12405 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

in 40.15 milliseconds.

• Mutant_clone_mapping_in_oesohagus_restricted_bait

  We aim to assess the burden of mutant clones in normal human oesophagus from donors aged 65+. We will do this for a small number of genes which we know to be under positive dN/dS selection. This will allow us to assess the patient to patient variation in mutational burden as well as any changes in selection which may occur with age.

  Study EGAS00001005660

• Single cell and whole tissue transcriptomes investigating Barrett's oesophagus

  Data consists of 4,640 RNA-sequencing sample libraries. These libraries were sequenced from four sites of the upper gastro-intestinal tract (Barrett’s oesophagus, proximal normal oesophagus, proximal normal stomach, and duodenum) in two experiments. 4,587 libraries were produced in the first experiment in which whole transcriptomes were isolated single cells dissociated from endoscopic biopsy tissue obtained from the four previously mentioned tissues. The other 53 libraries were produced in the second experiment in which whole transcriptomes were isolated from whole tissue from endoscopic biopsies of the four previously mentioned tissues. The data found here are stored in the raw fastq file format from paired end sequencing.

  Dataset EGAD00001004344

• Pan Cancer Investigation of Human Leukocyte Antigen Loss of Heterozygosity

  Cancer cells can escape immune recognition through human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loss of heterozygosity (LOH) which results in deletion of HLA alleles, causing a reduction in presentation of tumor neoantigens. Despite its influence on immunotherapy response, few methods exist to detect HLA LOH, and accuracy of the approaches is poorly defined. Here, we present DASH (Deletion of Allele-Specific HLAs), a machine learning-based algorithm developed to detect HLA LOH from paired tumor-normal sequencing data. Using DASH to characterize HLA LOH in 610 patients across 15 cancer types, we found that 18% of patients had loss of heterozygosity in at least one HLA allele, suggesting the HLA LOH is a widespread, and potentially key immune resistance strategy in multiple cancers.

  Study phs002783

• Genetic Basis of Pulmonary Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections

  This project aims at characterizing the human host susceptibility to pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) infections. PNTM infections occur in patients with chronic lung disease, but also in a distinct group of elderly women without lung defects but who share a common body morphology: tall and lean with scoliosis, pectus excavatum, and mitral valve prolapse. We performed whole exome and genome sequencing in extended families of patients with active PNTM. This unique collection of familial cohorts in PNTM represents an important opportunity for a high yield search for genes that regulate mucosal immunity. We also sequenced the genome of mycobacterial isolates from PNTM patients to integrate host PNTM susceptibility with mycobacterial genotypes and gain insights into the key factors involved in this devastating disease.

  Study phs000719

• CAGE Profiling of ncRNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Reveals a Strong Activation of Retroviral LTR Promoters in Virus-Induced Tumors

  The ncRNA transcriptome of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unexplored. We used CAGE to characterize transcription start sites across different etiologies of human HCCs with emphasis on ncRNAs. Here we report that retroviral LTR promoters, expressed in healthy tissues such as testis and placenta but not liver, are widely activated in HCC. Despite HCC heterogeneity, a subset of LTR-derived ncRNAs were more than 10-fold up-regulated in the vast majority of samples. HCCs with a high LTR activity mostly had a viral etiology, were less differentiated and showed higher risk of recurrence. CAGE enabled us to build a promoter map for HCC, which uncovers a new layer of complexity in HCC genomics.

  Study phs000885

• Genomic Changes in Breast Cancer Among Chinese Women in Hong Kong

  Recently, tumor sequencing and profiling analyses have improved molecular classification and refined existing breast cancer subtypes. However, epidemiologic data are absent in most somatic profiling studies even in extensively studied Western populations. The expansion of genomic studies to understudied populations with the integration of etiologic factors will allow the capture of a much wider range of genetic structure and mutagenic exposures associated with breast cancer risk. We therefore conducted a detailed molecular characterization of paired breast tumor/normal tissues using fresh frozen tissues collected from breast cancer cases in an ongoing breast cancer case-control study in Hong Kong. These analyses included whole genome (WGS)/exome sequencing (WES), targeted DNA panel sequencing, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), and genome-wide methylation profiling analyses.

  Study phs001870

• DAC for Genomic landscapes of endometrioid and mucinous ovarian cancers and morphologically similar tumor types

  While endometrioid and mucinous ovarian cancers represent nearly a quarter of ovarian cancers, their molecular characteristics and pathologic origins are poorly understood. To characterize the genomic and epigenomic alterations of these ovarian cancer subtypes and evaluate links to morphologically similar tumors from other sites, we performed sequence, copy number, mutation signature, rearrangement, and methylation analyses from tumor samples and matched normal tissues of 133 patients. These analyses included patients with ovarian endometrioid (n=44), ovarian mucinous (n=43), uterine endometrial (n=15), and gastrointestinal mucinous cancers (n=31). In addition to identifying genes previously known to be involved in these tumors, we identified alterations in RAD51C, NOTCH4, SMARCA1/4 and JAK1 in ovarian endometrioid, ESR1 in uterine endometrioid, and SMARCA4 in ovarian mucinous cancers. Whole genome sequencing revealed rearrangements involving PTEN, NF1, and NF2 in ovarian endometrioid tumors, and NF1 and MED1 in ovarian mucinous cancers. The number of alterations and affected genes in ovarian and uterine endometrioid cancers were similar as were genome-wide methylation profiles, suggesting that these tumors may have a similar tissue of origin. By contrast, methylation patterns in ovarian mucinous cancers were more similar to other gastrointestinal mucinous cancers, including mucinous cancers of the stomach, colon, and pancreas. These analyses provide insights into the genomic landscapes and origins of mucinous and endometrioid ovarian carcinomas, providing new avenues for early clinical intervention and management of patients with these cancers.

  Dac EGAC50000000341

• Identification_of_rare_variants_associated_with_cardiovascular_traits_in_Cilento_isolates

  The aim of this project is to identify rare genetic variants of large effect implicated in complex diseases by focusing on the study of cardiovascular diseases and related quantitative traits in a well characterized isolated population in Cilento area, Italy.The reference panel has been selected carefully in order to maximize the imputation coverage and quality on the all population samples. The selected individuals should meet three criteria: selected individuals should be chip-genotyped and closely related to the maximum number of chip-genotyped individuals so as to maximize imputation coverage; relatedness between selected individuals should be minimal, so as to minimize redundancy in genetic information of the reference panel.We perform exome sequencing on samples from 250 individuals from the Campora and Gioi-Cardile populations.

  Study EGAS00001000620

• Neuroblastoma tumor heterogeneity and cell plasticity (from patients)

  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 EGAS00001005322

• Genome Asia 100K Project

  The underrepresentation of non-European individuals in human genetic studies so far has limited the diversity of individuals in genomic datasets and led to reduced medical relevance for a large proportion of the world’s population. Population-specific reference genome datasets as well as genome-wide association studies in diverse populations are needed to address this issue. Here we describe the pilot phase of the GenomeAsia 100K Project. This includes a whole-genome sequencing reference dataset from 1,739 individuals of 219 population groups and 64 countries across Asia. We catalogue genetic variation, population structure, disease associations and founder effects. We also explore the use of this dataset in imputation, to facilitate genetic studies in populations across Asia and worldwide.

  Study EGAS00001002921

• uganda_autosomes

  Genotype data (in binary PLINK format) and imputed data (with merged 1000Gp3 and AGVP reference panel in GEMMA BIMBAM dosage format) for 1391 individuals from EMaBS in Entebbe, Uganda.

  Dataset EGAD00010002578

• Knoll et al Identification of drug candidates targeting monocyte reprogramming in people living with HIV PBMC drug in vitro

  PBMC RNAseq drug in vitro

  Dataset EGAD50000000070

• First in vivo investigation of the impact of PARP inhibition with rucaparib alone and in combination with atezolizumab: results of the phase Ib COUPLET clinical study in advanced gynecologic and triple-negative breast cancers

  Study EGAS00001006100

• Lengthening and shortening of plasma DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

  Lengthening and shortening of plasma DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

  Study EGAS00001001024

• Multi-Site Collaborative Study for Genotype-Phenotype Associations in Alzheimer's disease and Longitudinal follow-up of Genotype-Phenotype Associations in Alzheimer's disease and Neuroimaging component of Genotype-Phenotype Associations in Alzheimer's disease

  GenADA is a multi-site collaborative study, involving GlaxoSmithKline Inc and nine medical centres in Canada, to develop a dataset containing 1000 Alzheimer's disease patients and 1000 ethnically-matched controls in order to associate DNA sequence (allelic) variations in candidate genes with Alzheimer's disease phenotypes. The study consists of both retrospective and prospective components, that is, patients with an existing diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease as well as newly diagnosed patients were enrolled in the study. Thus, clinical data was retrospectively or prospectively obtained on Day 1 of entry into GenADA. Where possible, biological relatives with Alzheimer's (up to third degree relationship such as cousins) and unaffected siblings of AD cases were also recruited. Note that recruitment numbers for biological relatives were lower than expected and genotypic data has not been submitted to dbGap for these subjects. The purpose of this study is: To identify DNA sequence variations (genotype) in candidate genes that are associated with the clinical symptoms and behavioural features of Alzheimer's disease (phenotype), which differ between study participants with and without the disease. To identify other genotype-phenotype associations in cognitively impaired study participants such as age of onset, family history, rate of cognitive decline, patterns of behavioural/psychiatric non-cognitive symptoms factors, response to treatment co-morbid conditions, and risks/exposure. The final subject recruitment for this study included 875 Alzheimer's disease patients, 850 ethnically-matched controls, and 37 family members. GenADA LONG is a longitudinal assessment to the original GenADA study. Eligible subjects were recruited from five of the nine memory clinics that participated in the GenADA study. Mild to moderate AD participants, a matched subset of controls, and biological related siblings (both affected and unaffected) or other blood relatives affected with AD, were initially examined a minimum of 12 months from recruitment into the original GenADA study, then at two further intervals of 12 and 18 months after time of entry into GenADA LONG. This enables an evaluation of the disease progression in AD patients and a determination of whether controls show evidence of cognitive decline. The overall goal of this extension study is to identify genetic differences and environmental influences that modulate the age of onset of the disease, the course of the disease, and/or biomarkers for neurodegenerative processes. Three of the five memory clinics that participated in the GenADA LONG study recruited eligible patients into GenADA Imaging. A concurrent neuroimaging sub-study was conducted at three of the five memory clinics participating in GenADA LONG. Eligible AD cases with mild to moderate AD, who were recruited into the original GenADA study and participated in the GenADA LONG extension study, were enrolled. Additionally, controls that showed signs of cognitive decline, as part of the assessment in GenADA LONG, were imaged at baseline, 12 and 18 month scanning intervals. The objective of this study is to find genes that: affect changes in AD brain volume measure by magnetic resonance in order to investigate how well change in brain volume predicts other key clinical measures in AD, such as neurodegenerative scales; that correlate changes in brain volume for other genotype-phenotype associations in cognitively impaired study participants; and that correlate with other clinically applicable magnetic resonance measures of pathology that can be conducted at the same time as structural volume measures, and are complementary to the volume measures. The ultimate aim of this research is to obtain a better understanding and definition of Alzheimer's Disease in order to develop new improved medicines.

  Study phs000219

• Differential Gene Expression in Cryptorchid Testes

  Differential Gene Expression in Cryptorchid Testes Study uses whole-genome RNA profiling of testicular biopsies to determine a potential causative role of isolated congenital cryptorchidism in azoospermia and/or infertility in the context of our previously published GeneChip data. Cryptorchid patients, aged 7 months to 5 years and otherwise healthy, were enrolled in this prospective study. During surgery, testicular tissue biopsies were obtained for histological examination and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Fifteen patients were selected based on the histological results and were divided into two groups. Seven were classified as belonging to the high infertility risk (HIR) and eight to the low infertility risk (LIR) group. Cryptorchid boys in the high infertility risk group lacked transformation of gonocytes into Ad spermatogonia due to impaired mini puberty. This group of patients will be infertile despite successful surgery.

  Study phs001275

• International Collaboration of Incident HIV and HCV in Injecting Cohorts (InC3)

  This study represents a merged international multi-cohort project of pooled biological and behavioral data from ten prospective cohorts of injection drug users (Grebely J, Morris MD, Rice TM, Bruneau J, Cox AL, Kim AY, et al., 2012, PMID: 23203695). Of the 10 cohorts, six provided data and samples for the genome wide association study (GWAS) entitled “Genetic Analysis of Opioid Addiction in People Who Inject Drugs”. The InC3 cohorts included in the GWAS were: i) Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC-I, Sydney); ii) Hepatitis C Incidence and Transmission Study in Prison (HITS-p) (Sydney); iii) Hepatitis C Incidence and Transmission Study in Community (HITS-c) (Sydney); iv) HepCo Study (Montreal); v) SuperMIX Study (combining the Networks II & MIX studies, Melbourne); and vi) the UFO Study (San Francisco).

