Search Results - EGA European Genome-Phenome Archive

Clonal Evolution and Heterogeneity of Osimertinib Acquired Resistance Mechanisms in EGFR Mutant Lung Cancer

Current understanding of acquired resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-mutant lung cancer is largely based on the use of targeted sequencing platforms and cell-free DNA. In this study we examined the clonal evolution and heterogeneity of acquired resistance mechanisms to osimertinib through whole exome and RNA-sequencing of prospectively collected pre-and post-osimertinib resistant tumors and metastases at rapid autopsy. We enrolled 34 patients with histologically confirmed EGFR mutant advanced lung adenocarcinoma in a prospective Phase II clinical trial to evaluate osimertinib treatment and the use of local ablative therapy (LAT) for oligoprogressive disease (NCT02759835) in EGFR mutant NSCLC from April 2016 until data cutoff in September 2019. Patients were not selected based on oligometastatic status, rather 32/34 patients had multiple organ involvement, including lung, liver, adrenal, brain and bone. Biopsies or surgeries were performed pre-osimertinib treatment and at first progression on osimertinib. A subset of patients also underwent biopsies at second progression on osimertinib, and following end of life in-patient hospice and rapid autopsy upon death. 63% (n=15/24) of first-line osimertinib and 50% (n=5/10) of second-line osimertinib treated patients had RECIST defined partial response. Overall, 21 patients had RECIST defined first progression on osimertinib. Two patients on this trial discontinued treatment and were lost to follow up. Of the 21 patients who had RECIST defined progression, 14 patients underwent LAT (8 first-line and 6 second-line). Twelve patients had paired pre- and post-osimertinib resistant tumors and three had post-osimertinib resistant tumors available for analysis. Four patients (LAT002, LAT006, LAT014 and LAT021) consented for a rapid autopsy protocol and underwent rapid autopsy after deatH. To elucidate acquired osimertinib resistance mechanisms, we performed whole-exome (WES), targeted sequencing and RNA-seq on 66 tumors and matched germline DNA from tumor tissue obtained from a total of 15 patients.

Study phs002001

The Mutational Landscape of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This study was the first-known large-scale effort to uncover the mutational spectrum of head and neck cancers. We analyzed whole-exome sequence from 92 tumor-normal pairs and retained 74 of them for significance analysis. The majority exhibited a mutational profile consistent with tobacco exposure; human papilloma virus sequence was detectable in 15% of cases. In addition to identifying previously known HNSCC genes (TP53, CDKN2A, PTEN, PIK3CA, and HRAS), the analysis revealed many genes not previously implicated in this malignancy. At least 30% of cases harbor mutations in genes (such as NOTCH1, IRF6, TP63) that regulate squamous differentiation, implicating alterations in this process as a major driver of HNSCC carcinogenesis. Altogether, the results suggest that large-scale exome sequencing may illuminate fundamental tumorigenic mechanisms with important therapeutic implications.

Study phs000370

Integrative Analysis of Lung Adenocarcinoma in Never Smokers

We performed whole genome sequencing of lung cancers from never smoker subjects from Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval (IUCPQ-UL) (N=125), Université Côte d'Azur (Nice) (N=47), the Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology (EAGLE) study (N=27), Yale University (N=22), and Moffitt Cancer Cente (N=11).

Study phs001697

Cohort-Based Genome-Wide Association Study of Glioma (GliomaScan)

We conducted a new independent GWAS of adult glioma using 1,856 cases and 4,955 controls from 14 cohort studies belonging to the Cohort Consortium, 3 case-control studies, and 1 population-based case only study. Cases were newly diagnosed glioma [ICDO-3 codes 9380-9480 or equivalent], and controls were cancer-free at the time of glioma diagnosis. We found evidence of strong replication for three of the seven previously reported associations at 20q13.33 (RTEL), 5p15.33 (TERT), and 9p21.3 (CDKN2BAS), and consistent association signals for the remaining four at 7p11.2 (EGFR both loci), 8q24.21 (CCDC26) and 11q23.3 (PHLDB1). The direction and magnitude of the signal were consistent for samples from cohort and case-control studies, but the strength of the association was more pronounced for loci rs6010620 (20q,13.33; RTEL) and rs2736100 (5p15.33, TERT) in cohort studies despite the smaller number of cases in this group, likely due to higher grade tumors being captured in the cohort studies. Our findings suggest that larger studies focusing on novel approaches as well as specific tumor subtypes or subgroups will be required to identify additional common susceptibility loci for glioma risk.

Study phs000652

Identification of Putative Neoantigens in Stage III Melanoma

This study of three metastatic melanoma patients utilized exome sequencing and RNA sequencing to help identify putative neoantigen peptides that could be further validated by standard immunological assays before design of a personalized vaccine. For each set of neoantigens identified and verified by standard assays, we designed GMP peptides that correspond to the top neoantigens, then used these to condition dendritic cell isolates from each patient. The conditioned dendritic cells were used as the vaccine in three rounds of vaccination, followed by monitoring for T cell memory response to each of the neoantigens.

Study phs001005

Genomic Sequencing of Cervical Cancers

Cervical cancer is responsible for 10-15% of cancer related deaths in women worldwide. The etiological role of infection with high-risk human papilloma viruses (HPV) in carcinomas of the cervix is well established. In general, the development of cervical carcinomas follows a progression from persistent HPV infection through precancerous lesions to invasive cancer. Previous studies have implicated somatic mutations in PIK3CA, PTEN, TP53, STK11 and KRAS as well as chromosome-arm level copy number alterations in the pathogenesis of cervical carcinomas. Here, we report whole exome sequencing analysis of 118 cervical carcinoma-normal paired samples from patients in Norway and Mexico, as well as transcriptome sequencing of 80 cases and whole genome sequencing of 13 tumor-normal pairs. Novel somatic mutations include recurrent E322K substitutions in the MAPK1 gene encoding the ERK2 kinase and inactivating mutations in the HLA-B gene. In addition, recurrent somatic mutations in FBXW7, EP300, and NFE2L2 are novel in the context of primary cervical carcinomas. Analysis of HPV integration sites revealed recurrent integration into the RAD51B locus as well as co-occurrence of HPV genome integration and copy number gains within several genomic loci. These findings shed new light on the pathogenesis of cervical carcinomas and suggest potential novel therapeutic targets.

Study phs000600

Genomic and Transcriptomic Markers Associated with Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade

The neoantigen presentation score (NEOPS) study was designed to better understand molecular determinants of response to immunotherapies, including pembrolizumab and nivolumab in stage III or IV melanoma patients. From this work, we developed a composite approach to predicting neoantigens (NEOPS), which takes into account additional escape mechanisms, including HLA LOH (human leukocyte antigen loss of heterozygosity) and the impact of deleterious mutations to the antigen presentation machinery (APM), yielding an improved prediction of response to immunotherapy compared to TMB (tumor mutational burden) or neoantigen burden alone.

Study phs002388

Discovery of Novel Melanoma Predisposing Mutations by Exome Sequencing

Melanoma risk shows clear heritability, but the inherited genetic factors remain largely unknown. Rare high risk mutations in CDKN2A, CDK4, BAP1 and TERT have been described but these variants, in aggregate, account for less than 50% of the kindreds reporting a family history of melanoma. This project will seek to identify new genes which may confer melanoma susceptibility. Identifying melanoma predisposing mutations can provide new biological insights and may impact important clinical decision making regarding treatment, surveillance and preventive approaches. Hereditary melanoma patients (defined as those individuals with multiple primary melanomas and those patients with a family history of melanoma) were collected from melanoma clinics at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the A. Sygrous Hospital in Athens, Greece. All exome sequencing was performed at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; samples sequence capture was performed using Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon Kit v2 and sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 or 2500.

