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• A Chromatin Accessibility Atlas of the Developing Human Telencephalon

  Gene expression differs between cell types and regions within complex tissues such as the developing brain. To discover regulatory elements underlying this specificity, we generated genome-wide maps of chromatin accessibility in nine anatomically-defined regions of the developing human telencephalon. Additionally, we defined the histone modification landscape of the prefrontal cortex and generated chromatin accessibility maps of its upper and deep layers. We predicted a subset of open chromatin regions (18%) that are most likely to be active enhancers, many of which are dynamic with 26% differing between early and late mid-gestation and 28% present in only one brain region. These predicted regulatory elements (pREs) are enriched proximal to genes with expression differences across developmental stages, regions, and cortical laminae; they harbor distinct sequence motifs that suggest potential upstream regulators. We leveraged this atlas to predict and validate novel regulatory elements of genes that control cortex laminar identity and genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These include enhancers proximal to FEZF2 and BCL11A that were validated in mouse, and an enhancer of ASD gene SLC6A1 containing two functional de novo mutations in individuals with ASD whose enhancer function we validated via CRISPRa. We also include data for transcription factor binding in mid-fetal cortex tissues, using CUT&RUN methods.

  Study phs002033

• Single_Cell_Sequencing_of_Sperm__scSperm_

  The aim of this project is to genotype and sequence single spermatozoa from two men, one in his twenties and the other in his seventies. The resulting data is used to quantify the mutations that have arisen in the gametes of both individuals in order to better understand the effect of aging on mutation rates and modes.Project Outline. In order to quantify mutations, semen from two individuals are sequenced. 48 single sperm cells are isolated from each individual, and their DNA is extracted. The resulting genomes are amplified using PicoPlex, GenomiPhi MDA, Repli-G MDA, and MALBAC. QC step is applied to check the quality of WGA DNA using standard Sequenom plex (26 SNPs). A subset of 32 amplification products which pass the intiall QC, are genotyped using Affymetrix SNP6 chips. 12 of the genotyped amplification products are also sequenced. In addition, one multi-cell sample per individual is sequenced as a reference and for validation purposes.Altogether, 12 single cell sperm genomes and two multi-cell genomes are sequenced, coming to a total of 14 genomes. Of the single cell sperm genomes, 2 are sequenced to 50x coverage, and the other 10 to 25x coverage. Both multi-cell genomes are sequenced to 25x coverage.

  Study EGAS00001000935

• Whole blood RNAseq from a large ALS case-control study at Univ of Michigan

  This dataset consists of 388 bulk RNA-seq data (sorted aligned BAM files) from whole blood of ALS participants meeting the Gold Coast definition of ALS during their clinical visit (n=204) and healthy controls (n=184) at the University of Michigan (UM). Samples were collected as part of the UM Pranger ALS Clinic between 2011-2021, and prepared either using poly-A selection of rRNA depletion (see Experiments). RNAseq was performed on the NovSeq 6000 S4 at the UM Advanced Genomics Core, resulting in 150bp paired-end reads. Raw reads were trimmed using Cutadapt (v2.3) and aligned to hg38 using STAR (v2.5.3a). Age provided is the age at blood sample collection date. The related paper Zhao, Y., et al. 2025 included 694 samples/participants, and 388 out of the 694 participants consented to share their individual-level data.

  Dataset EGAD50000001488

• 16S-based fecal microbiota composition

  The dataset reports the 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the fecal microbiota of donors from the Milieu Intérieur Cohort. The Milieu Intérieur cohort includes a total of 1,000 healthy individuals of western European ancestry, recruited in France as part of the Milieu Intérieur project. To assess their fecal microbiota composition, 16S rRNA profiles were generated from stool samples of 863 of the 1,000 donors. Human stool samples were produced at home no more than 24 hours before the scheduled medical visit and collected in a double-lined sealable bag maintaining strict anaerobic conditions. Upon reception at the clinical site, the fresh stool samples were aliquoted and stored immediately at -80°C. DNA was extracted from stool and barcoding PCR was carried out using indexed primers targeting the V3-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Equal volumes of normalized PCR reaction were pooled and thoroughly mixed. The amplicon libraries were sequenced on Illumina MiSeq.

  Dataset EGAD00001004979

• Paired-end Whole Exome-seq analysis of the 3D evolution of glioma cell populations. Part 2.

  Dataset contains paired-end Whole Exome sequencing data from 257 glioma samples from 28 patients. 26 normal blood samples are also included.