  Study phs002310

• Somatic L1 Retrotransposition in Colorectal Tumors

  The purpose of this study is to ascertain the locations of somatic LINE-1 retrotransposition events in human colon tumor samples by pooling multiple tumor samples from different patients and performing a targeted resequencing assay (Ewing and Kazazian, Genome Research 2010) to sequence the 3' flanking regions of all insertions in the pooled sample. The result is compared to the result of applying the same method to pooled normal samples from the same patients as were used in the pooled tumor sample and selecting sites that show an insertion in the tumor but not in the normaltissue and do not correspond to any known non-reference LINE-1 insertion allele. The selected sites are then validated by site-specific PCR and capillary sequencing to confirm that they represent LINE-1 insertions and to obtain breakpoint sequences.

  Study phs000536

• Consortium on Asthma among African-ancestry Populations in the Americas (CAAPA)

  Asthma is a complex disease where the interplay between genetic factors and environmental exposures influences susceptibility and disease prognosis. Asthmatics of African descent tend to have more severe asthma and more severe clinical symptoms than individuals of European ancestry. Advances in genetic and genomic technologies have revolutionized gene discovery for several complex diseases, but going to the next step in gene discovery for asthma among populations of African descent requires considering unique characteristics of this ethnic group, including adequate sample sizes and population stratification due to (European and African) admixture. Thus far, coverage of common genetic markers both in public databases and commercially available SNP chips has been inadequate to detect and measure genetic associations among African admixed populations. The aim of this study was therefore to catalog genetic diversity in populations of African descent, especially those whose ancestry reflects the African Diaspora in the Americas.

  Study phs001123

• Location and Function of NSun2-Mediated Cytosine-5 Methylation in RNA and its Effect on Translation

  Mutations in the cytosine-5 RNA methyltransferase NSun2 can cause neurodevelopmental disorders and symptoms commonly found in patients with Dubowitz-like syndrome. Some tRNAs are known to be methylated NSun2, however the occurrence of cytosine-5 methylation (m5C) in other RNA biotypes is still under debate. Location in RNA and function of m5C has not been studied yet. This study is aimed at identifying new m5C methylated RNA biotypes, as well as the location at specific structures or sequences and the ultimate biological function. The impact of the loss of NSun2-mediated methylation is also determined by comparing gene expression data with the global cytosine-5 RNA methylome in Dubowitz-like syndrome patients. We also use ribosomal profiling to assess the impact of the loss and rescue of Nsun2-mediated cytosine-5 RNA methylation on translation rates and ribosome occupancy.

  Study phs000645

• Combined PDCD1, BRAF and MAP2K7 Inhibition in BRAFV600E Colorectal Cancer: A Phase 2 Trial

  In this study, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of combined PDCD1, BRAF, and MAP2K7 inhibition in metastatic BRAFV600E Colorectal Cancer (CRC) patients (NCT03668431). We performed bulk whole exome sequencing (WXS) and bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) in 35 pre-treatment tumor biopsies and matching germline for tumor mutational burden (TMB), BM1/BM2 transcriptional subtypes, and consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) analysis, which were previously reported to affect prognosis and response to therapy (PMIDs: 32047001, 27354468, and 26457756). Analysis of bulk data showed that TMB, BM1/BM2 subtypes, and CMS did not correlate with clinical response in this study. Analysis of single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) data of tumor epithelial cells from 23 paired day 0 and day 15 tumor biopsies revealed greater induction of tumor cell-intrinsic immune programs and more complete MAPK inhibition in patients with better clinical outcome.

  Study phs003178

• Origin of second malignancies in children

  Pediatric cancers are rare diseases, and children without known germline predisposing conditions who develop a second malignancy during developmental ages are extremely rare. We present four such clinical cases and through whole-genome and error-correcting ultra-deep duplex sequencing of tumor and normal samples, we explored the origin of the second malignancy in four children, uncovering different routes of development. The exposure to cytotoxic therapies was linked to the emergence of a secondary AML. A common somatic mutation acquired early during embryonic development was the driver of two solid malignancies in another child. In two cases, the two tumors developed from completely independent clones diverging during embryogenesis. Importantly, we demonstrate that platinum-based therapies contributed at least in one order of magnitude more mutations per day of exposure than aging to normal tissues in these children.

  Study EGAS50000000167

• Alterations in the gut microbiome implicate key taxa and metabolic pathways across inflammatory arthritis phenotypes

  Musculoskeletal diseases affect up to 20% of adults worldwide. The gut microbiome has been implicated in inflammatory conditions, but large-scale metagenomic evaluations have not yet traced the routes by which immunity in the gut affects inflammatory arthritis. To characterize the community structure and associated functional processes driving gut microbial involvement in arthritis, the Inflammatory Arthritis Microbiome Consortium investigated 440 stool shotgun metagenomes comprising 221 adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or psoriatic arthritis and 219 healthy controls and individuals with joint pain without an underlying inflammatory cause. Diagnosis explained about 2% of gut taxonomic variability, which is comparable in magnitude to inflammatory bowel disease. We identified several candidate microbes with differential carriage patterns in patients with elevated blood markers for inflammation. Our results confirm and extend previous findings of increased carriage of typically oral and inflammatory taxa and decreased abundance and prevalence of typical gut clades, indicating that distal inflammatory conditions, as well as local conditions, correspond to alterations to the gut microbial composition. We identified several differentially encoded pathways in the gut microbiome of patients with inflammatory arthritis, including changes in vitamin B salvage and biosynthesis and enrichment of iron sequestration. Although several of these changes characteristic of inflammation could have causal roles, we hypothesize that they are mainly positive feedback responses to changes in host physiology and immune homeostasis. By connecting taxonomic alternations to functional alterations, this work expands our understanding of the shifts in the gut ecosystem that occur in response to systemic inflammation during arthritis.

  Dataset EGAD50000000567

• Recurrent CLTC::SYK fusions and CSF1R mutations in juvenile xanthogranuloma of soft tissue

  In this study, the genomic landscape of extracutaneous juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) was analyzed. By leveraging the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank (Palga), tumor samples were obtained from different academic medical centers in the Netherlands. The study was approved by the Palga Scientific Council and Privacy Committee (LZV-2016-183) and the Institutional Review Board of Leiden University Medical Center (B19.074). In addition, the study was approved by the Biobank and Data Access Committee of the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology (PMCLAB2024.0512). Provided are whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS) data of 3 histiocytic tumors with CLTC::SYK fusions. WTS was performed in the routine workflow of the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology (as described in Hehir-Kwa, et al. JCO Precis Oncol 2022). RNA was derived from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue (n=1) or from frozen tumor tissue (n=2).

  Study EGAS50000000584

• Randomized Phase II 2 x 2 Factorial Trial of the Addition of Carboplatin +/- Bevacizumab to Neoadjuvant Weekly Paclitaxel Followed by Dose-Dense AC in Hormone Receptor-Poor/HER2-Negative Resectable Breast Cancer: DNA Sequencing

  This randomized phase II trial studies how well paclitaxel with or without carboplatin and/or bevacizumab followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide works in treating patients with breast cancer that can be removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, carboplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Bevacizumab may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving chemotherapy together with bevacizumab before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. All participants in this study were female. RNA sequencing data from the same patients were published under phs001863. Subject aliases are the same in the two datasets.

  Study phs003801

• SweGen: a whole-genome data resource of genetic variability in a cross-section of the Swedish population

  The SweGen project represents a comprehensive map of genetic variation in the Swedish population. This Study contains four datasets where the first one contains whole-genome sequencing data in CRAM-format for 942 individuals from the Swedish Twin Registry, the second one contains genetic variant frequencies in VCF-format for the same individuals, the third one contains whole-genome sequencing data in CRAM-format for 58 individuals from the Northern Sweden Population Health Study and the fourth one contains genetic variant frequencies in VCF-format for the same individuals. The data, serving as a reference dataset, is a valuable and national resource for genetics research and clinical diagnostics and can be used, for instance, to increase understanding of both rare and complex disorders. It also serves as an international resource for larger studies of human population genetics.

  Study EGAS50000000906

• Genetic and transcriptional landscape of plasma cells in POEMS syndrome

  POEMS syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic disease, associated with monoclonal plasma cells whose pathogenic importance remains unclear. We performed comprehensive genetic analyses of plasma cells in 20 patients with POEMS syndrome. Whole exome sequencing and targeted sequencing identified 7 recurrently mutated genes: KLHL6, LTB, EHD1, EML4, HEPHL1, HIPK1, and PCDH10. None of the driver gene mutations frequently found in multiple myeloma (MM) such as NRAS, KRAS, BRAF, and TP53 was detected. Copy number analysis showed chromosomal abnormalities shared with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). RNA sequencing revealed a transcription profile specific to POEMS syndrome, especially in terms of tumorigenesis. Unexpectedly, disease-specific VEGFA expression was not increased in POEMS syndrome. Our study illustrates that the genetic and transcriptional profiles of plasma cells in POEMS syndrome are distinct from MM and MGUS, indicating its unique pathogenesis.

  Study JGAS000150

• Genomic Epidemiology of Complex Diseases in Population-based Brazilian Cohorts

  The EPIGEN-Brasil Initiative is so far the largest Latin American initiative in population genomics and genetic epidemiology. Its main goal is to study the association between genetic variants found in the Brazilian population and complex diseases, taking into account one of the most important characteristics of this population: its admixture. Population genetic include genomewide genotyping of 6487 individuals and high-resolution whole genome sequencing from 30 individuals from three population-based Brazilian cohorts: Salvador, Bambuí and Pelotas. More information about the population-based cohorts are available on: For the 1982 Pelotas birth cohort study in Victora and Barros 2006 (PMID 16373375); For the Bambui cohort study of aging in LIma-Costa MF et al. (2011) (PMID 20805109); For the Salvador-Scaala study in Barreto et al. (2006) (PMID 16796729)

  Study EGAS00001001245

• RNA-seq, WGS and WES of Hepatocellular carcinomas, enriched in fibrolamellar carcinomas

  DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion is a specific driver event in fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), a rare subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in adolescents and young adults. In older patients, molecular determinants of HCC with mixed histological features of HCC and FLC (mixed-FLC/HCC) remain to be discovered.This study aims to molecularly caracterize mixed fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (mixed FLC/HCC) within the molecular liver tumors diversity, in respect of pure FLC and different HCC subtypes. This study reunites WGS data (n=3, Tumoral/Non-Tumoral pairs), WES data (n=43, Tumoral/Non-Tumoral pairs) and RNAseq data (n=66, Tumoral only). On a trascriptomic level, most of the mixed-FLC/HCC RNAseq clustered in a robust subgroup of tumors all showing mutation or translocation inactivating BAP1 that codes for the BRCA1 associated protein-1.

  Study EGAS00001003837

• Heterogeneous Genomic Evolution and Immune Microenvironments in Metastatic Lung Cancer

  The mechanism underlying the occurrence of lung cancer metastasis to different tissues/organs remains elusive. We investigated the genomic evolution and immune microenvironments of paired primary-metastatic tumors by employing multi-region whole-exome sequencing in 179 samples of 106 tumors from 51 lung cancer patients and subsequent immunohistochemistry assays in 70 of them. Our data revealed differences in genomic landscapes, molecular determinants, evolutionary dynamics, and lymphocyte infiltration among different metastatic sites. We demonstrated commonly late arising of metastatic seeding of lung cancer with quantitative evidence. Most distant metastases originated from independent origins of earlier lymph node spreads. Immune-heterogeneity and -homogeneity were primarily driven by arm-level and focal copy number events in primary tumors, respectively. These findings implied the combinatorial role of multiple factors in shaping patterns of dissemination and advanced the clinical evaluation and intervention of lung cancer metastasis.

  Study EGAS00001004228

• Whole Exome and Target Sequencing Data in 75 Samples from 5 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

  Whole Exome and Target Sequencing Data in 75 Samples from 5 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. The sequencing was performed by Illumina HiSeq 4000. Background and aims: Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) challenges identifying mutations with target therapy potential whereas circulating cell-free DNAs (cfDNAs) could reflect nearly the entire mutation spectrum in given tumors. We investigated how to minimize the limit of ITH for profiling hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: Thirty-two multi-regional HCC samples from five patients were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES) and targeted deep sequencing (TDS). ITH extent was measured by the average percentage of non-ubiquitous mutations (present in parts of tumor regions). Matched cfDNAs were also analyzed by WES and TDS. Profiling efficiencies of single tumor specimen and cfDNA were compared and the one better depicted mutational landscape was selected to screen therapeutic targets.Results: We found variable extents of ITH in HCCs and observed branched and parallel evolution patterns. ITH level decreased at higher sequencing depth of TDS than that measured by WES (28.1% vs 34.9%, P < 0.01) but it remained unchanged upon additional samples analyzed. TDS of single tumor specimen detected an average of 70% the total mutations in HCC. Although more mutations were detected in cfDNA under TDS than WES, an average of 47.2% total HCC mutations uncovered by cfDNA suggested tissue outperform cfDNA and the latter may serve as alternative in profiling HCC genome. Consequently, TDS of single tumor tissue in 66 patients and cfDNAs in four unresectable HCCs identified 38.6% (26/66 and 1/4) patients bearing therapeutic targets.Conclusions: TDS of single tumor specimen could largely circumvent ITH to uncover mutations indicative of target therapy in HCC.

