7190 results for "canc*"

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• Longitudinal Single-Cell Profiling Reveals Molecular Heterogeneity and Tumor-Immune Evolution in Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

  The mechanisms driving therapeutic resistance and poor outcomes of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are incompletely understood. We characterize the cellular and molecular heterogeneity within and across patients and delineate the dynamic evolution of tumor and immune cell compartments at single cell resolution in longitudinal specimens from ibrutinib-sensitive patients and non-responders. Temporal activation of multiple cancer hallmark pathways and acquisition of 17q are observed in a refractory MCL. Multi-platform validation is performed at genomic and cellular levels in PDX models and larger patient cohorts. We demonstrate that the molecular targeting of BIRC5/survivin, locates at 17q and upregulates in resistant MCL tumor cells, results in marked tumor inhibition in preclinical models. In addition, we discovere notable differences in the tumor microenvironment including progressive dampening of CD8+ T cells and aberrant cell-to-cell communication networks in refractory MCLs. This study reveales diverse and dynamic tumor and immune programs underlying therapy resistance in MCL.

  Study EGAS00001005019

• Bottleneck_Sequencing_Of_Human_Tissue__Wgs_

  Bottleneck sequencing of human tissue including neurons, cord blood, sperm This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001004066

• Kalirin-RAC controls nucleokinetic migration in ADRN-type neuroblastoma

  The migrational propensity of neuroblastoma is affected by cell identity, but the mechanisms behind the divergence remain unknown. Using RNAi and time-lapse imaging, we show that ADRN-type NB cells exhibit RAC1- and kalirin-dependent nucleokinetic (NUC) migration that relies on several integral components of neuronal migration. Inhibition of NUC migration by RAC1 and kalirin-GEF1 inhibitors occurs without hampering cell proliferation and ADRN identity. Using three clinically-relevant expression dichotomies, we reveal that most of up-regulated mRNAs in RAC1- and kalirin-GEF1-suppressed ADRN-type NB cells are associated with low-risk characteristics. The computational analysis shows that, in a context of overall gene set poverty, the upregulomes in RAC1- and kalirin-GEF1-suppressed ADRN-type cells are a batch of AU-rich elements (ARE)-containing mRNAs, which suggests a link between NUC migration and mRNA stability. GSEA-based search for vulnerabilities reveals prospective weak points in RAC1- and kalirin-GEF1-suppressed ADRN-type NB cells, including activities of H3K27- and DNA methyltransferases. Altogether, these data support the introduction of NUC inhibitors into cancer treatment research.

  Study EGAS00001005023

• Targeted sequencing of paired tumour/blood of 78 Ta stage bladder cancer patients

  In continuation of our whole-exome and targeted sequencing study on non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, we carried out this targeted paired tumour/blood sequencing study including 78 Ta stage bladder cancer patients. Agilent’s SureDesign tool was used to design a 1.133 Mb SureSelect custom capture for all coding exons of the 140 selected candidate genes.

  Study EGAS00001005766

• Keratinocyte_CRISPR_screens

  Immortalised HaCaT keratinocytes were transduced with Cas9 and the CRISPR-KO v1.1 genome-wide gRNA library. The gRNA library was prepared from genomic DNA isolated 14 days post library transduction. gRNA representation will be compared to the original CRISPR-KO v1.1 library to reveal genes essential for HaCaT survival and growth.

  Study EGAS00001002714

• CRC GWAS on the Spanish population

  Genome-wide association study performed on the EPICOLON2 cohort, comprising colorectal cancer cases and matched controls of Spanish origin.

