5246 results for "*oma"

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• RNAseq cutaneous and uveal melanoma liver metastases

  RNA sequencing analyses of tumor liver metastases from untreated cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM) patients.

  Study EGAS00001004794

• RNA sequencing of multiple myeloma identifies genes dysregulated by structural variants.

  Multiple myeloma is a disease of structural changes brought about by copy number abnormalities and translocations. Many of these changes result in super-enhancers being placed next to key oncogenes. Here, we have investigated which genes are commonly dysregulated by these changes.

  Study EGAS00001003411

• FACS sorting of ploidy populations in an undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma for RRBS

  Groups of cells belonging to different ploidy populations (based on PI staining) were collected from an undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma. The different ploidy populations underwent RRBS, after which copy number signatures for the ploidy-sorted populations and the bulk population were extracted.

  Study EGAS00001006143

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

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

  Study EGAS00001004781

• Comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analysis of three synchronous primary tumours and a recurrence from a head and neck cancer patient

  Synchronous primary malignancies occur in a small proportion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. Here, we analysed three synchronous primaries and a recurrence from one patient, by comparing the genomic and transcriptomic profiles among the tumour samples and determining the recurrence origin. We found remarkable levels of heterogeneity among the primary tumours, and through the patterns of shared mutations, we traced the origin of the recurrence. Interestingly, the patient carried germline variants which might have predisposed him to carcinogenesis, together with a history of alcohol and tobacco consumption. Mutational signature analysis confirmed the impact of alcohol exposure, with Signature 16 present in all tumour samples. Characterisation of immune cell infiltration highlighted an immunosuppressive environment in all samples, which exceeded the potential activity of T cells. Studies such as the one described here have important clinical value and contribute to personalised treatment decisions for patients with synchronous primaries and matched recurrences.

  Study EGAS00001004857

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

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

  Study EGAS00001006191

• Genomic analysis of a hypermutated gliosarcoma

  Gliosarcoma is a variant of glioblastoma with equally poor prognosis and characterized by mixed glial and mesenchymal pathology. Metastasis is not uncommon but involvement of the spinal cord is rare, and comprehensive genetic characterization of spinal gliosarcoma is lacking. We describe a patient initially diagnosed with a low-grade brain glioma via biopsy, followed by adjuvant radiation and temozolomide treatment. Nearly two years after diagnosis, she developed neurological deficits from an intradural, extramedullary tumor anterior to the spinal cord at T4, which was resected and diagnosed as gliosarcoma. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) of this tumor revealed a hypermutated phenotype, characterized by somatic mutations in key DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway genes, an abundance of C>T transitions within the identified somatic SNVs, and microsatellite stability, together consistent with temozolomide-mediated hypermutagenesis. This is the first report of a hypermutator phenotype in gliosarcoma, which may represent a novel genomic mechanism of progression from lower-grade glioma.

  Study EGAS00001004864

• Clinical genome sequencing uncovers potentially targetable truncations and fusions of MAP3K8 in spitzoid and other melanomas

  Spitzoid melanoma is a specific morphologic variant of melanoma that most commonly affects children and adolescents and ranges on the spectrum of malignancy from low-grade to overtly malignant. These tumors are generally driven by fusions of ALK, RET, NTRK1/3, MET, ROS1 and BRAF. However, in approximately 50% of cases, no genetic driver has been established. Clinical whole genome and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) of a spitzoid tumor from an adolescent revealed a novel gene fusion of MAP3K8, encoding a serine−threonine kinase that activates MEK. The patient who had exhausted all other therapeutic options was treated with a MEK inhibitor and underwent a transient clinical response. We subsequently analyzed spitzoid tumors from 49 patients by RNA-Seq and found in-frame fusions or C-terminal truncations in 33% of cases. The fusion transcripts and truncated genes all contained MAP3K8 exons 1-8 but lacked the autoinhibitory final exon. Data mining of RNA-Seq from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) uncovered analogous MAP3K8 rearrangements in 1.5% of adult melanomas. Thus, MAP3K8 rearrangements - uncovered by comprehensive clinical sequencing of a single case - are the most common genetic event in spitzoid melanoma, are present in adult melanomas, and could be amenable to MEK inhibition.

  Study EGAS00001003430

• Gut microbiome sequencing in patients receiving combination immune checkpoint blockade

  This dataset contains 16S and WMS data for gut (fecal) microbiome samples taken from patients treated with combined anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade for advanced melanoma.

  Study EGAS00001004885

• Single_cell_characterization_of_T_cell_lymphoma_

  Lymphomas are types of blood cancer derived from lymphocytes, and can be classified into two main categories, Hodgkin's lymphomas (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). T-cell lymphoma is a type of NHL that develops from T lymphocytes and accounts for 10-15% of total NHL cases. As a rare disease, T-cell lymphoma is functionally, pathologically, and clinically complex and heterogeneous. The 2016 revision of the WHO classification has listed 29 subtypes of mature T/NK-cell neoplasms, among which over 25 are T lymphocyte in origin. These subtypes of T-cell lymphomas have different biological behaviours and clinical prognosis. Clinically, T-cell lymphoma ranges from indolent (slow-growing) to aggressive (fast-growing and spreading) disease. According to the guideline booklet provided by the Lymphoma Research Foundation (https://lymphoma.org/aboutlymphoma/nhl/), indolent T-cell lymphoma subtypes include adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and mycosis fungoides (MF), while the aggressive subtypes include anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), and T lymphoblastic lymphoma (TLBL). PTCL and ALCL represent the most common subtypes of aggressive T-cell lymphoma whereas TLBL is a rare and aggressive subtype mostly diagnosed in children. In this study, we will use single cell RNA sequencing and single cell multiomic methods three aggressive T-cell lymphoma subtypes (ALCL, PTCL and TLBL) and try to gain a deeper insight into the genotypic and phenotypic features of these T-cell lymphomas.

  Study EGAS00001005750

• Multi-region exome sequencing of lung adenocarcinoma precursors -1

  To characterize the genomic landscape of invasive lung adenocarcinoma and its precursors; to depict the genomic evolution from preneoplasia of lung to invasive lung adenocarcinoma; to decipher mechanism to drive the tumor progression.

  Study EGAS00001003439

• Clinical impact of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response, DNA damage repair (DDR) gene mutations and immune-cell infiltration in subtypes of metastatic melanoma

  Our study identified that immune cell infiltration and DNA damage repair (DDR) gene mutations may have an impact in response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) treatment in metastatic melanoma but differs among melanoma subtypes. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the role of immune infiltration cells, DDR gene mutations and copy number alterations could act as prognostic biomarkers for the ICI treatment among metastatic melanoma subtype patients.

  Study EGAS00001005781

• Clonal architectures predict clinical outcome in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

  We analyze the clonal architectures of ccRCC patients from three different populations, including TCGA, Japanese and Chinese patients. We characterize the mutational signatures across different populations and evolution stages. The TCGA and Japanese data sets were downloaded from published studies and we also generated the whole genome sequencing data for more than 40 Chinese patients.

  Study EGAS00001003447

• Single-cell RNA sequencing on single CD45+ immune cells isolated from peripheral blood, lymphnode, ascites, tumour and adjacent normal tissues from six hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

  Single-cell RNA sequencing on single CD45+ immune cells isolated from peripheral blood, lymphnode, ascites, tumour and adjacent normal tissues from six hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The transcriptional properties of these individual cells, were used to delineate the molecular subtypes, lineage, and functional properties of each cell group

  Study EGAS00001003449

• Failure of Differentiation of the Rhombic Lip Constitutes Medulloblastoma

  We used single-cell transcriptomics to study cells from the developing human cerebellum, and show that different molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma resemble distinct glutamatergic progenitors.

  Study EGAS00001005826

• Paired data of primary and relapse central nervous system lymphoma and testicular lymphoma

  Shallow whole genome sequencing and targeted sequencing of 33 primary - relapse samplepairs of primary central nervous system lymphoma and primary testicular lymphoma.19 Testis - contralateral testis pairs9 Testis - CNS 5 CNS - Testis

  Study EGAS00001005833

• NLG-LBC-05 ctDNA

  Correlative analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in aggressive large B-cell lymphoma patients treated in NLG-LBC-05 phase II trial. Whole genome and targeted sequencing was applied to longitudinal plasma cell-free DNA and diagnostic tumor tissues.

  Study EGAS00001005835

• Androgen receptor blockade promotes response to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy

  We studied a group of melanoma patients treated with neoadjuvant BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy (NCT02231775, n=51), and observed significantly higher rates of major pathologic response (MPR= <10% viable tumor at resection) and improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) in females versus males (MPR-66% versus 14%, p=0.001; RFS-64% versus 32% at 2 years, p=0.021). Findings were validated in a several additional cohorts 2-4 patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma treated with BRAF and/or MEK-targeted therapy (n=664 patients in total), demonstrating improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in females versus males in several of these studies. Studies in pre-clinical models demonstrated significantly impaired anti-tumor activity in male versus female BRAF/MEK-treated mice (p=0.006), with significantly higher expression of androgen receptor (AR) in tumors of male and female BRAF/MEK-treated mice versus control (p=0.0006 and 0.0025). Pharmacologic inhibition of AR signaling improved responses to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy in male and female mice (p=0.018 and p=0.003), whereas induction of AR signaling (via testosterone administration) was associated with significantly impaired response to BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy in males and females (p=0.021 and p<0.0001).

