3413 results for "*geneti*"

in 90.57 milliseconds.

• Whole-exome sequencing of pediatric solid tumors

  Pediatric solid tumors are rare, whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. To investigate the genetic basis of pediatric solid tumors, we performed whole exome sequencing in 16 rhabdmyosarcoma (RMS) cases and 7 pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) cases.

  Study JGAS000036

• Identification of responsible genes and development of standardized medicine for familial breast cancer by genetic analysis with NGS technology

  Aims: To clarify risk of germline variants of known causal genes for Hereditary Breast Ovarian Cancer Syndrome in Japan by combinatorial analysis of somatic and germline variants in the breast cancer tissue. Methods: Target caputure analysis by using Illumina HiSeq 2000; the panel genes are 119 genes including 30 HBOC known causal genes. Participants/Materials: 108 whole blood and 124 primary tumor samples from familial breast cancer patients.

  Study JGAS000224

• The genetic analysis of circulating tumor DNA in blood of the digestive cancer patients to investigate the prognostic factors of metastasis and reccurence.

  A Darwinian evolutionary shift occurred early in the neutral evolution of advanced colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and copy number aberrations (CNA) were essential in the transition from adenoma to carcinoma. Subsequent to the primary evolution, we now focus on the evolutionary principle of the genome to foster postoperative recurrence of CRC. SO, We compared CNA, single nucleotide variance (SNV), RNA sequences between 8 primary and 11 metastatic sites from 10 CRCR cases.

  Study JGAS000221

• Whole exome sequencing of 69 trios with bipolar disorder

  We performed whole exome sequencing to trios with bipolar disorder to elucidate genetic architecture of bipolar disorder including de novo mutations and transmitted variants.

  Study JGAS000273

• Identification of genetic mutations characteristic for recurrence and metastasis of gastric cancer.

  We collected the cancerous tissues of the primary and recurrence tumors from the same patient with recurrent / metastatic gastric cancer, and the purpose of this study is to find the characteristics of recurrent / metastatic gastric cancers by carrying out a "molecular profiling", mainly the exome sequence analysis of these tissues.

  Study JGAS000086

• Global Architecture of anti-Tumor B-Cell Immunity against Gastric Cancer

  Recent successes in tumor immunotherapies have warranted the importance of tumor immunity. Compared to the T-cell immunity, B-cell immune system in cancer is largely elusive. Here we immunogenetically profiled tumor-infiltrating B-cell and T-cell repertoires for exome- characterized diffuse-type gastric carcinoma (DGC), which is remarkable for its B-cell infiltrations, unraveling previously un-defined architectures of B-cell immunity and its interplays with T-cell immunity in cancer. We also performed transcriptome analysis to enumerate the proportions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the gastric cancer environment .

  Study JGAS000103

• Elucidation of molecular mechanism of NAFLD-HCC

  We analysed the somatic mutation profile of 69 genes with recurrent genetic alterations reported in HCC using surgically-resected tumor tissues of non-viral HCC patients.

  Study JGAS000523

• 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

• Genetic analysis in lifestyle-related disease, arteriosclerotic disease, and aging-related diseases.

  Exome sequence analysis was conducted in patients with hypertension (Stage 3). Rare variants in candidate susceptible genes discovered by previous GWASs were prioritised and further analysed for an additional case-control association study.

  Study JGAS000016

• Comprehensive analyses of genetic aberrations in cholangiolocarcinoma

  The nature of CLC is still unclear and its pathological classification still remains controversial. To clarify the positioning of CLC among primary liver cancers, and to find characteristics that could distinguish CLC from other liver cancers.

  Study JGAS000597

• Somatic inflammatory gene mutations accumulate in human ulcerative colitis epithelium

  We performed whole exome sequencing and targeted sequencing of ulcerative colitis with/without colitis associated neoplasm and healthy indivisuals. The aim of this study was to calculate the influence of inflammation and age on a count of genetic mutations in colonic epithelium, and to identify the specific signal pathways on which the significant genetic mutations accumulating in ulcerative colitis patients' colonic epithelium.