  Study EGAS00001003633

• Defining the metastasome in colorectal cancer: Implications for hypotheses on metastasis evolution and personalized therapy (HIPO-032)

  Personalized cancer therapy aims at individual genetic changes characterizing primary cancers. Still, however, metastasis is the major clinically unmet problem, also due to an incomplete understanding of its molecular evolution.This study is the first to define the metastasis-specific whole genome landscape of human colorectal primary vs. matched metastatic lesions.Protein coding, ncRNA genes and 3’UTRs harbored about a third each of single nucleotide variations (SNVs)/indels, 19% of them being metastasis-specific. We found novel mutational hills among ncRNAs and 3’UTRs, copy number changes able to explain changes in microRNA expression in metastases, and novel metastasis-specific mutations in the 3’UTRs on important cancer signalling genes. Some metastatic lesions showed targetable mutations not detected in the primaries. Analysis of mutual exclusivity patterns supported a model that has progressive alterations in important colorectal cancer genes and revealed new partners. Metastatic lesions were enriched in SNVs, specific structural variations, and alterations in genes affecting cell adhesion and extracellular matrix interaction.Furthermore, a hepatic stellate activation cascade was enriched in metastases, suggesting genetic programs for site-specific colonization. Allele frequency distribution and mutational signature analysis suggests a common ancestor clone to both the primary tumor and the metastasis, with additional mutagenesis ongoing in both sites independently. Taken together, our results significantly add to hypothesis generation on metastasis evolution, and suggest novel metastasis-specific genomic changes which would be missed by current personalized therapy concepts. (HIPO-032)

  Study EGAS00001002717

• Defective Homologous Recombination DNA Repair as Therapeutic Target in Advanced-Stage Chordoma (HIPO_021)

  HIPO project: HIPO_021 Importance: Chordomas are rare tumors of the axial skeleton and skull base with few therapeutic options and no clinically validated molecular drug targets. The value of comprehensive genomic analyses for guiding medical therapy of patients with advanced-stage chordoma is unknown.Objective: To identify therapeutically tractable genetic lesions in a cohort of chordoma patients within a genomics-guided precision oncology program and to document the outcome of individualized, molecularly targeted chordoma therapy.Design, Setting, and Participants: We performed whole-exome sequencing of tumor and matched germline control samples from seven patients with locally advanced or metastatic chordoma who were enrolled in a cross-institutional molecular stratification registry trial for younger adults with advanced-stage cancer across all histologies and patients with rare tumors. All patients were heavily pretreated and had progressive disease prior to molecular analysis.Interventions: Individualized medical therapy was administered according to the patients’ molecular profiles.Main Outcomes and Measures: Candidate therapeutic targets identified by whole-exome sequencing and response to genotype-directed therapy.Results: All patients harbored alterations of two or more genes known to be involved in DNA repair via homologous recombination (HR), including heterozygous deletions of ERCC6, FANC family members, RAD51L (n = 6), BRCA2 (n = 5), ATR, CHEK2, RAD18, RAD51B, and XRCC3 (n = 4); inactivating PTEN mutations coupled with loss of heterozygosity (n = 2); and pathogenic germline variants in BRCA2 (n = 1), NBN (n = 1), and CHEK2 (n = 1) that were accompanied by somatic deletion of the corresponding wild-type alleles. Consistently, a mutational signature associated with defective HR was enriched in all samples and co-occurred with extensive genomic instability, as evidenced by HR deficiency scores and high numbers of large-scale state transitions. These results prompted off-label treatment with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib in a patient whose tumor was refractory to irradiation and systemic treatment with imatinib, which led to a prolonged response and substantial clinical improvement.Conclusions and Relevance: Advanced-stage chordomas are frequently characterized by genomic imprints of defective HR DNA repair. HR deficiency represents a new therapeutic opportunity in this intractable disease through repositioning of PARP inhibitors that warrants further exploration in clinical trials.

  Study EGAS00001002720

• Single-cell RNA sequencing of 22 Hodgkin lymphoma tumors and 5 reactive lymph nodes

  Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by an extensively dominant tumor microenvironment (TME) composed of different types of non-cancerous immune cells with rare malignant cells. Characterization of the cellular components and their spatial relationship is crucial to understanding crosstalk and therapeutic targeting in the TME. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of more than 127,000 cells from 22 HL tissue specimens and 5 reactive lymph nodes, profiling for the first time the phenotype of the HL-specific immune microenvironment at single-cell resolution. Library preparation was performed using the 10x Genomics Chromium system, and Illumina sequencing was used to generate 3' gene expression data for every cell. Downstream analysis was performed in R to identify HL-specific microenvironment patterns and identify novel cell populations.