  Study EGAS00001006196

• Clonal somatic copy number altered driver events inform drug sensitivity in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

  Chromosomal instability is a major challenge to patient stratification and targeted drug development for high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Here we show that somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) in frequently amplified HGSOC cancer genes significantly correlate with gene expression and methylation status. We identified five prevalent clonal driver SCNAs (chromosomal amplifications encompassing MYC, PIK3CA, CCNE1, KRAS and TERT) from multi-regional HGSOC data and reasoned that their strong selection should prioritise them as key biomarkers for targeted therapies. We used primary HGSOC spheroid models to test interactions between in vitro targeted therapy and SCNAs. MYC chromosomal copy number was associated with in-vitro and clinical response to paclitaxel and in-vitro response to mTORC1/2 inhibition. Activation of the mTOR survival pathway in the context of MYC-amplified HGSOC was statistically associated with increased prevalence of SCNAs in genes from the PI3K pathway. Co-occurrence of amplifications in MYC and genes from the PI3K pathway was independently observed in squamous lung cancer and triple negative breast cancer. These results suggest that identifying co-occurrence of clonal driver SCNA genes could be used to tailor therapeutics for precision medicine.

  Study EGAS00001006200

• Dedifferentiated_Melanoma

  De- and transdifferentiation of melanoma is a rare histopathological phenomenon that has not be characterised genetically. In this project we plan to sequence the genomes of de and transdifferentiated cases so as to define their genetic make-up.

  Study EGAS00001003471

• Clonal dominance defines metastatic dissemination in pancreatic cancer

  Using patient-derived cells from a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we created orthotopic clonal replica tumors to trace in an unbiased fashion clonal lineage dynamics of unperturbed tumor expansion and dissemination over time. The model revealed the complex multifaced nature of tumor clonal expansion and uncovered brisk changes in fitness that lead to a continuous reshuffling of tumor clonal architecture and alternating clonal dominance as a distinct feature of cancer growth. Paired analysis of clonal lineages in primary and secondary sites revealed fitness in the primary tumor as a major contributor to dissemination, although other clonal intrinsic and extrinsic factors may contribute to metastatic process. Molecular characterization of lineages with differential metastatic potential identified actionable strategy to suppress dissemination at the subclonal level.

  Study EGAS00001006358

• glioblastoma single cell RNAseq

  Understanding the cellular origin and differentiation status of glioblastoma is critical to resolve the etiology of the disease. we profile 18 patient glioblastomas by single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). From this, we uncovered two principal cell-of-origin relations. Each lineage displays unique directional differentiation trajectories and transcriptional cores from the naïve cell populations. Thus, glioblastoma is defined by robust cell lineage features which may provide insights into the cell origin of the diseases.

  Study EGAS00001006236

• Intratumoural heterogeneity and immune modulation in lung adenocarcinoma of female smokers and never smokers

  Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer death worldwide despite declining smoking prevalence in industrialised countries. Although lung cancer is highly associated with smoking status, a significant proportion of lung cancer cases develop in patients who never smoked, with an observable bias towards female never smokers. A better understanding of lung cancer heterogeneity and immune system involvement during tumour evolution and progression in never smokers is therefore highly warranted. We employed single nucleus transcriptomics of surgical lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) and normal lung tissue samples from patients with or without smoking history. Immune cells as well as fibroblasts and endothelial cells respond to tobacco smoke exposure by inducing a highly inflammatory state in normal lung tissue. In the presence of LADC, we identified differentially expressed transcriptional programmes in macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts, providing insight into how the niche favours tumour progression. Within tumours, we distinguished eight subpopulations of neoplastic cells in female smokers and never smokers. Through pseudotemporal ordering, we inferred a trajectory towards two differentiated tumour cell states implicated in cancer progression and invasiveness. A proliferating cell population sustaining tumour growth exhibits differential immune modulating signatures in both patient groups. Our results resolve cellular heterogeneity and immune interactions in LADC, with a special emphasis on female never smokers and implications for the design of therapeutic approaches.

  Study EGAS00001006331

• Application of high-throughput, high-depth, targeted single-nucleus DNA sequencing in pancreatic cancer

  Despite insights gained by bulk DNA sequencing of cancer it remains challenging to resolve the admixture of normal and tumor cells, and/or of distinct tumor subclones; high throughput single-cell DNA sequencing circumvents these and brings cancer genomic studies to higher resolution. However, its application has been limited to liquid tumors or a small batch of solid tumors, mainly because of the lack of a scalable workflow to process solid tumor samples. Here we optimized a highly automated nuclei extraction workflow that achieved fast and reliable targeted single-nucleus DNA library preparation of 38 samples from 16 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, with an average library yield per sample of 2867 single nuclei. We demonstrate that this workflow not only performs well using low cellularity or low tumor purity samples but reveals novel genomic evolution patterns of PDAC as well.

  Study EGAS00001006024

• Combined gene expression and digital pathology identifies molecular mediators of T cell exclusion and immune suppression in ovarian cancer

  Close proximity between cytotoxic T lymphocytes and tumour cells is required for effective immunotherapy. However, what determines the spatial distribution of T cells in the tumour microenvironment is not well understood. Coupling digital pathology and transcriptome analysis on a large ovarian tumour cohort, we develop a machine learning approach to molecularly classify and characterize tumour-immune phenotypes. Our study identifies two important hallmarks characterizing T cell excluded tumours: 1) loss of antigen presentation on tumour cells and 2) upregulation of TGFb and activated stroma. Furthermore, we identify TGFb as a key mediator of T cell exclusion. TGFb reduces MHC-I expression in ovarian cancer cells in vitro; TGFb also activates fibroblasts and induced extracellular matrix (ECM) production as a potential physical barrier to hinder T cell infiltration. Our findings indicate that targeting TGFb may represent a promising strategy to overcome T cell exclusion and improve clinical benefits of cancer immunotherapy.

  Study EGAS00001003487

• Epithelioid sarcoma sequencing data

  This study shares DNA and RNA sequencing data from Epithelioid sarcoma patients

  Study EGAS00001005983

• Genomic stratification and liquid biopsy in a rare adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) case, with dual lung metastases

  Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis and few treatment options. Molecular characterization of this cancer remains limited. We present a case of an adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in a 37-yr-old female, with dual lung metastases identified 1 yr following commencement of adjuvant mitotane therapy. As standard therapeutic regimens are often unsuccessful in ACC, we undertook a comprehensive genomic study into this case to identify treatment options and monitor disease progress. We performed targeted and whole-genome sequencing of germline, primary tumor, and both metastatic tumors from this patient and monitored recurrence over 2 yr using liquid biopsy for ctDNA and steroid hormone measurements. Sequencing revealed the primary and metastatic tumors were hyperhaploid, with extensive loss of heterozygosity but few structural rearrangements. Loss-of-function mutations were identified in MSH2, TP53, RB1, and PTEN, resulting in tumors with mismatch repair signatures and microsatellite instability. At the cellular level, tumors were populated by mitochondria-rich oncocytes. Longitudinal ctDNA mutation and hormone profiles were unable to detect micrometastatic disease, consistent with clinical indicators of disease remission. The molecular signatures in our ACC case suggested immunotherapy in the event of disease progression; however, the patient remains free of cancer. The extensive molecular analysis presented here could be applied to other rare and/or poorly stratified cancers, to identify novel or repurpose existing therapeutic options, thereby broadly improving diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses.

  Study EGAS00001003497

• Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

  This study contains DNA and RNA sequencing data for 5 DIPG patients. All patients have tumor DNA data, 4 have matched normal DNA data and 3 have tumor RNA seq data

  Study EGAS00001006353

• Single cell analyses of transcriptome and epigenome in neuroblastoma infiltrated bone marrow

  We report transcriptional and genome-wide ATAC-seq analyses at single cell resolution of 16 bone marrow samples with and without neuroblastoma infiltration. Our samples span across several neuroblastoma models, including MYCN amplified, ATRX mutated, and sporadic (lacking either alteration).

  Study EGAS00001006106

• Conserved features of TERT promoter duplications reveal an activation mechanism that mimics hotspot mutations in cancer

  Mutations in the TERT promoter are the single most common non-coding mutation in cancer and represent the genetic underpinnings of tumor cell immortality. Beyond the two most common point mutations, G228A and G250A, which selectively recruit the ETS factor GABP to activate TERT, the significance of other variants in the TERT promoter are unknown. We identified duplications of wildtype sequence within the core promoter region of TERT in 7 different cancer types that have strikingly similar features including size, insertion position, and inclusion of one of the native ETS motifs. Each duplication activates the TERT promoter to a similar level as G228A and G250A and is critically dependent on the insertion site. The GABP tetramer binds to the TERT duplicated promoter sequence by virtue of the native ETS motif and its duplicated version with precise spacing, and it is necessary for the transcriptional activation by all duplications tested. Spatiotemporal analysis in a multifocal glioblastoma shows the duplication is clonal and its activation of TERT is readily detectable at the single cell level and in bulk tumor tissue. We conclude that recurrent TERT promoter duplications of the native ETS sequence are functionally and mechanistically equivalent to the hotspot mutations that confer tumor cell immortality. The shared mechanism of these divergent somatic genetic alterations suggests a strong selective pressure for recruitment of the GABP tetramer to activate TERT.

