701-12.

  Study phs001581

• The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

  The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is a prospective epidemiologic study conducted in four U.S. communities. The four communities are Forsyth County, NC; Jackson, MS; the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, MN; and Washington County, MD. ARIC is designed to investigate the etiology and natural history of atherosclerosis, the etiology of clinical atherosclerotic diseases, and variation in cardiovascular risk factors, medical care and disease by race, gender, location, and date. ARIC includes two parts: the Cohort Component and the Community Surveillance Component. The Cohort Component began in 1987, and each ARIC field center randomly selected and recruited a cohort sample of approximately 4,000 individuals aged 45-64 from a defined population in their community. A total of 15,792 participants received an extensive examination, including medical, social, and demographic data. These participants were reexamined every three years with the first screen (baseline) occurring in 1987-89, the second in 1990-92, the third in 1993-95, and the fourth and last exam was in 1996-98. Follow-up occurs yearly by telephone to maintain contact with participants and to assess health status of the cohort. In the Community Surveillance Component, currently ongoing, these four communities are investigated to determine the community-wide occurrence of hospitalized myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease deaths in men and women aged 35-84 years. Hospitalized stroke is investigated in cohort participants only. Starting in 2006, the study conducts community surveillance of inpatient (ages 55 years and older) and outpatient heart failure (ages 65 years and older) for heart failure events beginning in 2005. ARIC is currently funded through January 31, 2012. This study is part of the Gene Environment Association Studies initiative (GENEVA, http://www.genevastudy.org) funded by the trans-NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative (GEI). The overarching goal is to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease through large-scale genome-wide association studies of well-characterized cohorts of adults in four defined populations. Genotyping was performed at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a GENEVA genotyping center. Data cleaning and harmonization were done at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington.

  Study phs000090

• CRCbiome: Gut metagenome of Norwegian screening participants using FIT sampling

  The study aims to characterize the gut metagenome of Norwegian screening participants and assess the ability of the gut metagenome to identify those at need for colonoscopy. Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces CRC incidence and mortality. However, current screening methods are either hampered by invasiveness or suboptimal performance, limiting their effectiveness as primary screening methods. To aid in the development of a non-invasive screening test with improved sensitivity and specificity, we have initiated a prospective biomarker study (CRCbiome), nested within a large randomized CRC screening trial in Norway. We aim to develop a microbiome-based classification algorithm to identify advanced colorectal lesions in screening participants testing positive for an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (FIT). We will also examine interactions with host factors, diet, lifestyle and prescription drugs. The prospective nature of the study also enables the analysis of changes in the gut microbiome following the removal of precancerous lesions. Methods: The CRCbiome study recruits participants enrolled in the Bowel Cancer Screening in Norway (BCSN) study, a randomized trial initiated in 2012 comparing once-only sigmoidoscopy to repeated biennial FIT, where women and men aged 50–74 years at study entry are invited to participate. Since 2017, participants randomized to FIT screening with a positive test result have been invited to join the CRCbiome study. Self-reported diet, lifestyle and demographic data are collected prior to colonoscopy after the positive FIT-test (baseline). Screening data, including colonoscopy findings are obtained from the BCSN database. Fecal samples for gut microbiome analyses are collected both before and 2 and 12 months after colonoscopy. Samples are analyzed using metagenome sequencing, with taxonomy profiles, and gene and pathway content as primary measures. CRCbiome data will also be linked to national registries to obtain information on prescription histories and cancer relevant outcomes occurring during the 10 year follow-up period. Discussion: The CRCbiome study will increase our understanding of how the gut microbiome, in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors, influences the early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. This knowledge will be crucial to develop microbiome-based screening tools for CRC. By evaluating biomarker performance in a screening setting, using samples from the target population, the generalizability of the findings to future screening cohorts is likely to be high.