  Study JGAS000199

• Molecular analysis of diffuse cerebellar gliomas

  Among diffuse gliomas, oligodendrogliomas show relatively better prognosis, respond well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and seldom progress to very aggressive tumors. To elucidate the genetic and epigenetic background for such behavior and tumor evolution during tumor relapse, we comparatively analyzed 12 pairs of primary and recurrent oligodendrogliomas with 1p/19q-codeletion. Initial treatment for these patients was mostly chemotherapy alone. Temozolomide was used for 3, and procarbazine, nimustine and vincristine (PAV chemotherapy) were used for 7 patients. World Health Organization histological grade at recurrence was mostly stable; it was increased in 2, the same in 9, and decreased in 1 cases. Whole-exome sequencing demonstrated that the rate of shared mutation between the primary and recurrent tumors was relatively low, ranging from 3.2-57.9% (average, 33.3%), indicating a branched evolutionary pattern. The trunk alterations that existed throughout the course were restricted to IDH1 mutation, 1p/19q-codeletion, and TERT promoter mutation, and mutation of the known candidate tumor suppressor genes CIC and FUBP1 were not consistently observed between primary and recurrent tumors. Multiple sampling from different regions within a tumor showed marked intratumoral heterogeneity. Notably, in general, the number of mutations was not significantly different after recurrence, remaining under 100, and no hypermutator phenotype was observed. FUBP1 mutation, loss of chr. 9p21, and TCF12 mutation were among a few recurrent de novo alterations that were found at recurrence, indicating that these events were clonally selected at recurrence but were not enough to enhance malignancy. Genome-wide methylation status, measured by Illumina 450 K arrays, was stable between recurrence and the primary tumor. In summary, although oligodendroglioma displays marked mutational heterogeneity, histological malignant transformation accompanying events such as considerable increase in mutation number and epigenetic profile change were not observed at recurrence, indicating that noticeable temporal and spatial genetic heterogeneity in oligodendrogliomas does not result in rapid tumor progression.

  Study JGAS000106

• Integrated Exome and RNA Sequencing of Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma

  Multiomics analysis of rare cancers to identify genetic alterations related with pathogenesis and prognosis. To identification of genetics alterations of Dedifferentiated liposarcoma, DNAs and RNAs were extracted from dedifferentiated liposarcoma and paired non-cancer (normal) tissues. NGS libaraies were prepared by using Agilent SureSelect XT Human All Exon V5 + IncRNA kit for whole exome sequencing (WES) and TruSeq Stranded mRNA Prep kit or TruSeq RNA Access Library Prep kit (RNA seq). Sequencing was perfomred by Illumina HiSeq 2500.

  Study JGAS000177

• Defined Lifestyle and Germline Factors Predispose Asian Populations to Gastric Cancer

  Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality throughout the world, with the highest incidence in east-Asia. Although the somatic genetics of GC has extensively been characterized by recent advances in cancer genome sequencing, the germline and environmental effects on GC and their ethnic differences have poorly been understood. Here, we performed genomic scale trans-ethnic analysis of 531 GC cases (319 Asian and 212 non-Asians), by integrating east-Asian and public GC datasets. There is one distinct GC subclass with clear alcohol-associated mutation signature and strong Asian specificity, and almost all the cases in the subclass are attributable to alcohol intake behavior, smoking habit, and Asian-specific ALDH2 defective allele. Alcohol-related GCs have low mutation burden and a characteristic immune profile of increased B-cell infiltration into the tumor area in relation to cancer cell-intrinsic CXCL13 chemokine expression. In addition to germline variants of genes involved in BRCA pathways, we found frequent (7.4%) germline CDH1 variants among Japanese GCs. Most of them were attributed to a few recurrent SNVs shared by both Japanese and Koreans, suggesting the existence of common ancestral events and widespread distributions of these pathogenic variants among east-Asian populations. Specifically, approximately one-fifth of diffuse-type GCs were attributable to the combination of alcohol intake and defective-ALDH2 allele or to germline CDH1 variants. These results revealed uncharacterized impacts of germline variants and their interplays with lifestyles in the high incidence areas.

  Study JGAS000228

• Genome sequence comparison of human iPS cell lines

  We performed whole genome sequencing analysis on human iPSC lines to understand the impact of genetic variations on clonal epigenetic variations.

  Study JGAS000310

• Genomic and Genetic Analysis of Brain Tumors and Analysis of Their Clinicopathological Significance

  The treatment outcome of glioma patients remains disappointing, and more studies are needed to improve therapeutic strategies. In particular, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms underlying resistance to treatment and malignant transformation, as well as the intratumoral heterogeneity and interaction of tumor cells and host immunity. Recent advances in omics analysis techniques, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), have enabled us to obtain omics data more easily and accelerated our ability to integrate this information and precisely characterize cases. In our project, we have already collected more than 100 pairs of human glioma/normal tissue samples, of which some are multiple specimens collected from initial and recurrent tumors, and some include multiple specimens collected from different regions within a single tumor. We used our in-house algorithms, composed of alignment and variant calling programs, to analyze omics data from multiple platforms, such as whole-exome sequencing (WES), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and methylation array, with our original cohort of glioma patients. Using several informatics tools, the information about genetic and epigenetic status and expression signatures were analyzed. Those data are expected to provide key information for investigating the mechanisms discussed above. Through this project, we hope to improve strategies for personalized therapy based on comprehensive omics data.

  Study JGAS000004

• Comprehensive analyses of clinicopathological features and genomic mutations of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma

  Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare primary liver cancer. We performed whole exome sequencing to clarify the relationship between genetic mutations and clinicopathological features in cHCC-CCA.