  Study EGAS00001006118

• DNA methylation-based prognostic subtypes of chordoma tumors in tissue

  Chordomas are rare malignant bone cancers of the skull-base and spine. Patient survival is variable and not reliably predicted using clinical factors or molecular features. This study identifies prognostic epigenetic chordoma subtypes that are detected noninvasively using plasma methylomes. Methylation profiles of 68 chordoma surgical samples were obtained between 1996 and 2018 across three international centers along with matched plasma methylomes where available. Consensus clustering identified two stable tissue clusters with a disease-specific survival difference that was independent of clinical factors in a multivariate Cox analysis (HR = 14.2, 95%CI: 2.1–94.8, P = 0.0063). Immune-related pathways with genes hypomethylated at promoters and increased immune cell abundance were observed in the poorperforming “Immune-infiltrated” subtype. Cell-to-cell interaction plus extracellular matrix pathway hypomethylation and higher tumor purity were observed in the better-performing “Cellular” subtype. The findings were validated in additional DNA methylation and RNA sequencing datasets as well as with immunohistochemical staining. Plasma methylomes distinguished chordomas from other clinical differential diagnoses by applying fifty chordoma-versusother binomial generalized linear models in random 20% testing sets (mean AUROC = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.52–1.00). Tissue-based and plasma-based methylation signals were highly correlated in both prognostic clusters. Additionally, leave-one-out models accurately classified all tumors into their correct cluster based on plasma methylation data. Here, we show the first identification of prognostic epigenetic chordoma subtypes and first use of plasma methylome based biomarkers to noninvasively diagnose and subtype chordomas. These results may transform patient management by allowing treatment aggressiveness to be balanced with patient risk according to prognosis.

  Study EGAS00001006406

• Single cell multi-omic data of glioblastoma evolution under therapy

  We report a single-cell multi-omics atlas of GBM longitudinal specimens that represents decades of biobanking. We identify novel cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic targets for therapy development which we validate in situ and in low-passage patient-derived cell lines. We identify novel genetic correlates of the mesenchymal cellular phenotype. These studies integrate disparate findings in the literature around hypermutation status and immunogenicity as well as the source of the mesenchymal shift at recurrence.

  Study EGAS00001004909

• Oncogenic chimeric transcription factors drive tumor-specific transcription, processing, and translation of silent genomic regions

  Many cancers are characterized by gene fusions encoding oncogenic chimeric transcription factors (TFs) such as EWS::FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma (EwS). Here, we find that EWS::FLI1 induces the robust expression of a specific set of novel spliced and polyadenylated transcripts within otherwise transcriptionally silent regions of the genome. These neogenes (NGs) are virtually undetectable in large collections of normal tissues or non-EwS tumors and can be silenced by CRISPR interference at regulatory EWS::FLI1-bound microsatellites. Ribosome profiling and proteomics further show that some NGs are translated into highly EwS-specific peptides. More generally, we show that hundreds of NGs can be detected in diverse cancers characterized by chimeric TFs. Altogether, this study identifies the transcription, processing, and translation of novel, specific, highly expressed multi-exonic transcripts from otherwise silent regions of the genome as a new activity of aberrant TFs in cancer.

  Study EGAS00001006293

• MGP Panel: a comprehensive targeted genomics panel for molecular profiling of multiple myeloma patients

  We designed a comprehensive multiple myeloma (MM) targeted sequencing panel to identify common genomic abnormalities in a single assay and validated it against known standards. The panel comprised 228 genes/exons for mutations, 6 regions for translocations, and 56 regions for copy number abnormalities (CNAs). Toward panel validation, targeted sequencing was conducted on 233 patient samples and further validated using clinical fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) (translocations), multiplex ligation probe analysis (MLPA) (CNAs), whole genome sequencing (WGS) (CNAs, mutations, translocations) or droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) of known standards (mutations). Canonical IgH translocations were detected in 43.2% of patients by sequencing, and aligned with FISH except for one patient. CNAs determined by sequencing and MLPA for 22 regions were comparable in 103 samples and concordance between platforms was R2=0.969. VAFs for 74 mutations were compared between sequencing and ddPCR with concordance of R2=0.9849. In summary, we have developed a targeted sequencing panel that is as robust or superior to FISH and WGS. This molecular panel is cost effective, comprehensive, clinically actionable and can be routinely deployed to assist risk stratification at diagnosis or post-treatment to guide sequencing of therapies.

  Study EGAS00001006222

• Melanoma_post_mortem_analysis

  This is a targeted pulldown validation in support of the existing whole-genome sequencing study of melanoma metastases (Canapps ID:1888). We are studying the genomic evolution of cutaneous melanoma metastases. In this pulldown analysis we are specifically sequencing the subclonal variants that we believe account for the variability between the metastases.

  Study EGAS00001003531

• Longitudinal ctDNA in Uveal Melanoma

  Assess the efficacy of using multi-modal ctDNA analysis to detect relapse in patients with uveal melanoma

  Study EGAS00001006373

• OAC WGS

  Please see our related publication, 'Molecular profiling to predict immunochemotherapy outcomes in esophageal adenocarcinoma'

  Study EGAS00001006470

• Combination of CDK4/6 with BET-bromodomain and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors in medulloblastoma in vitro and in vivo

  Despite improvement in the treatment of medulloblastoma (MB) over the last years, numerous patients with MYC- and MYCN-driven tumors still fail the current therapeutic regimen. The retinoblastoma (RB) pathway is often compromised in MB with RB remaining intact suggesting that CDK4/6 inhibition might represent a therapeutic strategy for which drug combination remains understudied. Using tumor lines grown in stem cell conditions referred as tumorspheres as well as tumor cells freshly dissociated from the brain of mice harboring intracranial patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of Group3 (G3) and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) MB, we conducted high throughput drug combination screens using the CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) ribociclib as an anchor and 87 oncology drugs approved by FDA or currently in clinical trials. Bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors potentiated ribociclib’s inhibition of proliferation in G3 and SHH MB. A reverse combination screen using BET inhibitor JQ1 as the anchor, revealed the three FDA approved CDK4/6i as the most potentiating drugs. Those synergistic combinations were tested in vivo in mice intracranially implanted with G3 and SHH MB tumor cells. Ribociclib showed single agent activity in several in vivo MB models. However, despite in vitro synergy, combinations of ribociclib with JQ1 and ribociclib with the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor paxalisib failed to improve the survival of MB bearing mice compared to ribociclib alone. Our data illustrates the difficulty in translating in vitro findings to in vivo for brain tumors partly due to insufficient free brain concentration and altered signaling pathways activation in vitro compared to in vivo.

  Study EGAS00001006286

• RP-1843 Arcagen - Gastrointestinal rare cancers (GI)

  Arcagen is an EORTC/SPECTA pan-European project that aims to recruit 1000 rare cancer patients from different tumour domains of EURACAN. This study collected samples from advanced or metastatic rare cancer from patients older than 12, and analysed them using Foundation Medicine next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels (FoundationOne CDx for FFPE samples or FoundationOne Liquid CDx for blood samples). Here we are submitting two datasets that contain NGS files from gastrointestinal rare cancers (n=119): - Dataset 1 (32 patients): Mesothelioma of the peritoneum (n=21) and Pseudomyxoma peritonei/mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix (n=11) - Dataset 2 (87 patients): Intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n=47), Extra-hepatic, cholangiocarcinoma (n=16), Not specified Cholangiocarcinoma (n=9), Small bowel adenocarcinoma (n=6) and other rare GI cancer (n=9)

  Study EGAS00001006299

• Clonal relationships of ductal carcinoma in situ and recurrent invasive breast cancers defined by genomic analysis

  Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) is the most common form of pre-invasive breast cancer and despite treatment a small fraction (5-10%) of DCIS patients present with invasive disease many years later. A fundamental biologic question is whether the invasive disease recurring in the same breast is established by tumor cells in the initial DCIS or represents new unrelated disease. To address this question, we performed genomic analyses on the initial pure DCIS lesion and paired invasive recurrent tumors in 95 patients together with single cell DNA sequencing in a subset of cases. Our data shows that in 75% the invasive recurrence was clonally related to the initial DCIS, suggesting that the tumor cells were not eliminated during the initial treatment with surgery +/- radiotherapy. Surprisingly however, 18% were clonally unrelated to the DCIS, representing new independent lineages, and 7% of cases were ambiguous. Our findings show that although DCIS is often the precursor of invasive recurrence, a significant fraction of invasive recurrences are unrelated to the initial DCIS. This knowledge is essential for accurate risk evaluation of DCIS treatment de-escalation strategies and the identification of predictive biomarkers.

  Study EGAS00001006306

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__clear_cell_renal_cell_carcinoma___2

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001003542

• Placebo-only arm transcriptomic analysis of the phase 3 PROTECT clinical trial

  It is poorly understood how the tumor immune microenvironment influences disease recurrence in localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Here we perform whole-transcriptomic profiling of 236 tumors from patients assigned to the placebo-only arm of a randomized, adjuvant clinical trial for high-risk localized ccRCC. Unbiased pathway analysis identifies myeloid-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a key mediator. Furthermore, a novel myeloid gene signature strongly correlates with disease recurrence and overall survival on uni- and multivariate analysis and is linked to TP53 inactivation across multiple datasets.

  Study EGAS00001006344

• Brain tumor sequencing data

  This study contains tumor DNA (with matched normal) for 1 medulloblastoma and 1 ependymoma patient. Tumor RNA sequencing data is also present for the medulloblastoma patient

  Study EGAS00001006352

• Detection and genomic analysis of BRAF fusions in Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma through the combination and integration of multi-omic data

  Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (JPAs) are highly vascular tumors and show pervasive immune infiltration, which can lead to low tumor cell purity in clinical samples. In some instances, this results in gene fusions that are difficult to detect with conventional omics approaches including RNA-Seq. To this effect, we applied RNA-Seq as well as linked-read whole-genome sequencing and in situ Hi-C as new approaches to detect and characterize low-frequency gene fusions at the genomic, transcriptomic and spatial level. Overall, we demonstrate the power of integrating multi-omic datasets to identify low frequency fusions and characterize the JPA genome at high resolution.