  Dataset EGAD00001009496

• Genetics of 24 hour urine composition

  Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of nephrolithiasis. This project will build on and extend our previous efforts (examining environmental risk factors for stone formation) by allowing us to study the risk of stone formation associated with specific genes and gene-environment interactions. We will take advantage of previously collected data in three large cohort studies: Nurses' Health Study I (n=121,000 women), Nurses' Health Study II (n=116,000 women), and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (n=51,000 men). Over a period of 17 to 26 years, information has been collected prospectively on important exposures including diet, family history, body size measures, past medical history, and medications. We have confirmed over 2000 incident cases of kidney stones in each cohort (DK59583, PI Curhan). Further, we have collected 24-hour urine samples from over 4100 stone formers and non-stone formers; the majority of participants have performed two collections. The primary objective of this project is to examine the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and the 24-hour urinary excretion of stone promoters (calcium and oxalate) and a stone inhibitor (citrate). The secondary objective is to explore the impact of interactions between the genetic factors and dietary factors on 24-hour urinary excretion of relevant lithogenic factors. These findings should provide new insight into regulation of these important factors and also into novel approaches for prevention of stone formation.

  Study phs000460

• Neoadjuvant combination PD-L1 plus CTLA-4 blockade in patients with cisplatin-ineligible operable urothelial carcinoma

  Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) is being tested in the neoadjuvant setting for patients with localized urothelial carcinoma (UC), with one study reporting data in cisplatin-ineligible patients who received anti PD-L1 monotherapy. The study reported that patients with bulky tumors, a known high-risk feature defined as greater than clinical T2 disease, had fewer responses, with pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 17%. Here, we report on the first pilot combination neoadjuvant trial (NCT02812420) with anti-PD-L1 (durvalumab) plus anti-CTLA-4 (tremelimumab) in cisplatin-ineligible patients, with all tumors identified as having high risk features (N=28). Primary endpoint was safety and we observed 6 of 28 patients (21%) with grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events, consisting of asymptomatic laboratory abnormalities (N=4), hepatitis and colitis (N=2). We also observed pCR of 37.5% and downstaging to pT1 or less in 58% of patients who completed surgery (N=24). In summary, we provide initial safety, efficacy and biomarker data with neoadjuvant combination anti-PD-L1 plus anti-CTLA-4, which warrants further development for patients with localized UC, especially cisplatin-ineligible patients with high-risk features who do not currently have an established standard-of-care neoadjuvant treatment. Publication: Gao et al. Neoadjuvant PD-L1 plus CTLA-4 blockade in patients with cisplatin-ineligible operable high-risk urothelial carcinoma. Nature Medicine volume 26, pages1845–1851(2020)

  Study EGAS00001004074

• Tremelimumab +/- durvalumab in combination with paclitaxel as immune induction in metastatic urothelial cancer: clinical and translational results of the ICRA trial

  DESCRIPTION: New therapeutic strategies for therapy-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) patients are still needed. In the phase I-II ICRA trial, we evaluated whether paclitaxel plus tremelimumab (T; anti-CTLA-4), with or without durvalumab (D; anti-PD-L1), could induce a tumor response in mUC patients who had already received platinum chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). After a dose-escalation safety phase, patients were randomized between three arms: A (n=20 after expansion) paclitaxel plus T750mg (cycles 2-8); B (n=12) paclitaxel plus T300mg (cycle 2) plus D1500mg (cycles 2-13); C (n=12) T750mg (cycles 1-7). The objective response rate in arm A was 26% (88% confidence interval (CI) = [14,36%]) versus 17% (88% CI = [3,42%]) in arm B and 8% (88% CI = [0.3,33%]) in arm C. Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in (A) 45%, (B) 75%, and (C) 25% of patients. Murine experiments showed attenuated tumor outgrowth for paclitaxel plus anti-CTLA-4 compared to monotherapy with either agent. Transcriptomic analyses showed upregulation of inflammation signatures in on-treatment tumor tissue biopsies. This study demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity in therapy-refractory mUC treated with paclitaxel plus high-dose anti-CTLA-4 and suggests immune induction may still be possible after failure to anti-PD-(L)1 therapy. PROJECT GOAL: We aimed to explore both potential biomarkers for response to combination ICB, as well as treatment dynamics to gain a better understanding of the effects of ICB on the urothelial cancer tumor microenvironment (TME).