  Study JGAS000599

• mutation analysys of Gorlin syndrome

  Gorlin syndrome is a genetic disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance that predisposes the affected individual to a variety of disorders that are attributed largely to heterozygous germline patched1 (PTCH1) mutations. PTCH1 is a hedgehog (Hh) receptor as well as a repressor, mutation of which leads to constitutive activation of Hh pathway. Hh pathway encompasses a wide variety of cellular signaling cascades, which involve several molecules; however, no associated genotype?phenotype correlations have been reported. Recently, mutations in Suppressor of fused homolog (SUFU) or PTCH2 were reported in patients with Gorlin syndrome. These facts suggest that multi-layered mutations in Hh pathway may contribute to the development of Gorlin syndrome. We demonstrated multiple mutations of Hh-related genes in addition to PTCH1, which possibly act in an additive or multiplicative manner and lead to Gorlin syndrome. High-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze exome sequences in four unrelated Gorlin syndrome patient genomes. Mutations in PTCH1 gene were detected in all four patients. Specific nucleotide variations or frameshift variations of PTCH1 were identified along with the inferred amino acid changes in all patients. We further filtered 84 different genes which are closely related to Hh signaling. Fifty three of these had enough coverage of over ?30. The sequencing results were filtered and compared to reduce the number of sequence variants identified in each of the affected individuals. We discovered three genes, PTCH2, BOC, and WNT9b, with mutations with a predicted functional impact assessed by MutationTaster2 or PolyPhen-2 (Polymorphism Phenotyping v2) analysis. It is noticeable that PTCH2 and BOC are Hh receptor molecules. No significant mutations were observed in SUFU. Multi-layered mutations in Hh pathway may change the activation level of the Hh signals, which may explain the wide phenotypic variability of Gorlin syndrome.

  Study JGAS000099

• Whole genome sequencing and mutation rate analysis of Vietnamese trios with paternal dioxin exposure

  2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or dioxin, is commonly considered the most toxic man-made substance, and from 1962 to 1971, more than 19 million gallons of Agent Orange (AO) and other toxic chemicals contaminated with dioxin were sprayed in South of Vietnam. Dioxin exposure impacts human health and diseases, and birth defects and teratogenesis were frequently observed in children of persons who have been exposed to dioxin in Vietnam. However, the impact of dioxin on human mutation rate has not yet been analyzed. To identify and characterize the genetic alterations in the individuals exposed to dioxin, we perfomed whole genome sequencing of nine Vietnamese trios whose fathers were exposed to dioxin.

  Study JGAS000137

• DNA methylation dynamics during early human development

  DNA methylation is globally reprogrammed during mammalian preimplantation development, which has been well characterized in the mouse but not in other mammals. Here we report on the single base-resolution DNA methylome of human gametes and blastocysts. Near complete demethylation of the paternal genome was apparent, except for tandem repeat-containing CpG-rich regions, whereas the maternal genome was essentially resistant to replication-dependent global demethylation. The human oocyte methylome was characterized by a unique bimodal distribution of gene body methylation, a particular promoter methylation profile and a high proportion of hypomethylated transposable elements. Methylome and transcriptome comparisons between the human and mouse suggested species-specific regulation of many genes including the important DNA methylation regulators. Our findings are essential to understand the unique gene regulatory mechanisms during early human development and will facilitate preimplantation epigenetic diagnosis of human embryos.

  Study JGAS000006

• Analysis of genomic alterations in dedifferentiated liposarcoma

  Multiomics analysis of rare cancers to identify genetic alterations related with pathogenesis and prognosis. To identification of genetics alterations of Dedifferentiated liposarcoma, DNAs and RNAs were extracted from dedifferentiated liposarcoma and paired non-cancer (normal) tissues. NGS libaraies were prepared by using Agilent SureSelect XT Human All Exon V5 + IncRNA kit for whole exome sequencing (WES) and TruSeq Stranded mRNA Prep kit or TruSeq RNA Access Library Prep kit (RNA seq). Sequencing was perfomred by Illumina HiSeq 2500.

  Study JGAS000182

• Research of factors related to diagnosis, progression, prognosis and treatment of hepato-biliary-pancreatic malignancies