Study phs000823

Identification of Targetable FGFR Gene Fusions in Diverse Cancers

In this study, patients with advanced cancer across all histologies were enrolled in our IRB approved clinical sequencing program, called MI-ONCOSEQ, to go through an integrative sequencing which includes whole exome sequencing of the tumor and matched normal, and transcriptome sequencing. Four index cases were identified which harbor gene rearrangements of FGFR2 including two cholangiocarcinoma cases, a metastatic breast cancer case, and a metastatic prostate cancer case. After extending our assessment of FGFR rearrangements across multiple tumor cohorts, including TCGA, we identified FGFR gene fusions with intact kinase domains of FGFR1, FGFR2, or FGFR3 in cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung squamous cell cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, oral cancer, glioblastoma, and head and neck squamous cell cancer. All FGFR fusion partners tested exhibit oligomerization capability, suggesting a shared mode of kinase activation. Overexpression of FGFR fusion proteins in vitro induced cell proliferation, and bladder cancer cell lines that harbors FGFR3 fusion proteins exhibited enhanced susceptibility to pharmacologic inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Due to the combinatorial possibilities of FGFR family fusion to a variety of oligomerization partners, clinical sequencing efforts which incorporate transcriptome analysis for gene fusions are poised to identify rare, targetable FGFR fusions across diverse cancer types.

Study phs000602

Somatic Mutational Analysis by Exome Sequencing Endometrial Carcinosarcomas

The purpose of this study was to identify somatic (tumor-specific) mutations in endometrial carcinosarcoma tumor exomes. The dataset was generated at the NIH Intramural Sequencing Center (NISC) and NHGRI by next generation sequencing the exomes of 14 de-identified primary tumor DNAs and matched non-tumor DNAs.

Study phs001152

Single Cell Genomic Analysis of Lymphoma

Our study aimed to define the extent of heterogeneity between anatomically separated tumor manifestations in follicular lymphoma at single-cell resolution. We subjected single-cell suspensions derived from nodal, synchronously-acquired fine needle aspirations from two distinct tumor sites to high-throughput microfluidics-based single-cell RNA sequencing. By comparing the relative composition of the tumor subpopulations between the two tumor sites, we found that some patients can exhibit site-to-site differences. While the overall composition of the tumor microenvironment did not differ significantly between sites, we did detect a specific correlation between site-to-site tumor heterogeneity and T follicular helper cell abundance. Our study demonstrates the significant limitations of a solitary biopsy in defining the full scope of a patient's disease.

Study phs002188

DNA Methylation Characterization of Fusion-Positive and Fusion-Negative Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosacoma (RMS) is a common pediatric soft tissue tumor that is associated with the skeletal muscle lineage. RMS comprises two major subtypes: fusion-positive (FP, most commonly PAX3- FOXO1 or PAX7-FOXO1) and fusion-negative (FN, frequently associated with mutations in RAS pathway). Our previous study demonstrated that FP and FN tumors exhibit distinct DNA methylation profiles. In this study, further investigation of genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in RMS tumors revealed DNA methylation differences between AX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1 subsets in FP RMS, and between RAS mutation and RAS wild-type subsets in FN RMS. These data provide new insight into the relationship of DNA methylation with mutational changes and transcriptional organization in FP and FN RMS.

Study phs001970

High-Risk Breast Cancer GWAS

The GWAS includes High Risk Women from the following epidemiological studies of breast cancer, comprising a total of 3,719 cases and 3,642 controls (cases/controls: MEC, 0/200; ABCFR, 326/418; FCCC, 56/3; BCFR-UT, 66/32; CNIO-BC, 87/92; GESBC, 65/0; LIFE, 164/0; MARIE, 41/105; MAYO, 208/210; MNYR, 293/409; MSKCC, 310/0; NC-BCFR, 234/233; OFBCR, 553/560; POSH, 377/0; HBOC, 47/47; BBCS, 612/1333; UPENN, 280/0 This study was funded by a grant CA165038 to Christopher Haiman (University of Southern California) and John Hopper (University of Melbourne) from the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health. The contributing studies: Multiethnic Cohort (MEC). This study was supported by grant UM1 CA164973 from the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health. Ontario Familial Breast Cancer Registry, the Ontario site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry Cohort (OFBCR). This study was supported by grant UM1 CA164920 from the National Cancer Institute. Utah Breast Cancer Family Registry (BCFR-UT). This study was supported by grant UM1 CA164920 from the National Cancer Institute. New York site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry (MNYR). This study was supported by grant UM1 CA164920 from the National Cancer Institute. Northern California site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry (NC-BCFR). This study was supported by grant UM1 CA164920 from the National Cancer Institute. Australian Breast Cancer Family Registry (ABCFR). This study was supported by grant UM1 CA164920 from the National Cancer Institute. Breast Cancer Study (CNIO-BC). This study has been partially funded by The Spanish Network on Rare Diseases (CIBERER) and the Spanish National Genotyping Center (CEGEN). Genetic Epidemiologic Study of Breast Cancer (GESBC). The GESBC was supported by the Deutsche Krebshilfe e. V. [70492] and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Mammary Carcinoma Risk Factor Study (MARIE). This study was supported by the Deutsche Krebshilfe e.V. [70-2892-BR I, 106332, 108253, 108419], the Hamburg Cancer Society, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Germany [01KH0402]. Prospective study of Outcomes in Sporadic versus Hereditary breast cancer (POSH). Funding for the POSH study was provided by Cancer Research UK (grant refs A7572, A11699, C22524), the Breast Cancer Campaign (grant number: 2013MayPR044) and from 2003-2006 by a grant from The Wessex Cancer Trust. Prospective study of Outcomes in Sporadic versus Hereditary breast cancer (POSH). Funding for the POSH study was provided by Cancer Research UK (grant refs A7572, A11699, C22524), the Breast Cancer Campaign (grant number: 2013MayPR044) and from 2003-2006 by a grant from The Wessex Cancer Trust. Hereditary Breast and ovarian Cancer: Genetic and Molecular Studies (HBOC). This study was supported by National Cancer Institute grant CA58860 and The Lon V Smith Foundation: LVSF-44528. Mayo Clinic inherited breast and ovarian cancer study (MAYO). This study was supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, NIH grants CA192393, CA176785, and an NIH CA116201 Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Breast Cancer. British Breast Cancer Study (BBCS); Mammographic oestrogens and growth factor study (MOG). The BBCS and the MOG study are funded by Cancer Research UK and Breakthrough Breast Cancer and acknowledge NHS funding to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, and the National Cancer Research Network (NCRN). Genotyping of non-BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (UPENN). The study is supported by the Basser Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Rooney Family Foundation, NIH grants CA176785 and CA192393, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure and Macdonald Family Foundation. Clinical Significance of Germline BRCA Mutations (MSKCC). The study is supported by the Robert and Kate Niehaus Clinical Cancer Genetics Research Initiative, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the Cancer Center Support Grant from the National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute 5P30 CA08748-40. Women's Learning the Influence of Family and Environment (LIFE). This study was supported by grants CA17054 and CA74847 from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, No. 4PB-0092 from the California Breast Cancer Research Program of the University of California. Philadelphia site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry at Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC). This study is supported by NIH grant CA164920.

