3413 results for "*geneti*"

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• Trans-ethnic genome-wide association study identifies 12 genetic loci influencing blood pressure and implicates a role for DNA methylation

  We carried out a trans-ethnic genome-wide association and replication study of blood pressure phenotypes amongst up to 320,251 individuals of East Asian, European and South Asian ancestry. We find genetic variants at 12 novel loci to be associated with blood pressure (P=3.9x10-11 to P=5.0x10-21). The sentinel blood pressure SNPs are enriched for association with DNA methylation at multiple nearby CpG sites, suggesting that at some of the loci identified DNA methylation may lie on the regulatory pathway linking sequence variation to blood pressure. The sentinel SNPs at the 12 novel loci point to genes involved in vascular smooth muscle (IGFBP3, KCNK3, PDE3A and PRDM6) and renal (ARHGAP24, OSR1, SLC22A7, TBX2) function. The novel and known genetic variants predict increased left ventricular mass, circulating levels of NT-proBNP, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (P=0.04 to 8.6x10-6). Our results provide new evidence for the role of DNA methylation in blood pressure regulation.

  Study EGAS00001001427

• Inherited damaging mutations in immune-related genes favour the development of genetically heterogeneous synchronous colorectal cancer.

  Synchronous colorectal cancers are physically separated tumours that develop simultaneously in the intestine. To understand how common genetic and environmental backgrounds influence the development of multiple tumours, we conduct a genome-wide comparative analysis of somatic alterations of 20 syCRCs from 10 patients. We show that syCRCs have independent genetic origins, acquire discordant somatic alterations, and follow different clonal developments.

  Study EGAS00001001461

• T2D-GENES: Exome sequencing

  The Type 2 Diabetes Genetic Exploration by Next-generation sequencing in multi-Ethnic Samples (T2D-GENES) is a large collaboration effort between the University of Michigan, Broad Institute, the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Chicago, NIDDK, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, University of North Carolina, Blood Systems Research Institute, and University of Mississippi Medical Center. The goal of this study is to identify genetic variants for type 2 diabetes through multiethnic sequencing studies. In this study, we use next generation sequencing to assess the role of common, low frequency, and rare variants on type 2 diabetes risk. We preformed exome sequencing in 6,546 T2D cases and 6,457 control individuals of multiethnic origin, including individuals of African American, East Asian, South Asian, Hispanic, and European descent.

  Study EGAS00001001460

• GoT2D: Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes, a study of the the genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes using low pass whole genome sequencing and high density SNP genotyping in 2,657 individuals.

  The Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes Consortium (GoT2D) is a collaboration between the University of Michigan, the Broad Institute and the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics. The overall aim is to extend upon recent efforts, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and large scale meta-analyses. While they have proved successful at mapping genomic loci that influence human diseases, like type 2 diabetes, much of the heritability remains unexplained. In this study, we use next generation sequencing and genotyping technologies to query for lower frequency variants in the human genome. Thereby, allowing a deeper characterization of the spectrum of alleles associated with type 2 diabetes risk, and a better assessment of the genes that play a role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes development. We studied 1,326 T2D cases and 1,331 normoglycemic controls from Northern and Central Europe (Sweden, Finland, UK, and Germany). To efficiently characterize the entire genome sequence of each individual, we performed low-coverage (~5x) whole-genome sequencing, augmented by deep coverage (~100x) sequencing of the exome, and dense (2.5M) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping using the HumanOmni2.5 array. The data deposited in EGA will include all the Swedish, Finnish, UK, and German samples.

  Study EGAS00001001459

• TRAIP promotes DNA damage response during genome replication and is mutated in primordial dwarfism

  DNA lesions encountered by replicative polymerases threaten genome stability and cell cycle progression. Here we report the identification of mutations in TRAIP, encoding an E3 RING ubiquitin ligase, in patients with microcephalic primordial dwarfism/Seckel syndrome. We establish that TRAIP relocalizes to sites of DNA damage where it is required for optimal phosphorylation of H2AX and RPA2 during S-phase in response to UV irradiation, as well as fork progression through UV-induced DNA lesions. TRAIP is necessary for efficient cell cycle progression and mutations in TRAIP therefore limit cellular proliferation, providing a potential mechanism for microcephaly and dwarfism phenotypes. Human genetics thus identifies TRAIP as a novel component of the DNA damage response to replication-blocking DNA lesions.