  Study EGAS50000001574

• Exome-wide mutation analysis of cell-free DNA to simultaneously monitor the full spectrum of cancer treatment outcomes

  Purpose: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) offers a non-invasive approach to monitor cancer. Here we develop a method using whole-exome sequencing (WES) of cfDNA for simultaneously monitoring the full spectrum of cancer treatment outcomes, including MRD, recurrence, evolution, and second primary cancers. Experimental Design: Three simulation datasets were generated from 26 cancer patients to benchmark the detection performance of MRD/recurrence and second primary cancers. For further validation, cfDNA samples (n=76) from cancer patients (n=35) with six different cancer types were used for performance validation during various treatments.Results: We present a cfDNA-based cancer monitoring method, named cfTrack. Taking advantage of the broad genome coverage of WES data, cfTrack can sensitively detect MRD and cancer recurrence by integrating signals across known clonal tumor mutations of a patient. In addition, cfTrack detects tumor evolution and second primary cancers by de novo identifying emerging tumor mutations. A series of machine learning and statistical denoising techniques are applied to enhance the detection power. On the simulation data, cfTrack achieved an average AUC of 99% on the validation dataset and 100% on the independent dataset in detecting recurrence in samples with tumor fraction ≥0.05%. In addition, cfTrack yielded an average AUC of 88% in detecting second primary cancers in samples with tumor fraction ≥0.2%. On real data, cfTrack accurately monitors tumor evolution during treatment, which cannot be accomplished by previous methods.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that cfTrack can sensitively and specifically monitor the full spectrum of cancer treatment outcomes using exome-wide mutation analysis of cfDNA.

  Study EGAS00001005906

• Effects of Metformin on Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Profiles in Breast Cancer Survivors Enrolled in the Randomized Placebo-Controlled MetBreCS Trial

  RNA from snap-frozen breast tissue biopsies were purified after lysing by tissuelyser (Qiagen) and using RNA Purification Plus Kit (Norgen biotek CORP, 47700) with additional on-column DNase-I treatment (Qiagen, 79254) at 27 °C. RNA purity and integrity (RIN) were quantified using RNA 6000 Nano kit (Agilent Technologies, 5067-1511) on the 4200 TapeStation (Agilent, Santa Clara, USA). Library preparation and 2x75bp paired-end of 160 ng total RNA input was performed using Illumina Stranded Total RNA Prep Ligation kit and Illumina HiSeq4000 system (Illumina, Sand Diego, CA, USA). RNA sequencing data from HiSeq4000 were quality checked and aligned to GRCh38 (GCA_000001405.15) reference genome using HISAT2 2.0.5 and submitted to subread v.1.5.2 for feature counts calculation. Finally, 36 paired biopsies samples (metformin n=26 and placebo n=12) were sequenced and included in the final analyses.

  Dataset EGAD50000001274

• Count Me In (CMI): The Metastatic Prostate Cancer (MPC) Project (CMI-MPCproject)

  Count Me In - The Metastatic Prostate Cancer Project: A Patient-Driven Research Initiative to Accelerate Metastatic Prostate Cancer Research The Metastatic Prostate Cancer Project (MPCproject; http://mpcproject.org/) is a research study that empowers men with metastatic and advanced prostate cancer to partner directly with researchers by sharing their samples and clinical information, with the ultimate goal of accelerating scientific discoveries that have clinical impact. The MPCproject enables any man with metastatic or advanced prostate cancer in the US and Canada to participate in cutting-edge genomic and molecular research, regardless of where they live. Metastatic or advanced prostate cancer patients visit the project website and complete an online questionnaire of basic information about themselves and their cancer. 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. Whole exome sequencing is performed on tumor DNA, germline DNA, and cfDNA, and 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 with updates on the study.

  Study phs001939

• Whole Genome sequencing of individuals from Carlantino, Italy

  This study includes whole-genome sequencing data (at 4x depth) of 100 individuals from an Italian genetic isolate population (Carlantino, abbreviated CARL) of the Italian Network of Genetic Isolates (INGI). The INGI-CARL_SEQ project aims to combine available extensive genetic and phenotypic data to the latest high-throughput genome sequencing technology and ad hoc statistical analysis to identify new rare genetic variants underlying complex traits.

  Dataset EGAD00001000774

• Prematurity and Respiratory Outcome Program: Clinical Research Center Study of Functional and Lymphocytic Markers of Respiratory Morbidity in Hyperoxic Preemies

