Search Results - EGA European Genome-Phenome Archive

Partner independent fusion gene detection by multiplexed CRISPR Cas9 enrichment and long read Nanopore sequencing (FUDGE)

Targeted long-read nanopore sequencing. Abstract: Fusion genes are hallmarks of various cancer types and important determinants for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Fusion gene partner choice and breakpoint-position promiscuity restricts diagnostic detection, even for known and recurrent configurations. To accurately and impartially identify fusions, we developed FUDGE: FUsion Detection from Gene Enrichment. FUDGE couples target-selected and strand-specific CRISPR/Cas9 activity for fusion gene driver enrichment - without prior knowledge of fusion partner or breakpoint-location – to long-read Nanopore sequencing with the bioinformatics pipeline NanoFG. FUDGE has flexible target-loci choices and enables multiplexed enrichment for simultaneous analysis of several genes in multiple samples in one sequencing run. We observe on-average 665 fold breakpoint-site enrichment and identify nucleotide resolution fusion breakpoints - within two days. The assay identifies cancer cell line and tumor sample fusions irrespective of partner gene or breakpoint-position. FUDGE is a rapid and versatile fusion detection assay, providing unparalleled opportunity for diagnostic pan-cancer fusion detection.

Dataset EGAD00001006111

Somatic mutant selection is altered by prior NOTCH1 mutation in ageing esophageal epithelium

Authors: Charlotte King1, Emilie Abbie1, Joanna C. Fowler1, Irina Abnizova1, Roshan K. Sood1, Swee Hoe Ong1, Michael W. J. Hall1,2, Faye Lynch-Williams3, Benjamin A. Hall4, Philip H. Jones1,2,5 Abstract: In cancer evolution, genome alterations often occur in a specific order, implying selection depends on the prior clonal genotype 1-3. It is unknown if similar constraints operate in normal epithelia. Here, we mapped mutations in normal mid-esophagus of aged UK subjects. Mutant NOTCH1 clones colonized most of the epithelium by age 60 and above 70 tissue was saturated with mutants under strong competitive selection. Mutant TP53 was more strongly selected in donors over 60 years of age. Samples predominantly mutant for NOTCH1 showed increased selection of NOTCH2 mutants and weaker selection of mutant TP53 compared with samples that were mostly NOTCH1 wild type. In mouse esophagus lacking Notch1 we observed strong selection of mutant Notch2 and other genes not selected in wild type esophagus. In normal ageing esophagus, the first driver mutation may change the trajectory of subsequent somatic evolution by altering mutant selection.

Dataset EGAD00001015261

Virtual Growing Child 5-Dimensional Functional Models for Treating Respiratory Anomalies (dMRI-VGC)