  Study EGAS00001004085

• Stromal cell diversity associated with immune evasion in human triple‐negative breast cancer

  Study EGAS00001005061

• Extracellular transcriptome in seminal plasma for non-invasive prostate cancer diagnosis

  A diagnostic non-invasive biomarker test for prostate cancer at an early stage, with high sensitivity and specificity, would improve diagnostic decision making. Extracellular RNAs present in seminal plasma might contain biomarker potential for the accurate detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. So far, the extracellular messenger RNA (mRNA) profile of seminal plasma has not been interrogated for its biomarker potential in the context of prostate cancer. Here, we investigate the mRNA transcriptome in seminal plasma samples obtained from prostate cancer patients (n=25), patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (n=26) and individuals without prostatic disease (n=6). Seminal plasma harbors a complex mRNA repertoire that reflects prostate as its tissue of origin. The endogenous RNA content is higher in the prostate cancer samples compared to the control samples. Prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3), a long non-coding RNA with prostate cancer-specific overexpression, and ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), known to be involved in the prostate cancer pathogenesis, were more abundant in the prostate cancer group. In addition, twelve high confidence fusion transcripts could be detected in prostate cancer samples, including the bona-fide prostate cancer fusion transcript TMPRSS2-ERG. Our findings provide proof-of-principle that the extracellular transcriptome of seminal plasma can reveal information of an underlying prostate cancer.

  Study EGAS00001005277

• Genomic landscape of inflammatory breast cancer by whole-genome sequencing

  Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, characterized by a highly invasive and metastatic phenotype, but little is known about its genetic drivers. Here we report whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 20 newly diagnosed IBC biopsies to characterize for the first time the entire genomic landscape of this disease.

  Study EGAS00001004117

• INSIGHT: VHL Case Report

  The overall goal of this study is to uncover contributors to inherited cancer through analysis of individuals and families with, or at risk of, a hereditary cancer syndrome. In addition, we hope to elucidate novel mechanisms of tumourigenesis in hereditary cancer patients. This specific report highlights a rare case of VHL mosaicism and shows the value of tissue testing in VHL variant negative cases.

  Study EGAS00001005895

• Circulating tumor cell copy-number heterogeneity in ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer resistant to ALK inhibitors

  Gatekeeper mutations are identified in only 50% of the cases at resistance to Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are relevant tools to identify additional resistance mechanisms and can be sequenced at the single-cell level. Here, we provide in-depth investigation of copy number alteration (CNA) heterogeneity in phenotypically characterized CTCs at resistance to ALK-TKIs in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

  Study EGAS00001005301

• The genomic and radiomic complexity of multifocal prostate cancer

  Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and molecular prognostic tests are emerging to guide screening and prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis, however their efficacy and cross validation requires further assessment in the context of intraprostatic heterogeneity and patient prognosis. To evaluate the molecular features that make prostate tumors visible to mpMRI, we established an mpMRI-blind multicore collection and performed low pass whole genome, exome, transcriptome and methylation profiling of 14 lesions and 23 representative cores from 6 PCa patients. Our results show that diagnosis based on mpMRI does not capture the genomic complexity of tumors, and reveal that commercial prognostic signature results based on single-biopsy assessments are insufficient to define risk of progression. Altogether, our study supports the use of a multi-biopsy assessment in both mpMRI visible and non-visible areas in order to provide a truly personalised diagnosis

  Study EGAS00001002767

• An integrated molecular study of 20 hepatoblastoma pairs using whole genome sequencing and RNA sequencing

  Hepatoblastoma is an uncommon malignant liver cancer occurring in infants and children. The mutant background of hepatoblastoma has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of this study is to genomically depict the mutational landscape of hepatoblastoma through an integrative analysis of whole genome sequencing and RNA sequencing of 20 hepatoblastomas from Chinese individuals.