Study phs000929

Single-cell RNA-Seq of human lymphoma reveals malignant B cell diversity and patterns of T cell immune checkpoint co-expression

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a generally incurable B-cell malignancy which has the potential to transform into highly aggressive lymphomas. Genomic studies indicate it is often a small subpopulation rather than the dominant population in the FL that gives rise to the more aggressive subtype. To resolve the underlying transcriptional networks of follicular B-cell lymphomas at single molecule and cell resolution, we leveraged droplet-based barcoding technology for highly parallel single cell RNA-Seq. We analyzed the transcriptomes from tens of thousands of cells derived from five primary FL tumors. Simultaneously, we conducted multi-dimensional flow cell sorting to validate our characterizing of cellular lineages and critical expressed proteins. For each tumor, we identified multiple cellular subpopulations, matching known hematopoietic lineages. Comparison of gene expression by matched malignant and normal B cells from the same patient revealed tumor-specific features. Malignant B cells exhibited restricted immunoglobulin light chain expression (either Ig Kappa or Ig Lambda), as well the expected upregulation of the BCL2 gene, but also down-regulation of the FCER2, CD52 and MHC class II genes. By leveraging the single-cell resolution on large numbers of cells per patient, we were able to examine tumor-resident T cells. We identified pairs of immune checkpoint molecules that were co-expressed, providing a potentially useful strategy for selection of patient-tailored combination immunotherapies. In summary, massively parallel measurement of single-cell expression in thousands of tumor cells and tumor-resident lymphocytes can be used to obtain a systems-level view of the tumor microenvironment and identify new avenues for therapeutic development.

Study phs001378

Germline Sequencing for Aggressive Prostate Carcinoma

This study aims to elucidate the genetic determinants of susceptibility to aggressive prostate carcinoma. To this end, germ line whole exome sequence has been generated from patients with aggressive prostate cancer. Whole genome sequence for a representative subset of tumors from patients whose cancer was resistant to primary therapy is included as well. This deep genomic interrogation will allow the identification of rare, functionally disruptive variants that may play a role in disease progession and response to treatment.

Study phs000661

Aspirin and Inflammation: Mutations, Genes, Pathways and Prevention in Barrett's Esophagus

Background: Use of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been shown to protect against tetraploidy, aneuploidy, and chromosomal alterations in the metaplastic condition Barrett's esophagus (BE) and to lower the incidence and mortality of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA). The esophagus is exposed to both intrinsic and extrinsic mutagens resulting from gastric reflux, chronic inflammation and exposure to environmental carcinogens such as those found in cigarettes. Here we test the hypothesis that NSAID use inhibits accumulation of point mutations/indels during somatic genomic evolution in BE. Methods: Whole exome sequences were generated from 82 purified epithelial biopsies and paired blood samples from a cross-sectional study of 41 NSAID users and 41 nonusers matched by sex, age, smoking, and continuous time using or not using NSAIDs. Results: NSAID use reduced overall frequency of point mutations across the spectrum of mutation types, lowered the frequency of mutations even when adjusted for both TP53 mutation and smoking status, and decreased the prevalence of clones with high variant allele frequency. Never smokers who consistently used NSAIDs had fewer point mutations in signature 17, which is commonly found in EA. NSAID users had on average a 50% reduction in functional gene mutations in nine cancer-associated pathways and also had less diversity in pathway mutational burden compared to nonusers. Conclusions: These results indicate NSAID use functions to limit overall mutations on which selection can act and supports a model in which specific mutant cell populations survive or expand better in the absence of NSAIDs. Galipeau PC, et al. Genome Med. 2018 Feb 27;10(1):17. PMID: 29486792.

Study phs001654

Transcriptomic Profiling of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The study is a retrospective transcriptomic profiling of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The pathologic database was queried for squamous cell carcinoma tumors originating from the anatomic oropharynx (tonsil or tongue base) with available samples from surgical archives. This retrospective RNA sequencing cohort included cases dating prior to the routine implementation of p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing at our institution, therefore, p16 status was not required for inclusion in this study. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were sent to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) Translational Genomics Lab (TGL) for RNA isolation using the Maxwell 16 MDx Instrument (Promega AS3000) and the Maxwell 16 LEV RNA FFPE Kit (Promega AS1260) following the manufacturer's protocol (Promega 9FB167). After a pathology review of a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides to identify tumor area, RNA was extracted from unstained slides using macrodissection. Total RNA quality was measured using a NanoDrop spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific ND-2000C) and a TapeStation 4200 (Agilent G2991AA). Total RNA concentration was quantified using a Qubit 3.0 fluorometer (Life Technologies Q33216). Libraries were prepared with Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA with Ribo-Zero protocol. Libraries were sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencer. Paired end read data, with read lengths of 75 were collected.

Study phs002935

Integrative Analysis of Lung Adenocarcinoma in EAGLE (Version 2)

We performed a comprehensive analysis of intratumor heterogeneity of somatic mutations in cancer driver genes, copy number aberrations and DNA methylation in 292 tumor samples from 84 lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients from the Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology (EAGLE) study. SNVs of 37 established lung cancer driver genes were profiled by deep target sequencing in 180 tumor samples and 55 blood samples and 1 buccal sample from 56 subjects. Somatic copy number alterations were profiled using SNP arrays in 268 tumor samples from 80 subjects. DNA methylation levels were profiled with methylation arrays in 205 tumor samples and 74 normal tissue samples from 68 subjects.

Study phs001169

Functional Multiomics of Cellular Therapy and Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy for Solid Tumors

Tumor samples were collected from a patient with synovial sarcoma, which acquired resistance to ACT targeting NY-ESO-1. Biopsies (n=3; primary, metastasis, and recurrence) were subjected to bulk tumor DNA and RNA sequencing, as well as high-dimensional spatial profiling of RNA and protein targets. Bulk tumor whole exome and RNA sequencing corresponding to all three tumor specimens and whole exome sequencing from patient-matched normal blood are made available through this accession.

Study phs002762

Rare germline sequence variants, copy number variations, expression alterations, methylation variations and disease susceptibility in familial melanoma

Although a number of high-risk melanoma genes have been identified, they account for melanoma risk in less than 40% of melanoma-prone families. The major goals of our research are to identify novel high-penetrance genes for familial melanoma in melanoma-prone families without known mutations and to identify modifier factors, including genetic and epigenetic, in melanoma-prone families with and without known major mutations. We are using whole exome sequencing to identify additional high-risk susceptibility genes and using targeted sequencing to follow up on the top genes in additional family members and in population-based melanoma cases and controls. We are also using RNASeq to investigate genome-wide allele-specific expression and eQTLs in these families to identify genes with expression alteration, which will provide additional information for gene discovery. In addition, we also conducted genome-wide copy number variation (CNV), methylation, and miRNA expression profiling analyses in our melanoma families with the goal of identifying genetic and epigenetic factors as disease modifiers.