  Advanced cancers with metastasis and/or recurrence are usually resistant and refractory to treatment. In our studies, whole exome sequencing analysis, comprehensive epigenetic analysis and genome-wide expression analysis were performed using cancerous and non-cancerous tissues derived from multicentric cohort study of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the studies is identification of the refractoriness-related deriver genes for application to novel molecular targeted therapy and preventive medicine. The studies are intended for refractory HCC. High frequency of the tumor recurrence even after curative resection is one of the major difficulties in the treatment of HCC. According to our previous studies, not the recurrence itself, but the recurrence pattern has critical effects on prognosis of the patient with HCC. Then, we analyzed the cancerous and non-cancerous tissues of primary HCC on the point of the recurrence patterns in accordance with or without Milan criteria. The materials were obtained from thirty three patients underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC at Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital. Written informed consent from these patients, as well as the institutional review board approved was obtained. The determination of the refractory HCC group (16 cases) was based on the point of the recurrence patterns in accordance with Milan criteria for the recurrent tumor (solitary <5cm, or up to 3 nodules <3 cm, without major vascular invasion or distant metastasis) that has been proposed as the useful criteria of the liver transplantation for HCC. The cellular DNA was extracted from the cancerous and non-cancerous tissues of primary HCC by the phenol-chloroform method. After SNP certification using Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 (Affymetrix), whole exome sequencing was performed at the Cancer Institute of JFCR, as the support infrastructure. Exome sequencing was performed using HiSeq 2000 (Illumina), and the obtained reads were mapped to the human reference genome (hg19) using BWA software. GATK software was used for local realignment base call recalibration. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and indels were analyzed by MuTect and SomaticIndelDetector, as well as visual confirmation by IGV software.

  Study JGAS000052

• Clonal structure and oncogenic potential of liver cirrhosis tissues.

  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrently develops in cirrhotic liver composed of numbers of regenerative nodules (RNs). The biologic or genetic basis of RNs for hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear at present. Thus, to uncover the basis of cirrhotic liver for multicentric tumorigenesis, we investigated the oncogenic potential of RNs in LC tissues using multi-omics analysis.

  Study JGAS000134

• Comprehensive genomic analysis of patient derived orthotopic xenograft model in primary central nervous system lymphoma

  The purpose of this study is to investigate genetic background of orthotopic xenograft cells and aseess consistency with parent tumor cells. For exome sequencing, we used two distinct PCNSL cells (YML9 and YML11). We also performed RNA sequencing for 7 PCNSL patient tumor cells to compare NF-kB pathway activation.

  Study JGAS000178

• Response to Hepatitis B vaccine

  Approximately 5-10% of individuals, who are vaccinated with a hepatitis B (HB) vaccine designed based on the HBV genotype C, fail to acquire protective levels of antibodies. Host genetic factors behind low immune response to the HB vaccine were investigated by GWAS and HLA association tests.GWAS and HLA association tests were carried out using a total of 1,193 Japanese individuals including 107 low responders (HBsAb ?10 mIU/mL), 351 intermediate responders (10 mIU/mL< HBsAb <100 mIU/mL), and 735 high responders (HBsAb ?100 mIU/mL). Classical HLA class II alleles were statistically imputed using the genome-wide SNP typing data.GWAS identified independent associations of HLA-DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes, HLA-DPB1 alleles and BTNL2 gene with immune response to the HB vaccine designed based on the HBV genotype C. Five HLA-DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes and two DPB1 alleles showed significant associations with response to the HB vaccine in a comparison of three groups of 1,193 HB vaccinated individuals. When frequencies of DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes and DPB1 alleles were compared between low immune responders and HBV patients, significant associations were identified for three DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes, and no association was identified for any of DPB1 alleles. In contrast, no association for DRB1-DQB1 haplotypes and DPB1 alleles was identified in a comparison between high immune responders and healthy individuals.The findings in this study clearly show the importance of HLA-DR-DQ (i.e. recognition of a HB vaccine related HBsAg by specific DR-DQ haplotypes) and BTNL2 molecules (i.e. high immune response to the HB vaccine) for response to a HB vaccine designed based on the HBV genotype C.

  Study JGAS000341

• Microarray genotyping of idiopathic hypersomnia patients (11 orexin mutation-positive patients, 85 orexin mutation-negative patients)

  We performed a principal component analysis (PCA) to determine whether population stratification or differences in the genetic background are present between the orexin mutation-positive and -negative idiopathic hypersomnia groups. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data in patients with idiopathic hypersomnia (orexin mutation-positive patients and orexin mutation-negative patients) were utilized for the PCA.

  Study JGAS000508

• Genetic analysis of non-small cell lung cancer patients and PDX tumor harboring driver gene alteration

  Genetic analysis of non-small cell lung cancer patients and PDX tumors with EGFR mutation, ALK fusion, ROS1 fusion, etc.