Objectives We are sharing a database of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) scans of normal children, which can serve as a reference standard to quantify regional respiratory abnormalities in young patients with various respiratory conditions and facilitate treatment planning and response assessment. The database can also be useful to advance future AI-based research on image-based object segmentation and analysis. Background In pediatric patients with respiratory abnormalities, it is important to understand the alterations in regional dynamics of the lungs and other thoracoabdominal components, which in turn requires a quantitative understanding of what is considered as normal in healthy children. Currently, such a normative database of regional respiratory structure and function in healthy children does not exist. Participants 200 normal children (ages 6-18 years) participated in our research study related to this dataset. DesignThe shared open-source normative database is from our ongoing virtual growing child (VGC) project, which includes 4D dMRI images representing one breathing cycle for each normal child and also segmentations of 10 objects at end expiration (EE) and end inspiration (EI) phases of the respiratory cycle in the 4D image. The lung volumes at EE and EI as well as the excursion volumes of chest wall and diaphragm from EE to EI, left and right sides separately, are also reported. The database has thus 4,000 3D segmentations from 200 normal children in total. The database is unique and provides dMRI images, object segmentations, and quantitative regional respiratory measurement parameters of volumes for normal children. All dMRI scans are acquired from normal children during free-breathing. The dMRI acquisition protocol was as follows: 3T MRI scanner (Verio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany), true-FISP bright-blood sequence, TR=3.82 ms, TE=1.91 ms, voxel size ~1×1×6 mm3, 320×320 matrix, bandwidth 258 Hz, and flip angle 76o. With recent advances, for each sagittal location across the thorax and abdomen, we acquired 40 2D slices over several tidal breathing cycles at ~480 ms/slice. On average, 35 sagittal locations are imaged, yielding a total of ~1400 2D MRI slices, with a resulting total scan time of 11-13 minutes for any particular study participant.The collected dMRI scan data then went through the procedure of 4D image construction, image processing, object segmentation, and volumetric measurements from segmentations. 4D image construction: For the acquired dMRI scans, we utilized an automated 4D image construction approach to form one 4D image over one breathing cycle (consisting of typically 5-8 respiratory phases) from each acquired dMRI scan to represent the whole dynamic thoraco-abdominal body region. The algorithm selects 175-280 slices (35 sagittal locations × 5-8 respiratory phases) from the 1400 acquired slices in an optimal manner using an optical flux method. Image processing: Intensity standardization is performed on every time point/3D volume of the 4D image so that image values have the same tissue-specific meaning across all subjects. Object segmentation: For each subject, there are 10 objects segmented at both EE and EI time points in this database. They include the thoracoabdominal skin outer boundary, left and right lungs, liver, spleen, left and right kidneys, diaphragm, and left and right hemi-diaphragms. All dMRI scans utilize large field of view images, which include the full thorax and abdomen to the inferior aspect of the kidneys in the sagittal plane. We used a pretrained U-Net based deep learning network to first segment all objects, and then all auto-segmentation results were visually checked and manually refined as needed, under the supervision of a radiologist with over 25 years of expertise in MRI and thoracoabdominal radiology. Manual segmentations have been performed for all objects in all datasets. Volumetric measurements based on object segmentations for lung volumes (left and right separately) at EE and EI, as well as for chest wall and diaphragm excursion volumes (left and right separately) are reported. ConclusionsThe provided database is unique and provides dMRI images, object segmentations, and quantitative regional respiratory measurement parameters of volumes for normal children. The database has 4,000 3D segmentations from 200 normal children, which to our knowledge is the largest and only such dMRI dataset to date. All images and object segmentations are saved in DICOM. All DICOM files (176,574 in total) have been anonymized, and PHI has been removed. The database can be used as a reference standard to quantify regional respiratory abnormalities in young patients with various respiratory conditions and facilitate treatment planning and response assessment. The large amount of object segmentations can potentially benefit AI-based research on image-based object segmentation and analysis.

Study phs004002

Surgery in combination with immune checkpoint therapy as an effective treatment for patients with metastatic cancer.

Abstract Surgical removal of primary tumors was shown to reverse tumor-mediated immune suppression in pre-clinical models with metastatic disease. However, how cytoreductive surgery in the metastatic setting modulates the immune responses in patients, especially in the context of immune checkpoint therapy (ICT)-containing treatments is not understood. Here, we report the first prospective, non-comparative clinical trial (N=104) using three different ICT-containing strategies plus cytoreductive or “debulking” surgery to remove the primary tumor-bearing kidney or a metastatic lesion as a treatment for patients (N=43) with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC). For those patients (N=61) who were not candidates for cytoreductive surgery, a biopsy was obtained instead for correlative biological studies. Our data demonstrated that the combination of ICT with cytoreductive surgery was safe and feasible in patients with mccRCC. The 2-year overall survival was 84% with a median OS of 54.7 months for patients who received ICT containing regimens plus surgery. Immune-monitoring studies with co-detection by indexing (CODEX) identified distinct tumor spatial conformation of cellular subsets as a novel and improved predictor of response to ICT. Importantly, single-cell RNA-sequencing data demonstrated that surgical removal of the tumor increased antigen-presenting dendritic cell population with a concurrent reduction in KDM6B expressing immune-suppressive myeloid cells in the peripheral blood. Together, this study highlighted the feasibility of combining ICT with cytoreductive surgery in a metastatic setting and demonstrated potential enhancement of immune responses following ICT plus cytoreductive surgery in patients with metastatic disease.