Study phs001177

Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis of Extrachromosomal DNA with Amplicon Architect

The study is related to our manuscript entitled "Single-cell genetic heterogeneity linked to immune infiltration in glioblastoma". Using multiplexed FISH analysis of 3-4 tumor cores from 17 glioblastoma formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors, we identified two classes of tumors based on single cell co-occurrence of EGFR and CDK4 amplification. Tumors with a low odds ratio for finding EGFR and CDK4 amplified in the same cell (ORlow tumors) had higher EGFR copy number and higher diversity of copy number in cells harboring EGFR amplification. This suggested that in ORlow tumors EGFR is likely present on extrachromosomal DNA. To test this hypothesis, we performed whole genome sequencing on DNA extracted from FFPE slides from 3 ORlow samples and 3 ORhigh samples and used AmpliconArchitect to investigate the structure of the EGFR amplicon. We found multiple breakpoints and high complexity structure in the 3 tested ORlow samples, but not in the ORhigh samples, supporting the possibility of an extrachromosomal nature of EGFR amplification in the first group.

Study phs003100

The Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Genes and Environment (GLAUGEN) Study

Background Information: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is an age-related, intraocular pressure (IOP)-dependent progressive optic neuropathy that ultimately leads to irreversible blindness. Vision loss from POAG is a condition of public health significance. Current evidence suggests that POAG is a polygenetic disease modified by environmental influences. Despite the fact that a positive family history of disease is an important risk factor for POAG, conventional linkage and candidate gene approaches have revealed less than 5% of the genetic component of the disease. Furthermore, there is no consensus on environment risk factors for POAG. Elevated IOP is the only modifiable risk factor for POAG; yet, lowering IOP slows, but does not halt the disease process. Study Objectives: The overall goal of our research is to elucidate the pathogenesis of POAG so that cost-effective disease detection and primary prevention strategies can be implemented. The primary aim of the Glaucoma Gene Environment Initiative (GLAUGEN), funded by the Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), is to discover genetic loci associated with POAG. The secondary aim of GLAUGEN, funded by NHGRI and the National Eye Institute, is to discover gene environment interactions in POAG. Methods and study populations: For this study, we have assembled cases and controls from three studies: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) and the Genetic Etiologies of POAG (GEP) project based at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI). This case-control group includes 1057 unrelated cases and 1272 controls. Members of the NHS and HPFS also have repeated environmental exposure data collected prior to a diagnosis of POAG. NHS - The Nurses Health Study started in 1976 under the direction of Dr. Frank E. Speizer. With funding from the NIH, registered nurses from 11 US states were invited to complete a detailed questionnaire regarding lifestyle and health biennially. Initially, 121,000 women responded to the baseline questionnaire. Currently, Dr. Susan Hankinson serves as the program director for the NHS. HPFS - The Health Professionals Follow-up Study began in 1986 under the direction of Drs. Walter Willett and Meir Stampfer. Under the auspices of the NIH, they enlisted 51,529 male health professionals from throughout the US to complete similarly designed biennial questionnaires. Beginning in 1990, questions regarding ocular health were added to biennial questionaires completed by health professionals participating in the NHS and HPFS. This allowed us to formulate (PI: S. Hankinson; NEI) and maintain (PI: L. Pasquale; NEI) a cohort at risk for POAG derived from the respective general cohorts who were under ophthalmic care. We then developed a definition of POAG that allowed us to identify cases from a population that was geographically dispersed. The centerpiece of this definition is the presence of reproducible visual field loss consistent with nerve fiber layer (NFL) dropout (the NFL contains the axons that comprise the optic nerve) on reliable tests. Reproducible visual field loss occurred in the context of anterior segment findings that did not suggest a secondary cause of elevated IOP and posterior segment findings that did not suggest a secondary cause of visual field loss. We selected controls from the cohort at risk for POAG on the basis of age, gender and time period when cases were identified. GEP - The Genetic Etiologies of POAG was initiated in 1996 with funding from the National Eye Institute under the direction of Dr. Janey Wiggs. The purpose of this work was to discover novel genetic loci associated with POAG. In the GEP, cases were derived predominantly from the Glaucoma Service at MEEI. The majority of cases had an examination by a glaucoma specialist and met the definition for POAG used in NHS and HPFS. Cases with only one reliable visual field consistent with NFL dropout were included if there was a cup-disc ratio of 0.7 or more. The majority of controls were patients who presented to the MEEI comprehensive ophthalmology service for routine eye examination or from spouses of MEEI patients with secondary forms of glaucoma. Other controls were identified from regional glaucoma screenings held throughout Massachusetts. Members of GEP have detailed ocular phenotype data but limited information on environmental exposures. This study is part of the Gene Environment Association Studies initiative (GENEVA, http://www.genevastudy.org) funded by the trans-NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative (GEI). The overarching goal is to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to primary open-angle glaucoma through large-scale genome-wide association studies of three well-characterized cohorts of cases and controls, some in matched pairs. Genotyping was performed at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a GENEVA genotyping center. Data cleaning and harmonization were performed at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington.

Study phs000308

National Institutes of Health H3Africa African Collaborative Center for Microbiome and Genomics Research (ACCME)

The African Collaborative Center for Microbiome and Genomics Research is a multi-institutional collaborative research project. The objectives of the project are to collaborate and implement high impact integrative epidemiology and genomics research into discovery of biomarkers associated with cervical carcinogenesis. Specifically ACCME links and leverages existing funded research and program activities at the collaborating institutions to study the interaction between vaginal microbiome, host genetic factors and molecular variants of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to determine correlates of viral persistence in the causal pathway of cervical cancer, a major cause of preventable mortality in Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. This research offers several opportunities to advance understanding of cervical carcinogenesis, viral oncogenesis, new biomarker discovery and risk stratification by genotype in a cohort of African women. Sponsorship: This project is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Study phs001945

Molecular Determinants of Tumor Behavior in Early Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and a heterogeneous disease with poor survival in the advanced stage. Given that the frequency of early diagnosis is increasing, the investigation of the molecular determinants of disease progression is paramount. Prediction of whether the tumor is indolent or aggressive has been the subject of recent investigations. Yet, the molecular underpinnings explaining the difference in tumor behavior remains largely unknown and is directly relevant to the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening, including the risks of over-diagnosis and overtreatment. To gain insights into the molecular pathogenesis and the underlying molecular determinants of clinical behavior of early adenocarcinoma, we investigated genetic alterations in 102 surgically resected early adenocarcinomas. We hypothesized that the behavior of early adenocarcinoma can be predicted based on genomic underpinnings. To identify the type of genomic alterations associated with resected indolent and aggressive early lung ADC, the DNA samples from 21 adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 27 minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and 54 fully invasive adenocarcinoma were collected and subjected to a deep next generation sequencing, targeting a custom 347 cancer gene panel. Our study provides new insights into cancer genomic evolution, helps to elucidate the interplay of somatic mutation and the adaptation of clones, and brings new insights into the key distinction between indolent and aggressive tumor behavior.

Study phs001811

Loss of IFN-gamma Signaling in Tumor Cells Associates with Primary Resistance to Anti-CTLA-4 Therapy

Antibody blockade of the inhibitory CTLA-4 pathway has led to clinical benefit in a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma. Anti-CTLA-4 enhances T cell responses, including production of IFN-γ, which is a critical cytokine for host immune responses. However, the role of IFN-γ signaling in tumor cells in the setting of anti-CTLA-4 therapy remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that, based upon exome sequencing data, patients identified as non-responders to anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) harbor a much higher genomic defects in the IFN-γ pathway genes than melanoma patients who had clinical response to ipilimumab therapy.