  Study JGAS000413

• Genetic alterations that deregulate RB and PDGFRA signaling pathways drive tumor progression in IDH2-mutant astrocytoma

  In IDH-mutant astrocytomas, IDH2 mutation is quite rare and biological mechanisms underlying tumor progression in IDH2-mutant astrocytoma remain elusive. Here, we report a unique case of IDH2 mutant astrocytoma, CNS WHO grade 3 that developed tumor progression. We performed a comprehensive genomic and epigenomic analysis for primary and recurrent tumors and found that both tumors harbored recurrent IDH2R172K and TP53R248W mutation with CDKN2A/B hemizygous deletion. We also found amplifications of CDK4 and MDM2 with PDGFRA gain in the recurrent tumor and upregulated protein expressions of these genes. We further developed, for the first time, a xenograft mouse model of IDH2R172K mutant astrocytoma from the recurrent tumor, but not from the primary tumor. Consistent with parent recurrent tumor cells, amplifications of CDK4 and MDM2 with PDGFRA gain was found, while CDKN2A/B was identified as homozygous deletion in the xenografts, qualifying for integrated diagnosis of astrocytoma, IDH2-mutant, CNS WHO grade 4. Cell viability assay found that CDK4/6 inhibitor and PDGFR inhibitor potently decreased cell viability in recurrent tumor cells, as compared to primary tumor cells. These findings suggest that gene alterations that activate retinoblastoma (RB) signaling pathways and PDGFR may drive tumor progression and xenograft formation in IDH2-mutant astrocytoma, which is equivalent to progressive IDH1-mutant astrocytoma. Also, our findings suggest that these genomic alterations may represent therapeutic targets in IDH2-mutant astrocytoma.

  Study JGAS000646

• comprehensive genetic analysis and database construction for head and neck cancer

  The main purpose is to conduct comprehensive genetic analysis of head and neck malignant tumor tissue and patient-derived blood, and to construct a database for it. By analyzing these databases, we aim to clinically identify recurrence and metastasis prediction markers and establish new molecular target therapies.

  Study JGAS000214

• Comprehensive molecular and clinicopathological profiling of lung adenocarcinoma in Japanese never or light smokers

  Studies have yet to characterize the differences in molecular profiles of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) among divergent ethnic groups. Herein, we conducted comprehensive molecular profiling of LUAD in never or light smokers from Asia in order to discover novel targetable mutations and prognostic biomarkers of this distinct disease entity. Methods: We analyzed 996 cases of Asian LUAD, and performed whole-exome sequencing and/or RNA-seq in 125 cases of Asian LUAD negative for the driver oncogenes defined by conventional laboratory testing. We also investigated the clinical and pathological characteristics among the 996 cases. Results: Driver oncogenes were identified in 88 cases (70.4%) with specific hotspot mutations differing from those in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) study. Clustering based on mRNA expression profiles, but not genetic mutational ones, could predict patient prognosis. The risk score generated by the expression of a three-gene set was a strong prognostic marker for overall survival and progression-free survival in our cohort, and was further validated using TCGA cohort. Among the 996 cases, each driver alteration is distributed across all histological subtypes. Adenocarcinoma in situ was identified to harbor driver mutations, suggesting that these alterations are early events in the pathogenesis of LUAD. This study indicates the value of applying gene expression profiling for predicting the prognosis after a surgical operation, and that the identification of actionable mutations is important for optimizing targeted drugs in Japanese LUAD.

  Study JGAS000215

• Next-generation sequencing-based comprehensive genetic analysis of undiagnosed disease

  The purpose of this study is to perform comprehensive genetic analysis using next-generation sequencers to make genetic diagnosis of "undiagnosed diseases".

  Study JGAS000522

• Genomics characterization of primary central nervous system lymphoma

  Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare malignancy confined to the central nervous system (CNS). Despite low tendency of systemic dissemination, its prognosis is poor with median overall survival of 2?4 years. Due to its rarity, knowledge of genomic alterations underling PCNSL pathogenesis is severely limited. Here we performed whole-exome sequencing on 44 PCNSL and paired normal specimens, revealing high penetrance of nonsynonymous somatic mutations in PIM1 (95.5%), BTG2 (88.6%) and MYD88 (81.8%). Interestingly we found oncogenic mutations in GRB2, and this effect was cancelled when transformed cells are treated with inhibitors to downstream kinases MAP2K1/2. Further, when tumor cells carries MYD88 mutations, the same mutations were also found at low frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC), implying that MYD88 mutation?positive precancerous cells originate outside CNS and develop to lymphoma with additional genetic hits that fit the CNS environment.

  Study JGAS000021

• Durable clinical impacts and mechanisms of action and resistance in histone K27 methylation-targeting epigenetic therapy

  Epigenomes allow the rectification of disordered cancer gene expressions, thereby providing new targets for pharmacological interventions in cancer therapy. The clinical utility of targeting histone H3 lysine tri-methylation (H3K27me3) as an epigenetic hallmark has been demonstrated. However, in actual therapeutic settings, the mechanism by which H3K27me3-targeting therapies exert their effects and the response of tumor cells remain unclear. Here we show the potency and mechanisms of action and resistance of a newly developed EZH1/2 dual inhibitor, valemetostat, in the clinical trials of patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Valemetostat administration reduced the tumor size and demonstrated durable clinical benefits. Integrative single-cell analyses of patients before and after the administration of valemetostat showed that valemetostat abolishes the highly condensed chromatin structure formed by the plastic H3K27me3 and neutralizes multiple gene loci, such as tumor suppressor genes. Nevertheless, subsequent long-term treatment encounters the emergence of resistant clones with reconstructed aggregate chromatin that closely resemble the pre-dose state. The acquired mutations at the EZH2���compound interface result in the propagation of the clones with re-increased H3K27me3. In patients free of this mutation, TET2 mutation or elevated DNMT3A expression causes similar chromatin recondensation through de novo DNA methylation at the H3K27me3-associated regions. We identified subpopulations with distinct metabolic and gene translation characteristics implicated in primary susceptibility until the acquisition of the heritable (epi)mutations. Targeting chromatin homeostasis might provide opportunities for further sustained epigenetic cancer therapies.