  Study EGAS00001001501

• Data from the paper Context-specific Effects of TGFβ/SMAD3 in Cancer Are Modulated by the Epigenome. Tufegdzic et al, Cell Reports 2015

  The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signalling pathway exerts opposing effects on cancer cells, acting either as a tumor-promoter or as a tumor-suppressor. Here we show these opposing effects are a result of the synergy between SMAD3, a downstream effector of TGFβ signalling, and the distinct epigenomes of breast tumor initiating cells (BTICs). These effects of TGFβ are associated with distinct gene expression programs, but genomic SMAD3 binding patterns are highly similar in the BTIC-promoting and BTIC- suppressing contexts. Our data show cell type-specific epigenetic configurations provide a modulatory layer by determining accessibility of genes to regulation by TGFβ/SMAD3. LBH, one such context-specific target gene, is regulated according to its DNA methylation status, and is crucial for TGFβ-dependent promotion of BTICs. Overall, these results reveal that the epigenome plays a central and previously overlooked role in shaping the context-specific effects of TGFβ in cancer.

  Study EGAS00001001570

• Genomic analysis reveals novel secondary drivers and progression pathways in skin basal cell carcinoma

  Basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm in humans. BCC is primarily driven by the aberrant activation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. However, its extensive phenotypical variation remains to be explained. The genetic profiling of 293 BCCs revealed the highest mutation rate observed in cancer (65 Mutations/Mb), with strong prevalence of UV-light signature mutations. 85% of BCCs harbored mutations in Hh pathway genes: mutually exclusive PTCH1 (73%) and SMO (20%) (P=6.6x10-8), SUFU (8%), and in TP53 (61%). 85% of BCCs also harbored secondary driver mutations in other genes implicated in BCC tumorigenesis. Recurrent secondary driver mutations were observed in MYCN (30%), PPP6C (15%), STK19 (10%), LATS1 (8%), ERBB2 (4%), PIK3CA (2%), RAC1 (1%) and N/K/H-RAS (2%). Loss of function (LoF) and deleterious missense mutations were observed in PTPN14 (23%), RB1 (8%) and FBXW7 (5%). In line with the mutational profiles detected by RNAseq, we observed activation of the Hh pathway as well as upregulation of target genes of the Hippo-YAP pathway and activation of MYCN target genes. The functional analysis of the novel tumorigenic driver mutations in MYCN, PTPN14 and LATS1 demonstrates their relevance in BCC tumorigenesis and provides an expanded molecular understanding of BCC.

  Study EGAS00001001540

• Exome sequencing of stroke cases with good or bad recovery three months after stroke

  With the aim to identify rare genetic variation involved in stroke recovery, this is a pilot study on extreme phenotypes of good and bad recovery. Exome sequencing was performed on 41 and 49 samples in the bad and good recovery subset, respectively. Rare Variant association Analysis was performed on the exome sequencing results.

  Study EGAS00001003463

• A genetic compendium of human brains from the UK Medical Research Council brain tissue resource

  Common neurodegenerative diseases have a complex genetic architecture. Highly penetrant diseases alleles are found in a significant minority of cases, and common risk alleles are present in a large proportion. Given the central role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of these disorders, it is critical that mechanistic studies in human subjects and tissue samples are interpreted in an genetically enlightened context. To address this we performed exome sequencing on 1461 human brains accessible through the Medical Research Council (UK) brain banks network. Our findings confirm the complex genetic landscape of neurodegenerative disease. Clinical, pathological and genetic data for the 1461 brains with corresponding exome sequencing data are available within this dataset, enabling the genetic stratification and selection of post-mortem tissue samples for researchers.