Study phs001257

Cross-Species Single-Cell Analysis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Reveals Antigen-Presenting Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major players in the progression and drug resistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). CAFs constitute a diverse cell population consisting of several recently described subtypes, although the extent of CAF heterogeneity has remained undefined. Here we employ single-cell RNA-sequencing to thoroughly characterize the neoplastic and tumor microenvironment content of human PDAC tumors. Six human PDAC tumor specimens from six patients were collected, and processed for single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis. Adjacent-normal pancreas tissue was also collected from two of the patients. Tumor samples were digested, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to isolate viable cells. For one tumor sample, viable, CD45-negative, CD31-negative, and EpCAM-negative cells were also isolated to enrich for CAFs. The 10X Chromium platform was then used to isolate single cells for RNA-sequencing analysis. This work has demonstrated the differences in immune cell populations between adjacent-normal and tumor tissues, and identified subpopulations of epithelial cells and CAFs present in PDAC tumors. This high-throughput analysis is a resource to better understand the cell populations present in PDAC, and may ultimately aid in the development of more effective therapies for this deadly malignancy.

Study phs001840

National Cancer Institute Clinical and Laboratory Analysis of Familial Cancer

The purpose of this study is to continue the analysis begun on 09C0079 which was focused on identification of the genetic mutation associated with a new gastric polyposis syndrome, Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Proximal Polyposis of the Stomach (GAPPS). GAPPS, first described in 2012, is an autosomal dominant gastric polyposis syndrome that confers a substantial risk for gastric adenocarcinoma. The GAPPS phenotype consists of a carpeting of greater than 100 fundic gland polyps (FGPs) in the oxyntic mucosa of the gastric body and fundus, with antral sparing with some FGPs displaying high-grade dysplasia. This is in contrast to sporadic FGPs that are benign, most often are not associated with high-grade dysplasia though low-grade dysplasia has been reported, and are fewer in number. Gastric FGPs have been found to be associated with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and attenuated FAP, which is an autosomal dominant condition associated with germ line mutations in APC which confers a phenotype consisting of multiple (>100) adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum developing after the first decade of life. FGPs are reported to occur in 12-84% of patients with FAP, whereas sporadic FGPs are identified in ~5% of patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastric adenocarcinoma arising from FGPs in individuals with FAP have been reported. Other manifestations of FAP and AFAP include polyps in the upper gastrointestinal tract, congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium, osteomas and epidermoid cysts, supernumerary teeth, desmoid formation, and other malignancies such as thyroid, small bowel cancer, hepatoblastoma, and medulloblastoma. Thus far there are no reports in GAPPS of polyposis arising in the esophagus, gastric antrum, pylorus, small intestine, or colon.

Study phs001935

Clonally selected lines after CRISPR/Cas editing are not isogenic

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has enabled researchers to precisely modify/edit the sequence of a genome. A typical editing experiment consists of two steps: (i) editing cultured cells and (ii) selection of clones, which are presumed to be isogenic, with and without the intended edit. The application of the CRISPR-Cas9 system may result in off-target edits, while cloning would reveal culture-acquired mutations. We analyzed the extent of the former and of the latter by whole genome sequencing (WGS) involving separate genomic loci in three experiments conducted by three independent laboratories. In all experiments we hardly found any off-target edits, while we detected hundreds to thousands of single nucleotide mutations unique to each clone after relatively short culture of 10-20 passages. Notably, clones also differed in copy number alterations that were several kb to several mb in size, representing the largest source of genomic divergence among clones. This study in dbGaP includes data from experiments carried out by investigators at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine (OMRF/BCM) involving an iPSC line derived from fibroblasts of a female patient (line c7) carrying a constitutional heterozygous variant (chr1:1,464,679 C>T; GRCh37) in exon 15 of the ATPase family, AAA domain containing 3A (ATAD3A) gene. The parental line was edited by introducing a double stranded break at the variant allele to correct the variant by homology directed repair. Two unedited control clones (clone7 and clone8) and one edited clone (SC20) were selected for WGS.

Study phs003110

Melanoma Brain Metastasis Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Atlas

Melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) frequently occurs in patients with advanced melanoma, yet our understanding of the underlying salient biology is rudimentary. Here, we performed single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq in 22 treatment-naive MBM (scRNA-seq n=5; snRNA-seq n=17) and 10 extracranial melanoma metastases (ECM; all snRNA-seq), and matched spatial single-cell transcriptomics (n=16) and T cell receptor (TCR)-seq (n=5). Key observations were validated in matched bulk RNA- and ATAC-seq of isogenic MBM/ECM cell culture models (n=24; including triplicates (labeled as *-A, -B and -C) of 4 MBM- and 4 ECM-derived patient cell lines with 2 matched pairs). This work provides comprehensive insights into MBM biology and serves as a foundational resource for further discovery and therapeutic exploration.

Study phs002944

Genome-wide Association Study and Meta-Analysis of Ewing Sarcoma

We combined a set of 122 French Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cases from the Institut Curie, 19 EWS cases from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center for Cancer Research (CCR), and 29 EWS cases from the NCI Bone Disease and Injury Study. All EWS cases were confirmed by medical record review and the presence of a specific EWSR1-ETS translocation were noted when data was available. Each participant provided informed consent and each participating study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of their study center. DNA was extracted using standard methods from blood, saliva (Oragene), or buccal cells. All de novo genotyping of EWS cases was performed at the NCI CGR on the Illumina OmniExpress-24 v1.1 array. Genotyping was performed according to manufacturer's guidelines using the Infinium HD Assay automated protocol.

Study phs001549

Whole Exome Characterization of Squamous Cell Lung Cancers (Lung SQCC) from Appalachian Kentucky (APPKY)

This is a pilot study of squamous cell lung cancer and matched normal tissue pairs collected (convenience sample) from patients from Central Appalachia, in Southeastern Kentucky. This study performed whole exome sequencing on tumor and matched normal DNA samples from 51 lung squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) subjects from Appalachian Kentucky (AppKY). Somatic genomic alteration profiles were compared between the AppKY and TCGA SQCC cohorts. We found that IDH1 and PCMTD1 had higher mutation rates in AppKY versus TCGA. These findings suggest population differences in the genetics of lung SQCC between AppKY and US populations that have implications for personalized treatment for this disease.

Study phs001651

Whole exome and transcriptome analysis of UV-exposed epidermis and carcinoma in situ reveals early drivers of carcinogenesis

Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) is a prevalent precancerous lesion that can progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Although SCCIS is common, its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. To better understand SCCIS development, we performed laser-captured microdissection of human SCCIS and adjacent epidermis to isolate genomic DNA and RNA for next generation sequencing. Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified UV-signature mutations in multiple genes including Notch 1-3 (GeneID:4851, GeneID:4853, GeneID:4854) in the epidermis and SCCIS and oncogenic TP53 (GeneID:7157) mutations in SCCIS. Novel gene families, including SCHLAFEN genes, contained UV/oxidative-signature disruptive (UVD) epidermal mutations that manifested positive selection in SCCIS. The frequency and distribution of NOTCH and TP53 mutations indicate that NOTCH mutations may precede TP53 mutations. RNA sequencing identified 1166 differentially expressed genes; the top 5 enriched GO biological processes included: 1) immune response, 2) epidermal development, 3) protein phosphorylation, 4) regulation of catalytic activity, and 5) cytoskeletal regulation. The NEURL1 ubiquitin ligase, which targets Notch ligands for degradation, was upregulated in SCCIS. Neuralized 1 protein was found to be elevated in SCCIS suggesting that increased levels could represent a novel mechanism for downregulating Notch during UV-induced carcinogenesis. The data from DNA and RNA sequencing of epidermis and SCCIS provide insights regarding SCCIS formation.