  Approximately 550,000 babies born prematurely each year in the United States suffer from birth at a time in development when the respiratory tract and immune system would normally be protected and maintained in a naïve state. This project is a component of the NIH Prematurity and Respiratory Outcomes Program (PROP) whose goals are the identification of disease mechanisms and biomarkers to stratify premature infants, at the time of discharge, for their risk of subsequent pulmonary morbidity. This Clinical Research Center (CRC) project will investigate prematurity-dependent alterations in cellular innate and adaptive immune systems resulting in increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and environmental irritants, and leading to respiratory morbidity in the first year of life. Prior studies have established developmental (maturity) and disease-related changes in circulating and pulmonary lymphocyte populations, but a comprehensive assessment of their relationship to disease risk/outcome has not been undertaken. We hypothesize that cellular and molecular immuno-maturity is altered due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors presented by premature birth in such a way as to reduce resistance to viral infections and to promote cytotoxic damage to the lung. We will evaluate immunologic maturity by comprehensively phenotyping lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood sampled at premature delivery, at the time of discharge from the hospital and at twelve months corrected age. The lymphocytic phenotype will be analyzed particularly in the context of gestational age and maternal-fetal stressors capable of modulating oxidative stress (oxygen exposure, infection and environmental tobacco smoke exposure). Additionally, we will assess changes in the molecular phenotype of isolated CD8 lymphocytes, a cell type preferentially recruited to the lungs of premature infants and capable of contributing to disease pathogenesis, by genome-wide expression profiling, in order to uncover novel disease pathways and define a gene expression signature associated with disease risk. We propose to build a statistical model, using cellular and molecular phenotypes and additional clinical variables, for stratifying risk of lung morbidity within the first year of life. Finally, we will assess the development of the gut microbiome in the preterm subjects to correlate with the observation of development of the adaptive immune system.

  Study phs001297

• Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA)

  The Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) is one of four networks in the NHLBI Family-Blood Pressure Program (FBPP). GENOA's long-term objective is to elucidate the genetics of target organ complications of hypertension, including both atherosclerotic and arteriolosclerotic complications involving the heart, brain, kidneys, and peripheral arteries. The longitudinal GENOA Study recruited European-American and African-American sibships with at least 2 individuals with clinically diagnosed essential hypertension before age 60 years. All other members of the sibship were invited to participate regardless of their hypertension status. Participants were diagnosed with hypertension if they had either 1) a previous clinical diagnosis of hypertension by a physician with current anti-hypertensive treatment, or 2) an average systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg based on the second and third readings at the time of their clinic visit. The Family Blood Pressure Program (FBPP), GENOA's parent program, is an unprecedented collaboration to identify genes influencing blood pressure (BP) levels, hypertension, and its target-organ damage. This program has conducted over 21,000 physical examinations, assembled a shared database of several hundred BP and hypertension-related phenotypic measurements, completed genome-wide linkage analyses for BP, hypertension, and hypertension associated risk factors and complications, and published over 130 manuscripts on program findings. The FBPP emerged from what was initially funded as four independent networks of investigators (HyperGEN, GenNet, SAPPHIRe and GENOA) competing to identify genetic determinants of hypertension in multiple ethnic groups. Realizing the greater likelihood of success through collaboration, the investigators created a single confederation with program-wide and network-specific goals.

  Study phs001238

• Recurrent somatic DICER1 mutations in non-epithelial ovarian tumors

  Background: Germline truncating mutations in DICER1, an RNase III-type endoribonuclease essential for processing of microRNAs, are seen in families with the pleuropulmonary blastoma-family tumor and dysplasia syndrome; these individuals have a propensity to develop non-epithelial ovarian tumors (i.e. sex-cord stromal and germ cell tumors). Methods: We sequenced the whole transcriptomes or exomes of 14 non-epithelial ovarian tumors and noted closely clustered mutations in the RNase IIIb domain of DICER1 in four cases. Using Sanger sequencing, we then analyzed additional ovarian tumors for mutations in this region. The impact of the mutations on the enzymatic activity of Dicer1 was determined using in vitro RNA cleavage assays. Results: RNase IIIb domain DICER1 mutations were found in 30/102 non-epithelial ovarian tumors (29%), predominantly Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (26/43, 60%), including 4/4 from individuals with germline DICER1 mutations. The mutations were restricted to metal binding sites within the RNase IIIb catalytic centres critical for miRNA interaction and cleavage, and were somatic in all 14 cases where germline DNA was available for testing. Of 266 epithelial ovarian and endometrial cancers tested, one case, an ovarian carcinosarcoma, had a hotspot mutation. In vitro, the mutant DICER proteins showed reduced RNase IIIb activity but retained RNase IIIa activity. Conclusions: Somatic missense mutations of the RNase IIIb domain of DICER1 are common in non-epithelial ovarian tumors. Genetic, pathologic, and functional evidence suggest that these mutations do not obliterate DICER1 function, rather, they alter it in specific cell types, a novel mechanism through which perturbed microRNA expression is oncogenic.