  Study EGAS00001006388

• Reliable assessment of telomere maintenance mechanisms in neuroblastoma

  Telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM) are a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma, and are conferred by activation of telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). However, detection of TMM is not yet part of the clinical routine, and consensus on TMM detection, especially on ALT assessment, remains to be achieved. We here propose a workflow to reliably detect TMM in neuroblastoma. We show that unambiguous classification is feasible following a stepwise approach that determines both, activation of telomerase and ALT. The workflow proposed in this study can be used in clinical routine and provides a framework to systematically and reliably determine telomere maintenance mechanisms for risk stratification and treatment allocation of neuroblastoma patients.

  Study EGAS00001006510

• Renal Cell Carcinoma Tumors From S-TRAC trial (NCT00375674) Whole Transcriptome Sequencing

  We report a comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analysis of tumor samples from 171 patients at high risk for recurrent renal cell carcinoma post nephrectomy from the S-TRAC trial (NCT00375674). We identify gene expression signatures, including STRAC11 (derived from the sunitinib-treated population). The overlap in key elements captured in these gene expression signatures, which include genes representative of the tumor stroma microenvironment, regulatory T cell, and myeloid cells, suggests they are likely to be both prognostic and predictive of the anti-angiogenic effect in the adjuvant setting. These signatures also point to the identification of potential therapeutic targets for development in adjuvant renal cell carcinoma, such as MERTK and TDO2. Finally, our findings suggest that while anti-angiogenic adjuvant therapy might be important, it may not be sufficient to prevent recurrence and other factors such as immune response and that tumor environment may be of greater importance.

  Study EGAS00001006528

• Genomic landscape and molecularly-informed therapy in thymic carcinoma and other advanced thymic epithelial tumors (H021, HIPO)

  The molecular landscape of malignant thymic epithelial tumors (TET) is largely unknown. To better understand and target these clinically challenging entities, we characterize 81 patients harboring 46 thymus carcinomas (TC), 8 neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus (NET) and 27 thymomas using WGS/WES, transcriptome and methylome analysis. TC harbor different molecular alterations compared to thymoma and NET and have higher tumor mutational burden than thymomas. 14/76 TET patients show (likely) pathogenic germline alterations. Composite biomarker analysis indicates homologous repair deficiency in a subset of patients. We identify immunologically hot and cold TC. Cold TC show significantly shorter overall survival. 71/81 patients receive molecularly-informed therapy recommendations, which are applied in 28/71 cases leading to a DCR of 60% and an ORR of 24% (both n=25). 8/23 patients reach PFS ratios > 1.3, seven of them having TC.

  Study EGAS00001006408

• Dedifferentiated_Melanoma_RNAseq

  De- and transdifferentiation of melanoma is a rare histopathological phenomenon that has not be characterised genetically. In this project we plan to sequence the genomes of de and transdifferentiated cases so as to define their genetic make-up.

  Study EGAS00001003601

• Proteogenomics reveals two distinct biological pilocytic astrocytoma subgroups

  Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most common pediatric brain tumor and driven by aberrant MAPK signaling, typically mediated by BRAF alterations. While five-year overall survival rates exceed 95%, tumor recurrence constitutes a major clinical challenge in incompletely resected tumors despite chemotherapeutic or radiation based therapies. Therefore, we used proteogenomics to discern the biological heterogeneity of PA to improve classification of this tumor entity and identify novel therapeutic targets. Our proteogenomics approach integrates RNA sequencing and LC/MS-based proteomic profiling data from a cohort of 58 confirmed, primary PA samples. An integrative genomics approach was conducted to discern the biological heterogeneity of PA and to identify aberrant pathway activation in these biological subgroups. In summary, Pilocytic astrocytomas segregate into two groups where younger patients are significantly associated with Group 1. Importantly, we validate the two distinct biological subgroups in two non-overlapping cohorts. The biological heterogeneity seen here may improve biological classification and reveal novel therapeutic targets specifically useful for non-resectable tumors with high risk of recurrent or progressive disease.

  Study EGAS00001006402

• in silico drug target prediction for melanoma

  The in silico single gene deletion step was adapted to simulate the knock-out of all targets of a drug on an objective function such as growth or energy balance. Based on publicly available and in-house large scale transcriptomic data, metabolic models for melanoma were reconstructed, enabling the prediction of 28 candidate drugs and estimating their respective efficacy.

  Study EGAS00001006463

• Repurposing azacitidine and carboplatin to prime immune checkpoint blockade-resistant melanoma for anti-PD-L1 re-challenge

  Purpose: Drug repurposing offers the opportunity for chemotherapy to be used to re-establish sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Here we investigated the clinical and translational aspects of an early phase II study of azacitidine and carboplatin priming for anti-PDL1 immunotherapy (Avelumab) in patients with advanced ICB-resistant melanoma. Experimental Design: 20 participants with ICB resistant metastatic melanoma received 2 x 4-week cycles of azacitidine and carboplatin followed by ICB re-challenge with anti-PD-L1 avelumab. The primary objective was overall response rate after priming and ICB re-challenge. Secondary objectives were Clinical benefit rate (CBR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Translational correlation analysis of HLA-A and PD-L1 expression, RNA-seq and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) of biopsies at baseline, after priming and after 6 cycles of avelmuab was performed. Results: The ORR determined after azacitidine and carboplatin priming was 10% (2/20) with 2 partial responses (PR). The ORR determined after priming followed by 6 cycles of avelumab (week 22) was 10%, with 2/20 participants achieving iPR. The CBR for azacitidine and carboplatin priming was 65% (13/20) and after priming followed by 6 cycles of avelumab CBR was 35% (n = 7/20). The median PFS was 18.0 weeks (95% CI: 14.87 – 21.13 weeks) and the median OS was 47.86 weeks (95% CI: 9.67 – 86.06 weeks). Translational correlation analysis confirmed HLA-A generally increased after priming with azacitidine and carboplatin, particularly if it was absent at the start of treatment. Average methylation of CpGs across the HLA-A locus was decreased after priming and T-cells, in particular CD8+, showed the greatest increase in infiltration. Conclusions: Priming with azacitidine and carboplatin can induce disease stabilization and re-sensitisation to ICB for metastatic melanoma.

  Study EGAS00001006419

• Repurposing azacitidine and carboplatin to prime immune checkpoint blockade-resistant melanoma for anti-PD-L1 re-challenge

  Purpose: Drug repurposing offers the opportunity for chemotherapy to be used to re-establish sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Here we investigated the clinical and translational aspects of an early phase II study of azacitidine and carboplatin priming for anti-PDL1 immunotherapy (Avelumab) in patients with advanced ICB-resistant melanoma. Experimental Design: 20 participants with ICB resistant metastatic melanoma received 2 x 4-week cycles of azacitidine and carboplatin followed by ICB re-challenge with anti-PD-L1 avelumab. The primary objective was overall response rate after priming and ICB re-challenge. Secondary objectives were Clinical benefit rate (CBR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Translational correlation analysis of HLA-A and PD-L1 expression, RNA-seq and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) of biopsies at baseline, after priming and after 6 cycles of avelmuab was performed. Results: The ORR determined after azacitidine and carboplatin priming was 10% (2/20) with 2 partial responses (PR). The ORR determined after priming followed by 6 cycles of avelumab (week 22) was 10%, with 2/20 participants achieving iPR. The CBR for azacitidine and carboplatin priming was 65% (13/20) and after priming followed by 6 cycles of avelumab CBR was 35% (n = 7/20). The median PFS was 18.0 weeks (95% CI: 14.87 – 21.13 weeks) and the median OS was 47.86 weeks (95% CI: 9.67 – 86.06 weeks). Translational correlation analysis confirmed HLA-A generally increased after priming with azacitidine and carboplatin, particularly if it was absent at the start of treatment. Average methylation of CpGs across the HLA-A locus was decreased after priming and T-cells, in particular CD8+, showed the greatest increase in infiltration. Conclusions: Priming with azacitidine and carboplatin can induce disease stabilization and re-sensitisation to ICB for metastatic melanoma.

  Study EGAS00001006420

• ctDNA quantification in Ewing sarcoma patients

  Background. Treatment stratification and response assessment in pediatric sarcomas has relied on imaging studies and surgical/histopathological evidence of vital tumor cells. Such studies and evidence collection processes often involve radiation and/or general anesthesia in children. Cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in blood plasma is one available method of so-called liquid biopsies that has been shown to correlate qualitatively and quantitatively to some extent with the existence of vital tumor cells in the body. Our clinical observational study focused on the utility and feasibility of ctDNA detection in pediatric Ewing sarcoma (EWS) as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD). Patients and Methods. We performed whole genome sequencing to identify the exact breakpoints in tumors known to carry the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene. Patient-specific fusion breakpoints were tracked in peripheral blood plasma using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) before, during, and after therapy in six consecutive children and young adults with EWS. Presence and levels of fusion breakpoints were correlated with clinical disease courses. The genetic changes in the tumors were defined, and inter- and intra-individual changes in the tumor DNA copy loads were observed over time. Results. We show that the detection of ctDNA in the peripheral blood of EWS patients i) is feasible in the clinical routine and ii) allows for the longitudinal real-time monitoring of MRD activity in children and young adults. Although changing ctDNA levels correlated well with clinical outcome within patients, between patients, a high variability was observed (inter-individually) for the six patients described here. Conclusions. ctDNA detection by ddPCR is a highly sensitive, specific, feasible, and highly accurate method that can be applied in EWS for follow-up assessments as an additional surrogate parameter for clinical MRD monitoring and, potentially, also for treatment stratification in the near future.