Study EGAS00001005667

Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Cardiovascular: Cardiology Biobanking for Biomarker Discovery

This study is a part of NHGRI's Center for Common Disease Genomics, which is a collaborative large-scale genome sequencing effort to comprehensively identify rare risk and protective variants contributing to multiple common disease phenotypes. Current estimates anticipate that the CCDG program will sequence approximately 140K whole genomes and 225K whole exomes during the life of the project. The Cardiovascular Disease working group of the CCDG considered five diseases: early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD), stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Atrial fibrillation will affect between 6-12 million individuals in the US by 2050. AF also is associated with increased risks of stroke, dementia, heart failure, death, and high health care costs. Many risk factors for AF have been identified, including advancing age, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and CVD risk factors. However, there is little knowledge how to prevent AF. Furthermore, therapies for AF are only partially effective, and are themselves associated with substantial morbidity. Previously, heritable forms of AF have been considered rare; yet in the last decade, it has been established that AF, and in particular early-onset forms of AF, are heritable. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide a powerful tool to identify common variants underlying disease risk. The AFGen Consortium currently consists of investigators from more than 25 studies with >20,000 individuals with AF and >100,000 without AF. In the latest analyses, 14 loci have been identified for AF1. Broadly, the loci implicate genes related to cardiopulmonary development, cardiac-expressed ion channels, and cell signaling molecules.Source: https://ccdg.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/CCDG_CVD_EOAF_FINAL_w_link.pdfThe BioHEART study is a multi-center, prospective, observational cohort study to identify new biomarkers in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (MI) (ACTRN12618001322224). Participants are recruited at time of clinically indicated computed tomography (CT) coronary angiogram (CTCA). 1,950 of 5,000 planned participants have been recruited and serum/plasma/erythrocytes/monocytes stored, with follow-up ongoing. CTCA imaging studies provides volumetric quantification of total calcified and non-calcified plaque, which is assessed using established and novel scoring systems. Comprehensive molecular phenotyping is performed on blood samples using state-of-the-art genomic, transcriptomic, proteomics, metabolomic, lipidomic, and immunophenotyping. Outcome data will be used to build improved risk models for CAD.Reference: http://www.anzctr.org.au/ - ACTRN12618001322224

Study phs002726

Genome wide association study on coronary heart disease in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

Mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene cause familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a disorder characterized by coronary heart disease (CHD) at young age. We aimed to apply an extreme sampling method to enhance the statistical power to identify novel genetic risk variants for CHD in individuals with FH. We selected cases and controls with an extreme contrast in CHD risk from 17 000 FH patients from the Netherlands, whose functional LDLR mutation was unequivocally established. The genome-wide association (GWA) study was performed on 249 very young FH cases with CHD and 217 old FH controls without CHD (above 65 years for males and 70 years of age for females) using the Illumina HumanHap 550K chip. In the next stage, two independent samples (one from the Netherlands and one from Italy, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom) of FH patients were used as replication samples. In the initial GWA analysis we identified 29 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with suggestive associations with premature CHD (p<1×10-4). We examined the association of these SNPs with CHD risk in the replication samples. After Bonferroni correction, none of the SNPs either replicated or reached genome-wide significance after combining the discovery and replication samples. Therefore, we conclude that the genetics of CHD risk in FH is complex and even applying an ‘extreme genetics’ approach we did not identify new genetic risk variants. Most likely, this method is not as effective in leveraging effect size as anticipated, and may therefore not lead to significant gains in statistical power. (NB submitten and conditionally accepted at European Journal of Human Genetics-please use abstract only for internal review until submission complete)

Study EGAS00001000734

Ulcerative Colitis Human Microbiome Project (UCHMP)