  Study EGAS00001000135

• CIDR: Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism Case Control Study

  This is a case-control study of alcoholism, in which the subjects have been drawn from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), a large, ongoing family-based study that includes subjects from seven sites around the US. COGA has gathered detailed, standardized data on study participants, including diagnostic and neurophysiological assessments. This sample has already proved successful in identifying several genes that influence the risk for alcoholism and neurophysiological endophenotypes, which have been independently replicated. COGA data were included as part of two Genetic Analysis Workshops, and the phenotypes are familiar to the genetics community. Alcoholic probands were recruited from treatment facilities, assessed by personal interview, and after securing permission, other family members were also assessed. A set of comparison families was drawn from the same communities as the families recruited through an alcoholic proband. Assessment involved a detailed personal interview developed for this project, the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA), which gathers detailed information on alcoholism related symptoms along with other drugs and psychiatric symptoms. Many participants also came to the laboratories for electroencephalographic studies. Neurophysiological features that have been shown to be useful endophenotypes for which we have linkage and in some cases association results are included on a subset of the case-control sample: the beta power of the resting electroencephalogram (EEG), the P3(00) amplitude of the visual event-related potential (ERP), and the theta and delta event-related oscillations (EROs) underlying the P3 (See Porjesz et al., 2005; Porjesz and Rangaswamy, 2007 for reviews). A brief description of COGA is in Edenberg, H. J. (2002) The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism: an update. Alcohol Res Health 26, 214-218., Bierut, LJ, NL Saccone, JP Rice, A Goate, T Foroud, HJ Edenberg, L Almasy, PM Conneally, R Crowe, V Hesselbrock, T-K Li, JI Nurnberger, Jr, B Porjesz, MA Schuckit, J Tischfield, H Begleiter, and T Reich (2002) Defining alcohol-related phenotypes in humans: The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. Alcohol Res Health 26, 208-213. Edenberg HJ and Foroud T (2006) The genetics of alcoholism: identifying specific genes through family studies. Addiction Biology 11, 386-396. This case-control sample of biologically unrelated individuals was drawn from COGA subjects. All cases meet DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence. Controls are individuals who have consumed alcohol, but did not meet any definition of alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse, nor did they meet any DSM-IIIR or DSM-IV definition of abuse or dependence for other drugs (except nicotine). All cases and controls have undergone identical clinical assessments. Many individuals in this case-control sample have not previously been genotyped. The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) has four Co-Principal Investigators: B. Porjesz, V. Hesselbrock, H. Edenberg, L. Bierut. COGA includes nine different centers where data collection, analysis, and storage take place. The nine sites and Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators are: University of Connecticut (V. Hesselbrock); Indiana University (H.J. Edenberg, J. Nurnberger Jr., T. Foroud); University of Iowa (S. Kuperman); SUNY Downstate (B. Porjesz); Washington University in St. Louis (L. Bierut, A. Goate, J. Rice); University of California at San Diego (M. Schuckit); Howard University (R. Taylor); Rutgers University (J. Tischfield); Southwest Foundation (L. Almasy). Q. Max Guo serves as the NIAAA Staff Collaborator. This national collaborative study is supported by the NIH Grant U10AA008401 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Funding support for genotyping, which was performed at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Inherited Disease Research, was provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the NIH GEI (U01HG004438),and the NIH contract "High throughput genotyping for studying the genetic contributions to human disease" (HHSN268200782096C). COGA has over 250 publications listed at www.niaaagenetics.org

  Study phs000125

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC (LGG) as an immune adjuvant for influenza vaccination in the elderly

  Double blind Randomized Controlled trial to evaluate the safety of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 (LGG) vs placebo in elderly receiving Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (TIV) (study 1) or Double blind Randomized Controlled trial to evaluate the safety of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 (LGG) vs. placebo in elderly subjects receiving Live Attenuated Influenza vaccine (LAIV) (study 2). Healthy elderly volunteers, ages 65-80 were enrolled as outpatients in two clinical studies in which they received the TIV vaccine (study 1, n=28) or the LAIV vaccine (study 2, n=30). In each of the 2 studies, subjects were randomized to receive either LGG capsules containing 1 x 1010 CFU, twice daily for 28 days, or matching placebo capsules twice daily for the same period of time. The study subjects completed a daily diary, telephone calls, and study visits at the Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Research Centers at baseline, days 21, 28 and 56 and month 5 for the TIV study and baseline, days 21, 28, and 56 for the LAIV study. During each visit, the subject diary, interim history, potential adverse effects and concomitant medications were reviewed and vital signs and a physical examination were performed. Routine blood tests were obtained to monitor for safety during visits and nasopharyngeal and stool samples were collected for microbiome analysis. Volunteers in both studies who were interested in participating in the effect of LGG probiotic on the Human whole Blood Transcriptome substudy also had blood drawn for DNA and RNA extraction, after signing the substudy consent form. The main objectives of the TIV and LAIV studies were to assess the safety and tolerability of 2 x 1010 CFU LGG administered orally to elderly subjects for 28 days after administration of TIV (study 1) or LAIV (study 2). Secondary objectives were to evaluate the richness and microbial diversity in nasopharyngeal and stool specimens using pyrosequencing, and to compare cytokine production in response to bacterial stimulation by following the kinetics of mRNA expression of pro and anti-inflammatory genes and different signaling pathways, in relation to changes in stool Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. The studies were reviewed and approved by the Partners Human Research Committee (TIV study IRB # 2010p001694 and LAIV study IRB # 2011p002849) and were registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01368029 and NCT01545349, respectively).