  Study EGAS00001002772

• Phylogenetic analysis of treatment-naive metastases using whole exome and genome sequencing data

  Metastases are responsible for the majority of cancer related deaths and are often difficult to treat successfully. Even for metastases that occur subsequent to treatment, we do not know whether such relapsing metastases were originally heterogeneous or if the observed heterogeneity is a consequence of therapy. Given that treatment can influence evolutionary dynamics by selecting resistant clones, imposing bottlenecks on cancer cell populations, and even inducing novel somatic mutations, characterizing the prior standing variation among metastases remains an important goal to predict initial therapeutic response. To quantify the heterogeneity at clinical presentation of advanced disease, we surveyed the literature for patients in which at least two treatment-naïve metastases underwent genome/exome-wide sequencing. Across all cancer types surveyed, only 18 subjects were found to fulfill this requirement. Including previously unpublished data from two subjects, we analyzed data of 74 untreated metastases and inferred cancer phylogenies. Putative driver gene mutations were acquired at a 2-fold higher rate on the trunk of all metastases than on branches. Mutations in driver genes along the trunk were strongly enriched for predicted functional consequences. Using a stochastic mathematical model, we find that driver gene heterogeneity among metastases mostly occurs in slowly growing cancers for highly advantageous driver gene mutations. Seeding efficiency only weakly affects the heterogeneity among metastases. These results explain why functional driver gene heterogeneity is uncommon in advanced disease prior to treatment, thus providing optimism for future therapies that depend on mutations across metastases.

  Study EGAS00001002777

• Deep single-cell RNA sequencing data for 11138 T cells from tumour, adjacent normal tissue and peripheral blood of treatment-naive CRC patients. The DATA ACCESS AGREEMENT is provided at https://github.com/zhangyybio/single-T-cell-data-access. Applicants can request access to the data by directly downloading it or by sending an email to cancerpku@pku.edu.cn. The process that is used to approve an application includes verifying the institution, participants and research purposes of the application. In general this process will take about two weeks. In principal, any scientific research program complying with the laws and bioethic regulation policies of China will be approved.

  T cells are central players in cancer immunotherapy1, yet some of their fundamental properties such as development and migration within tumours remain elusive. The enormous T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, required for recognising foreign and self-antigens2,3, could serve as lineage tags to track these T cells in tumours4. Here, we obtained transcriptomes of 11,138 single T cells from 12 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and developed STARTRAC (Single T-cell Analysis by Rna-seq and Tcr TRACking) indices to quantitatively analyse dynamic relationships among 20 identified T cell subsets with distinct functions and clonalities. While both CD8+ effector and “exhausted” T cells exhibited high clonal expansion, they were independently connected with tumour-resident CD8+ effector memory cells, implicating a TCR-based fate decision. Of the CD4+ T cells, the majority of tumour-infiltrating Tregs showed clonal exclusivity, whereas certain Treg clones were developmentally linked to multiple TH clones. Notably, we identified two IFNG+ TH1-like clusters in tumours, the GZMK+ TEM and CXCL13+ TH1-like clusters, which were associated with distinct IFN-γ-regulating transcription factors, EOMES/RUNX3 and BHLHE40, respectively. Only CXCL13+BHLHE40+ TH1-like cells were preferentially enriched in tumours of microsatellite-instable (MSI) patients, which might explain their favourable response rates to immune-checkpoint blockade. Furthermore, we found IGFLR1 to be highly expressed in both CXCL13+BHLHE40+ TH1-like and CD8+ exhausted T cells and possessed co-stimulatory functions. Our integrated STARTRAC analyses provides a powerful avenue to comprehensively dissect the T cell properties in CRC, which could shed new insights into the dynamic relationships of T cells in other cancers

  Study EGAS00001002791

• Real-time response profiling through serial plasma analyses during FOLFOX treatment in patients with colorectal cancer

  Response evaluation of cancer therapeutics relies on the assessment of the change in tumor burden, which is performed in accordance with defined criteria every 8-12 weeks. However, predictive factors for response are not available for the majority of patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer. Here we show that measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels during one of the most commonly administered drug regimens, i.e. FOLFOX, allows an early, real-time assessment of treatment response. During the 48-hour FOLFOX application, we serially assessed plasma DNA and observed that ctDNA levels initially decreased during the first 23 hours. In patients with stable disease or partial response, ctDNA levels remained low, whereas in patients with progressive disease, ctDNA levels increased at the end of the treatment cycle predicting clinical and radiologic response correctly. Hence, ctDNA monitoring during treatment may contribute to an early outcome prediction with significant implications for the management of patients.