  Dataset EGAD00001003278

• 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

• Genome-wide cell-free DNA biological patterns in patients with cancer

  The structure of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is altered in the blood of cancer patients. From whole genome sequencing we retrieved the cfDNA fragment-end composition using a new software (FrEIA), as well as the cfDNA size and tumor fraction in three independent cohorts (n=925 cancer from >10 types and 321 control samples). At 95% specificity, we detect 72% of cancer samples using at least one cfDNA measure, including 64% of early-stage cancer (n=220). cfDNA detection correlates with a shorter overall (p=0.018) and recurrence-free (p=0.006) survival in patients with resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma. Integrating cfDNA measures with machine learning in an independent test set (n=396 cancer, 90 controls) achieve a detection accuracy of 82% and AUROC of 96%. In conclusion, harnessing the biological features of cfDNA can improve at no-extra cost the diagnostic performance of liquid biopsies.

  Study EGAS00001007400

• The Etiological Bases of Giftedness: Epidemiological Study of Cognitive Ability in Children in Saudi Arabia

  Recent studies of genetic foundations of cognitive ability rely on large samples (hundreds of thousands) of individuals from relatively outbred populations of mostly European ancestry. Hypothesizing that the genetic foundation of cognitive ability depends on the broader population-specific genetic context, we performed a genome-wide association study and homozygosity mapping of cognitive ability estimates obtained through latent variable modeling in a sample of 354 children from the consanguineous population of Saudi Arabia. Approximately half of the sample demonstrated significantly elevated homozygosity levels indicative of inbreeding, and among those with elevated homozygosity, it was negatively associated with cognitive ability. Further homozygosity mapping identified a specific run, inclusive of the GRIA4 gene, that survived corrections for multiple testing for association with cognitive ability. The results suggest that in a consanguineous population, a notable proportion of the variance in cognitive ability in the normal range in children might be regulated by population-specific mechanisms such as patterns of elevated autozygosity.

  Study phs001884

• Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease Whole Genome Sequencing Project

  Multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder driven by excessive production of inflammatory cytokines. Patients can exhibit a wide range of clinical features from mild flu-like symptoms to multiple organ failure and death. Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is a well-established cause of MCD in individuals who are immunosuppressed due to human immunodeficiency virus infection or other causes. On the other hand, it is not known what causes MCD in otherwise healthy individuals with no evidence of exposure to HHV-8 (idiopathic MCD or iMCD). Although iMCD is most common in 40-60 years old adults, it affects people of all ages and early-onset (childhood or young adulthood) cases have been reported. Germline mutations may underlie iMCD in such cases. Patients with early-onset iMCD and their family members were enrolled in the study. To identify germline mutations that may underlie iMCD, whole-genome sequencing was performed in patients and their biological parents from whom DNA samples were available.

  Study phs001706

• Epigenomics of Patient Outcomes after Aneurysmal SAH

  This project was focused on understanding the pathophysiology following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). DNA methylation is a key mechanism for regulation of gene expression and function in the adult brain and appears to play an important role in neuroprotection during ischemic events in the brain. Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), occurring during the acute phase following aSAH, is a major contributor to the complications that later develop; however, the pathophysiology of DCI and the development of complications is not known. We hypothesize that characterizing the methylome representing the CNS environment post aSAH will clarify the pathophysiology associated with DCI and patient outcomes. The aims of this project focused on the daily genome-wide methylomic changes that occur in DNA representing the CNS for the first 14 days after aSAH, as well as in peripheral blood in a subset of partcipants, and determining if this methylomic data impacts DCI and the development of complications after aSAH.

  Study phs001990

• Wisconsin Longitudinal Study on Aging

  The Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) is a long-term study of a random sample of men and women, who graduated from Wisconsin high schools in 1957, and their siblings. The WLS panel started out with a panel of 10,317 members from the class of 1957. Over time a second panel of 8,734 randomly selected siblings of the original graduate panel were recruited for the study. Of these combined panel members, 9,027 survived and contributed saliva for genetic analysis. Survey data were collected from the original respondents or their parents in 1957, 1964, 1975, 1992, 2004, and 2011, and from a selected sibling in 1977, 1994, 2005, and 2011. WLS data provide a detailed record of educational, social, psychological, economic, mental and physical health characteristics of a relatively homogeneous population that is almost entirely of Northern and Western European ancestry. Saliva was first collected in 2007-2008 by mail. Additional samples were collected in the course of home interviews that began in March 2010.

  Study phs001157

• Multi-Omic Microbiome Study-Pregnancy Initiative (MOMS-PI)

  The Vaginal Microbiome Consortium team at Virginia Commonwealth University has conducted the Multi-Omic Microbiome Study: Pregnancy Initiative (MOMS-PI) in collaboration with the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS) to better understand how microbiome and host profiles change throughout pregnancy and influence the establishment of the nascent microbiome in neonates. The team particularly focused on elucidation of the role of the microbiome and its components in the etiology of preterm birth, which occurs in over 10% of pregnancies and which is the leading cause of death in neonates. Samples from 1594 women and their neonates were collected throughout pregnancy, at delivery and postpartum. The group has generated a comprehensive dataset of multiple omics technologies. This longitudinal, large-scale effort was designed to provide a large-scale resource for the scientific community. The study also permits characterization of temporal dynamics of the microbiome in pregnancy and factors associated with preterm birth.

  Study phs001523

• PD-1 antibody-bound progenitor-exhausted CD8+ T cells in lymph nodes boost PD-1-blockade anti-tumor immunity in gastrointestinal cancer

  While progenitor-exhausted T cells (Tpex) expressing TCF1 and PD-1 are crucial for the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs; therapeutic anti-PD-1 antibodies), the dynamics of ICI-bound Tpex are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated ICI-bound T cells in detail using combined sequencing analysis at the single cell level. By analyzing samples from gastrointestinal cancer patients with or without ICI treatment, we found that Tpex were enriched in proximal lymph nodes (LNs) and proliferated at a high rate after ICI treatment. Importantly, ICI high-bound Tpex in LNs shared T-cell receptor clonotypes with intratumoral exhausted CD8+ T cells (Tex), suggesting their migration to tumor sites after ICI treatment. These findings indicate that ICIs initially target PD-1+CD8+ Tpex in LNs, prompting their proliferation. Subsequently, these cells migrate to tumors and differentiate into Tex, thereby exerting anti-tumor immunity.

  Study JGAS000720

• Variant allele frequency changes in TP53 predict pembrolizumab response in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma

  Prognoses for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) have strikingly improved with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), but clinical benefits are limited to a subset of patients. Therefore, a non-invasive biomarker to predict pembrolizumab response is urgently required. We retrospectively examined genomic alterations in 25 plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) samples using a targeted sequencing of 77 genes from 16 mUC patients during pembrolizumab treatment. Eleven (68.8%) patients had two or more genomic alterations, including TP53 mutations (as defined by ctDNA-positive status). The proportion of responders to pembrolizumab in the ctDNA-positive group was higher than the ctDNA-negative group (72.7% vs. 20.0%). Furthermore, among all detected genomic alterations, variant allele frequency decreases in TP53 during pembrolizumab treatment were mainly associated with therapeutic response. Collectively, we suggest that profiling of ctDNA in plasma, especially TP53, is useful for predicting and monitoring therapeutic responses to pembrolizumab in mUC patients.

  Study JGAS000622

• Loss of presentation of estimated neoantigens from mutated genes in ctDNA was essential for fostering primary to recurrent tumors in postoperative colorectal cancer cases

  Specific parameters regarding mutations at primary sites for the detection of postoperative recurrence using circulating tumor (ct)DNA liquid biopsy are lacking. In the current retrospective study, we conducted target resequencing of ctDNA using 47 plasma samples and established a cancer panel carrying the commonly mutated genes between primary and recurrent tumors. We found that mutated genes in ctDNA indicated immune-resistance traits with respect to the impaired ability to present neoantigens by loss of expression or binding affinity to HLA in the primary tumor. Compared with the estimated neoantigens from all mutated genes in primary tumors, the neoantigen peptides from commonly mutated genes between primary and recurrent tumors showed abundant and significant expression with no binding affinity to HLA. Therefore, ctDNA mutations can be frequently and postoperatively detected to identify recurrence; however, these mutated genes were derived from immune-tolerated clones owing to the loss of neoantigen presentation in primary CRC tumors.

  Study JGAS000549

• Inferring expressed genes by whole-genome sequencing of plasma DNA

  The analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma represents a rapidly advancing field in medicine. cfDNA consists predominantly of nucleosome-protected DNA shed into the bloodstream by cells undergoing apoptosis. We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of plasma DNA and identified two discrete regions at transcription start sites (TSS) where the nucleosome occupancy results in different read-depth coverage patterns in expressed and silent genes. By employing machine learning for gene classification we found that the plasma DNA read depth patterns from healthy donors reflected the expression signature of hematopoietic cells. In cancer patients with metastatic disease, we were able to classify expressed cancer driver genes in regions with somatic copy number gains with high accuracy. We could even determine the expressed isoform of genes with several TSSs as confirmed by RNA-Seq of the matching primary tumor. Our analyses provide functional information about the cells releasing their DNA into the circulation.

  Study EGAS00001001754

• cfRRBS on cfDNA from pediatric cancer

  In the clinical management of pediatric solid tumors, histological examination of tumor tissue obtained by a biopsy remains the gold standard to establish a conclusive pathological diagnosis. The DNA methylation pattern of a tumor is known to correlate with the histopathological diagnosis across cancer types and is showing promise in the diagnostic workup of tumor samples. This methylation pattern can be detected in the cell-free DNA. Here, we provide proof-of-concept of histopathologic classification of pediatric tumors using cell-free reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (cf-RRBS) from retrospectively collected plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples. We determined the correct tumor type in 49 out of 60 (81.6%) samples starting from minute amounts (less than 10 ng) of cell-free DNA. We demonstrate that the majority of misclassifications were associated with sample quality and not with the extent of disease. Our approach has the potential to help tackle some of the remaining diagnostic challenges in pediatric oncology in a cost-effective and minimally invasive manner.

  Study EGAS00001004194

• Human Pancreatic Beta Cell lncRNAs Control Cell-Specific Regulatory Networks

  Recent studies have uncovered thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human pancreatic β cells. β cell lncRNAs are often cell type specific and exhibit dynamic regulation during differentiation or upon changing glucose concentrations. Although these features hint at a role of lncRNAs in β cell gene regulation and diabetes, the function of β cell lncRNAs remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the function of β cell-specific lncRNAs and transcription factors using transcript knockdowns and co-expression network analysis. This revealed lncRNAs that function in concert with transcription factors to regulate β cell-specific transcriptional networks. We further demonstrate that the lncRNA PLUTO affects local 3D chromatin structure and transcription of PDX1, encoding a key β cell transcription factor, and that both PLUTO and PDX1 are downregulated in islets from donors with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. These results implicate lncRNAs in the regulation of β cell-specific transcription factor networks.

  Study EGAS00001002865

• H014: HES5 mediates NOTCH signaling by interaction with AKT to drive liver carcinogenesis

  Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in liver development and aberrant Notch signaling may lead to hepatocellular (HCC) or cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA) development. Using whole exome sequencing of 54 human HCC samples, we discovered 19 somatic missense mutations in 15 different Notch pathway genes affecting 24.6% (14 of 57) of patients. Prediction of functional impact of these Notch pathway mutations revealed HES5-R31G to have high relevance. We found HES5 to be strongly activated by Notch signaling. In vitro, HES5 reduced cell migration and clonogenicity and in vivo, HES5 inhibited MYC-dependent liver tumor formation. But together with AKT, HES5 increased liver tumor formation in a mouse model. HES5 directly binds to AKT and AKT expression leads to increase HES5 protein levels. Furthermore, HES5 exhibits a negative feed-back loop by inhibiting NOTCH1 and HES1 gene expression. In contrast, HES5-R31G appears to be non-functional possibly by loss of nuclear translocation

  Study EGAS00001003329

• whole-genome sequencing in 17 ESCC cases and whole-exome sequencing in 71 cases

  Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers and the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide1. Approximately 70% of the global esophageal cancers occur in China and over 90% histopathological forms of this disease are esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)2-3. Currently, there are limited clinical approaches for early diagnosis and treatment for ESCC, resulting in a 10% 5-year survival rate for the patients. Meanwhile, the full repertoire of genomic events leading to the pathogenesis of ESCC remains unclear. Here we show a comprehensive genomic analysis in 158 ESCC cases, as part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) Research Projects (http://icgc.org/icgc/cgp/72/371/1001734). We conducted whole-genome sequencing in 17 ESCC cases and whole-exome sequencing in 71 cases, of which 53 cases and additional 70 ESCC cases were subjected to array comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) analysis.

  Study EGAS00001000709

• single cell sequencing of resting and Influenza-stimulated mononcluear phagocytes of African and Europeans with varying degree of ex-vivo susceptibility to Influenza

  There is considerable inter-individual immunological and clinical variability upon influenza A virus (IAV) infection in humans; yet, the factors underlying such heterogeneity remain elusive. Here, using an ex vivo cellular model that captures natural variation in the transcriptional responses of monocytes to IAV, we find significant differences in viral mRNA levels between individuals of African and European ancestry. Using single cell analyses, we show that the overall number of cells that will ultimately become infected, rather than the amount of viral transcript expression per cell, is the main driver of the surprisingly higher IAV mRNA levels detected in European cells. Finally, we identify 135 genes, including the interferon-stimulated genes IFITM3, MX1, and OAS3, for which basal mRNA expression levels associate with IAV mRNA levels post infection. Our findings reveal that basal differences in activation of IRF/STAT-induced antiviral mechanisms may contribute to individual and population disparities in susceptibility to IAV infection.