  Study phs000981

• Transcriptomic Profile of Whole Blood Cells from Elderly Subjects fed Probiotic Bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 (LGG) in a Phase I Open Label Study

  Open label study to evaluate the safety of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 (LGG) in elderly subjects. Fifteen healthy elderly volunteers, ages 65-80 were enrolled in a study in which they received LGG capsules containing 1 x 1010 CFU, twice daily for 28 days and were followed through day 56. The study subjects completed a daily diary, a telephone call on study days 3, 7 and 14 and study visits at the Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Research Center at baseline, day 28 and day 56. During each visit, the subject diary, interim history, potential adverse effects and concomitant medications were reviewed and vital signs and a physical examination were performed. Routine blood tests were obtained to monitor for safety during visits and nasopharyngeal and stool samples were collected for microbiome analysis. Volunteers interested in participating in the effect of LGG probiotic on the Human whole Blood Transcriptome substudy also had blood drawn for DNA and RNA extraction, after signing the substudy consent form. The main objective of the study was to assess the safety and tolerability of 2 x 1010 CFU LGG administered orally to elderly subjects for 28 days. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the richness and microbial diversity in nasopharyngeal and stool specimens using pyrosequencing, and to compare cytokine production in response to bacterial stimulation by following the kinetics of mRNA expression of pro and anti-inflammatory genes and different signaling pathways, in relation to changes in stool Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. The study was reviewed and approved by the Partners Human Research Committee (IRB # 2010P001695) and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01274598). The main results regarding the clinical signs and safety of intervention is published in PLoS One. 2014 Dec 1;9(12):e113456. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113456. eCollection 2014. PMID: 25438151. RNA sequencing for transcriptome analysis was only done in 11 of the 15 subjects as RNA integrity and quantity had to be optimal for the three times where blood was collected in order for a subject to be included in the study. The information regarding the microbiome data associated with this study is presented in a separate paper, which can be found at dbGaP study accession, phs000896, and PMID: 25873374.

  Study phs000928

• Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Cardiovascular: SWISS-AF/SWISS-AF-PVI/BEAT-AF

  This study is a part of NHGRI's Centers for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG), 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 (AF), congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes. AF will affect between 6-12 million individuals in the US by 2050. AF is also 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.pdf Three collections were brought together to form Swiss atrial fibrillation cases: SWISS-AF, SWISS-AF-PVI, and BEAT-AF. SWISS-AF is a prospective observational, multicentric cohort study in Switzerland to increase our knowledge on structural brain damage and its changes over time in patients with atrial fibrillation. Overall, 2400 patients with documented atrial fibrillation aged >65 years will be included and followed on a yearly basis. SWISS-AF-PVI is a registry of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter-based ablation of atrial fibrillation (pulmonary vein isolation) to determine long-term success rates of catheter-based ablation of atrial fibrillation (pulmonary vein isolation) and to evaluate factors associated with long-term success of catheter-based ablation of atrial fibrillation (pulmonary vein isolation). BEAT-AF is a prospective observational, multicenter cohort study in Switzerland. Overall, 1550 patients with documented atrial fibrillation were enrolled in seven study centers. The main aim of this study is to investigate the therapy and the medical consequences of patients with atrial fibrillation. Samples from all three collections were sent to The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to generate genetic data using whole exome sequencing and whole genome genotyping (Infinium Global Screening Array); all cases with atrial fibrillation.

  Study phs002242

• Discovery and Characterization of Genetic Risk Loci in Sjogren's Syndrome

  The Sjögren's Genetics Network (SGENE) is an international collaboration focused on identifying and understanding the genetic variations that influence Sjögren’s pathology. Collectively, SGENE collaborators from 26 different sites (5 in the United States; 21 in foreign countries) have recruited a large cohort of geographically diverse participants of European ancestry. Recruitment, sample collection, and genotyping were performed at unique SGENE sites in compliance with local institutional review board approval. High-density SNP genotyping data were collated by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) and used to perform a GWAS of Sjögren's of European ancestry. Participants underwent extensive medical assessment for Sjögren's Syndrome using internationally accepted American-European Consensus Group (AECG) classification criteria or the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria. Data quality control, GWAS imputation using the Haplotype Reference Consortium, panel version 1.1, and dbGaP preparation/posting were performed at the OMRF. To facilitate research focused on understanding the genetics of Sjögren's syndrome, the Genomic Summary Results from this GWAS are being made available herein using a total of n=3232 Sjögren's cases and n=17,481 controls. A total of n=8962 controls were obtained from our SGENE collaborators or from our previous study (Lessard, et al. Nature Genetics 2013. PMID: 24097067). To achieve adequate case-to-control ratios for the GWAS analyses, population-based control GWAS data were also obtained from dbGaP (phs000428.v2.p2; phs000672.v1.p1; phs000196.v3.p1; phs000187.v1.p1). In accordance with IRB approval, subject consents, and data sharing restrictions, we are also making available the individual-level genotyping data for a subset of Sjögren's cases (n=1,199) that were genotyped at the OMRF.