The aims of the multi-center Ulcerative Colitis Human Microbiome Project (UCHMP) are to examine the role of the enteric microbiome in causing human ulcerative colitis, specifically the development of pouchitis. Pouchitis is an inflammatory condition of the surgically-created ileoanal pouch that serves as a pseudo-rectum in patients with ulcerative colitis who have undergone a total colectomy. It is a condition unique to ulcerative colitis (UC), as it rarely occurs in non-UC patients who have the same procedure. Within one year, about 50% of patients will develop pouchitis. The condition is almost certainly due to aspects of the pouch microbiota on a background of genetic susceptibility, as most patients respond to treatment with antibiotics. While there have been reports on the microbiota in pouchitis patients, all have been performed after the inflammatory process is initiated, rendering interpretation of the results difficult, as the inflammatory process itself will change the microbiota. Our project is therefore unique and possibly the only opportunity in the role of the enteric microbiome in IBD in a prospective manner, thereby establishing potentially important causal relationships between microbiota structure or function and development of UC.The studies also offer two additional advantages. First, the development of the pouch microbiota can be observed prospectively. Second, the cause of antibiotic treatment failure in some patients with pouchitis may be revealed. The two aims are (1) to identify causal factors in the structure and/or function of the enteric microbiota in the development of pouchitis, and (2) to determine the basis of treatment failure in UC pouchitis patients. Our analyses will include serial measurements of enteric microbial structure (16S rRNA gene-based), function (metagenomics and functional candidate genes), and cultivation, the latter to enhance interpretation of gene sequences derived from metagenomes and targeted gene surveys (either functional or 16S genes). The insights gained from these studies will help us understand the fundamental and causative roles of the enteric microbiome in human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This information will be the basis for developing strategies to restore host-microbial relationships to prevent and treat IBD.

Study phs000262

Multi-omic and functional analysis for classification and treatment of sarcomas with FUS-TFCP2 or EWSR1-TFCP2 fusions(H021/INF)

Many rare cancers are not well understood, and pathogenesis-directed therapies are often lacking, resulting in poor patient outcomes. Leveraging two (inter)national precision oncology trials that enroll large numbers of rare cancers, we investigated the clinical, histopathologic, molecular, and functional characteristics of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with fusions of FUS or EWSR1 to the TFCP2 transcription factor, a recently discovered ultra-rare entity whose classification, pathogenesis, and optimal treatment are unclear. Unusually for fusion-driven sarcomas, most cases had highly rearranged genomes, including chromothripsis, and signs of defective homologous recombination DNA repair. All tumors showed extreme expression of a truncated TERT variant and the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase, which was additionally affected by intragenic deletions and aberrant splicing, resulting in the expression of shortened variants in 58% of cases. Three ALK variants were oncogenic in immortalized cells, and patient-derived tumor cells expressing two variants responded to certain ALK inhibitors. Other recurrent alterations included CDKN2A/MTAP co-deletions and mutations in PAPPA2, encoding an IGFBP5-specific proteinase, in 67% and 25% of cases, respectively. DNA methylation analysis, along with 19 other soft-tissue sarcoma classes, revealed a close relationship with undifferentiated sarcoma but not other RMS subtypes, suggesting that TFCP2-rearranged RMS is a separate entity, possibly arising from a distinct cell of origin. Expression of TFCP2 fusions in immortalized human cells blocked late myogenic differentiation and significantly induced genes that were also highly expressed in patient tumors, including ALK, TERT, and two known regulators of skeletal muscle cells, IGFBP5 and PTH1R. Genome-wide chromatin profiling demonstrated direct binding of FUS-TFCP2 to the ALK and TERT loci outside their regular promoters, which correlated with the expression of alternative transcript variants. Finally, FUS-TFCP2 inhibited the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in immortalized cells, rendering them sensitive to treatment with cisplatin. This study provides insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutic vulnerabilities of a new RMS subtype and illustrates the value of linking comprehensive molecular diagnostics and functional annotation within multicenter consortia to improve the understanding and clinical management of rare cancers.