Study phs002019

Cellular Origins and Genetic Landscape of Cutaneous GD T Cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous gamma-delta T cell lymphomas are a rare and aggressive subtype of cutaneous lymphoma. In the present study, we analyzed these cancers by DNA and RNA sequencing in order to illuminate the genetic landscape for this rare disease. We obtained tumor samples from multiple institutions, including Northwestern University (Chicago, IL), University of Chicago (Chicago, IL), University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA), and Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA).

Study phs001969

Modeling Malignant Progression in Glioma

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumor in humans. Low-grade gliomas (WHO grade II) invariably progress to high-grade gliomas (WHO grade III or IV). Although malignant progression may take many years, the survival rate after transformation to a high-grade glioma is poor, often only 12-15 months. In this data set, we have identified low-grade gliomas that have progressed to high-grade gliomas or high-grade gliomas that have progressed from low-grade gliomas. Some cases are matched pairs (meaning we have both the original low-grade tumor and the subsequent high-grade tumor). The samples deposited have been analyzed with bulk-RNA sequencing. They are also de-identified but are clinically annotated. When available, genetic information including IDH mutation status, 1p/19q deletion and histological subtype are also included.

Study phs002607

Circulating Tumor DNA in Intermediate Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma

In this study, we evaluated circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker in the serum of 124 patients with newly diagnosed intermediate risk rhabdomyosarcoma (IR RMS) from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) biorepository. In addition to pre-treatment serum, we also analyzed matched tumor tissue and germline in a subset of patients. We profiled samples using ultra-low passage whole genome sequencing (ULP-WGS) and a new custom hybrid-capture sequencing assay, Rhabdo-Seq, to detect copy number alterations, rearrangements, and single nucleotide variants. We found that patients with detectable ctDNA at diagnosis had significantly worse outcomes than those without detectable levels of ctDNA. Our study demonstrates that baseline ctDNA detection is feasible and prognostic in IR RMS. The ULP-WGS and targeted next-generation sequencing (Rhabdo-Seq and TranSS-Seq) data are available in this study.  

Study phs002866

Chromatin Accessibility Landscape of Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Therapeutic options in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are largely limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy without the benefit of molecular markers predicting response. By ATAC-seq analyses of EpCAM+ PDAC malignant epithelial cells sorted from 54 freshly resected human tumors, we discovered a signature of 1092 chromatin loci displaying differential accessibility between patients with disease-free survival (DFS) < 1 year and patients with DFS > 1 year. Using this signature, we further develop a chromatin accessibility microarray methodology termed “ATAC-Array”, an easy-to-use platform obviating the time and cost of next-generation sequencing. PDAC prognosis can be predicted by ATAC-array, which represents a low-cost, clinically feasible technology for assessing chromatin accessibility profiles.

Study phs002394

Genome Sequencing of Familial Cholangiocarcinoma for the Identification of Germline Risk Alleles

In this study, sequencing data (WES, WGS, linked-read WGS) was used to identify candidate causal germline variants in a family with inherited cholangiocarcinoma. Candidate causal SNVs and indels were identified from the germline WES data of eight siblings (four affected, four unaffected), then somatic second hits were identified from matched tumor/normal pairs. Second hits were verified using haplotype information derived from linked-read WGS of the tumor data.

Study phs001593

Nivolumab and Ipilimumab and Radiation Therapy in Microsatellite Stable (MSS) and Microsatellite Instable (MSI) High Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancer

This is a single-arm, non-randomized, phase 2 trial (NCT03104439) combining radiation, ipilimumab and nivolumab in patients with metastatic MSS Colorectal Cancer (CRC; n=40) and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cancer (PDAC; n=25). Patients were previously treated population, and the primary endpoint was disease control rate. Pre- and post-treatment samples were subjected to RNA sequencing and whole exome sequencing. The primary data is shared via GEO and dbGaP at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Study phs002545

Genome-wide association study for Bladder Cancer Risk

This study funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) involves conducting a genome-wide association study of common genetic variants to identify markers of susceptibility to bladder cancer. This bladder GWAS has led to the discovery of three novel regions in the genome associated with bladder cancer risk. Cases were defined as individuals having histologically confirmed primary carcinoma of the urinary bladder, including carcinoma in situ (ICD-0-2 topography codes C67.0-C67.9 or ICD9 codes 188.1-188.9). Scan data were obtained from two case-control studies carried out in Spain and the United States (specifically, those in the Maine and Vermont components of the New England Bladder Cancer Study) and three prospective cohort studies in Finland and the United States (specifically Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study, Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, and The American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort). We used data from 591,637 single nucleotide polymorphisms 3,532 affected individuals (cases) and 5,119 controls of European descent and replication including 8382 cases and 48275 controls from 16 studies. In a combined analysis, we identified three new regions associated with bladder cancer on chromosomes 22q13.1, 19q12 and 2q37.1: rs1014971, (P ≈ 8 x 10-12) maps to a non-genic region of chromosome 22q13.1, rs8102137 (P = 2 x 10-11) on maps to CCNE1 and rs11892031 (P = 1 x 10-7) maps to the UGT1A cluster on 2q37.1. We confirmed four previously identified genome-wide associations on chromosomes 3q28, 4p16.3, 8q24.21 and 8q24.3 (Rothman N et al., Nature Genetics, 2010, PMID: 20972438). Through meta-analysis with the MD Anderson Texas Bladder Cancer Study (TXBCS), we also identified a novel susceptibility locus that mapped to a region of 18q12.3, marked by rs7238033 (P = 8.7 x 10(-9); allelic odds ratio 1.20 with 95% CI: 1.13-1.28) and two highly correlated SNPs, rs10775480/rs10853535 (r(2)= 1.00; P = 8.9 x 10(-9); allelic odds ratio 1.16 with 95% CI: 1.10-1.22) (Garcia-Closas M et al, Human Molecular Genetics, 2011) For NCI-GWAS2, we performed genotyping on cases and controls for the New Hampshire component of the New England Bladder Cancer Study (NEBCS-NH). For the majority of new bladder cancer cases, we genotyped only cases from four case-control studies, the Los Angeles Bladder Cancer Study (LABCS), the French Center for Research on Prostate Diseases (CeRePP), the French Bladder Study (FBCS) and the Brescia Bladder Cancer Study (BBCS). We used existing control data from four cohort studies already genotyped and subjected to rigorous quality control metrics: the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition Study (EPIC), Womens Health Initiative (WHI), Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), Nurses Health Study (NHS), which have been a part of Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS). Meta-analysis of NCI-GWAS1, NCI-GWAS2 and a previously reported GWAS TXBCS-GWAS along with taqman replication, identified two new loci: rs10936599 on 3q26.2 (P = 4.53 x 10(-9)) and rs907611 on 11p15.5 (P = 4.11 x 10(-8)). Two notable loci were also identified that approached genome-wide statistical significance: rs6104690 on 20p12.2 (P = 7.13 x 10(-7)) and rs4510656 on 6p22.3 (P = 6.98 X 10(-7)); these require further studies for confirmation (Figueroa J et al, Human Molecular Genetics, 2013).