  Study EGAS00001001599

• Malignant pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas harbor mutations in transport and cell adhesion genes

  One out of ten patients with pheochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) develop malignant disease. Today there are no reliable pathological methods to predict malignancy at the time of diagnosis. Tumors harboring mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) gene often metastasize but the sequential genetic events resulting in malignant progression are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify somatic mutations that contribute to the malignant transformation of PCC/PGL. We performed pair-wise (tumor-normal) whole-exome sequencing to analyze the somatic mutational landscape in five malignant and four benign primary PCC/sympathetic PGL (sPGL), including two biological replicates from each specimen. In total, 225 unique somatic mutations were identified in 215 genes, with an average mutation rate of 0.54 mutations/megabase. Malignant tumors had a significantly higher number of mutations compared to benign tumors (p<0.001). Three novel genes were identified as recurrently mutated; MYCN, MYO5B and VCL, and mutations in these genes were exclusively found in malignant sPGL tumors. Mutations in the MYO5B gene could be verified in two publicly available data sets. A gene ontology analysis of mutated genes showed enrichment of cellular functions related to cytoskeletal protein binding, myosin complex, and motor activity, many of which had functions in Rab and Rac/Rho GTPase pathways. Conclusively, we have identified recurrent mutations in genes related to intracellular transport and cell adhesion, and we have confirmed recurrent mutations of MYO5B in PCC/PGL cases with malignant potential. Our study suggests that deregulated Rab and Rac/Rho pathways may be important in PCC/PGL tumorigenesis.

  Study EGAS00001001601

• The spatial organization of intratumor heterogeneity andevolutionary trajectories of metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma

  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has one of the poorest survival amongst cancers. Using multi-regional sampling of nine resected HCC with different etiologies, we find that phylogenetic relationships of these sectors show diverse levels of genetic sharing spanning early to late diversification. Unlike the variegated pattern found in colorectal cancers, a large proportion of HCC display a clear Isolation-By-Distance pattern where spatially closer sectors are genetically more similar. Two resected intra-hepatic metastases showed genetic divergence occurring before and after primary tumor diversification respectively. Interestingly, metastatic tumors had much higher variability than their primary tumors, suggesting that intra-hepatic metastasis is accompanied by rapid diversification at the distant location. The presence of co-existing mutations offers the possibility of drug repositioning for HCC treatment. Taken together, these insights into intra-tumor heterogeneity allow for a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary trajectories of HCC and suggest novel avenues for personalized therapy.

  Study EGAS00001001603

• Comparison of HCC cell lines and primary HCCs

  There are concerns about whether cancer cell lines could faithfully represent the matched primary cancer cells. Comparison of the HCC cell lines and primary HCCs demonstrated that, during long-term in vitro culture, cell lines retain the genetic landscape of the matched primary HCCs.

  Study EGAS00001001678

• Targeted sequencing of 12 genes in patients with HLH

  Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rapid-onset, potentially fatal hyperinflammatory syndrome. A prompt molecular diagnosis is crucial for appropriate clinical management. Here, we validated and prospectively evaluated a targeted high-throughput sequencing approach for HLH diagnostics. We have carried out high-throughput sequencing of 12 genes linked to HLH in 58 HLH patients. We achieved a diagnosis in 22 out of 58 patients (38%). Genetically undiagnosed HLH patients had a later age at onset and manifested higher frequencies of known secondary HLH triggers. Rare, putatively pathogenic monoallelic variants were identified in 9 patients. Almost all cases with reduced natural killer (NK) cell function received a diagnosis, but the majority of the prospective cases remain genetically unexplained, highlighting genetic heterogeneity and environmental impact within HLH. A complete understanding of the genetic susceptibility to HLH thus requires further in-depth investigations, including genome sequencing and detailed immunological characterization.

  Study EGAS00001001605

• Exome sequencing of uterine leiomyosarcomas

  Uterine leiomyosarcomas (ULMSs) are aggressive smooth muscle tumors associated with poor clinical outcome. Despite previous cytogenetic and molecular studies, their molecular background has remained elusive. To examine somatic variation in ULMS, we performed exome sequencing on 19 tumors. Altogether 43 genes were mutated in at least two ULMSs. Most frequently mutated genes included tumor protein P53 (TP53; 6/19; 33%), alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX; 5/19; 26%), and mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12; 4/19; 21%). Unlike ATRX mutations, both TP53 and MED12 alterations have repeatedly been associated with ULMSs. All the observed ATRX alterations were either nonsense or frameshift mutations. ATRX protein levels were reliably analyzed by immunohistochemistry in altogether 44 ULMSs, and the majority of tumors (23/44; 52%) showed clearly reduced expression. Loss of ATRX expression has been associated with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), and thus the telomere length was analyzed with telomere-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization. The ALT phenotype was confirmed in all ULMSs showing diminished ATRX expression. Exome data also revealed one nonsense mutation in death-domain associated protein (DAXX), another gene previously associated with ALT, and the tumor showed ALT positivity. Aberrant expression of both TP53 and ATRX were associated with poor overall survival. In conclusion, exome sequencing revealed that TP53, ATRX, and MED12 are frequently mutated in ULMSs. ALT phenotype was commonly seen in tumors, indicating that ATR inhibitors, which were recently suggested as possible new drugs for ATRX-deficient tumors, could provide a potential novel therapeutic option for ULMS.