  Study JGAS000553

• C-MACH reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS)

  Umbilical cord blood (CB) has been commonly used as an epigenetic surrogate of fetuses. Here, we propose umbilical cord tissue (UC) as an alternative surrogate for epigenetic studies on fetuses. To explore the feasibility to examine UC epigenome by deep sequencing, we determined CpG methylation profiles of human postnatal UC by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. We compared DNA methylomes between UC and CB. To investigate the effect of folate during pregnancy on fetal DNA methylation, we compared fetal UC DNA methylation between low and high levels of maternal plasma folate. Our study suggests that UC is useful as an alternative surrogate for studying environmental effects on DNA methylation in human fetuses, compensating CB by providing additional information about epigenetic regulation of genes.

  Study JGAS000171

• Comprehensive analyses of genetic aberrations in gastroenterological tumors

  Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a risk factor of gastric cancer in gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori infection. To explore the susceptibility to the cancer development in pure gastric IM, we investigated landscape of genetic alterations in gastric single-glands with IM.

  Study JGAS000269

• Phase II clinical trial of adult Philadelphia chromosome-negative precursor B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia with combination chemotherapy

  Adults with B-ALL showed extremely inferior outcomes when compared to children. Genetic basis undelying adult B-ALL is largely unknown. We performed integrated analysis of RNA-seq and target DNA-seq for the patients enrolled in BALL213 study.

  Study JGAS000278

• Targeted exome sequencing identify compound heterozygous TYK2 mutations in patients with primary immunodeficiency who developed EBV-associated lymphoma

  In this study, we evaluated 2 siblings with primary immunodeficiency who developed EBV-associated lymphoma. Immunophenotyping of PBMCs revealed that both patients had significant T cell lymphopenia characterized by low na?ve CD4+ T cell counts. To identify the causative genetic mutations in the patients, we performed targeted exome sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq on the patients and their parents. The results showed a novel compound heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) in the patients.

  Study JGAS000098

• Immunohistochemical and molecular pathological search in gastrointestinal tumors

  Purpose: RSPO fusions are recently identified recurrent genetic alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC), which lead to WNT pathway activation and are potential therapeutic targets. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological and molecular features of RSPO fusion-positive CRCs.Experimental Design: We screened 1019 CRCs for RSPO fusions using multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RSPO fusion-positive tumors were characterized for their clinicopathological features and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES).Results: Our analysis identified 29 CRCs with RSPO fusions (2.8%), consisting of 5 with an EIF3E-RSPO2 fusion and 24 with PTPRK-RSPO3 fusions. The patients were 17 females and 12 males with the median age of 64 years. Thirteen tumors were located in the right colon, 8 were in the left colon, and 8 were in the rectum. Histologically, most of the tumors (24/29, 83%) were classified as adenocarcinomas, not otherwise specified. However, about half of the tumors (13/29, 45%) had a focal or extensive mucinous component, which is significantly more frequent compared with RSPO fusion-negative tumors (13%; p = 8.1 �� 10-7). Four tumors (14%) were mismatch repair-deficient, three of which were associated with MLH1 promoter methylation. WES identified KRAS, BRAF, and NRAS mutations in a total of 27 cases (93%). In contrast, pathogenic mutations in major WNT pathway genes other than RSPO fusions were virtually absent. The presence of an RSPO fusion tended to show shorter overall and recurrence-free survivals in stage II and III patients although the differences were not significant.Conclusions: RSPO fusion-positive CRCs constitute a rare subgroup of CRCs with several characteristic clinicopathological and genetic features. The mutual exclusivity with other WNT pathway gene alterations supports RSPO fusions as valid therapeutic targets in CRC.