  Study EGAS00001005000

• Whole genome sequencing of EBV Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

  Interplay between EBV infection and acquired genetic alterations during nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development remains vague. Here we report a comprehensive genomic analysis of 70 NPCs, combining whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of microdissected tumor cells with EBV oncogene expression to reveal multiple aspects of cellular-viral co-operation in tumorigenesis. Genomic aberrations along with EBV-encoded LMP1 expression underpin constitutive NF-κB activation in 90% of NPCs. A similar spectrum of somatic aberrations and viral gene expression undermine innate immunity in 79% of cases and adaptive immunity in 47% of cases; mechanisms by which NPC may evade immune surveillance despite its pro inflammatory phenotype. Additionally, genomic changes impairing TGFBR2 promote oncogenesis and stabilize EBV infection in tumor cells. Fine-mapping of CDKN2A/CDKN2B deletion breakpoints reveals homozygous MTAP deletions in 32-34% of NPCs that confer marked sensitivity to MAT2A inhibition. Our work concludes that NPC is a homogeneously NF-κB-driven and immune-protected, yet potentially druggable, cancer.

  Study EGAS00001004705

• Somatic mutations in ALS genes in the motor cortex of sporadic ALS patients

  Several lines of evidence suggest that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology starts focally and spreads within the central nervous system (CNS). We leveraged DNA and RNA sequencing data from ALS autopsy tissue to explore the presence of somatic mosaic variants in sporadic ALS (sALS) cases. Deep targeted sequencing of known ALS disease genes from motor cortex tissue revealed enrichment of somatic variants in sALS compared to familial ALS (fALS) with a monogenic cause and an increased pathogenicity of mosaic mutations in known ALS mutational hot spots. Experimental validation of the variants identified that the somatic FUS variant p.E516X leads to nucleo-cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation. Additionally, somatic variant calling from single-cell RNA-sequencing data of sALS tissue showed an accumulation of somatic variants in excitatory neurons. Collectively, using a multi-modal approach, our findings suggest that somatic mutations within the motor cortex, especially in excitatory neurons, may contribute to the development of sALS.

  Study EGAS00001008104

• Phylogenetic reconstruction of adult blood cancer reveals early origins and lifelong evolution - WGS

  Mutations in cancer-associated genes drive tumour outgrowth. However, the timing of driver mutations and dynamics of clonal expansion that lead to human cancers are largely unknown. We used 580,133 somatic mutations from whole-genome sequencing of 1013 clonal haematopoietic colonies to reconstruct the phylogeny of haematopoiesis, from embryogenesis to clinical disease, in 12 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms which are blood cancers more common in older age. JAK2V617F, the pathognomonic mutation driving the majority of these cancers, was acquired in utero or childhood, with upper estimates of age of acquisition from 33 weeks gestation to 10.8 years, in all 5 patients in whom JAK2V617F was either the only or the first driver event.  Driver mutations associated with age-related clonal haematopoiesis occurred prior to or following JAK2V617F,  as independent clonal expansions in JAK2V617F-mutated patients, and as large clonal expansions in JAK2V617F-unmutated patients . These mutations were also acquired in utero or childhood, with DNMT3A mutations occurring by 8 weeks of gestation to 7.6 years across 4 patients, and PPM1D mutation occurring by age 5.8yrs in a patient with MPN lacking phenotypic driver mutations. Sequential driver mutation acquisition was common, separated by decades across life, and often outcompeted ancestral clones. The mean latency between JAK2V617F acquisition and clinical presentation was 30 years (range 11-54 years). Rates of clonal expansion were inferred from phylogenetic trees and varied substantially (3% to 190% expansion/year), were affected by additional driver mutations, and were predictive of latency to clinical presentation. Driver mutations and rates of expansion would have been detectable in blood one to four decades before clinical presentation. This study reveals how driver mutation acquisition early in life with life-long growth and evolution underlie adult myeloproliferative neoplasms, providing opportunities for early detection and intervention and a new paradigm for cancer development.

  Dataset EGAD00001007714

• Phylogenetic reconstruction of adult blood cancer reveals early origins and lifelong evolution - TGS

  Mutations in cancer-associated genes drive tumour outgrowth. However, the timing of driver mutations and dynamics of clonal expansion that lead to human cancers are largely unknown. We used 580,133 somatic mutations from whole-genome sequencing of 1013 clonal haematopoietic colonies to reconstruct the phylogeny of haematopoiesis, from embryogenesis to clinical disease, in 12 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms which are blood cancers more common in older age. JAK2V617F, the pathognomonic mutation driving the majority of these cancers, was acquired in utero or childhood, with upper estimates of age of acquisition from 33 weeks gestation to 10.8 years, in all 5 patients in whom JAK2V617F was either the only or the first driver event.  Driver mutations associated with age-related clonal haematopoiesis occurred prior to or following JAK2V617F,  as independent clonal expansions in JAK2V617F-mutated patients, and as large clonal expansions in JAK2V617F-unmutated patients . These mutations were also acquired in utero or childhood, with DNMT3A mutations occurring by 8 weeks of gestation to 7.6 years across 4 patients, and PPM1D mutation occurring by age 5.8yrs in a patient with MPN lacking phenotypic driver mutations. Sequential driver mutation acquisition was common, separated by decades across life, and often outcompeted ancestral clones. The mean latency between JAK2V617F acquisition and clinical presentation was 30 years (range 11-54 years). Rates of clonal expansion were inferred from phylogenetic trees and varied substantially (3% to 190% expansion/year), were affected by additional driver mutations, and were predictive of latency to clinical presentation. Driver mutations and rates of expansion would have been detectable in blood one to four decades before clinical presentation. This study reveals how driver mutation acquisition early in life with life-long growth and evolution underlie adult myeloproliferative neoplasms, providing opportunities for early detection and intervention and a new paradigm for cancer development.

  Dataset EGAD00001007715

• WGS BAM files fromxa0Genomic Features and Classification of Homologous Recombination Deficient Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

  Background and Aims: Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), remains poorly defined beyond germline(g) alterations in BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2. Methods: We interrogated whole genome sequencing (WGS) data on 391 patients including 49 carriers of pathogenic variants (PVs) in g_BRCA_ and PALB2. HRD classifiers were applied to the dataset and included: 1) the genomic instability score (GIS) used by Myriad MyChoice HRD assay; 2) substitution base signature 3 (SBS3); 3) HRDetect; and, 4) Structural Variant (SV) burden. Clinical outcomes and responses to chemotherapy were correlated with HRD status. Results: Biallelic tumour inactivation of g_BRCA_ or PALB2 was evident in 43/49 germline carriers identifying HRD-PDAC. HRDetect (score ?0.7) predicted gBRCA1/PALB2 deficiency with highest sensitivity (98%) and specificity (100%). HRD genomic tumour classifiers suggested that 7-10% of PDAC that do not harbor g_BRCA/PALB2_ have features of HRD. Of the somatic HRDetect cases, 69% were attributed to alterations in BRCA1/2, PALB2, RAD51C/D and XRCC2, and a tandem duplicator phenotype. TP53 loss was more common in BRCA1- compared to BRCA2-associated HRD-PDAC. HRD status was not prognostic in resected PDAC. However in advanced disease the GIS (p=0.02), SBS3 (p=0.03) and HRDetect score (p=0.005) were predictive of platinum response and superior survival. PVs in g_ATM_ (n=6) or g_CHEK2_ (n=2) did not result in HRD-PDAC by any of the classifiers. In four patients, BRCA2 reversion mutations associated with platinum resistance. Conclusions: Germline and parallel somatic profiling of PDAC outperforms germline testing alone in identifying HRD-PDAC. An additional 7-10% of patients without gBRCA/PALB2 mutations may benefit from DNA damage response agents.

  Dataset EGAD00001007571

• Whole genome sequencing of patients with or at risk for HCC

  Liver cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Screening individuals at high risk, including those with cirrhosis and viral hepatitis, provides an avenue for improved survival, but current screening methods are inadequate. In this study, we used whole-genome cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentome analyses to evaluate 724 individuals from the United States, the European Union, or Hong Kong with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or who were at average or high-risk for HCC. Using a machine learning model that incorporated multifeature fragmentome data, the sensitivity for detecting cancer was 88% in an average-risk population at 98% specificity and 85% among high-risk individuals at 80% specificity. We validated these results in an independent population. cfDNA fragmentation changes reflected genomic and chromatin changes in liver cancer, including from transcription factor binding sites. These findings provide a biological basis for changes in cfDNA fragmentation in patients with liver cancer and provide an accessible approach for noninvasive cancer detection.

  Study EGAS00001007249

• Sequencing data from MethylScan assay on plasma

  Machine learning models in biomedical research are often hindered by demographic imbalances in clinical datasets, leading to biased predictions that disadvantage minority populations. Existing bias correction methods face limitations in handling the heterogeneity of biomedical data and the complexity of demographic influences. Here, we present DeBias, a computational framework for mitigating demographic biases in high-dimensional biomedical datasets. DeBias eliminates bias-associated subspaces within the entire feature space using control samples and enables global bias correction across all features, effectively preserving disease-specific signals while minimizing demographic distortions. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we applied DeBias to cfDNA methylation data for cancer detection. It achieved a >6-fold reduction in the number of features containing biases and outperformed existing methods in improving the cancer detection performance for minority populations. Our method represented a promising step toward developing machine learning models that are more accurate, reliable, and equitable for minority populations.

  Study EGAS00001008127

• uganda_X

  Genotype data (in binary PLINK format) and imputed data (with merged 1000Gp3 and AGVP reference panel in GEMMA BIMBAM dosage format) for 1391 individuals from EMaBS in Entebbe, Uganda - X chromosome.

  Dataset EGAD00010002583

• nEODURVARIB clinical trial. Exome sequencing in advanced urothelial carcinoma

  Exome sequencing (BAM and VCF files) in advanced urothelial carcinoma in diagnostic and pos-ttreatment samples

  Dataset EGAD50000001162

• Phenotype-modifier genes in FHHNC

  Whole exome sequencing data in FHHNC patients stratified in extreme phenotypes to identify potential phenotype modifier variants

  Dataset EGAD50000001217

• Low-input PCHi-C data in CD4+ T cells

  Low-input PCHi-C data in CD4+ T cells from Malysheva et al.

  Study EGAS50000001316

• Whole-exome and transcriptome in RMS

  Whole-exome sequencing in 16 RMS casesWhole-transcriptome sequencing in 8 RMS cases

  Dataset EGAD00001001105

• The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Human Genetics Resource Center: DNA and Cell Line Repository (the NINDS Repository): Motor Neuron/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Study

  The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Human Genetics Resource Center: DNA and Cell Line Repository (the NINDS Repository), banks phenotypic data and biological samples, including from individuals with motor neuron disease, in order to facilitate gene discovery in neurological disorders. Those samples are used in a number of studies, and genotyping data from studies using this resource are encouraged to be shared via dbGaP. Many studies have already shared data in this fashion, which in turn, can be linked back to the biologicals banked at the NINDS Repository. Motor Neuron Disease is characterized by selective degeneration of the motor neurons of the spinal cord, brainstem, or motor cortex. Clinical subtypes are distinguished by the major site of degeneration. In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), there is involvement of upper, lower, and brainstem motor neurons. In progressive muscular atrophy and related syndromes, the motor neurons in the spinal cord are primarily affected. With progressive bulbar palsy, the initial degeneration occurs in the brainstem. In primary lateral sclerosis, the cortical neurons are affected in isolation (Adams et al, Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p 1089). The Motor Neuron Disease Collection of DNA and cell lines in the NINDS Repository is largely Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis cases (others include progressive muscular atrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar palsy, Kennedy's disease). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND). Although ALS is the most common MND, it is still a relatively rare disease with an incidence of around 1.6 per 100,000 in the United States. It is currently incurable and treatment is largely limited to supportive care. Family history is associated with an increased risk of ALS, and many Mendelian causes have been discovered (including SOD1). However, most forms of the disease are not obviously familial. It is suspected that the sporadic forms of neurodegenerative disorders are caused by multiple genetic variants that individually make relatively weak contributions to risk. There is also an associated Control collection (see dbGaP and Coriell). Studies in motor Neuron Disease may use cases from the NINDS repository, controls from the NINDS repository, as well as cases, and controls, from other sources. A subset of subjects from The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Human Genetics Resource Center: DNA and Cell Line Repository (the NINDS Repository): Motor Neuron/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Study was utilized in the Genome-wide genotyping in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neurologically normal controls: first stage analysis and public release of data study. Note: The publication Chio et al., 2009 states that "Raw sample-level genotype data from the initial GWAS study ... are available for download through the dbGAP portal (phs000006.v1.p1)". Instead, please follow this link: phs000101.v1.p1.