Study phs000346

DNA methylation in rhabdomyosarcoma PDX and PDX-derived primary cells

Conditions to maintain primary tumor cells in culture are largely unknown for most tumor entities including rhabdomyosarcoma. In this collaborative study with Dr. Beat Schäfer's laboratory, we performed DNA methylation profiles of rhabdomyosarcoma patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and their matching PDX-derived primary cells (PPC), where the PPCs were developed and maintained under optimized culture conditions. We further compared DNA methylation profiles between these PDXs and PPCs. Exome sequencing and copy number analysis between these rhabdomyosarcoma PDXs and PPXs were also carried out. These analyses may help us to evaluate a feasibility of in vitro profiling of primary rhabdomyosarcoma cells from a genomic perspective.

Study phs002051

Genome-Wide Analysis of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (De Novo and Derived from the High Grade Transformation of Follicular Lymphoma)

Version 1. Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) represents the most common form of B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL), accounting for ~30% of the de novo diagnoses and also arising as a frequent clinical evolution of Follicular Lymphoma (FL). The molecular pathogenesis of DLBCL is associated with multiple genetic lesions that in part distinctly segregate with individual phenotypic subtypes, suggesting the involvement of distinct oncogenic pathways. However, the lesions identified so far likely represent only a fraction of those necessary for malignant transformation. In order to characterize the entire set of structural alterations present in the DLBCL genome, we have integrated next generation whole exome sequencing analysis of 6 DLBCL cases and genome-wide high-density SNP array analysis of 72 DLBCL cases. We report here that FL and DLBCL harbor frequent structural alterations inactivating CREBBP and, more rarely, EP300, two highly related histone and non-histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that act as transcriptional co-activators in multiple signaling pathways. Overall, ~37% of DLBCL and 36% of FL cases display genomic deletions and/or somatic point mutations that remove or inactivate the HAT coding domain of these two genes. These lesions commonly affect a single allele, suggesting that reduction in HAT dosage is important for lymphomagenesis. We demonstrate specific defects in the acetylation-mediated inactivation of the BCL6 oncoprotein and activation of the p53 tumor suppressor. These results identify CREBBP/EP300 mutations as a major pathogenic mechanism shared by common forms of B-NHL, and have direct implications for the use of drugs targeting acetylation/deacetylation mechanisms. Version 2. Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent, but incurable disease that, in 30-40% of cases, undergoes transformation to an aggressive diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The history of clonal evolution and the mechanisms that underlie transformation to DLBCL (tFL) remain largely unknown. Using whole exome sequencing and copy number analysis of 39 tFL patients, including 12 with paired sequential FL/tFL biopsies, we show that, in most cases, FL and tFL arise by divergent evolution from a common mutated precursor cell through the acquisition of distinct genetic lesions. Mutations in epigenetic modifiers (e.g., MLL2, CREBBP, EZH2, ARID1A) and anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2, FAS) were observed in 93% (36/39) and 78% (30/39) of cases, respectively, and were invariably shared between the two disease phases, suggesting an early acquisition in the common mutated precursor. Conversely, the development of tFL is associated with deregulation of genes involved in the control of cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and DNA damage responses (CDKN2A/2B, MYC, TP53), as well as with an aberrant activity of the somatic hypermutation mechanism. Finally, we show that the genomic profile of tFL shares significant similarities with that of germinal center B-cell type de novo DLBCL, but also displays unique combinations of altered genes that may explain the dismal clinical course of tFL.Version 3. This version includes thirty-five additional de novo DLBCL samples, newly diagnosed, and their paired normal DNA from previously untreated patients, which were analyzed by whole exome sequencing (n=27T and 25N), whole genome sequencing (8T and 10N), and/or targeted HLA-next generation sequencing (n=26T/N pairs) in order to identify genetic alterations associated with loss of surface MHC-II expression.

Study phs000328

Genetic Analysis of Desmoplastic Melanoma

Desmoplastic melanoma is an infrequent variant of melanoma with sarcomatous histology, distinct clinical behavior, and unknown pathogenesis. We performed low-coverage genome and high-coverage exome sequencing of 20 desmoplastic melanomas, followed by targeted sequencing of 293 genes to validate candidate genes. A high mutation burden (median 62 mutations/Mb) ranked desmoplastic melanoma among the most highly mutated cancers. Mutation patterns strongly implicate UV-radiation as the dominant mutagen, indicating a superficially located cell of origin. Novel alterations included recurrent promoter mutations of NF-kappa B inhibitor epsilon, NFKBIE (IkBε) in 14.5% of samples. Commonly mutated oncogenes in melanomas, in particular BRAF(V600E) and NRAS(Q61K/R), were absent. Instead, other genetic alterations known to activate the MAPK and PI3K signaling cascades were identified in 73% of samples, affecting NF1, CBL, ERBB2, MAP2K1, MAP3K1, BRAF, EGFR, PTPN11, MET, RAC1, SOS2, NRAS, and PIK3CA, some of which being candidates for targeted therapies. Reprinted from: Shain, A. H. et al. Exome sequencing of desmoplastic melanoma identifies recurrent NFKBIE promoter mutations and diverse activating mutations in the MAPK pathway. Nat. Genet. With permission from Nature Genetics

Study phs000977

Genomic Profiling of Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are malignant and highly aggressive hematologic tumors arising from mature post-thymic T cells. The diagnosis of PTCL includes diverse lymphoma subgroups, altogether accounting for about 15% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Despite recent advances in uncovering the mutational landscape of PTCLs, the prognoses of most PTCLs remain poor. To overcome the limits of exome sequencing and identify new genomic abnormalities in PTCL, we performed RNAseq and whole genome sequencing. From our analyses, we identified a recurrent in-frame deletion (VAV1 Δ778-786) generated by a focal deletion-driven alternative splicing mechanism as well as novel VAV1 gene fusions (VAV1-THAP4, VAV1-MYO1F, and VAV1-S100A7). These genetic lesions result in increased activation of VAV1 catalytic-dependent (MAPK, JNK) and non-catalytic-dependent (nuclear factor of activated T cells, NFAT) VAV1 effector pathways. These results support an oncogenic role for VAV1 signaling in the pathogenesis of PTCL (Abate et al., 2017). Recently, we have also identified a novel chimeric oncogene, FYN-TRAF3IP2, in the RNA-seq and whole genome sequencing analyses. FYN-TRAF3IP2 leads to aberrant NF-κβ activity downstream of T-cell receptor signaling and induces NF-κβ-driven T-cell transformation when expressed in hematopoietic progenitors in mice. This novel gene fusion supports the oncogenic driver role of NF-κβ signaling in the pathogenesis of PTCL (Kim et al., in review).

Study phs001962

Functionally-defined Therapeutic Targets in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a universally fatal childhood cancer. Here, we performed a chemical screen in patient-derived DIPG cell cultures along with RNAseq expression analysis and integrated computational modeling to identify potentially effective therapeutic strategies. Panobinostat, among the more promising agents identified, demonstrated efficacy in pontine orthotopic xenograft models of both H3K27M and histone WT DIPG. These data suggest the potential utility of specific drug combinations and provides evidence of in vivo treatment efficacy of the multi-histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat. We are depositing to dbGaP deep sequencing whole exome data for 22 patient tumor samples and 13 matched normals, along with RNAseq data for 12 patient tumor samples and 6 normal pediatric brain tissue samples. In addition, we are depositing 22 RNAseq samples from DIPG cell lines before and after panobinostat treatment.