  Study EGAS00001006433

• T cell reactivity of MHC epitopes

  By using >36,000 immunogenicity assay results, we developed a method to identify peptide-MHC complexes whose structural alignment facilitates T cell reaction. Our method accurately predicted neoepitopes for MHC II as well as MHC I that were responsive to checkpoint blockade when applied to >1,200 samples of various tumor types and on-therapy melanoma samples. To investigate selection by spontaneous immunity at the single epitope level, we analyzed the frequency spectrum of >25 million mutations in >9,000 treatment-naïve tumors in association with >100 immune phenotypes. MHC II immunogenicity specifically lowered variant frequencies in tumors under high immune pressure particularly with high TCR clonality and MHC II expression.

  Study EGAS00001006445

• Molecular Profiling Reveals Unique Immune and Metabolic Features of Melanoma Brain Metastases

  There is a critical need to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of -melanoma brain metastases (MBM). Thus, we performed RNA sequencing on 88 resected MBMs and 42 patient-matched extracranial metastases; tumors with sufficient tissue also underwent whole-exome sequencing, T-cell receptor sequencing, and IHC. MBMs demonstrated heterogeneity of immune infiltrates that correlated with prior radiation and post-craniotomy survival. Comparison with patient-matched extracranial metastases identified significant immunosuppression and enrichment of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in MBMs. Gene-expression analysis of intracranial and subcutaneous xenografts, and a spontaneous MBM model, confirmed increased OXPHOS gene expression in MBMs, which was also detected by direct metabolite profiling and [U-13C]-glucose tracing in vivo IACS-010759, an OXPHOS inhibitor currently in early-phase clinical trials, improved survival of mice bearing MAPK inhibitor-resistant intracranial melanoma xenografts and inhibited MBM formation in the spontaneous MBM model. The results provide new insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance of MBMs.

  Study EGAS00001003672

• Characterizing the tumor immune microenvironment of ependymomas using targeted gene expression profiles and RNA-sequencing the pros and cons

  RNA sequencing data of a collection of 6 pediatric ependymoma cases

  Study EGAS00001006535

• OAC RNASeq

  Please see our related publication, 'Molecular profiling to predict immunochemotherapy outcomes in esophageal adenocarcinoma'

  Study EGAS00001006468

• OAC scRNASeq

  Please see our related publication, 'Molecular profiling to predict immunochemotherapy outcomes in esophageal adenocarcinoma'

  Study EGAS00001006469

• Genomic insights into the pathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by whole-genome and targeted amplicon-based sequencing

  Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (DLBCL NOS) constitutes a distinct clinicopathological entity in the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification, yet its genomic features remain sparsely characterized. Combining whole-genome sequencing (WGS), targeted amplicon sequencing (tNGS) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) of tumours from 47 cases of EBV+ DLBCL we delineate the genomic landscape of this rare disease. Interrogating WGS data by sequential gene-set enrichment and network-diffusion we describe an accumulation of mutations affecting the nuclear factor κB (NFκB) pathway (CSNK2A2, CARD10), IL-6/JAK/STAT (SOCS1/3, STAT3) and WNT signalling (FRAT1, SFRP5) alongside aberrations in immunological processes like interferon-response. Further, WGS uncovered structural aberrations including 6q deletions (5/8 patients), which were subsequently validated by FISH (14/32 cases). Integrated WGS and tNGS analysis emphasized a profile distinct from EBV-negative DLBCL enriched for mutations in ARID1A (45%), KMT2A/D (32/30%), ANKRD11 (32%), NOTCH2 (32%). Expanding on previous reports, we identified recurrent alterations in CCR6 (15%), DAPK1 (15%), TNFRSF21 (13%), CCR7 (11%) and YY1 (6%). Our comprehensive description of the mutational landscape in EBV+ DLBCL substantiates the evidence of its pathobiological independence. Further, these observations aid in the refinement of the molecular taxonomy for aggressive lymphomas and guides future therapeutic strategies.

  Study EGAS00001004941

• Integrative genomic analysis identifies key pathogenic mechanisms in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma

  Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) represents a clinically and pathologically distinct subtype of large B-cell lymphomas. Furthermore, molecular studies, including global gene expression profiling, have provided evidence that PMBL is more closely related to classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Although targeted sequencing studies have revealed a number of mutations involved in PMBL pathogenesis, a comprehensive description of disease-associated genetic alterations and perturbed pathways is still lacking. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing of 95 PMBL tumors to inform on oncogenic driver genes and recurrent copy number alterations. The integration of somatic gene mutations with gene expression signatures provides further insights into genotype-phenotype interrelation in PMBL. We identified highly recurrent oncogenic mutations in the JAK-STAT and NF-kB pathways, and provide additional evidence of the importance of immune evasion in PMBL (CIITA, CD58, B2M, CD274, PDCD1LG2). Our analyses highlight the IRF-pathway as a putative novel hallmark with frequent alterations in multiple pathway members (IRF2BP2, IRF4, IRF8). In addition, our integrative analysis illustrates the importance of JAK1, RELB and EP300 mutations driving oncogenic signaling. The identified driver genes were significantly more frequently mutated in PMBL as compared to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, whereas only a limited number of genes were significantly different between PMBL and cHL, emphasizing the close relationship between these entities. Our study, performed on a large cohort of PMBL, highlights the importance of distinctive genetic alterations for disease taxonomy with relevance for diagnostic work-up and therapeutic decision-making.

  Study EGAS00001003746

• SPECIAL: Dissecting the melanoma ecosystem one cell at the time during immunotherapy

  The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers of response to immunotherapy (anti-PD1-based) as well as gain understanding of the biological mechanism of therapy resistance (either intrinsic or acquired) in melanoma patients. Single cell RNA sequencing was performed from pre- and on-treatment (2-3 weeks after immunotherapy) metastatic biopsies from stage III and IV melanoma patients.

  Study EGAS00001006488

• Colorectal cancer study

  Matrix metalloproteinase-11 (MMP11) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity against matrix and non-matrix proteins. Although most MMPs are secreted as inactive proenzymes and they are later activated extracellularly, MMP11 is activated intracellularly by furin within the constitutive secretory pathway. It is a key factor in physiological tissue remodeling and its alteration may play an important role in the progression of epithelial malignancies and other diseases. TCGA colon and colorectal adenocarcinoma data showed that upregulation of MMP11 expression correlates with tumorigenesis and malignancy. Here, we provide evidence that a germline variant in the MMP11 gene (NM_005940: c.232C>T; p.(Pro78Ser)), identified by whole exome sequencing, can increase the tumorigenic properties of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. P78S is located in the prodomain region, which is responsible for blocking MMP11’s protease activity. This variant was detected in the proband and all the cancer-affected family members analyzed, while it was not detected in healthy relatives. In silico analyses predict that P78S could have an impact on the activation of the enzyme. Furthermore, our in vitro analyses show that the expression of P78S in HCT116 cells increases tumor cell invasion and proliferation. In summary, our results show that this variant could modify the structure of the MMP11 prodomain, producing a premature or uncontrolled activation of the enzyme that may contribute to an early CRC onset in these patients. The study of this gene in other CRC cases will provide further information about its role in CRC development, which might improve patient treatment in the future.

  Study EGAS00001006489

• scRNA-seq of patient-derived PDAC organoids and matched CAFs

  We established direct three-dimensional (3D) co-cultures of primary PDAC organoids and patient-matched CAFs. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed for three organoid/CAF pairs in mono- and co-culture to uncover transcriptional changes induced by tumor-stroma interaction. Single-cell RNA sequencing data evidenced induction of a pro-inflammatory phenotype in CAFs in co-cultures. Organoids showed increased expression of genes associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in co-cultures and several potential receptor-ligand interactions related to EMT were identified, supporting a key role of CAF-driven induction of EMT in PDAC chemoresistance.

  Study EGAS00001006661

• Immune microenvironment and lineage tracing help deciphering Rosette-forming GlioNeuronal Tumors: a multi-omic analysis of 9 cases

  Rosette-forming GlioNeuronal Tumor (RGNT) is a rare central nervous system neoplasm containing two components, glial and neuronal. The delineation of histological diagnosis of RGNT from similar low-grade tumors such as pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) and ganglioglioma (GG) may be challenging. We performed here a comprehensive molecular analysis of a cohort of tumors with same histology features to identify molecular characteristics of RGNT. A cohort of 9 rosette-forming tumors histologically-diagnosed were analyzed at molecular level using multimodal approaches as Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), RNAseq and methylome. In our cohort, 3 tumors were plotted within the Methylation Class-RGNT (MC-RGNT) characterized by FGFR1 mutation associated with PIK3CA or NF1 mutations. Transcriptome analysis was performed in 7 cases. RNAseq identified a “Hot” and a “Cold” transcriptomic group; the latter includes the 3 MC-RGNT and 1 MC-Pilocytic Astrocytoma and exhibited a “Cold” immune tumor microenvironment in comparison with the “Hot” group. The distinct immune cell content of both groups was confirmed by quantitative immunostainings. Get Set Enrichment Analysis showed that the “Cold” group had upregulated NOTCH pathway and mainly oligodendrocyte precursor cell and neuronal phenotypes while the “Hot” group exhibited predominantly astrocytic and neural stem cell phenotypes. In silico deconvolution identified the cerebellar granule cell lineage as a putative origin and as the cell context to understand the effects of genetic alterations and NOTCH signaling. Histological diagnosis of rosette-forming tumors encompasses heterogeneous tumor entities. Our study identified distinct tumor cell contexts and microenvironments as key features to better understand and manage these neoplasms.