  Study phs000006

• Induction of HIV-1 Env-Specific Peripheral Blood Plasmablasts and Clonal Persistence as Bone Marrow Plasma Cells Following Vaccination in Humans

  Induction of persistent HIV-1 Envelope (Env) specific antibody (Ab) is a primary goal of HIV vaccine strategies, however, it is unclear if HIV Env immunization in humans induces bone marrow plasma cells, the presumed source of long-lived systemic Ab. To define the features of Env-specific plasma cells after vaccination, samples were obtained from HVTN 105, a phase I trial testing the same gp120 protein immunogen, AIDSVAX B/E, as used in RV144, along with a DNA immunogen in various prime/boost strategies. Boosting regimens that included AIDSVAX B/E induced robust peripheral blood plasmablast responses. The Env-specific immunoglobulin repertoire of the plasmablasts was dominated by VH1 gene usage and targeting of the V3 region. Numerous plasmablast-derived immunoglobulin lineages persisted in the bone marrow greater than eight months after immunization, including in the CD138+ long-lived plasma cell compartment. These findings identify a cellular linkage for the development of sustained Env-specific Ab following vaccination in humans.

  Study phs002027

• Tissue and Fluid Analysis in Ocular Inflammatory Disease

  Granulomas are found in multiple infectious and non-infectious human diseases, yet the pathogenic drivers of granulomatous disease are still poorly understood. To enrich for pathologic inflammatory cells, we leveraged the intrinsic immunologic isolation of the eye by examining granulomatous uveitis, a form of ocular inflammation. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing to obtain an unbiased gene expression survey of ocular immune cells in the anterior chamber of four live human donors with granulomatous uveitis. We paired this with antigen-receptor sequence analysis to identify clonally expanded lymphocytes. Each individual had robust clonal expansion arising from a single T or B cell lineage, suggesting distinct pathogenic processes in each patient. This variability in clonal expansion was mirrored by individualized combinations of TH1, TH1/TH17, and Tregs in ocular CD4 T cells. In contrast, ocular CD8 T cells were more transcriptionally similar across donors. Finally, clonally expanded, activated B cells displayed evidence of plasmablast differentiation and class-switching within the ocular microenvironment. Collectively, our study identified conserved and individualized features of granulomatous inflammation, illuminating parallel pathophysiologic mechanisms.

  Study phs002449

• The Northern Manhattan Family Study - a Sub-Study of the Epidemiologic Study of Stroke Outcome in 3 Ethnic Groups: The Northern Manhattan Study

  The Northern Manhattan Family Study is a sub-study of the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS), a population-based cohort study investigating stroke and stroke risk factors among individuals from three ethnic groups residing in northern Manhattan. The overall goal for the Northern Manhattan Family Study was to determine the genetic factors associated with stroke precursor phenotypes. A subset of Caribbean Hispanic probands from the NOMAS Study were selected for inclusion in the family study. Selected probands were at high risk for cardiovascular disease, defined as either 1. Having a sibling with a history of myocardial infarction or stroke, or 2. Having two of the following three risk phenotypes above the 75th percentile in NOMAS; maximal carotid plaque thickness, left ventricular mass or homocysteine level. Probands for the family study were enrolled in northern Manhattan and family members were enrolled at two locations: New York at Columbia University and in the Dominican Republic (DR) at the Clinicas Corazones Unidos in Santo Domingo. A subset of Caribbean Hispanic NOMAS participants were included as a replication sample.

  Study phs002406

• A Pharmcogenetic Study of Bipolar Disorder in a Taiwanese Han Chinese Population (TWBP)

  Objective: To identify genetic variants associated with response to lithium prophylaxis treatment. Materials: 294 bipolar I (BPI) patients receiving lithium treatment, a subset of 1761 bipolar I (BPI) patients recruited by the Taiwan Bipolar Consortium. Lithium response was assessed based on the Alda Scale. Methods: Responders to lithium treatment were defined if the patients' Alda Scale > 4, 5, 6, and 7. Genome-wide association (GWA) analysis was carried out on the 294 BPI patients for the 4 definitions of responders. The SNPs showing strongest association in the GWAS were then tested for association in a replication sample of 100 patients and further tested in a prospective follow-up series of 24 patients. Results: Two SNPs on GADL1 showed the strongest associations in the four GWA analyses and in the replication set of 100 patients. These two SNPs had a sensitivity of 0.93 for predicting lithium response and differentiated between the good and poor responders in the follow-up cohort. Summary: These genetic variants are associated with response to lithium prophylaxis treatment for BPI.

  Study phs000692

• Analysis of Epigenomes and Genome Topology in Colorectal Cancer

  When diagnosing cancer, pathologists use nuclear morphology as a hallmark of tumor cells, but the topological changes linked to alterations in the shape of the nucleus were poorly understood. To uncover the molecular changes that occur in the 3D structure of cancer genomes, we integrated topological maps for colon tumors and normal colon tissues with epigenetic, transcriptional, and imaging data. We characterized tumor-associated changes in chromatin loops, topologically associated domains (TADs), and large-scale compartments. We found that chromatin loop rewiring contributes to oncogenic gene expression programs. Whereas TAD structures are largely stable, the spatial partitioning of the open and closed genome compartments is compromised in tumors and is accompanied by hypomethylation and histone mark rearrangements. We also identified a compartment that is reorganized in tumors and is at the interface between the canonical A and B compartments. Similar changes were evident in non-malignant cells that had accumulated excessive cellular divisions. Our analyses suggest that these compartment changes repress stemness and invasion programs while inducing immunity genes, and they may therefore restrain malignant progression.

  Study phs002288

• KAT6A and KAT7 Histone Acetyltransferase Complexes Are Molecular Dependencies and Therapeutic Targets in NUP98-Rearranged Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  NUP98 fusion oncoproteins (FOs) are a hallmark of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). NUP98 FOs drive leukemogenesis through phase-separated condensate formation and maintenance of an active chromatin landscape at stem cell-associated genes in cooperation with epigenetic regulators. Here we show that MYST family histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex proteins including KAT6A/MOZ, KAT7/HBO1, and the common KAT6A/7 complex subunit BRPF1 associate with NUP98 FOs on chromatin and within condensates. MYST HATs are molecular dependencies in NUP98-rearranged (NUP98-r) leukemia, and genetic inactivation or pharmacologic inhibition of Kat6a and Kat7 impairs NUP98-r cell fitness. KAT6A/7 inhibition decreased global H3K23ac levels, displaced NUP98::HOXA9 from chromatin at the Meis1 locus, and led to myeloid cell differentiation. Additionally, KAT6A/7 inhibition decreased leukemic burden in multiple NUP98-r leukemia xenograft mouse models, synergized with Menin inhibitor treatment, and was efficacious in Menin inhibitor-resistant cells. In summary, we show that MYST family HATs are therapeutically actionable dependencies in NUP98-r AML.

  Study EGAS50000001075

• Identification and phenotypic characterization of neoantigen-specific cytotoxic CD4+ T cells in endometrial cancer

  Tumor-reactive CD4+ T cells often accumulate in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in human cancer, but their functions and roles in anti-tumor responses remain elusive. Here, we investigated the immunopeptidome of HLA class II (HLA-II)-positive endometrial cancer with inflamed TME using a proteogenomic approach. We identified HLA-II neoantigens, one of which induced polyclonal CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) responses. We experimentally demonstrate that neoantigen-specific CD4+ TILs lyse target cells in an HLA-II-dependent manner. Single cell analysis of the TME coupled with T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing revealed the presence of CD4+ T cell clusters characterized by CXCL13 expression. The CXCL13+ clusters contained two subclusters with distinct cytotoxic gene expression patterns. The identified neoantigen-specific CD4+ T cells were found exclusively in one of the CXCL13-positive subclusters characterized by GZMB and CCL5 expression. These results demonstrate the involvement of tumor reactive CD4+ T cells with cytotoxic function in immune surveillance of endometrial cancer and reveal their transcriptomic signature.

  Study JGAS000766

• High MAPK Activity Leading to Reduced WNT Signaling Drives Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

  Colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality due to distant metastases, is driven by activating mutations in the Wnt and MAPK pathways. Understanding the interplay between these crucial pathways during metastatic progression is essential for developing effective treatments. Here we developed an immunocompetent mouse model of metastatic colorectal cancer using in vivo orthotopic passaging. We demonstrate that highly metastatic tumor cells exhibit chromosomal amplifications in MAPK pathway genes, leading to increased MAPK activity, which in turn suppresses Wnt-associated transcriptional programs, including stem cell-associated genes. Inhibiting mutant KrasG12D effectively reversed this metastatic transcriptional state, reducing MAPK-driven gene expression and restoring Wnt activity. Notably, this treatment significantly curtailed lung metastases and reduced liver metastases during early seeding stages. Analysis of CRC patient data revealed that high MAPK activity and the associated metastatic gene signature correlated with poorer survival outcomes. These findings underscore that the plasticity of metastasis-initiating cells in CRC arises from the opposing roles of MAPK and Wnt signaling, despite their synergistic importance in colon tumor initiation.

  Study EGAS50000001231

• Somatic pathogenic variants in the normal mammary gland of sporadic breast cancer patients.

  The mammary gland undergoes hormonally stimulated cycles of proliferation, lactation and involution. We hypothesized that these factors increase the mutational burden in glandular tissue and may explain high cancer incidence rate in the general population and recurrent disease. Hence, we investigated the DNA sequence variants in the normal mammary gland, tumor and peripheral blood from 52 reportedly sporadic breast cancer patients, including breast-conserving surgery cases. Targeted resequencing of 542 cancer associated genes revealed mosaic somatic pathogenic variants of: PIK3CA, TP53, AKT1, MAP3K1, CDH1, RB1, NCOR1, MED12, CBFB, TBX3 and TSHR in the normal mammary gland, at considerable allelic frequencies (9x10-2 to 5.2x10-1) indicating clonal expansion. Further evaluation of the frequently damaged PIK3CA and TP53 genes by ultra-sensitive duplex sequencing demonstrated a diversified picture of multiple low level-mosaic (in 10-2 to 10-4 alleles) hotspot pathogenic variants. Our results raise a question about the oncogenic potential in non-tumor mammary gland tissue of breast-conserving surgery patients.

  Study EGAS00001005698

• Analysis of DNA methylation in normal B cells and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

  Charting differences between tumors and normal tissue is a mainstay of cancer research. However, clonal tumor expansion from complex normal tissue architectures potentially obscures cancer-specific events, including divergent epigenetic patterns. Using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of normal B cell subsets, we observed broad epigenetic programming of selective transcription factor binding sites coincident with the degree of B cell maturation. By comparing normal B cells to malignant B cells from 268 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we showed that tumors derive largely from a continuum of maturation states reflected in normal developmental stages. Epigenetic maturation in CLL was associated with an indolent gene expression pattern and increasingly favorable clinical outcomes.As second study using these samples focued on evolution and resulting intra-tumor heterogeneity in CLL. We used 450k bead-chip arrays to study DNA methylomes in 68 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cases, including 28 serial cases. The result establishs linked evolution of epigenetic and genetic alterations in progressive disease, revealing an important aspect of the biology of epigenetics in cancer.

  Study EGAS00001000534

• APCDR Uganda GWAS: Genome-wide sequence variation and susceptibility loci for cardiometabolic traits in a sub-Saharan African population (UGWAS component)

  Genomic studies in African populations provide unique opportunities to understand disease aetiology, human genetic diversity and population history in a regional and a global context. To leverage the relative benefits of different strategies, we undertook a combined approach of genotyping and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in a population-based study of 6,400 individuals from a geographically defined rural community in South-West Uganda. We present data from 4,778 individuals with genotypes for ~2.2 million SNPs from the Uganda GWAS resource (UGWAS), and sequence data on up to 1,978 individuals spanning 41.5M SNPs and 4.5M indels (UG2G); 343 individuals overlap between the two datasets. We highlight the value of the largest sequence panel from Africa to date as a global resource for variant discovery, imputation and understanding the mutational spectrum and its clinical relevance in African populations. Alongside phenotype data, we provide a rich new genomic resource for researchers in Africa and globally.

  Study EGAS00001001558

• Integrated genomic analyses identify ARID1A and ARID1B alterations in the childhood cancer neuroblastoma

  Neuroblastomas are tumors of peripheral sympathetic neurons and are the most common solid tumor in children. To determine the genetic basis for neuroblastoma we performed whole-genome sequencing (6 cases), exome sequencing (16 cases), genome-wide rearrangement analyses (32 cases), and targeted analyses of specific genomic loci (40 cases) using massively parallel sequencing. On average each tumor had 19 somatic alterations in coding genes (range, 3-70). Among genes not previously known to be involved in neuroblastoma, chromosomal deletions and sequence alterations of chromatin remodeling genes, ARID1A and ARID1B, were identified in 8 of 71 tumors (11%) and were associated with early treatment failure and decreased survival. Using tumor-specific structural alterations, we developed an approach to identify rearranged DNA fragments in sera, providing personalized biomarkers for minimal residual disease detection and monitoring. These results highlight dysregulation of chromatin remodeling in pediatric tumorigenesis and provide new approaches for the management of neuroblastoma patients.Data Provider: Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC)

  Study EGAS00001000369

• This study explored and validated the clinical application of targeted NGS of circulating tumor DNA in identifying tumor-specific mutations and uncovering clinical actionable targets in a variety of solid tumors in large patient cohorts.