  Study EGAS00001001612

• Pediatric Whole Genome Sequencing Diagnostic Utility

  The standard of care for first-tier clinical investigation of the etiology of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders is chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) for copy number variations (CNVs), often followed by gene(s)-specific sequencing searching for smaller insertion-deletions (indels) and single nucleotide variant (SNV) mutations. We compared diagnostic rate of WGS to CMA and targeted gene testing of 100 patients referred to The Hospital for Sick Children Genetics clinic in 2014. WGS identified genetic variants meeting clinical diagnostic criteria in 34% of cases, representing a 4-fold increase in diagnostic rate over CMA (8%) (p-value = 1.42e-05) alone and >2-fold increase in CMA plus targeted gene sequencing (13%) (p-value = 0.0009). WGS identified all rare clinically significant CNVs that were detected by CMA. In an additional 26 patients, WGS revealed indel and missense mutations presenting in a dominant (63%) or a recessive (37%) manner. We found four subjects with mutations in at least two genes associated with distinct genetic disorders, including two cases harboring a pathogenic CNV and SNV. When considering medically actionable secondary findings in addition to primary WGS findings, 38% of patients would benefit from genetic counselling.

  Study EGAS00001001623

• EXOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA POPULATION

  Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mortality rates associated with CAD have shown an exceptional increase particularly in fast developing economies like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Over the past twenty years, CAD has become the leading cause of death in KSA and has reached epidemic proportions. This rise is undoubtedly caused by fast urbanization that is associated with a life-style that promotes CAD. However, the question remains whether genetics play a significant role and whether genetic susceptibility is increased in KSA compared to the well-studied Western European populations. Therefore, we performed an Exome-wide association study (EWAS) in 832 patients and 1,076 controls of Saudi Arabian origin to test whether population specific, strong genetic risk factors for CAD exist, or whether the polygenic risk score for known genetic risk factors for CAD, lipids, and Type 2 Diabetes show evidence for an enriched genetic burden. Our results do not show significant associations for a single genetic locus. However, the heritability estimate for CAD for this population was high (h2 = 0.53, S.E. = 0.1, p = 4e-12) and we observed a significant association of the polygenic risk score for CAD that demonstrates that the population of KSA, at least in part, shares the genetic risk associated to CAD in Western populations.

  Study EGAS00001001645

• GENETIC HISTORY OF ITALY

  Recent scientific literature has highlighted the relevance of population genetic studies both for disease association-mapping in admixed populations and for understanding the history of human migrations. Deeper insight into the history of Italian population is critical for understanding the peopling of Europe. Because of its crucial position at the centre of the Mediterranean basin, the Italian peninsula has experienced a complex history of colonization and migration, whose genetic signatures are still present in contemporary Italians. In this study, we investigated genomic variation in the Italian population using 2.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a sample of more than 300 unrelated Italian subjects with well-defined geographical origins. We combined several analytical approaches to interpret genome-wide data on 1,272 individuals from European, Middle Eastern, and North African populations. We detected three major ancestral components contributing different proportions across the Italian peninsula, and signatures of continuous gene flow within Italy, which has produced remarkable genetic variability among contemporary Italians. In addition, we have extracted novel details about the Italian population’s ancestry: we identified genetic signatures of major historical events in Europe and the Mediterranean basin from the Neolithic (e.g., peopling of Sardinia) to recent times (e.g., ‘barbarian invasion’ of Northern and Central Italy). These results are valuable for further genetic, epidemiological and forensic studies in Italy and in Europe.