  Study JGAS000538

• Defined Lifestyle and Germline Factors Predispose Asian Populations to Gastric Cancer

  Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality throughout the world, with the highest incidence in east-Asia. Although the somatic genetics of GC has extensively been characterized by recent advances in cancer genome sequencing, the germline and environmental effects on GC and their ethnic differences have poorly been understood. Here, we performed genomic scale trans-ethnic analysis of 531 GC cases (319 Asian and 212 non-Asians), by integrating east-Asian and public GC datasets. There is one distinct GC subclass with clear alcohol-associated mutation signature and strong Asian specificity, and almost all the cases in the subclass are attributable to alcohol intake behavior, smoking habit, and Asian-specific ALDH2 defective allele. Alcohol-related GCs have low mutation burden and a characteristic immune profile of increased B-cell infiltration into the tumor area in relation to cancer cell-intrinsic CXCL13 chemokine expression. In addition to germline variants of genes involved in BRCA pathways, we found frequent (7.4%) germline CDH1 variants among Japanese GCs. Most of them were attributed to a few recurrent SNVs shared by both Japanese and Koreans, suggesting the existence of common ancestral events and widespread distributions of these pathogenic variants among east-Asian populations. Specifically, approximately one-fifth of diffuse-type GCs were attributable to the combination of alcohol intake and defective-ALDH2 allele or to germline CDH1 variants. These results revealed uncharacterized impacts of germline variants and their interplays with lifestyles in the high incidence areas.

  Study JGAS000229

• Development of cell lines and mouse models of bone and soft tissue sarcoma to establish novel treatment

  Malignant giant-cell tumors are extremely rare bone sarcomas that transform from conventional giant-cell tumors during long periods of treatment. We have applied the culture methods and succeeded in establishing patient-derived organoids (PDO) of rare sarcomas. This study aimed to investigate the genomic characteristics of our established novel organoids from human malignant giant-cell tumors. The developed tumors with xenograft were genomically analyzed to compare their characteristics with those of the original tumors. Genetic changes over time throughout treatment were analyzed, and the genomic status of the established organoid was confirmed. Next generation sequencing revealed that the established organoids lacked the H3-3A G34W mutation. The xenografted organoids of the malignant giant-cell tumor had phenotypes genetically similar to those of the original tumor. The established organoids were confirmed to be derived from human malignant giant-cell tumors. In summary, the present study demonstrated a novel organoid model of a malignant giant-cell tumor that was genetically confirmed to be a malignant transformed tumor. Our organoid model could be used to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of a malignant giant-cell tumor and develop novel treatment modalities.

  Study JGAS000618

• High-coverage whole exome sequence in non-TRU-type lung adenocarcinomas

  In order to elucidate the key genetic events in non-TRU-type lung cancer, we selected 43 non-TRU-type lung adenocarcinomas and performed a whole exome sequence and RNA-seq analysis using a next-generation sequencer. The results of the analysis identified mutations in TP53, KRAS and NKX2-1 as the top three significantly mutated genes, while the EGFR mutation was rare in this cohort. Eight NKX2-1 mutations (5 frameshift, 2 nonsense, and one missense) were identified, with one case harboring two distinct NKX2-1 mutations (missense and frameshift). All NKX2-1 mutants were transcriptionally inactive in reporter assays. Histologically, invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas accounted for most of the NKX2-1 mutations (5 cases), while 1 enteric and 1 acinar adenocarcinoma harbored the NKX2-1 mutation.

  Study JGAS000105

• Analysis of the relationship between disease phenotype and genotype in patients with Alzheimer's disease

  In this study, we explored the genetic background of Alzheimer's disease by intercomparative analysis of the genetic background of sporadic Alzheimer's disease and disease phenotypes derived from iPS cells.

  Study JGAS000383

• GWAS for atrial fibrillation in the Japanese population

  We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that utilized 8,180 atrial fibrillation cases and 28,612 controls and followed up in an additional 3,120 cases and 125,064 controls in the Japanese population. We replicated previously reported loci and identified six novel loci. Five of the six novel loci were specifically associated with atrial fibrillation in the Japanese population after comparing our data to individuals of European ancestry, suggesting there might be different susceptibility genetic factors across ancestries. Our study has discovered variants in genes HAND2, KCND3 and NEBL that are relevant to atrial fibrillation susceptibility. The involvement of PPFIA4 and SH3PXD2A in axon guidance also suggested its role in the disease pathogenesis. Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of atrial fibrillation susceptibility and pathogenesis.

  Study JGAS000101

• Comprehensive genetic analysis of pediatric germ cell tumors

  Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are relatively rare tumors in children. Previous studies showed that adult testicular GCTs had some genomic alterations, but genetic basis of pediatric GCTs is still to be elucidated. We applied DNA methylation array analysis, whole-transcriptome sequencing, targeted capture sequencing, and SNP array analysis to fifty-one GCT samples.

  Study JGAS000204

• Identification of genetic polymorphism on aggressive periodontitis

  Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with loss of gingival tissue and alveolar bone. Aggressive periodontitis is rapidly progressive form of periodontitis in young people. It has been demonstrated that the susceptibility to AgP is influenced by genetic risk factors. However few were established as a risk factor for aggressive periodontitis. To identify genetic risk factors for aggressive periodontitis in Japanese population, we conducted the exome sequence of unrelated patients.