  Cancer is a disease of genetic alterations. Comprehensive genetic diagnosis is needed to match each patient to appropriate cancer therapy. However, acquisition of representative tumor samples is invasive and often infeasible. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a promising non-invasive biomarker for cancer mutational profiling. Here we implemented targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) with a customized pan-cancer gene panel on 605 clinical ctDNA samples in multiple cancer types. Overall, tumor-specific mutations were identified in 87% of ctDNA samples, with mutation spectra highly concordant with their matched tumor tissues. 71% of patients have at least one clinical actionable mutation with 76% of which have suggested drugs approved or in clinical trials. In particular, our study reveals a unique mutation spectrum in Chinese lung cancer patients, which could be used to guide treatment decision and monitor the appearance of drug-resistant mutations. Taken together, our study demonstrated the clinical utility of target NGS-based ctDNA mutational profiling to guide cancer treatment decision.

  Study EGAS00001002251

• Combination therapies to inhibit LCK tyrosine kinase and mTOR signaling in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  Relapse and refractory T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) has a poor prognosis and new combination therapies are sorely needed. This work uncovered potent drug synergies between AKT/mTORC1 inhibitors and the general tyrosine kinase-inhibitor, dasatinib. The combination effectively curbed T-ALL growth in human cell lines and primary human T-ALL samples, and was well tolerated and effective in suppressing leukemia growth in patient-derived xenografts grown in mice. Mechanistically, dasatinib inhibited phosphorylation and activation of the lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) to blunt the T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway and when complexed with mTORC1 inhibition, induced potent T-ALL cell killing through reducing MCL-1 protein expression. Analysis of responses across T-ALL subtypes and association with specific genetic mutations or expression patterns failed to identify any obvious biomarkers or correlations in predicting therapy responses, although there appeared to be a trend toward higher TCR/LCK pathway activity in samples that exhibited synergistic therapy responses.

  Study EGAS00001005945

• Advancing fast in the analysis of circulating tumour DNA

  In cancer patients, solid tumours also release DNA fragments into the blood, and they are called Circulating Tumours DNA (ctDNA). Nowadays, the standard procedure for cancer monitoring is analysis of surgically obtained biopsies. They generate a big amount of material, but the operation is highly invasive and provide medical doctors with a single-time snapshot of the tumours, which are often highly changeable. Analysis of ctDNA, on the other hand, can provide continuous information regarding the tumour itself without the need of invasive procedures. This is why interest in this method is growing, and with it, the need for its technological optimization. Guanhua Zhu and colleagues, at the Genome Institute of Singapore, developed a methodology to quantify ctDNA burden, which means to estimate the amount of tumours derived circulating DNA among all cell-free DNA in the blood of individuals. Their work, published in Nature Communications in april 2021 and summarized in a sketch below, uses state-of-the art methods to analyse cfDNA degradation patterns at promoters and exon regions, to discern it from the DNA coming from the tumours. The bright point of their approach is that simultaneously enable for profiling of actionable cancer mutations and quantitative estimation of ctDNA burden. Their sequencing data of ctDNA has been deposited in the EGA under the accession number EGAS00001004657. This study sums up to a total of 37 of cfDNA and 36 about ctDNA present up to date in the EGA archive. The existence of cfDNA was firstly described back in 2002, while the use of ctDNA analysis in the oncological field exploded only after 2016. The approach is rapidly evolving, moving in parallel with the ever-improving sequencing technologies. Especially, the possibility to obtain high quality sequences from minimal amount of material is a crucial factor. Being able to alleviate cancer patients of disturbing and often slow-recovery procedures, while at the same time improving the quality of diagnosis and disease monitoring seems like a lot to ask. Thankfully, we are blessed with brilliant and dedicated scientists from all around the world who collaborate to make this a reality, sharing their results, knowledge and data.

  Blog advancing-fast-in-the-analysis-of-circulating-tumour-dna

• Next Generation Mendelian Genetics: Neonatal Diabetes

  The NHGRI Next Generation Mendelian Genetics project uses exome resequencing to identify variants in unsolved Mendelian diseases. Neonatal diabetes mellitus (ND) is a rare form of monogenic diabetes (90,000-260,000 live births) that is diagnosed in the first 6 months of life. The disease has been classified as transient or permanent and although it can be inherited, more frequently is sporadic as a result of 'de novo' mutations. Defects in 12 genes have been found as responsible for the disease (defects in the paternally imprinted chromosomal region 6q24, IPF1, SLCA2A, INS, EIF2AK3, GCK, FOXP3, GLIS3, PTF1A, HNF1Beta, KCNJ11 and ABCC8). The two subunits of the ATP-sensitive K channel (ABCC8 and KCNJ11) and the insulin gene (INS), account for almost half of the cases and similar to CHI, the other half, remains genetically unexplained. We became part of this study when we submitted 4 DNA samples for exome sequencing, from patients with NDM of Caucasian ancestry, which had no mutations identified in ABCC8 or KCNJ1, with the goal to identify new mutations in known genes or new mutations or genetic variants in new genes.

  Study phs000542

• NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology Donor Evaluation Study (REDS)-III - Brazil Sickle Cell Disease Cohort (REDS-BSCDC)

  The Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study (REDS)-III program established a Brazilian Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Cohort to identify molecular determinants of response to transfusions, alloimmunization and risk factors associated with HIV infection. The Brazil population presents a complex admixture of African, European, Asian and Indigenous heritage and will provide insights into genetic, demographic, social, and healthcare system determinates of SCD outcomes. The REDS-III Brazil SCD cohort began in the Fall of 2013 and aimed to: Establish a cohort of SCD patients with a comprehensive centralized electronic database of detailed clinical, laboratory and transfusion information, as well as establish a repository of blood samples to support biological studies relevant to SCD pathogenesis and transfusion complications; Characterize changes in markers of inflammation in response to transfusion by analyzing chemokine/cytokine panels in serial post transfusion specimens; Identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that contribute to the risk of red blood cell alloimmunization in SCD by performing a genome-wide association (GWA) study in transfused SCD patients; Characterize risk of HIV and HIV outcomes in the Brazilian SCD population and compare SCD outcomes among HIV sero-positive and sero-negative SCD patients.

  Study phs001972

• Effective screening strategy for deafness using a new-genetation sequencing platform: a consecutive analysis

  The diagnosis of the genetic etiology of deafness contributes to the clinical management of patients. We performed the following four genetic tests in three stages for 52 consecutive deafness subjects in one facility. We used the Invade assay and Sanger sequencing for the GJB2 gene or SLC26A4 gene in the first stage test, TaqMan genotyping assay in second stage test, and targeted exon sequencing using the massively parallel DNA sequencing in third stage test. Overall, we identified the genetic cause in 40% (21/52) of patients. The diagnostic rates of the first-, second- and third-stage genetic testing were 17%(9/52), 9%(4/43) and 21% (8/39), respectively. The combination approach using these genetic tests appears to be useful as a diagnostic tool for deafness patients. We recommended that genetic testing for the screening of common mutations in deafness genes using the Invader assay or TaqMan genotyping assay be performed as the initial evaluation. For the remaining undiagnosed cases, targeted exon sequencing using MPS is clinically and economically beneficial. This data set was MPS reads data (fastq) for 39 sensorineural hearing loss patients.

  Study JGAS000032

• SHANK2 mutations associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder cause hyperconnectivity of human neurons

  Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the synaptic scaffolding gene SHANK2 are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To investigate their effect on synaptic connectivity, we generated cortical neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from neurotypic and ASD-affected donors. We developed Sparse coculture for Connectivity (SparCon) assays where SHANK2 and control neurons were differentially labeled and sparsely seeded together on a lawn of unlabeled control neurons. We observed striking increases in dendrite length, dendrite complexity, total synapse number, and frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. These findings were phenocopied in gene-edited homozygous SHANK2 knockout cells and rescued by gene correction of an ASD SHANK2 muation, supporting a role for SHANK2 as a regulator of connectivity in developing human neurons. Dendrite length increases were exacerbated by IGF1, TG003, or BDNF, and suppressed by DHPG treatment. The transcriptome in these isogenic SHANK2 neurons was deeply perturbed in synapse, plasticity, and neuronal morphogenesis gene sets and ASD gene modules, and activity-dependent dendrite extension was impaired. Our unexpected findings provide evidence for hyperconnectivity and profoundly altered transcriptome in SHANK2 neurons derived from ASD subjects.

  Study EGAS00001003436

• Reference Exome Data for a Northern Brazilian population

  Whole exome sequencing (WES) is a popular technology widely used in the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases and provides useful variant data for analysis of complex diseases. However, there is not always adequate population-specific reference data available to assist clinical geneticists in assigning a diagnostic variant to a specific clinical condition. Here we provide a catalogue of variants called after sequencing the exomes of 45 babies from the State of Rio Grande do Nord in Brazil. Sequence data were processed using an ‘intersect-then-combine’ (ITC) approach, using GATK and SAMtools to call variants. A total of 612,761 variants were identified in at least one individual in this Brazilian Cohort, including 559,448 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 53,313 insertion/deletions. Of these, 58,111 overlapped with nonsynonymous (nsSNVs) or splice site (ssSNVs) SNVs in dbNSFP. As an aid to clinical diagnosis of rare diseases, we used the American College of Medicine Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines to assign pathogenic/likely pathogenic status to 439 (0.755%) of the 58,111 nsSNVs and ssSNVs. Our data set provides a useful reference point for diagnosis of rare diseases in Brazil.

  Study EGAS00001004112

• Whole genome sequencing of Ewings Sarcoma

  Sarcomas are cancers of the bone and soft tissue often defined by their gene fusions. However, the timing, context, and processes by which these pathogenic fusions arise are unknown. We explored this in Ewing sarcoma, a cancer driven by EWSR1-ETS fusions, with very few cooperating mutations. Combining whole-genome sequencing with enhanced informatics, we found that the EWSR1-ETS fusion arose from striking rearrangement clusters in 42% of cases (52/124). Notably, these were organized in loops that universally contained the fusion at their center, while also weaving up to 18 genes together with it. We found the same pattern of rearrangements in three additional types of sarcoma. From these data, we define a new signature for sarcoma fusions that precedes other somatic changes, in the earliest replicating DNA of the genome. This dramatic, sudden process impinges on many genes – generating multiple coding changes that profoundly affect the transcriptome, with the disease-defining gene fusion at its core. These rearrangement loops emerge in an early ES clone from which both the primary tumor and the lethal relapse emerged, and then evolved in parallel until clinically detected.

  Study EGAS00001003385

• The demographic history and mutational load of African hunter-gatherers and farmers

  The distribution of deleterious genetic variation across human populations is a key issue in evolutionary biology and medical genetics. However, the impact of different modes of subsistence on recent changes in population size, patterns of gene flow, and deleterious mutational load remains unclear. Here, we report high-coverage exomes from various populations of rainforest hunter-gatherers and farmers from central Africa. We find that the recent demographic histories of hunter-gatherers and farmers differed considerably, with population collapses for hunter-gatherers and expansions for farmers, accompanied by increased gene flow. We show that purifying selection against newly arising deleterious alleles is of similar efficiency across African populations, in contrast with Europeans where we detect weaker purifying selection. Furthermore, the per-individual mutation load of rainforest hunter-gatherers is similar to that of farmers, under both additive and recessive models. Our results indicate that differences in the cultural practices and demographic regimes of African populations have not resulted in large differences in mutational burden, and highlight the beneficial role of gene flow in reshaping the distribution of deleterious genetic variation across human populations.

  Study EGAS00001002457

• Ewings Sarcoma RNA-Seq

  Sarcomas are cancers of the bone and soft tissue often defined by their gene fusions. However, the timing, context, and processes by which these pathogenic fusions arise are unknown. We explored this in Ewing sarcoma, a cancer driven by EWSR1-ETS fusions, with very few cooperating mutations. Combining whole-genome sequencing with enhanced informatics, we found that the EWSR1-ETS fusion arose from striking rearrangement clusters in 42% of cases (52/124). Notably, these were organized in loops that universally contained the fusion at their center, while also weaving up to 18 genes together with it. We found the same pattern of rearrangements in three additional types of sarcoma. From these data, we define a new signature for sarcoma fusions that precedes other somatic changes, in the earliest replicating DNA of the genome. This dramatic, sudden process impinges on many genes – generating multiple coding changes that profoundly affect the transcriptome, with the disease-defining gene fusion at its core. These rearrangement loops emerge in an early ES clone from which both the primary tumor and the lethal relapse emerged, and then evolved in parallel until clinically detected.

  Study EGAS00001003062

• Comparative transcriptome of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors from myeloproliferative patients and control donors

  BCR-ABL-negative MPNs are related to mutations activating the JAK2/STAT pathway and occurring in hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). The most prevalent mutation is JAK2V617F. Calreticulin (CALR) and activating MPLW515 mutations are also observed in ET and PMF. Additional non-MPN mutations may be found, particularly in PMF, and can change disease phenotype or accelerate progression to myelofibrosis or leukemia. In this study, we wanted to compare the transcriptome of CD34+ progenitors from JAK2V617F postive MPN patients to the CD34+ progenitors from control donors. The patients were selected for their high JAK2V617F variant allele frequency (from 60 to 100% VAF). Peripheral blood from patients was collected in EDTA tubes. Hematopoietic progenitors (CD34+) were isolated from mononuclear cells (MNCs) by immunomagnetic enrichment (Miltenyi, Biotech) and were amplified for 5 days in serum-free medium in the presence of a cocktail of human recombinant cytokines containing EPO (1 U/mL) (Amgen Thousand Oaks, CA), TPO (20 ng/mL) (Kirin, Japan), SCF (25 ng/mL) (Biovitrum AB, Sweden), IL-3 (10 ng/mL), FLT3-L (10 ng/mL), G-CSF (20 ng/mL) and IL-6 (100 U/mL) (MiltenyiBiotec).