Study EGAS00001006939

Single Cell RNA Sequencing of Tendon Scar Tissue (Tenolysis)

This human tenolysis sample was collected as a control (non-diabetic sample) as part of larger study described below.The purpose of the larger study is to define the cellular and molecular environment in tendons, pulleys, synovial sheath, tendon scar tissue, and palmar fascia samples. The samples are isolated from discarded tissues from patients who undergo lower limb amputation surgery, dupuytren's disease, trigger finger release, tenolysis surgery, tenosynovitis surgery, distal biceps tendon repair, common extensor debridement and repair, common flexor debridement and repair, or proximal long head of the biceps tenodesis.The dramatic increase in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) as part of the obesity epidemic is one of the most pressing health challenges facing the U.S. Type II diabetes results in systemic inflammation and is characterized by metabolic dysfunction including elevated plasma glucose levels (hyperglycemia). There is a clear link between T2DM and musculoskeletal pathologies; T2DM accelerates the progression of osteoarthritis, and increases fracture risk. Moreover, T2DM impairs tendon homeostasis and repair, and increases the risk and severity of tenosynovitis (infection of the tendon and sheath), however there remains a paucity of information regarding the molecular mechanisms of diabetes-induced changes in tendon function. Flexor and extensor tendons facilitate digit range of motion (ROM) and movement of the hand. Tendon gliding can be impaired by tendon fibrosis and an inability to fit within the surrounding synovial sheath, or due to the formation of fibrous adhesions between the tendon and synovial sheath during healing. Fibrosis and increased disorganization of the extracellular matrix are hallmarks of the diabetic hand phenotype observed in T2DM patients. T2DM dramatically affects the baseline function of tendons; up to 50% of diabetic patients experience impaired hand function, including increased rates of tenosynovitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition to decrements in tendon gliding function, deficits in mechanical properties are also observed, rendering diabetic tendons more susceptible to rupture. Considering that the complication rate of primary flexor tendon repairs is as high as 40% in non-diabetic patients, and that T2DM further impairs tendon healing, it is imperative to understand the cellular and molecular components of diabetic tendinopathy. The study will define the overall cellular and molecular environment in tendon pulleys, palmar fascia, synovial sheath tissue, and scar tissue (tenolysis and tenosynovitis samples) as a function of type II diabetes.

Study phs004076

NEOPREDICT-Lung: Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Resectable NSCLC

Links via: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02965-0 PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38689060/ Journal: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02965-0 Abstract Antibodies targeting the immune checkpoint molecules PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy are standard of care in most patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancers. When given prior to curative surgery, tumor responses and improved event-free survival are achieved. New antibody combinations may be more efficacious and tolerable. In an ongoing, open-label phase II study, 60 biomarker-unselected, treatment-naïve patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer were randomized to receive two preoperative doses of nivolumab (anti-PD-1) with or without relatlimab (anti-LAG-3) antibody therapy. The primary study endpoint was feasibility of surgery within 43 days, which was met by all patients. Curative resection was achieved in 95% of patients. Secondary endpoints included pathological and radiographic response rates, pathologically complete resection rates, disease-free and overall survival rates, and safety. Major pathological (≤10% viable tumor cells) and objective radiographic responses were achieved in 27% and 10% (nivolumab), and 30% and 27% (nivolumab and relatlimab) of patients, respectively. In 100% (nivolumab) and 90% (nivolumab and relatlimab) of patients tumors and lymph nodes were pathologically completely resected. With 12 months median duration of follow-up, disease-free survival and overall survival rates at 12 months were 89% and 93% (nivolumab), and 93% and 100% (nivolumab and relatlimab). Both treatments were safe with grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events reported in 10% and 13% of patients per study arm. Exploratory analyses provided insights into biological processes triggered by preoperative immunotherapy. This study establishes the feasibility and safety of dual targeting of PD-1 and LAG-3 prior to lung cancer surgery.

Study EGAS00001007753

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