  Study phs002723

• Genomic platform specific polygenic risk scores impact breast cancer risk stratification

  Background: At present, there is no consensus on which genotyping platform should serve as the standard for clinical polygenic risk score (PRS) implementation. Previous studies have compared the overall performance and concordance of different genotyping and sequencing technologies; however, these analyses have generally averaged the results over the whole genome. We evaluated differences in a 313-variant breast cancer PRS (PRS313) across genomic platforms and their impact on risk stratification. Methods: We compare PRS313 derived from genotyping arrays (Global Screening Array [GSA], OncoArray-500K [OncoArray], Global Diversity Array [GDA], custom Axiom_PrecipV1 array [ThermoFisher]) and low-coverage genome sequencing (lc-WGS) in 2 cell lines and 92 individuals. Probes are designed for all variants on ThermoFisher (success rate: 259/313). Sanger sequencing profiles indels. Concordance of high-risk classification (PRS313scoresum > 0.6) across platforms is assessed using Kappa statistics. Results: In saliva samples, indel concordance with Sanger sequencing varies widely (Kappa: 0.007-1.000). PRS313-ThermoFisher is predictable from other platforms using linear models, despite systematic differences. Greater agreement is observed between arrays with high imputation overlap (e.g., GDA ~ GSA slope=0.986). Agreement in high-risk classification before mean correction is moderate (Fleiss's Kappa=0.552) and improves after mean correction (Kappa=0.650). Arrays with similar designs show higher agreement before mean correction (Kappa=0.745). Mean correction narrows high-risk proportions from 4-45% to 15-21%. Overall, 26 of 92 samples are classified as high risk on at least one platform, but only 7 are high risk across all. When restricting to identical variants across all platforms for PRS313 calculation, the corresponding number of high-risk individuals are 24 and 11. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that platform-specific variability can influence PRS313 estimates to potentially reclassify individuals around clinically relevant thresholds.

  Study EGAS00001008439

• IMCISION DNAseq

  Standard-of-care (SOC) surgery for locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is intensive and results in 30‒50% five-year overall survival. Anti-PD1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) durably improves survival rates in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. We report on the non-randomized phase Ib/IIa IMCISION trial (NCT03003637) of 32 HNSCC patients treated with two doses neoadjuvant nivolumab (NIVO MONO, n=6, phase Ib arm A) or two doses of nivolumab plus a single dose of ipilimumab (COMBO, n=26, 6 in phase Ib arm B and 20 in phase IIa) prior to surgery and, if indicated, adjuvant radiotherapy. Neoadjuvant ICB was feasible in all phase Ib patients, meeting the phase Ib primary feasibility endpoint. One phase IIa patient had progressive disease precluding surgery. Primary tumor pathological response (phase IIa primary endpoint), defined as the % change in viable tumor cells from baseline biopsy to on-treatment resection, was evaluable in 29 patients. . We observed a major pathological response (MPR, 90‒100% response) in 8/23 (35%) evaluable COMBO and 1/6 (17%) NIVO MONO patients. None of the patients with MPR after NIVO MONO or COMBO developed a tumor relapse after 24.0 months median follow-up. FDG-PET-based total lesion glycolysis identified MPR patients prior to surgery. A baseline AID/APOBEC-associated mutational profile and an on-treatment decrease in hypoxia signature expression were observed in MPR patients. Our data indicate that neoadjuvant NIVO MONO and COMBO are safe in HNSCC, and that particularly COMBO ICB shows encouraging effectivity. IMCISION provides rationales for future HNSCC trials aiming to pre-operatively select patients with a likely MPR after neoadjuvant ICB for de-escalation of SOC.