  Study EGAS00001005106

• Identification of Germline Monoallelic Mutations in IKZF2 in Patients with Immune Dysregulation.

  Helios, encoded by IKZF2, is a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors with pivotal roles in T-follicular helper, NK- and T-regulatory cell physiology. Somatic IKZF2 mutations are frequently found in lymphoid malignancies. Although germline mutations in IKZF1 and IKZF3, encoding Ikaros and Aiolos, have recently been identified in patients with phenotypically similar immunodeficiency syndromes, the effect of germline mutations in IKZF2 on human hematopoiesis and immunity remains enigmatic. We identified germline IKZF2 mutations (one nonsense (p.R291X)- and 4 distinct missense variants) in six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, immune thrombocytopenia or EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Patients exhibited hypogammaglobulinemia, decreased number of T-follicular helper and NKcells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of PBMCs from the patient carrying the R291X variant revealed upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes associated with T-cell receptor activation and T-cell exhaustion. Functional assays revealed the inability of HeliosR291X to homodimerize and bind target DNA as dimers. Moreover, proteomic analysis by proximity-dependent Biotin Identification revealed aberrant interaction of 3/5 Helios mutants with core components of the NuRD complex conveying HELIOS mediated epigenetic and transcriptional dysregulation.

  Study EGAS00001005874

• Patient-tailored design for selective co-inhibition of leukemic cell subpopulations

  The extensive primary and secondary drug resistance in many cancer types requires rational approaches to design personalized and selective combinatorial therapies that do not only show synergistic effect in overall cancer cell killing but also result in minimal toxic side effects on non-malignant cells. To address the combinatorial explosion in the number of relevant combinations, we implemented a machine learning approach that prioritizes patient-customized drug combinations with a desired synergy-efficacy-toxicity balance by combining single-cell RNA-sequencing with ex vivo single-agent testing in scarce patient-derived primary cells. When applied to two diagnostic and two refractory AML patient cases, each with a different genetic background, our integrated approach accurately predicted patient-specific combinations that were shown to result not only in synergistic cancer cell co-inhibition but were also capable of targeting specific AML cell subpopulations that emerge in differing stages of disease pathogenesis or treatment regimens. Our data-driven approach provides an unbiased means for systematic identification of personalized combinatorial regimens that selectively co-inhibit leukemic cells while avoiding inhibition of non-malignant cells, and highlight the relevance of considering cell heterogeneity for personalized cancer therapy.

  Study EGAS00001004614

• DNA methylation landscape of prostate cancer

  Metastases from primary prostate cancers to rare locations, such as the brain, are becoming more common due to longer life expectancy thanks to improved treatments. Epigenetic dysregulation is a feature of primary prostate cancer, and distinct DNA methylation profiles are associated with the mutually exclusive SPOP mutant or TMPRSS2-ERG fusion genetic backgrounds. Using a cohort of 42 patients with prostate cancer brain metastases (PCBM), with matched primary samples available for 17 patients, we carried out DNA methylation analysis using Illumina EPIC array. We examined the epigenetic distinction between primary PCa and PCBM, the association between epigenetic alterations and mutational background, and particular epigenetic alterations that may be associated with PCBM in particular. Multiregion sampling of PCBM revealed epigenetic heterogeneity in metastases. We found aberrant methylation in PCBM is associated with mutational background, PRC2 complex activity and upregulation of EZH2, an effect that is particularly pronounced in SPOP mutant PCBM. While we detected a hypermethylator phenotype in PCBM, we also observed hypomethylation occurring at the promoters of genes involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions or the calcium signalling pathway, such as GABRB3 and GRM5, a change not observed in non-brain prostate cancer metastases.

  Study EGAS00001006670

• Pre-activated anti-viral innate immunity in the upper airways controls early SARS-CoV-2 infection in children

  Children have reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and a substantially lower risk for developing severe COVID-19 than adults. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying protection in younger age groups remain unknown. Here, we characterize the single-cell transcriptional landscape in the upper airways of SARS-CoV-2-negative (n=18) and age-matched SARS-CoV-2–positive children (n=24) and corresponding samples from adults (n=44), covering an age range of four weeks to 77 years. Children displayed higher basal expression of the relevant pattern recognition receptors (PRR) such as MDA5 (IFIH1) and RIG-I (DDX58) in upper airway epithelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, resulting in stronger innate antiviral responses upon SARS-CoV-2 infection than adults. We further detected distinct immune cell subpopulations including KLRC1 (NKG2A)+ cytotoxic T cells and a CD8+ T cell population with a memory phenotype occurring predominantly in children. Our study provides evidence that the airway immune cells of children are primed for virus sensing, resulting in a stronger early innate antiviral responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection than adults.

  Study EGAS00001005461

• Identification and Molecular Characterization of Somatic Mutations in Malformations of Cortical Development

  Genetic mutations causing disease may be inherited, newly acquired in parental gametes and present in the zygote or acquired as somatic events at some point in development after fertilization. The burden and localization of an acquired mutation depend on when the mutation arises. As is the case for inherited genetic variation, there is accumulating evidence that somatic mutations can lead to severe tissue-specific disease. Malformations of cortical development (MCD) represent a group of disorders characterized by a range of morphological and structural abnormalities of the cerebral cortex reflecting errors in embryonic cortical development. MCD are associated with intellectual disability, as well as refractory epilepsy, and may require the surgical removal of the affected tissue. Inherited gene mutations involved in neuronal development explain only a fraction of MCD cases. In this project we sought to evaluate the hypothesis that somatic mutations disrupt embryonic cortical development and are responsible for a substantial fraction of MCD. Using high coverage next generation sequencing of protein-coding regions in DNA extracted from abnormal brain tissue and unaffected tissue (leukocytes) from patients with three forms of MCD, we sought to identify somatic mutations within each patient with MCD. Exome sequence data from study participants are provided to facilitate research into the genetic underpinnings of MCD.

  Study phs002128

• Longitudinal Study of Bone and Endocrine Disease in Children with MPS I, II, and VI: A Multicenter Study of the Lysosomal Disease Network

  Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) I, II, and VI are a group of rare, lysosomal storage diseases in which certain enzymes are missing that are normally required for breaking down specific complex carbohydrates. Deficiencies in these enzymes result in the build-up of toxic substances in various tissues and cause damage to the body's organs. In the past, children diagnosed with MPS I, II, or VI frequently died in early to late childhood. Recent advances in treatments including hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) have been helping children with these disorders live into adulthood. The long term-course of the disease is now unknown. Unfortunately, severe skeletal disease persists for most individuals despite current therapies. This is a longitudinal study of 50 children and adults with MPS I, II, and VI. Study participants will be evaluated every year for up to 3 years. The purpose of this study is to document the progression of skeletal disease and identify biomarkers that either predict disease severity or could be used as therapeutic targets. This information is needed to: determine long-term benefits and limitations of current treatments including HCT or ERT direct development of further treatment options improve clinical care for children affected by the disorder

  Study phs001576

• APOBEC3 mutagenesis drives therapy resistance in breast cancer

  Acquired genetic alterations commonly drive resistance to endocrine and targeted therapies in metastatic breast cancer, however the underlying processes engendering these diverse alterations are largely uncharacterized. To identify the mutational processes operant in breast cancer and their impact on clinical outcomes, we utilized a well-annotated cohort of 3,880 patient samples with paired tumor-normal sequencing data. The mutational signatures associated with apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) enzymes were highly prevalent and enriched in post-treatment compared to treatment-naïve hormone receptor-positive (HR+) cancers. APOBEC3 mutational signatures were independently associated with shorter progression-free survival on antiestrogen plus CDK4/6 inhibitor combination therapy in patients with HR+ metastatic breast cancer. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of breast cancer models and selected paired primary-metastatic samples demonstrated that active APOBEC3 mutagenesis promoted resistance to both endocrine and targeted therapies through characteristic alterations such as RB1 loss-of-function mutations. Evidence of APOBEC3 activity in pre-treatment samples illustrated a pervasive role for this mutational process in breast cancer evolution. The study reveals APOBEC3 mutagenesis to be a frequent mediator of therapy resistance in breast cancer and highlights its potential as a biomarker and target for overcoming resistance.

  Study EGAS50000000875

• Bruno et al.: Interferon gamma rebalances immunopathological signatures in Chronic Granulomatous Disease through metabolic rewiring

  Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent life-threatening infections and hyperinflammatory complications. It is caused by mutations in the NADPH oxidase complex and the consequent loss of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Recombinant human interferon gamma (rIFN-γ) prophylaxis reduces the risk of severe infections, but the mechanisms behind its efficacy in CGD are still an open question, as it does not restore NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS production. Here, we show that myeloid innate immune cells of CGD patients are transcriptionally and functionally reprogrammed to a hyperactive inflammatory status, displaying an impaired in vitro induction of trained immunity. CGD monocytes have reduced intracellular amino acids concentrations and profound functional metabolic defects, both at the level of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. Ex vivo and in vivo treatment with IFN-γ restored these metabolic defects and reduced excessive IL-1β and IL-6 production in response to fungal stimuli in CGD monocytes. These data suggest that prophylactic rIFNγ modulates the metabolic status of innate immune cells in CGD. These data shed light on the effects of NADPH-derived ROS deficiency to the metabolic programs of immune cells and pose the basis for targeting this immunometabolic axis, potentially beyond CGD, with IFN-γ immunotherapy.

  Study EGAS00001005463

• Molecular characteristics in Burkitt lymphoma over age groups

  Treatment optimization has improved the overall survival in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) patients but there are still relevant outcome differences between pediatric and adult patients. In both age groups survival remains poor for patients who suffer relapse. Therefore, new treatment approaches are warranted to improve survival. Thus, we conducted a comparative study in the largest pediatric cohort to date including 191 cases and 97 samples from adult patients and analyzed the mutational landscape. We detected overlapping molecular profiles but also significant differences in the mutational pattern. Samples from pediatric patients show a higher frequency of mutations in ID3, DDX3X and BAF-complex components ARID1A and SMARCA4, while YY1AP1 and BCL2 are more frequently mutated in cases from adult BL patients. Correlation of the mutational profile with clinical data was available for the pediatric cohort and identified TP53 mutations to be highly significantly associated with the incidence of relapse thus identifying the first molecular marker to be associated with the incidence of relapse in pediatric BL. As the hotspot analysis of TP53 mutations showed mostly gain of function mutations, it is tempting to speculate that drugs decreasing the amount of malignant TP53 or increase the abundance of wildtype TP53 could be a promising approach for future treatment regimens to further improve prognosis.

  Study EGAS00001005270

• Multi-omics integration reveals only minor long-term molecular and functional sequelae in immune cells of individuals recovered from COVID-19

  The majority of COVID-19 patients experience mild to moderate disease course and recover within a few weeks. An increasing number of studies characterized the long-term changes in the specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses, but how COVID-19 shapes the innate and heterologous adaptive immune system after recovery is less well known. To comprehensively investigate the post-SARS-CoV-2 infection sequelae on the immune system, we performed a multi-omics study by integrating single-cell RNA-sequencing, single-cell ATAC-sequencing, genome-wide DNA methylation profiling, and functional validation experiments in convalescent COVID-19 and healthy individuals. We showed that immune responses generally recover without major sequelae after COVID-19. However, subtle differences persist at the transcriptomic level in monocytes, with downregulation of the interferon pathway, while DNA methylation also displays moderate changes in convalescent COVID-19 individuals. However, these differences did not affect the cytokine production capacity of PBMCs upon different bacterial, viral, and fungal stimuli, although baseline release of IL-1RA and IFN?? was higher in convalescent individuals. In conclusion, despite minor differences in epigenetic and transcriptional programs, the immune system of convalescent COVID-19 patients largely recovers to the homeostatic level of healthy individuals.

  Study EGAS00001005529

• RNA-Seq of vocal fold fibroblasts in Reinke’s edema and control subjects

  The voice disorder Reinke’s edema (RE) is a smoking- and voice-abuse associated benign lesion of the vocal folds, defined by an edema of the Reinke space, accompanied with pathological microvasculature changes and immune cell infiltration. Vocal fold fibroblasts (VFF) are the main cell type of the lamina propria and play a key role in the disease progression. Current therapy is restricted to symptomatic treatment. Hence, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of the molecular causes of the disease. In the present study, we investigated differential expression profiles of RE and control VFF by means of RNA sequencing. In addition, fast gene set enrichment analysis (FGSEA) was performed in order to obtain involved biological processes, mRNA and protein levels of targets of interest were further evaluated. We identified 74 differentially regulated genes in total, 19 of which were upregulated and 55 downregulated. Differential expression analysis and FGSEA revealed upregulated genes and pathways involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, inflammation and fibrosis. Downregulated genes and pathways were involved in ECM degradation, cell cycle control and proliferation. The current study addressed for the first time a direct comparison of VFF from RE to control and evaluated immediate functional consequences.