  Study EGAS00001001458

• Population Structure and Genetic Diversity in Argentinean populations

  Argentina was one of the last places peopled when humans entered the Americas. Its earliest archeological sites are dated from 13,000 years BP, and throughout its history the region has exhibited broad cultural diversity, involving both hunter-gatherer and agro-pastoral societies, different linguistic families, the Southern expansion of the Inca Empire, the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors and slave trade from Africa. More recently, Argentina has had the highest proportion of influx of transoceanic migration between 1850 and 1940 of any Latin American country. Furthermore, the geographical distribution of immigrants was oriented towards the Pampa region of central-eastern Argentina and the Northeast, so different patterns of mixed ancestry throughout the country are expected. In this present work we aim to describe the history and structure of the Argentinean population. Thus far, we have collected DNA samples from 2904 participants from 15 dispersed regions in Argentina, from the Andean populations in the Northwest to the river lands of the Northeast. Our preliminary data includes genome-scale Illumina Exome Array 250K genotypes, plus next-generation sequencing data from uniformly spaced genomic regions targeted with a genotype-by- sequencing strategy (which covers 1.5% of the genome), for 375 participants from 9 of the 15 populations. We will identify proportions and patterns of European, African and Indigenous American ancestry in the Argentinean cohort via local ancestry inference. The first series of analyses will focus on genomic tracts of Indigenous American ancestry for fine-scale examination of sub-continental structure by comparing to a panel of 493 samples from 52 Indigenous American populations from throughout the Americas. Furthermore, this work will serve as a test of different low-cost strategies (exome genotype array vs. genotype-by-sequencing) for accurate inference of population structure in extant populations.

  Study EGAS00001001663

• Exome and RNA sequencing of relapsed TCF3-PBX1 t(1;19) acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  TCF3-PBX1 (E2A-PBX1) is a recurrent gene fusion in B-cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), which is caused by the translocation t(1;19)(q23;p13). TCF3-PBX1 BCP-ALL patients typically benefit from chemotherapy; however, many relapse and subsequently develop resistant disease with few effective treatment options. Mechanisms driving disease progression and therapy resistance have not been studied in TCF3-PBX1 BCP-ALL. Here, we aimed to identify novel treatment options for TCF3-PBX1 BCP-ALL by profiling leukemia cells from a relapsed patient, and determine molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and progression. By drug sensitivity testing of leukemic blasts from the index patient, control samples and TCF3-PBX1 positive and negative BCP-ALL cell lines, we identified the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase delta (p110δ) inhibitor idelalisib as an effective treatment for TCF3-PBX1 BCP-ALL. This was further supported by evidence showing TCF3-PBX1 directly regulates expression of PIK3CD, the gene encoding p110δ. Other somatic mutations to TP53 and MTOR, as well as aberrant expression of CXCR4, may influence additional drug sensitivities specific to the index patient and accompanied progression of the disease. Our results suggest that idelalisib is a promising treatment option for patients with TCF3-PBX1 BCP-ALL while other drugs could be useful depending on the genetic context of individual patients.

  Study EGAS00001001876

• Whole-exome sequencing of breast cancer metastasis and corresponding blood samples

  This study included samples from metastatic breast cancer patients who underwent a biopsy in the context of SAFIR01 (NCT01414933), SAFIR02 (NCT02299999), SHIVA (NCT01771458) and MOSCATO (NCT01566019) prospective trials. These French multicentre trials used high throughput genome analysis on fresh frozen tumor biopsies as a therapeutic decision tool for metastatic cancer patients, with solid cancers (SHIVA, MOSCATO) or specifically with breast cancer (SAFIR01, SAFIR02). All patients gave their informed consent for translational research and genetic analyses of their somatic DNA. Overall, whole-exome sequencing for a total of 216 pairs of metastatic tumor and unmutated DNA derived from corresponding blood samples was performed using Illumina technology. The results of the analysis of the mutational profile of metastatic breast cancer was reported in Lefebvre et al. (PMID:28027327).

  Study EGAS00001001695

• Genetic sequencing of MODY patients.

  Maturity-onset Diabetes of the young (MODY) is an early-onset, autosomal dominant form of non-insulin dependent diabetes. Genetic diagnosis of MODY can transform patient management. Earlier data on the genetic predisposition to MODY have come primarily from familial studies in populations of European origin. Using next generation sequencing, we carried out a comprehensive genomic analysis of 289 individuals from India that included 152 clinically diagnosed MODY cases to identify variants in known MODY genes. Our findings report that HNF1A and ABCC8 are among the most frequently mutated MODY genes in south India.