  Study EGAS00001006502

• DERMATLAS__Tubular_adenoma

  IVirtually no other tumour type is associated with so many different forms as skin cancer. Histologically, tumours of the skin may arise from epithelium, including epidermis, hair follicle, sebaceous or sweat gland, melanocytes, dermal-associated mesenchymal structures or tissue resident immune cells, making for a diversity of clinical presentations. Importantly, many skin tumour types have an extremely poor prognosis. Many skin tumour subtypes have never undergone molecular profiling, or if they have, targeted sequencing has been used and the number of cases analyzed has been so limited that deriving firm conclusions about the profile of driver genes, DNA mutational signatures and germline alleles has not been possible For 70 key skin tumour subtypes defined by the World Health Organization, that have not undergone extensive genetic analysis previoulsy, we propose to perform whole exome and transcriptome sequencing, from a range of body sites, to build a genomic atlas of dermatological tumours, including detailed maps of SNVs, copy number alterations, genome-wide methylation and expression profiles. The cases in this cohort are tubular adenomas.

  Study EGAS00001006686

• Characterization of MCSP+ melanoma DCC and MelDCC lines

  To dissect the sequence of genotypic and phenotypic progression during early metastatic colonization, we searched for the earliest detectable disseminated cancer cells (DCC) and identified MCSP+ melanoma cells as strong candidates for metastasis founder cells (MFC) in lymph nodes. We isolated MCSP+ DCC from various stages of metastatic colony-formation, performed scRNA-seq and unravelled their phenotypic progression. Further we performed bulk sequencing on patient-derived DCC models (MelDCC) and showed that they exhibit an immunosuppressive activity on CD8 T cells.

  Study EGAS00001006702

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

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

  Study EGAS00001006538

• Significant and pervasive effects of RNA degradation on Nanopore direct RNA sequencing

  Abstract Oxford Nanopore direct RNA sequencing (DRS) is capable of sequencing complete RNA molecules and accurately measuring gene and isoform expression. However, as DRS is designed to profile intact RNA, expression quantification may be more heavily dependent upon RNA integrity than alternate RNA-seq methodologies. It is currently unclear how RNA degradation impacts DRS or if it can be corrected for. To assess the impact of RNA integrity on DRS we performed a degradation time-series using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Our results demonstrate that degradation is a significant and pervasive factor that can bias DRS measurements, including a reduction in library complexity resulting in an overrepresentation of short genes and isoforms. Degradation also biases differential expression analyses; however, we find explicit correction can almost fully recover meaningful biological signal. In addition, DRS provided less biased profiling of partially degraded samples than nanopore cDNA-PCR sequencing. Overall, we find samples with RIN > 9.5 can be treated as undegraded and samples with RIN > 7 can be utilised for DRS with appropriate correction. These results establish the suitability of DRS for a wide range of samples, including partially degraded in-vivo clinical and post-mortem samples, whilst limiting the confounding effect of degradation on expression quantification.

  Study EGAS00001006542

• Immuno-genomic landscape of osteosarcoma

  Osteosarcoma is an orphan disease affecting children and young adults that has seen little to no progress in survival outcomes for >30 years. Despite having heavily rearranged genomes, to date, clinical trials with immunotherapy have shown no benefit for patients with osteosarcoma. In this study, we conducted the first multi-platform immune profiling (whole genome, transcriptome, T-cell receptor sequencing, immunohistochemistry and reverse phase protein array) on every available pediatric and adult osteosarcoma patients from our institution (N = 48) with the goal of describing immune features that may contribute to immunotherapy resistance.

  Study EGAS00001003887

• A living biobank of patient-derived ductal carcinoma in situ Mouse-INtraDuctal xenografts identifies factors associated with risk of invasive progression

  Create a living biobank of patient-derived ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) Mouse-INtraDuctal (MIND) xenografts to find factors explaining invasive growth. Samples exist of both primary and pdx samples. Invasive growth was scored in the pdx.

  Study EGAS00001006554

• Long-read sequencing for cell-free DNA analysis (human pacbio)

  8 pregnant women at the 3rd trimesters, 4 hepatitis B carriers, and 4 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

  Study EGAS00001006609

• Uncovering tumor intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate hepatocellular carcinoma growth using patient derived xenograft assays

  Several major factors limit our understanding of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). First, human HCCs are infrequently biopsied for diagnosis and thus are not often biologically interrogated. Second, HCC initiation and progression are strongly influenced by the cirrhotic microenvironment, and the exact contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic tumor factors are unclear. A powerful approach to examine the personalized biology of liver cancers and the influence of host tissues is with patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. In Asia, HCCs from hepatitis B virus patients have been efficiently converted into PDXs, but few parallel efforts from the west have been reported. In a large-scale analysis, we implanted 93 HCCs and 8 cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) to systematically analyze host factors and to define an optimized platform for PDX development from both surgical and biopsy samples. NSG mice that had undergone partial hepatectomy (PHx) represented the best combination of engraftability, growth, and passageability, but overall rates were low and indicative of a unique intrinsic biology for HCCs in the US. PDX models preserved the histology and genetic features of parental tumors, and ultimately, 9 new models were usable for pre-clinical studies. Intriguingly, HCC PDXs were differentially sensitive to regorafenib and sorafenib and CCA PDXs were also highly sensitive to regorafenib. PDX models functionalize early and advanced stage HCCs and revealed unique biological features of liver cancers from the US.

  Study EGAS00001004020

• Whole transcriptome profiling of liquid biopsies from tumour xenografted mouse models: validation cohort

  While cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in liquid biopsies is widely being used and investigated, free circulating RNA (extracellular RNA, exRNA) has the potential to improve therapy response monitoring and cancer detection due to its dynamic nature. A fundamental open question hampering the initiation of large-scale liquid biopsy collections for tumour exRNA analysis is that it remains unclear in which blood subcompartment tumour-derived exRNAs primarily reside. We set out to develop a host-xenograft deconvolution framework, exRNAxeno, with cDNA mapping strategies to either a combined human-mouse reference genome or both species genomes in parallel, that can be applied to exRNA sequencing data from liquid biopsies of human xenograft mouse models, enabling to distinguish (human) tumoural RNA from (murine) host RNA, and as such to specifically analyse tumour-derived exRNA. Subsequently, the preferred exRNAxeno combination pipeline was applied to total exRNA sequencing data from blood platelets and three plasma fractions from a breast cancer patient-derived and neuroblastoma cell line-derived xenograft mouse model. We show that tumoural exRNA concentrations are not determined by plasma platelet levels, while host exRNA concentrations increase with platelet content. Furthermore, a large variability in exRNA levels and gene content across individual mice is observed. In general, the tumoural gene detectability in plasma is correlated with the RNA expression levels in the tumour tissue or cancer cell line. Our results unravel new aspects of tumour-derived exRNA biology in xenograft mouse models.

  Study EGAS00001006582

• Whole-Transcriptomic Profiling of Sorted Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Immune Populations

  It is poorly understood how the tumor immune micro-environment influences disease progression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here we performed whole-transcriptomic profiling of immune cell populations which were derived from RCC patients representing distinct flow-sorted immune lineages.

  Study EGAS00001006593

• Genomic_characterisation_of_MGUS__

  he hematological malignancy multiple myeloma (MM), also called Kahler’s disease or plasma cell (PC) myeloma, is characterized by a clonal expansion of PCs originating in the bone marrow (BM). The expansion of these cells leads to an overproduction of antibodies and results in typical symptoms such as anemia, renal failure and bone lesions. All cases of MM are preceded by the asymptomatic, non-malignant pre-stage monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Of all MGUS patients, only 1% per year will progress to MM. Despite efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the MGUS-to-MM progression, its pathogenesis still remains largely unknown. Additionally, the genetic profiles of MGUS patients have only been limitedly investigated due to the only incidental finding of MGUS, the difficulties in BM sampling and isolating a sufficient number of aberrant PCs from the BM aspirates of MGUS patients. Consequently, reliable biomarkers to individually predict which MGUS patients will progress to MM and which will not, are lacking. Therefore, it is highly required to study the molecular pathogenesis of MGUS and the role of genetic events in relation to the malignant transformation to MM.

  Study EGAS00001004124

• Interplay of somatic alterations and immune infiltration modulates response to PD-1 blockade in advanced clear cell RCC-- CA209-025

  Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1 pathway have transformed the management of many advanced malignancies, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), but the drivers and resistors of PD-1 response remain incompletely elucidated. Here, we analyzed 592 tumors collected from advanced ccRCC patients enrolled in prospective clinical trials of treatment with PD-1 blockade (or mTOR inhibition as control arm) by whole-exome and RNA-sequencing, integrated with immunofluorescence analysis, to define the somatic alteration landscape of late-stage ccRCC and to uncover the immunogenomic determinants of therapeutic response. While conventional genomic markers (tumor mutation burden, neoantigen load) and degree of CD8+ T cell infiltration were not associated with clinical response, we discovered numerous chromosomal alterations in advanced ccRCC associated with response or resistance to PD-1 blockade. These advanced tumors were highly CD8+ T cell infiltrated, with only 22% and 5% with an immune desert and immune excluded phenotype, respectively. Our analysis revealed that CD8+ infiltrated tumors are depleted of favorable PBRM1 mutations and are enriched for unfavorable chromosomal losses of 9p21.3 when compared to non-infiltrated tumors. These data demonstrate how the interplay of somatic alterations and immunophenotypes impacts therapeutic efficacy.