  Study EGAS00001005130

• The Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL) Collection of Patient-Derived Models of Prostate Cancer

  1. Low-Dose Carboplatin Modifies the Tumor Microenvironment to Augment CAR T Cell Efficacy in Human Prostate Cancer Models.Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to analyze the transcriptional modifications in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDX). The analyzed PDX tumor was PDX-287R from the MURAL collection of PDXs (PMID: 34413304). Mice harboring PDX tumors were treated with the carboplatin chemotherapy, and tumors were harvested 3 weeks later. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to define immune and non-immune cell populations and anti-tumor innate immune signaling within the tumor microenvironment.To investigate the response of tumor cells to carboplatin treatment in more detail, RNA-Seq was performed on FACs-isolated tumor cells from PDX-287R at one week post-treatment. Gene set enrichment analysis showed an enrichment for apoptotic pathways, with significantly increased expression of the pro-apoptotic genes FAS, BAX, BBC3, IFI6, and JUN. Previously, carboplatin has been shown to activate the cGAS/STING pathway, and here we also found an increase in STING signaling, with an enrichment for the cytosolic DNA sensing pathway and increased expression of STING1, STAT1 and STAT2. There was also a significant increase in the expression of genes involved in T cell chemotaxis, including CXCL10, CXCL11, and CCL20. Collectively, carboplatin-induced cell death in tumor cells likely initiated a pro-inflammatory phenotype in prostate cancer PDXs.2. Co-Targeting BET, CREBBP, and EP300 Inhibits Neuroendocrine Signaling in Androgen Receptor-Null Prostate Cancer.The landscape of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is characterized by a multitude of phenotypes, among which neuroendocrine disease holds a prominent position, each displaying unique responses to therapeutic interventions. The efficacy of inhibitors targeting BET and CREBBP/EP300 in prostate cancer treatment is widely acknowledged, primarily due to their ability to attenuate androgen receptor (AR) signaling. However, the effectiveness of these inhibitors in prostate cancers devoid of AR remains uncertain.This investigation sought to elucidate the role of BRD4, CREBBP, and EP300, which are co-expressed in both AR-positive and AR-null prostate cancer. Our study revealed that a compound targeting all three proteins, NEO2734, exhibited efficacy in suppressing the growth of organoids from both AR-positive and AR-null tumors, as evidenced by alterations in viability, size, and cellular composition. Furthermore, NEO2734 treatment consistently led to transcriptional downregulation of cell cycle pathways across various models. In the context of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), NEO2734 demonstrated notable efficacy. Treatment with NEO2734 resulted in decreased expression of ASCL1 and other neuroendocrine markers (including SYP) , accompanied by a reduction in tumor growth in vivo. These findings collectively underscore the potential of epigenome-targeted inhibitors in impeding the growth of neuroendocrine prostate cancer, by disrupting lineage regulators in a phenotype-dependent manner. Consistent with the NEPC organoids and explants, NKX3-1 was upregulated in NEO2734-treated PDXs.In this study, we examined the impact of NEO2734 treatment on 6 organoids (treated for 24 hrs), 3 explants treated with JQ1 (for 48 hrs) and 2 PDXs (at two time points) using bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). These results are available through this dbGaP submission. The implications of these results warrant further exploration and development of compounds possessing similar activities for clinical applications. The ability of NEO2734 to mitigate the growth of both AR-positive and AR-null prostate cancer underscores its potential as a versatile therapeutic agent. Moreover, its efficacy in targeting neuroendocrine phenotypes offers promising avenues for addressing a subtype of CRPC that poses significant clinical challenges. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between epigenetic regulators and prostate cancer phenotypes. The observed effects of NEO2734 on growth inhibition and phenotype-specific disruption highlight the importance of continued research into compounds with similar epigenome-targeting mechanisms for advancing precision medicine approaches in the treatment of prostate cancer.3. Defining Focal Neuroendocrine Differentiation as a Transcriptionally Distinct Form of Prostate Cancer Pathology Characterized by the Expression of Androgen ReceptorsThe study aimed to understand the transcriptional differences among different neuroendocrine pathologies of prostate cancer. The study hypothesized that the diverse neuroendocrine pathology observed in prostate might be attributable to differences in transcriptional level that remain hidden in bulk RNA-Seq data. To investigate, we employed scRNA-seq to generate gene expression profiles of 18,632 individual tumor cells from 9 PDX models representing five distinct neuroendocrine pathologies of prostate cancer. Our analysis identified 3-8 transcriptionally distinct sub-populations per PDX. The expression of key oncogenic signaling pathways and master regulator activity varied across in neuroendocrine pathologies, with each type of pathology displaying a unique set of transcriptional sub-populations. We discovered that, like the amphicrine pathology, focal neuroendocrine differentiation (focal NED) cells maintain androgen receptor (AR) signaling. However, the expression profiles of focal NED cells differed from the other pathologies, indicating it should be considered as a distinct type of neuroendocrine pathology in prostate cancer. Analysis of copy number alterations suggested little clonal divergence between focal NED cells and neighboring adenocarcinoma cells, emphasizing the transcriptional distinctiveness of focal NED.Overall, the findings suggest potential differences in treatment approaches for tumors from prostate cancer patients showing neuroendocrine pathology, especially focal NED.4. Reprogramming of Androgen Receptor Activity in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer is Shaped by Truncated Variants.Under the influence of treatments that target the androgen receptor (AR) axis, prostate cancer cells undergo various changes to the AR gene. This includes the production of truncated AR variants that lack the ligand binding domain and are constitutively active. However, the exact role of these truncated variants in shaping the AR signaling axis and their importance in therapy resistance is not yet fully understood. By examining the AR cistrome in a group of patient-derived prostate cancer models with different mechanisms of castration resistance, we observed diverse changes in AR activity in metastatic prostate cancer, including castration-resistant models. Specifically, we identified a unique subset of tumors characterized by the expression of ARv567es, a variant resulting from structural rearrangements of the AR gene. Tumors positive for ARv567es showed a distinct AR binding profile and epigenome compared to those without ARv567es, which was linked to an altered transcriptional profile. The presence of ARv567es is associated with poor responses to treatments, such as castration and bipolar androgen therapy (BAT), regardless of the presence of full-length AR. This involves disruption of the autoregulatory loop that controls AR gene transcription and reduced transcriptional responses to treatment. Overall, this study demonstrates that ARv567es can lead to transcriptional reprogramming in advanced prostate cancer and drive therapy resistance. 5. The MURAL Collection of Prostate Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts Enables Discovery Through Preclinical Models of Uro-Oncology.We created a comprehensive PDX resource for prostate cancer to facilitate the rapid and systematic evaluation of new therapies. This collection includes 59 tumors from 30 patients, gathered between 2012 and 2020, aligning with the availability of abiraterone and enzalutamide in the clinic. The PDXs cover the clinical, pathological, and genomic spectrum of prostate cancer, ranging from treatment-naïve primary tumors to castration-resistant metastases. We characterized heterogeneity in adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine phenotypes using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing. Additionally, organoids were cultured from PDXs, enhancing our preclinical study capabilities. Employing a 1x1x1 design, we quickly identified tumors with responses to combination therapies. To manage the distribution of PDXs, we established the Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL). This PDX collection significantly enhances our ability to test and prioritize effective treatments for future clinical trials in prostate cancer.6. Prostate Cancer Associated Fibroblasts Have Distinct Morpho-Mechanical Features That Are Associated With Patient Outcome.The tumor stroma, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), has a crucial role in tumor progression. This study focused on the morphological and mechanical properties of CAFs and normal prostatic fibroblasts. The findings revealed that CAFs had distinct morphological and mechanical characteristics compared to normal fibroblasts, such as differences in nuclear size, shape, F-actin arrangement, cellular volumes, and elasticity. Additionally, the study correlated these biophysical properties with transcriptomic data, identifying pathways and cellular components linked to the observed changes. Overall, high-throughput assessments of biophysical properties in prostate cancer cells and stromal components may serve as predictive tools for patient outcomes and help identify new therapeutic approaches targeting the tumor stroma.

  Study phs003369

• Liquid biopsy for molecular characterization of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and early assessment of minimal residual disease

  Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) allows genotyping and minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in lymphomas. Using a NGS approach (Euroclonality-NDC), we evaluated clinical and prognostic value of ctDNA in a series of R-CHOP-treated DLBCL patients at baseline (n=68) and after 2-cycles (n=59), monitored by metabolic imaging (PET/CT). A molecular marker was identified in 61/68 (90%) ctDNA samples at diagnosis. Pre-treatment high ctDNA levels significantly correlated with elevated LDH, advanced stage, high risk IPI and a trend to shorter 2-year PFS. Valuable NGS data after 2-cycles of treatment were obtained in 44 cases, and 38 achieved major molecular response (MMR; 2.5-log drop in ctDNA). PFS curves displayed statistically significant differences among those achieving MMR vs. those not achieving MMR (2yr PFS of 76% vs. 0%, p<0.001). Similarly, more than 66% reduction in SUVmax by PET/CT identified two subgroups with different prognosis (2yr PFS of 83% vs. 38%; p<0.001). Combining both approaches MMR and SUVmax reduction, a better stratification was observed (2yr PFS of 84% vs. 17% vs. 0%, p<0.001). Euroclonality-NDC panel allows the detection of a molecular marker in the ctDNA in 90% of DLBCL. ctDNA reduction at 2 cycles and its combination with interim PET results improves patient prognosis stratification.

  Study EGAS50000000215

• Viral Respiratory Pathogens Genetics

  The overall purpose of this study is to investigate the host genetic factors in response to influenza virus infection, with the focus on influenza vaccination in the first substudy "Adult Influenza Vaccine Genetics" and with the focus on influenza natural infection and other acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in the second substudy "Acute Viral Respiratory Infection Genetics". In the first substudy, healthy adults were enrolled in 2008 (male cohort) and 2010 (female cohort) and immunized with seasonal influenza vaccine. In the second substudy, healthy adults were invited to enroll to be followed for acute respiratory illness through two consecutive influenza seasons 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Peripheral blood genomic DNA samples were collected from all the subjects, and time-series RNA and serum samples were obtained pre- and post- immunization/infection. Genotyping was carried out on peripheral blood genomic DNA samples using Illumina HumanOmniExpress-12 v1 arrays. Peripheral blood RNA samples obtained at each visit were analyzed using Illumina Human HT-12 (for all the samples) and HiSeq 2000 (for 130 samples in the "Acute Viral Respiratory Infection Genetics" study). Serum specimens were tested using hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) antibody assay for Influenza H1N1, H3N2, and Influenza B strains. A detailed description of each substudy is provided under their own pages below and via the grouping tool in the right-hand box: phs000635 Adult Influenza Vaccine Genetics phs001031 Acute Viral Respiratory Infection Genetics

  Study phs001030

• Genetic Epidemiology of Refractive Error in the KORA (Kooperative Gesundheitsforschung in der Region Augsburg) Study

  KORA ("Kooperative Gesundheitsforschung in der Region Augsburg" which translates as "Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg") is a population based study of adults randomly selected from 430,000 inhabitants living in Augsburg and 16 surrounding counties in Germany. The collection was done in 4 separate groups from 1984-2001 (S1-S4). One of the KORA groups, S3/F3, will be utilized for our GWAS because it is the only group with refractive error (RE) measurements. Consequent to informed consent, each of the surveys sampled subjects from ten strata according to age (range 25-74 years) and sex (equal ratio) with a minimum stratum size of &gt; 400 subjects. In the KORA S3 study 4,856 subjects were studied between 1994 and 1995, and 3,006 individuals from S3 returned for follow up between 2003 and 2005 (S3/F3). For this refractive error study, we are including 1,981 subjects from S3/F3 (mean age 55.7, range 35-84). For each subject, eyeglass prescriptions were measured in addition to an evaluation by the Nikon Retinomax. Subjects with predisposing medical conditions, i.e., connective tissue disorders, and ocular conditions i.e., cataract and corneal opacities, that might predispose them to refractive error will not be included for genotyping. Whole genome association genotyping will be performed to determine common alleles that contribute to the variation of the quantitative trait of refractive error.

  Study phs000303

• OncoArray: Follow-up of Ovarian Cancer Genetic Association and Interaction Studies (FOCI)

  The Follow-up of Ovarian Cancer Genetic Association and Interaction Studies (FOCI) was one of five projects funded in 2010 as part of the NCI's Genetic Associations and Mechanisms in Oncology (GAME-ON) initiative (http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/gameon/). FOCI represents a collective effort that builds upon the strengths and history of collaboration inherent in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC), a multidisciplinary group comprised of epidemiologists, genetic epidemiologists, statistical geneticists, molecular and cell biologists and clinicians that was formed in 2005. The other four funded GAME-ON projects were: the ColoRectal TransdisciplinaryStudy (CORECT), Elucidating Loci Involved in Prostate Cancer Susceptibility (ELLIPSE), Discovery, Biology, and Risk of Inherited Variants in Breast Cancer (DRIVE), and Transdisciplinary Research in Cancer of the Lung (TRICL). As part of our aim to discover, expand, and replicate ovarian cancer susceptibility loci, the GAME-ON projects and other consortia formed the OncoArray network (http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/oncoarray/) to develop and genotype a new custom genotyping array in large numbers of cancer cases and controls (over 400,000 samples) across multiple cancer types. The FOCI data includes over 50,000 ovarian cancer cases and controls genotyped with the Oncoarray at the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR). Genotype calling and quality control procedures were performed under a standardized protocol across the Oncoarray consortium, and over 490,000 SNPs passed QC and are included under this dbGaP submission.

  Study phs001882