  Study EGAS00001001699

• Genomic characterization of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma reveals critical genes underlying tumorigenesis and poor prognosis

  The genetic mechanisms underlying the poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are not well understood. In this study, we comprehensively characterized somatic mutations, copy number alterations (SCNAs)/structural variants (SVs) found in ESCC from sequencing 10 whole-genome and 57 whole-exome matched tumor-normal pairs. We identified multiple somatic mutations seen previously in known cancer pathways and identified candidate genes for ESCC including VANGL1 and MIR4707. A survival analysis based on the expression profiles of 321 ESCC individuals indicated that the somatically altered genes we found were significantly associated with ESCC poorer survival. Subsequently, we performed functional studies to validate the roles of the altered genes in tumor proliferation and metastasis.

  Study EGAS00001001723

• Ashkenazi Jewish Leukoencephalopathy

  Genetic leukoencephalopathies (gLEs) are a group of heterogeneous disorders with white matter abnormalities in the central nervous system (CNS). Patients affected with gLEs have brain white matter defects that can be seen in MRI and exhibit variable neurologic phenotypes including motor impairment, hypotonia, pyramidal dysfunction, dystonia and/or dyskinesias, ataxia, seizures, cortical blindness, optic atrophy, and impaired cognitive development. The exact causes in half of gLEs are unknown. We studied three unrelated families affected with an undiagnosed gLE and discovered a homozygous germline mutation c.2536T>G in VPS11 by whole exome sequencing, a gene involved in membrane trafficking and fusion of the lysosomes and endosomes, as a novel cause of a new gLE syndrome.

  Study EGAS00001001767

• An integrative model of pathway convergence in genetically heterogeneous blast crisis chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

  Targeted therapies against the BCR-ABL1 kinase have revolutionized treatment of chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In contrast, management of blast crisis (BC) CML remains challenging because BC cells acquire complex molecular alterations that confer stemness features to progenitor populations and resistance to BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Comprehensive models of BC transformation have proved elusive because of the rarity and genetic heterogeneity of BC, but are important for developing biomarkers predicting BC progression and effective therapies. To better understand BC, we performed an integrated multiomics analysis of 74 CP and BC samples using whole-genome and exome sequencing, transcriptome and methylome profiling, and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing. Employing pathway-based analysis, we found the BC genome was significantly enriched for mutations affecting components of the polycomb repressive complex (PRC) pathway. While transcriptomically, BC progenitors were enriched and depleted for PRC1- and PRC2-related gene sets respectively. By integrating our data sets, we determined that BC progenitors undergo PRC-driven epigenetic reprogramming toward a convergent transcriptomic state. Specifically, PRC2 directs BC DNA hypermethylation, which in turn silences key genes involved in myeloid differentiation and tumor suppressor function via so-called epigenetic switching, whereas PRC1 represses an overlapping and distinct set of genes, including novel BC tumor suppressors. On the basis of these observations, we developed an integrated model of BC that facilitated the identification of combinatorial therapies capable of reversing BC reprogramming (decitabine+PRC1 inhibitors), novel PRC-silenced tumor suppressor genes (NR4A2), and gene expression signatures predictive of disease progression and drug resistance in CP.

  Study EGAS00001001751

• Dissection of the molecular complexity of colorectal cancer in pre-clinical models identifies predictive signatures of sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors

  Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a heterogeneous tumour entity, with only a fraction of the tumours responding to currently available therapies. A detailed understanding of the biology and genetics of CRC is a prerequisite for precision medicine. To address this challenge in clinical oncology, the OncoTrack consortium recruited 106 CRC patients (stages I-IV) and developed an integrated pre-clinical platform analysing drug sensitivity in the established matched patient-derived in vivo and in vitro models, 46 three-dimensional cell cultures and 59 xenografts, recapitulating many of the molecular features of the donor tumours. We generated extensive omics information on patient tumours and their derived models used to generate a compendium of drug sensitivity data. We could distinguish tumour molecular sub-groups responding differently to therapy and identified a novel independent predictor of sensitivity to the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab. The findings reported here will advance our understanding of CRC and its response to therapy.

  Study EGAS00001001752