  Study EGAS00001004292

• Integrative analysis of exome-seq, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq (bulk and single-cell), and Hi-C data generated from 3-D spatially mapped samples acquired during surgical resection from 10 patients diagnosed with IDH-WT glioblastoma

  Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary brain cancer in adults, remains incurable with no targeted therapies approved despite decades of investigation into its molecular landscape. Treatment failure is attributed to intratumoral heterogeneity in the GBM genome and epigenome, which foster tumor evolution and selection of resistant clones. However, tumor evolution and intratumoral heterogeneity remain poorly understood on the level of the whole tumor as most studies are based on single samples per patient and lack spatial context. Here, we have used 3-D neuronavigation during surgical resection for 10 primary IDH-WT GBM patients to collect 102 samples representing maximal tumor diversity, each mapped by 3-D spatial coordinates. We have applied a strategic set of genomic and epigenomic assays spanning multiple levels of resolution to discover, orthogonally validate, and functionally assess drivers of tumor evolution and intratumoral heterogeneity. These include extrachromosomal DNA amplifications, chromothripsis events, inversions, and translocations that disrupt both the GBM genome and epigenome while generating fusion transcripts and opportunities for therapeutic intervention. We define epigenomic programs that contribute to GBM evolution and intratumoral heterogeneity, revealing their 3-D spatial patterning within whole tumors and their cell type(s) of origin in single-cell data from the same tumor samples. Notably, we distinguish neuronal, glial, and immune programs aberrantly active in tumor cells from their counterparts in normal cells and discover NEUROD1, JUN/FOS, and NF1 transcription factors as key drivers of GBM evolution and growth. Collectively, these data provide unprecedented insight into GBM evolution and intratumoral heterogeneity from single-cell to whole-tumor resolution, redefining current understanding and providing a rich resource of targets for therapeutic investigation.

  Study EGAS00001006785

• Cell-free DNA fragmentation patterns and personalized sequencing reveal circulating tumor DNA in urine and plasma of glioma patients

  Glioma-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is challenging to detect using liquid biopsy as levels in body fluids are low. We determined the glioma-derived DNA fractions in tumor biopsies, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma and urine samples, using deep sequencing of personalized capture panels. By sequencing cfDNA across thousands of mutations identified individually in each patient’s matched tumor we detected tumor-derived DNA in plasma (10/12) and urine samples (8/11). The median tumor fraction was 6.4x10-3 in CSF, 3.1x10-5 in plasma and 4.7x10-5 in urine. We identified a shift in the size distribution for mutant cfDNA fragments in these body fluids. Next, we analyzed cfDNA fragment sizes with paired-end shallow whole genome sequencing (WGS) in urine samples from 35 patients with gliomas, 8 individuals with non-malignant brain disorders, and 26 controls (n=69 individuals, 96 samples). cfDNA in urine of glioma patients was significantly more fragmented compared to urine from patients with non-malignant brain disorders (t-test, p=1.7x10-2) and compared to urine of controls (t-test, p=5.2x10-9). The proportion of DNA fragments <60 bp was higher in glioma patients urine and could be used for classification (AUC=0.93). Machine learning models integrating fragment lengths could identify urine samples from glioma patients (AUC=0.97 in cross-validation).

  Study EGAS00001004355

• Whole exome sequencing identifies clinically relevant mutational signatures in resected hepatocellular carcinoma

  We conducted a multicentre pilot study on patients with localized HCC following complete radiological response to surgical resection. Patients received 250 mg oral gefitinib once daily as adjuvant therapy, up to a maximum of 6 months. The clinical endpoints included recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), and correlative genetic analyses were conducted from whole exome sequencing data (n=33). All statistical analyses were carried out on an intention-to-treat basis. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00282100).

  Study EGAS00001004371

• Long-read sequencing of diagnosis and post-therapy medulloblastoma reveals complex rearrangement patterns and epigenetic signatures (Hipo_021)

  Cancer genomes harbor a broad spectrum of structural variants (SV) driving tumorigenesis, a relevant subset of which escape discovery using short-read sequencing. We employed Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long-read sequencing in a paired diagnostic and post- therapy medulloblastoma to unravel the haplotype-resolved somatic genetic and epigenetic landscape. We assemble complex rearrangements and such associated with telomeric sequences, including a 1.55 Megabasepair chromothripsis event. We uncover a complex SV pattern termed ‘templated insertion thread’ (TI thread), characterized by short (mostly <1kb) insertions showing prevalent self-concatenation into highly amplified structures of up to 50kbp in size. TI threads occur in 3% of cancers, with a prevalence ranging to 74% in liposarcoma, and frequent colocalization with chromothripsis. We also perform long-read based methylome profiling and discover allele-specific methylation (ASM) effects, complex rearrangements exhibiting differential methylation, and differential promoter methylation in cancer-driver genes. Our study shows the advantage of long-read sequencing in the discovery and characterization of complex somatic rearrangements.

  Study EGAS00001006629

• The Genetic Landscape of Ocular Adnexa MALT Lymphoma Reveals Frequent Aberrations in NFAT and MEF2B Signaling Pathways

  A comprehensive constellation of somatic non-silent mutations and copy number (CN) variations in ocular adnexa marginal zone lymphoma (OAMZL) is unknown. By utilizing whole-exome sequencing in 69 tumors we define the genetic landscape of OAMZL. Mutations and CN changes in CABIN1 (30%), RHOA (26%), TBL1XR1 (22%), and CREBBP (17%) and inactivation of TNFAIP3 (26%) were among the most common aberrations. Candidate cancer driver genes cluster in the B-cell receptor (BCR), NFkB, NOTCH and NFAT signaling pathways. One of the most commonly altered genes is CABIN1, a calcineurin inhibitor acting as a negative regulator of the NFAT and MEF2B transcriptional activity. CABIN1 deletions enhance BCR-stimulated NFAT and MEF2B transcriptional activity, while CABIN1 mutations enhance only MEF2B transcriptional activity by impairing binding of mSin3a to CABIN1. Our data provide an unbiased identification of genetically altered genes that may play a role in the molecular pathogenesis of OAMZL and serve as therapeutic targets.

  Study EGAS00001006631

• Whole genome analysis of pediatric patients with medulloblastoma

  Cancer genomes often contain structural variations (SVs) in non-coding regions, while its impact on tumorigenesis is still unclear. Our goal is to discover genome folding changes resulted from SVs using InfoGenomeR and InfoHiC frameworks, which may reveal novel therapeutic targets. We applied our frameworks to five pediatric patients with medulloblastoma, revealing 3D genome changes of medulloblastoma driver genes.

  Study EGAS00001006653

• Follicular lymphoma at diagnosis, treated in first line with immunochemotherapy

  We performed targeted NGS in Follicular lymphoma samples at diagnosis. Explored clinico-genetic correlations and assessed four clinical or clinicogenetic risk models (FLIPI, FLIPI-2, PRIMA-IP or m7-FLIPI-molecular score) in patients with symptomatic FL who received frontline immunochemotherapy. Out of 191 patients with FL grade 1-3a, 109 were successfully genotyped. Treatment consisted on rituximab (R) plus CVP/CHOP (72.5%) or R-bendamustine (R-B) (27.5%).

  Study EGAS00001006674

• Single cell RNAseq of lung adenocarcinoma

  Little is known of the geospatial architecture of individual cell populations in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) evolution. Here, we perform single-cell RNA sequencing as well as single-cell BCR sequencing of cells from 16 LUADs and 47 multi-region normal lung tissues of defined spatial proximities from the tumors. Our multi-region single-cell sequencing analyses unravel cell populations, states, and phenotypes in the spatial and ecological evolution LUAD from the lung that comprise high-potential targets for early interception.

  Study EGAS00001005021

• Longitudinal evaluation of serum microRNAs as biomarkers for neuroblastoma burden and therapeutic p53 reactivation

  Accurate assessment of treatment response and residual disease is indispensable for the evaluation of cancer treatment efficacy. However, performing tissue biopsies for longitudinal follow-up poses a major challenge in the management of solid tumours like neuroblastoma. In the present study, we evaluated whether circulating miRNAs are suitable to monitor neuroblastoma tumour burden and whether treatment-induced changes of miRNA abundance in the tumour are detectable in serum. We performed small RNA sequencing on longitudinally collected serum samples from mice carrying orthotopic neuroblastoma xenografts that were exposed to treatment with idasanutlin or temsirolimus. We identified 57 serum miRNAs to be differentially expressed upon xenograft tumour manifestation, out of which 21 were also found specifically expressed in the serum of human high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The murine serum levels of these 57 miRNAs correlated with tumour tissue expression and tumour volume, suggesting potential utility for monitoring tumour burden. In addition, we describe serum miRNAs that dynamically respond to p53 activation following treatment of engrafted mice with idasanutlin. We identified idasanutlin-induced serum miRNA expression changes upon one day and 11 days of treatment. By limiting to miRNAs with a tumour-related induction, we put forward hsa-miR-34a-5p as a potential pharmacodynamic biomarker of p53 activation in serum.