  Study EGAS50000000170

• Data upcycling, powered by EGA

  In 2012 a collaborative effort headed by the teams of Carlos Caldas in Cambridge, UK and Samuel Aparicio, Canada, produced a pivotal study aimed at defining the mutational landscape of breast cancer. They gathered a collection of over 2000 breast cancer samples (METABRIC) associated with long-term clinical follow-up. They delineated an array of inherited and somatically acquired genetic variants and associated them to gene expression. This led to the identification of putative cancer-driving events and improved stratification of breast cancer patients. The study elicited huge attention and was tackled as herculean effort by fellow researchers. Cristina Curtis and her colleagues deposited the data in the EGA archive (EGAS00000000083). What they probably could not foresee is that their data would be reused more than 100 times, becoming one of the most downloaded datasets at EGA. In 2015, Frederik S. Varn and colleagues accessed the above-mentioned data from the New Hampshire, USA, to correlate it to transcriptional programs of hematopoietic cells infiltrated in breast tumours and found that those can influence patients' prognosis. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, improved the understanding of the interplay between immune system and cancer. Again, in 2017 the dataset was downloaded by an Italian/Polish collaboration and used to corroborate their mechanistic study that demonstrate how a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is aberrantly localized into the chromatin, where it modulates oncogenic isoforms expression, thus contributing to breast cancer. To date, the METABRIC dataset has been reused to contribute to 147 publications. Its impact on breast cancer research is incalculable, and it even spread beyond that, with recent contributions to the understanding of pan-cancer mechanisms and features. Some of the publications are translating into improvements in diagnosis and treatment of different types of breast cancer. This is just an example of how data upcycling can amplify the potential of any dataset, well past the scope of its creation, the imagination of its owners and any geographical border. At EGA, we are proud to empower such fruitful worldwide cycles of knowledge, providing a platform that enables safe sharing of sensitive genetic data.

  Blog data-upcycling-powered-by-ega

• Reading about genomic analysis of pan-neuroblastoma

  There are virtually no research fields that do not benefit from the large-scale genomic analysis that are so popular nowadays. For research into diseases with highly diverse clinical behavior like pediatric neuroblastoma, nevertheless, this type of approach has been a game-changer. Samuel W. Brady and colleagues, from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, have gathered data from 702 neuroblastomas which were profiled by whole genome sequencing (WGS, n = 205), whole exome sequencing (WES, n = 539), and/or RNA-Seq. Less than half of the samples were generated during this study, while the others were obtained from previous work. Part of the WES data was indeed deposited in EGA in 2012 (EGA study EGAS00001000213). A scratchy summary about the huge work from Samuel W. Brady and colleagues, published in Nature Communications this October 2020 “These findings suggest that the sympathetic nervous system, the tissue from which neuroblastoma arises, is susceptible to different oncogenic insults at different times during development, which could be explored in future investigations using animal models.” Conclude the authors, highlighting the importance of their findings. Pediatric neuroblastomas are classified according to clinical and molecular features into low, intermediate, and high risk. Age plays a critical role in the classification, with younger children having an overall better prognosis. The samples included in this study belonged to all ages and risk-groups: the aim of such set up is the identification of age-associated molecular aberrations. The authors defined a mutational landscape of pediatric neuroblastoma including rare driver events, impossible to pick with a smaller data set. Interestingly, most driver mutations' frequency was found to be age-related. Those include alterations on MYCN, TERT, PTPRD, and Ras pathway, in addition to the previously reported ATRX. In addition, the large data set allowed the authors to define co-existence relations between the mutations (mutual exclusion or co-occurrence) which is a crucial puzzle piece to unravel the mechanisms driving the pathogenesis. Enjoy this really interesting article, open source on Pubmed.

  Blog genomic-analysis-of-pan-neuroblastoma

• Memory-like HCV-specific CD8+ T cells retain a chronic scar after cure of chronic HCV infection

  Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with CD8+ T-cell exhaustion characterized by limited effector functions and thus compromised anti-viral activity. Exhausted HCV-specific CD8+ T cells are comprised of memory-like and terminally exhausted CD8+ T-cell subsets. So far, little is not known about the molecular profile and fate of these cells after elimination of chronic antigen stimulation by direct acting antiviral therapy (DAA). Here, we report an antigen-driven molecular core signature underlying exhausted CD8+ T-cell subset heterogeneity in chronic viral infection with a progenitor/progeny relationship of memory-like and terminally exhausted HCV-specific CD8+ T cells via an intermediate stage. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling reveals that the memory-like cells remain after DAA-mediated cure while terminally exhausted HCV-specific CD8+ T-cell subsets are lost. Thus, the memory polarization of the overall HCV-specific CD8+ T-cell response after cure does not result from re-differentiation of exhausted T cells. Consequently, antigen elimination has little impact on the exhausted core signature of memory-like CD8+ T cells that remains clearly different from bona fide T-cell memory. These results identify a molecular signature of T-cell exhaustion that is imprinted like a chronic scar in HCV-specific CD8+ T cells even after HCV cure, highlighting the requirement of re-programming to elicit full effector potential of exhausted T cells.

  Dataset EGAD00001006259