Study phs000900

Intra-tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution of papillary renal cell carcinoma

Limited knowledge of intratumor heterogeneity (ITH), and clonal evolution of papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) and rare kidney tumor subtypes hinders understanding of tumorigenesis and therapeutic efficacy. We conducted an integrative genomic and epigenomic ITH analysis and studied clonal evolutionary history of pRCC and rare kidney tumor subtypes. We dissected multiple consecutive samples from the center of the tumor towards the tumor's periphery, a normal sample ~5 cm distant from the tumor, and, where feasible, metastatic regions in the adrenal gland. Specifically, we performed 60X multi-region whole-genome sequencing (mWGS), both genome-wide methylation and SNP array profiling, and deep targeted sequencing (average 500X coverage) of 254 cancer driver genes (PMID:24390350). The study population comprises 39 patients with kidney cancers, including 23 with papillary type 1 (pRCC1), 12 with papillary type 2 (pRCC2), one of which also had areas of clear cell, and one each with collecting duct tumor (cdRCC), renal fibrosarcoma rSRC, mixed pRCC1/pRCC2, and an unclassified renal cancer with mixed features of pRCC2 and cdRCC. Based on DNA sample availability, we conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) on 124 samples from 29 subjects, deep targeted sequencing on 139 samples from 38 subjects, SNP array genotyping on 101 samples from 38 subjects, and genome-wide methylation profiling on 139 samples from 28 subjects. All assays were performed on tumor, metastasis and normal tissue samples, with the exception of the SNP array genotyping, which was conducted only on tumor samples.

Study phs001573

Genomic Analysis of Pediatric Low Grade Gliomas

Pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGGs) are among the most common solid tumors in children but, apart from mutations or duplications in the BRAF kinase in specific subclasses, few genetic driver events are known. Diffuse PLGGs compose a set of uncommon subtypes that exhibit invasive growth and are therefore especially challenging clinically. These tumors are particularly poorly understood. We performed high-resolution copy-number analysis of 44 diffuse PLGGs to identify recurrent alterations. Diffuse PLGGs exhibited fewer such alterations than adult low-grade gliomas, but we identified several significantly recurrent events. The most significant event, 8q13.1 gains, was observed in 28% of diffuse astrocytoma WHO grade II (DA2) and resulted in partial duplication of the transcription factor MYBL1 with truncation of its C-terminal negative-regulatory domain. A similar recurrent deletion-truncation breakpoint was identified in two angiocentric gliomas in the related gene MYB on 6q23.3. Whole genome sequencing of a MYBL1-rearranged diffuse astrocytoma grade II demonstrated MYBL1 tandem duplication and few other events. Two truncated MYBL1 transcripts identified in this tumor induced anchorage-independent growth when expressed in 3T3 cells and tumor formation in nude mice. Truncated transcripts were also expressed in two additional tumors with MYBL1 partial duplication. Our results define clinically relevant molecular subclasses of diffuse PLGGs and highlight a potential role for the MYB family in the biology of low-grade gliomas. "Reprinted from www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1300252110 with permission from PNAS."

Study phs000614

GWAS in an Amerindian Ancestry Population Reveals Novel Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Loci and the Role of European Admixture

The study comprises SLE patients recruited from specialist rheumatology clinics from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Two strategies were used to enrich samples for Native American ancestry: a. previously genotyped Hispanic and Latin American and US Native American individuals were selected according to their ancestry based on 253 ancestry informative markers as part of the Lupus Large Association 2 Study. The approximate 35% of the samples were primarily of European and Native American admixture was selected; b. the recruitment of patients took place primarily in countries with little African admixture. All samples were genotyped on the HumanOmni1-Quad BeadChip using manifest H at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The Illumina clustering algorithm with GenomeStudio v2011.1 was used.

Study phs001025

Transcriptional Profiling of Macrophages In Situ in Metastatic Melanoma Reveals Localization-Dependent Phenotypes and Function

Therapeutic interventions modulating immune function at the tumor site could improve outcomes in cancer. Here we analyzed metastatic melanoma, a tumor type highly responsive to T-cell based therapies, and found that the tumor-infiltrating T cells are localized closely to CD14+ monocytes/macrophages rather than to melanoma cells. Using novel immunofluorescence-guided laser capture micro-dissection, we analyzed transcriptomes of CD3+ T cells, CD14+ monocytes/macrophages and melanoma cells in non-dissociated tissue. CD14+ cells localized in tumors beds displayed specific transcriptional signatures distinct from CD14+ cells that were localized in tumor stroma.The 8 distinct metastatic melanoma samples are from the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN). 64 RNA-seq files are available from 16 intraCD14+, 16 stromaCD14+, 16 cancer cells, 8 intraCD3+ and 8 stromaCD3+ cells. 2 LCM harvests were completed for the CD14+ and cancer cells on two sections of the samples. One harvest was done for the CD3+ samples.The processed data (TPM/raw counts tables) are available on GEO under GSE180124. 

Study phs002564

Count Me In (CMI): The Angiosarcoma (ASC) Project (CMI-ASCproject)

Count Me In - The Angiosarcoma Project: A Patient-Partnered Research Initiative to Accelerate Research in a Rare Sarcoma The Angiosarcoma Project (ASCproject) is a research study that directly engages angiosarcoma patients online and empowers them to accelerate cancer research by sharing medical information and clinical samples. Angiosarcoma is an exceedingly rare soft tissue sarcoma with an incidence of ~300 newly diagnosed cases per year in the United States. This low incidence has impeded large-scale research efforts in this disease that are strongly needed to catalyze research and improve clinical outcomes. The Angiosarcoma Project, launched in March 2017, has demonstrated the feasibility of directly engaging geographically dispersed patients to democratize research and establish a large patient cohort to characterize the genomic and clinical landscape of a rare disease. Angiosarcoma patients living in the US or Canada can access the study and consent online through an online portal (ASCproject.org). Enrolled patients are mailed saliva and blood draw kits, which can be used to extract germline DNA and cell-free DNA (cfDNA), respectively. The study team contacts participants' healthcare institutions to obtain medical records and a portion of archived tumor samples. All received tumor samples are subjected to centralized histological re-review by an expert pathologist to confirm a diagnosis of angiosarcoma. Whole exome sequencing is performed on tumor DNA, germline DNA, and cfDNA; transcriptome sequencing is performed on tumor RNA. De-identified data, including linked genomic, clinical, and patient-reported data, are shared via public databases on a recurring pre-publication basis. Participants are regularly provided updates on the study.

Study phs001931

Multimodal Mapping of the Immune Landscape in Human Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is characterized by an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment that has rendered it largely refractory to immunotherapy. We used single-cell RNA sequencing on patient tumors and matched blood, and we uncovered a previously unappreciated, complex environment of immune-suppressive cellular interactions. These experiments reveal immune checkpoint expression heterogeneity on individual patient T cells, with corresponding ligands on neoplastic and myeloid cells. TIGIT was upregulated on tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells and was the only checkpoint receptor consistently expressed by exhausted CD8+ T cells. Clinical annotation of the samples revealed that the exhausted signature is most prominent in patients with advanced stages of disease. Our findings suggest individualized combination therapy, involving anti-TIGIT therapies, may be necessary to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to pancreatic cancer patients.

Study phs002071

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