  Study EGAS00001006678

• Pre-neoplastic liver colonization by 11p15.5 altered mosaic cells in young children with hepatoblastoma

  In children, liver tumors are a heterogeneous group representing 1-2% of all cancers with the most common diagnosis being hepatoblastoma (HB). While HBs are predominantly sporadic, around 15% of cases develop as part of predisposition syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (APC mutation) or Beckwith-Wiedemann (BWS; 11p15.5 locus altered). Here, we identified a mosaic genetic alteration of 11p15.5 locus in the liver in 17% of HB patients without a clinical diagnosis of BWS syndrome. These mosaic 11p15.5 alterations were never found in children with other types of liver tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma or adenoma, fibrolamellar carcinoma). Bulk transcriptomic analysis revealed the abundance of extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, and progenitor gene signatures in mosaic livers. In situ hybridization assay RNAscope allowed for the detection of 11p15.5 altered hepatocytes mosaicism in liver FFPE sections of HB patients presenting IGF2 overexpression and H19 downregulation together with an alteration of the zonal architecture of the liver. Spatial transcriptomics analysis revealed an overexpression of the IGF2 pathway, lipogenesis, and platelet activation in 11p15.5 altered hepatocytes. These data provide insights for 11p15.5 mosaicism detection as well as functional consequences of these alterations during the early steps of carcinogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001006692

• Single-cell atlas of multiple myeloma and precursor diseases

  Single cell profiling of small cohorts of myeloma precursor disease patient samples including monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and smoldering multiple myeloma have shown diverse evolutionary patterns and immune changes that occur early in the disease process. Using scRNAseq and scBCRseq in a large cohort of fifty-three patients with myeloma precursor disease in comparison with myeloma and normal donors we describe the early genomic drivers of malignant transformation and describe their divergent clonal expansion in hyperdiploid compared to non-hyperdiploid samples. We describe intra-patient heterogeneity with potential therapeutic implications as well as the distinct evolution patterns (linear/branching) from myeloma precursor disease to myeloma. Finally, we describe the unique adaptations of the microenvironment as a response to distinct genomic changes in myeloma cells. These results further our knowledge to characterize myeloma precursor disease evolution, inform individual patient progression risk stratification and identify potential biomarkers that could be clinically exploited.

  Study EGAS00001006694

• Neoadjuvant Chemo or Combined Chemo-Radiation Therapy of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Yields Fundamentally Different Proteome Biology of the Residual Tumor Mass

  We performed data independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomics to characterize the proteomes of 67 PDAC resection specimens. Patients received either neoadjuvant chemotherapy or neoadjuvant combined chemo-radiation therapy. We employed DIA, yielding a proteome coverage in excess of 3,500 proteins. The two neoadjuvant therapies yielded highly distinguishable proteome profiles of the residual tumor mass.

  Study EGAS00001006739

• Targeted therapy of advanced parathyroid carcinoma guided by genomic and transcriptomic profiling (hipo_021)

  Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an orphan malignancy with a high risk of recurrence after surgery. Tumor-directed systemic treatments for PC are not established. We used whole-genome and RNA sequencing in four patients with advanced PC to identify molecular alterations that could guide clinical management. In two cases, the genomic and transcriptomic profiles provided targets for experimental therapies that resulted in biochemical response and prolonged disease stabilization: (i) immune checkpoint inhibition with pembrolizumab based on high tumor mutational burden and a single-base substitution signature associated with APOBEC (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like) overactivation; (ii) multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition with lenvatinib due to overexpression of FGFR1 and RET and, later in the course of disease, PARP inhibition with olaparib prompted by signs of defective homologous recombination DNA repair. In addition, our data provided new insights into the molecular landscape of PC with respect to the genome-wide footprints of specific mutational processes and pathogenic germline alterations. These data underscore the potential of comprehensive molecular analyses to improve care for patients with ultra-rare cancers based on insight into disease biology.

  Study EGAS00001006747

• The Iberian Roma genetic variant server

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

  Study EGAS00001006758

• Single cell and plasma RNA sequencing

  Single cell and plasma RNA sequencing for RNA liquid biopsy for hepatocellular carcinoma

  Study EGAS00001005194

• Molecular heterogeneity and commonalities in pancreatic cancer precursors with gastric and intestinal phenotype

  Due to the limited number of modifiable risk factors, secondary prevention strategies based on early diagnosis represent the preferred route to improve the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we provide a comparative morphogenetic analysis of PDAC precursors aiming at dissecting the process of carcinogenesis and tackling the heterogeneity of preinvasive lesions.

  Study EGAS00001006793

• Single cell RNA sequencing of bone marrow mononuclear cells

  Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from patients with relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphoma (rrLBCL), mononuclear cells isolated by ficoll density-gradient centrifugation, and loaded onto a 10X Chromium for single cell RNA-sequencing using 5’ chemistry without prior cryopreservation. Healthy donor bone marrow mononuclear cells were obtained from healthy allogeneic stem cell transplant donors and analyzed following viable cryopreservation.

  Study EGAS00001006836

• Malignant progression of an ancestral bone marrow clone harboring a CIC-NUTM2A fusion in isolated myeloid sarcoma

  Myeloid sarcoma is a rare condition consisting of extramedullary myeloid blasts found in association with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or, in the absence of bone marrow involvement. We identified an infant with isolated myeloid sarcoma whose bone marrow was negative for involvement by flow cytometry. Sequencing revealed the fusion oncogene CIC-NUTM2A and identified the sarcoma to be clonally evolved from the bone marrow which carried the fusion despite the absence of pathology. Murine modeling confirmed the ability of the fusion to transform hematopoietic cells and identified receptor tyrosine kinase signaling activation consistent with disruption of the CIC transcriptional repressor. These findings extend the definition of CIC-rearranged malignancies to include hematologic disease, provide insight into the mechanism of oncogenesis, and demonstrate the importance of molecular analysis and tracking of bone marrow involvement over the course of treatment in myeloid sarcoma, including patients that lack flow cytometric evidence of leukemia at diagnosis.

  Study EGAS00001006833

• Identification and functional characterisation of a rare MTTP variant underlying familial non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

  We identified a rare causal variant in MTTP, c.1691T>C p.I564T (rs745447480) encoding microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) causing progressive non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma unrelated to metabolic syndrome, without manifestations of abetalipoproteinemia, in a four generation family with South Asian ancestry. Variant-expressing hepatocyte-like-cells (HLCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells generated from homozygous donor skin fibroblasts had lower lipoprotein ApoB secretion, compared to wild type cells. Cytoplasmic triglyceride accumulation in HLCs triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress, secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, production of reactive oxygen species, delineating the progression of disease associated with homozygosity for MTTP p.I564T

  Study EGAS00001005254

• Exome sequencing of HCV+ lymphoma

  The present retrospective study aimed to explore the genetic landscape of a well-characterized series of 34 HCV-associated B-cell lymphomas from the observational multicentric ANRS HC-13 Lympho-C Study using tumor and matched germline whole exome sequencing (WES). It reported the first series of VHC-positive lymphoma patients analyzed by WES. Our results provide an overview of the genetic landscape associated to HCV-related B-cell lymphomas and highlight some novel putative candidate genes.

  Study EGAS00001006860

• Molecular evolution of classic Hodgkin lymphoma revealed through whole genome sequencing of Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg cells

  Here we leveraged whole genome structural variant copy number analysis to report the first whole genome sequencing landscape of HRS cells and reconstruct the chronology and likely etiology of pathogenic events prior to the clinical diagnosis of cHL.

  Study EGAS00001006884

• Population_based_analysis_of_POT1_variants_in_a_cutaneous_melanoma_case_control_cohort

  Pathogenic germline variants in the protection of telomeres 1 gene (POT1) have been associated with predisposition to a range of tumor types, including melanoma, glioma, leukemia and cardioangiosarcoma. We sequenced all coding exons of the POT1 gene in 2,929 European-descent melanoma cases and 3,298 controls, identifying 43 protein-changing genetic variants. We performed functional studies on each of these variants and explored their possible contribution to disease risk.

  Study EGAS00001006870

• WGS of MAPKi acquired resistant samples from patients and PDX models

  Blocking cancer genomic instability, which generates diverse variants that enable rapid adaptations, may prevent tumor escape from therapies. We show that, after MAPK inhibitor (MAPKi) therapy in patients and patient-derived xenografts, acquired-resistant genomes of metastatic cutaneous melanoma accumulate amplicons of resistance-driver, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), and homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes within complex genomic rearrangements (CGRs) and extrachromosomal circular DNAs (ecDNAs). Also, chromothriptic genomic regions enrich for mutations and may engender ecDNAs and CGRs. Overall, somatic mutations within ecDNA- and CGR-amplicons enrich for HRR signatures, and, in acquired resistance, ecDNA (versus CGR) mutations enrich for APOBEC3 signatures. Breakpoint-sequence analysis suggests NHEJ as critical to double-stranded DNA break repair underlying CGR and ecDNA formation. In vivo, NHEJ-targeting by a DNA-PKCS inhibitor prevented acquired MAPKi-resistance by reducing the size of ecDNAs and CGRs early on combination treatment. Thus, targeting the cause(s), as opposed to the consequences, of genomic instability prevents acquired resistance.

  Study EGAS00001006874

• Tracing early predictors of glioma evolution under therapy

  Clonal evolution drives cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Recent studies revealed divergent longitudinal trajectories in gliomas, but early molecular traits steering post-treatment cancer evolution remain unclear. We analyzed sequencing data of 544 initial-recurrent adult diffuse glioma pairs to identify genomic and transcriptomic early predictors of tumor evolution in each molecular subtype.

  Study EGAS00001006894