  Study EGAS00001005466

• Exome sequencing of uterine leiomyosarcomas

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

  Study EGAS00001001612

• Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C)

  Reprinted from http://www.haltctrial.org/ Purpose The Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term use of pegylated interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients who failed to respond to previous interferon therapy. The HALT-C Trial was developed to determine whether prolonged interferon therapy altered histological and clinical outcomes in a group of patients who had failed to eradicate hepatitis C virus with previous interferon treatment. Study Hypotheses In patients with chronic hepatitis C and bridging fibrosis who failed to eradicate the virus with previous interferon therapy, long-term treatment with interferon is safe and can prevent progression to cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C who failed to eradicate the virus with previous interferon therapy, long-term treatment with interferon is safe and can reduce the risks of hepatic decompensation or of hepatocellular carcinoma. Study Design 1145 patients with chronic HCV and advanced hepatic fibrosis (Ishak stage 3-6) who failed to respond to previous treatment with interferon were enrolled at 10 clinical centers and entered into a Lead-in phase. They were treated with a combination of pegylated interferon (Pegasys®, Hoffmann-La Roche) 180 µg/week and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day) for 24 weeks. Patients who had no detectable HCV-RNA at week 20 continued on combination therapy until week 48. 662 patients who did not clear virus were randomly assigned at week 24 to either continue treatment with pegylated interferon alone (90 µg/week) for an additional 42 months, or to have treatment discontinued. All patients were followed at 3-month intervals following randomization. Liver biopsy was performed at baseline and after 1.5 and 3.5 years of treatment. Because of slower than expected enrollment and the approval by the FDA of peginterferon alfa-2b after the start of the trial, we modified the study protocol in three ways. First, criteria for admission to the trial were liberalized to allow patients to enter the trial with lower platelet and white blood cell counts than had been initially considered safe or tolerable. Second, 151 Lead-in patients and those continuing on therapy after 24 weeks who demonstrated return of viremia during or after their 48-week treatment period (called "Breakthrough" or "Relapse" patients, respectively) were allowed to return to enter the randomized trial. Third, 237 patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2b (or with peginterferon alfa-2a in licensing trials) outside the HALT-C Trial who in other respects met all study criteria, having received the equivalent of Trial Lead-in period therapy, were allowed to enter the long-term trial as "Express" patients. A total 1050 patients were randomized. Those patients who completed Month 48 were offered an "extended follow-up (observation only)" until October 2009. These visits will primarily be to identify outcome events, and to provide information to patients concerning the current status of the trial. Some questionnaires, blood tests, and an ultrasonogram will be performed. Quarterly (every 3 months) Interval history of complications, adverse events Current medications Brief physical examination Laboratory tests: liver panel, CBC, INR, AFP Child-Pugh Score Stored serum Annual Complete physical examination Ultrasound of liver 1.5 years (M24 visit, middle of study) Liver biopsy: formalin fixed histology, frozen liver tissue (subset of patients) 3.5 years (M48, end of study) Liver biopsy: formalin fixed histology, frozen liver tissue (subset of patients) Endoscopy: evaluate esophageal varices and portal hypertension After Month 48 Observation only (no treatment) to determine clinical outcomes Clinic visit every 6 months with current medications, brief PE, liver panel, CBC, AFP, stored Serum Ultrasound of liver every 6 months Outcome Variables Primary outcome variables to be assessed in the two groups of patients include: Development of cirrhosis on liver biopsy (progression of Ishak fibrosis score by 2 points or more) Development of hepatic decompensation, as shown by: Sustained increase in the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score to 7 points or higher Variceal hemorrhage Ascites Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis Hepatic encephalopathy Development of hepatocellular carcinoma Death Secondary outcomes include quality of life, serious adverse events, events requiring dose reductions, and development of presumed hepatocellular carcinoma.

  Study phs000430

• Natural History and Structural Functional Relationships in Fabry Renal Disease

  Fabry disease is a rare genetic disease with deficient activity of an enzyme, which leads to accumulation of inclusions in different organs including kidney, heart and vessels. The purpose of the study is to conduct a cross-sectional investigation of the natural history of Fabry renal disease and measure renal function and renal structure in male and female Fabry's patients. The study will utilize the resultant cross-sectional information to determine the renal structural parameters or composite of parameters that most closely relates to the onset and progression of clinical renal disease in Fabry patients. This is an observational, cross-sectional study of 60 individuals with Fabry disease. Those participating in the study will be evaluated during a one day visit and on a PRN basis. The primary study objectives are as follows: To study the natural history of Fabry renal disease and measure renal function and renal structure in male and female Fabry's patients. These patients would encompass the broad age range from childhood to adulthood and from normal renal function to moderate renal insufficiency [serum creatinine (SCr) ≤ 2.5mg/dl (chronic kidney disease or CKD3)]. To utilize the resultant cross-sectional information to determine the renal structural parameters or composite of parameters that most closely relates to the onset and progression of clinical renal disease in Fabry patients.

  Study phs001333