  Study JGAS000024

• An Organoid Biobank of Rare Human Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Enables Genotype-Phenotype Mapping

  We performed whole genome sequencing and RNA-sequencing of neuroendocrine neoplasm. The aim of this study was to provide genetic landscape of neuroendocrine neoplasm, to construct available animal models, and to engineer neuroendocrine neoplasm from normal colon epithelium. The reference genomes used are GRCh37 for whole genome sequencing and GRCh38 for RNA-sequencing.

  Study JGAS000237

• Na?ve Treg-specific genomic DNA hypomethylation for autoimmune disease susceptibility

  Naturally occurring regulatory T (Treg) cells, which are specifically expressing the transcription factor FOXP3, CD25 and CTLA-4, are indispensable for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and homeostasis. Mutations of the FOXP3, CD25 and CTLA4 genes compromise the function of natural FOXP3+CD25+CD4+ Treg cells and cause severe autoimmune diseases showing Mendelian inheritance. Also, altered Treg-specific epigenetic changes, such as DNA hypomethylation and enhancer activation, impair the expression of these molecules in developing Treg cells, causing autoimmune diseases. It is obscure, however, whether Treg cells significantly contribute to the development of polygenic common autoimmune diseases (such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis), which afflict ~10% of the population. Recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of common autoimmune diseases has revealed many autoimmune disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in enhancer regions of immune cells, for example, in non-coding regions of T cell activation-associated genes such as CD25 and CTLA4. These findings, especially the involvement of common T-cell genes in the functions of both Treg cells and effector T cells, prompt one to ask whether autoimmune disease-associated causative SNPs impact on the functions of either disease-causing effector T cells or disease-suppressing Treg cells. Here, we have explored epigenetic profiles of human Treg and conventional T (Tconv) cells in na?ve or activated states, and found that autoimmune disease-associated SNPs are predominantly enriched in Treg-specific CpG demethylated regions (Treg-DRs), which were mostly included in Treg-specific super-enhancers. Treg-DRs are developmentally established in na?ve Treg cells before antigenic stimulation, distinct from activation-induced CpG hypomethylation in Treg or Tconv cells, and highly associated with Treg cell-specific transcriptional and epigenetic changes. Taken together, genetic variants affecting endogenous development of natural Treg cells and their Treg-intrinsic functions are causative of common autoimmune diseases, indicating natural Treg cells as a key target for their treatment and prevention.

  Study JGAS000145

• Demographic History and Local Adaptation in Asian Population

  Due to harboring high genetic and cultural diversity of populations, Central Asia is one key area for understanding the recent evolutionary history of humans. In this project, our aims include: (1) to resequence genome sequences with high sequencing depth for Central Asian populations Balti; (2) to discern the genomic diversity, populations structure and demographic history of Balti; (3) to investigate the genetic mechanisms for local adaptations in Balti.

  Study JGAS000238

• CRISPR-screening identifies mechanisms of resistance to KRASG12C and SHP2 inhibitor combinations in non-small cell lung cancer

  Although KRASG12C inhibitors show clinical activity in patients with KRAS G12C mutated NSCLC and other solid tumor malignancies, response is limited by multiple mechanisms of resistance. The KRASG12C inhibitor JDQ443 shows enhanced preclinical antitumor activity combined with the SHP2 inhibitor TNO155, and the combination is currently under clinical evaluation. To identify rational combination strategies that could help overcome or prevent some types of resistance, we evaluated the duration of tumor responses to JDQ443 �� TNO155, alone or combined with the PI3K�� inhibitor alpelisib and/or the CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib, in xenograft models derived from a KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC line and investigated the genetic mechanisms associated with loss of response to combined KRASG12C/SHP2 inhibition.

  Study JGAS000643

• Development of a diagnostic gene panel for Gorlin syndrome and its application to liquid biopsy

  Gorlin syndrome is an autosomal dominant, rare disease caused by mutations in PTCH1, PTCH2, and SUFU with various symptoms in multiple organs making early diagnosis challenging. In this study, we generated a Gorlin syndrome gene panel that could help to overcome the difficulties in diagnosing Gorlin syndrome using a single test. This gene panel is time- and cost-efficient and highly reliable with a high-quality score of 30, on-target ratio, and coverage depth, and could detect more mutations than whole-exome sequencing of the same patient. Although the current in silico prediction tools have a limited genetic database of gene mutations in rare hereditary diseases, five prediction tools were used to identify pathological mutations. Pathogenic gene mutations were detected not only in PTCH1 but also in PTCH2 in five out of 12 patients with Gorlin syndrome diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. Using this gene panel, we showed the same gene mutation in the patients and their asymptomatic relatives; hence, it has enabled a highly reliable genetic diagnosis of Gorlin syndrome at a low cost requiring only blood sample.

  Study JGAS000308