  Study EGAS00001004213

• MutWP4__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__Gastric_Organoids

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, Kings College London will characterise the mutational signatures induced by putative human carcinogens in order to identify the origins of mutational signatures found in human cancers. To achieve this human organoid cell cultures will be exposed to a representative catalogue of known or suspected human carcinogens and mutagens and, using whole genome sequencing, the patterns of mutations induced by them will be determined. Somatic mutational signatures will be subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with exposure data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001003151

• Ulcerative colitis study - WES data

  Whole Exome Sequencing data of Single crypts, bulk crypt samples, and colitis-associated cancer.

  Study EGAS00001003801

• Comprehensive molecular profiling of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

  The diversity and heterogeneity within high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is not well understood. Here, we performed comprehensive molecular analysis, including high-pass whole genome sequencing, targeted deep sequencing, RNA sequencing, reverse phase protein arrays and immune assessment, on primary and metastatic sites from highly clinically annotated HGSC samples. Samples were obtained pre-treatment based on a laparoscopic triage algorithm from patients who underwent R0 tumor debulking, or received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with excellent or poor response.

  Study EGAS00001003804

• NanoSring of PBMC from bladder cancer and RCC patients

  PBMCs from patients were isolated using 50 mL Leucosep™ tubes (Greiner Bio-One International, Germany) and Ficoll-Paque™ PLUS (GE Healthcare, Sweden). Whole blood drawn into sodium heparin blood collection tubes were diluted 3x with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) without calcium or magnesium (Lonza, Walkersville, MD). Diluted cell suspensions were carefully layered on Leucosep tubes and centrifuged for 15 minutes at 800 x g at room temperature (RT). Interphase containing PBMCs were harvested and washed with PBS and subsequently centrifuged for 10 minutes at 250 x g at RT before further processing.

  Study EGAS00001004229

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__Oesophageal_adenocarcinoma

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (40X and 20X depth respectively). Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001003702

• Whole-exome sequencing of Fanconi anemia-like inherited bone marrow failure syndrome

  We identified three fibroblast cultures derived from aplastic anemia patients in the Japanese Cancer Research Resources Bank (JCRB) Cell Bank that showed high levels of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in PHA-stimulated lymphoblasts. To elucidate the genetic basis of the high SCE, we carried out whole exome sequencing of these samples. Subsequently, germline variants were analysed for these patients.

  Study EGAS00001003809

• Single-cell RNA sequencing of chemotherapy-resistant muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer

  All single-cell mRNA sequencing data were acquired from a single patient (BC159-T#3) and patient-derived xenografts (BC159-T#3-PDX-vehicle and BC159-T#3-PDX-tipifarnib).

  Study EGAS00001004233

• Integrated genomic analysis identifies driver genes and cisplatin-resistant progenitor phenotype in pediatric liver cancer

  Pediatric liver cancers (PLCs) comprise diverse diseases affecting infants, children and adolescents. Despite overall good prognosis, PLCs display heterogeneous response to chemotherapy. Integrated genomic analysis of 126 pediatric liver tumors showed a continuum of driver mechanisms associated with patient age, including new targetable oncogenes. In 10% of hepatoblastoma patients, all before 3 years old, we identified a mosaic premalignant clonal expansion of cells altered at the 11p15.5 locus. Analysis of spatial and longitudinal heterogeneity revealed an important plasticity between ‘Hepatocytic’, ‘Liver Progenitor’ and ‘Mesenchymal’ molecular subgroups of hepatoblastoma. We showed that during chemotherapy, ‘Liver Progenitor’ cells accumulated massive loads of cisplatin-induced mutations with a specific mutational signature, leading to the development of heavily mutated relapses and metastases. Drug screening in PLC cell lines identified promising targets for cisplatin-resistant progenitor cells, validated in mouse xenograft experiments. These data provide new insights into cisplatin resistance mechanisms in PLC and suggest alternative therapies.

  Study EGAS00001005108

• Pediatric tumor in a single child of three large nuclear families

  We identify three nuclear families in which a pediatric tumor had been diagnosed in a single child and neither parent had been diagnosed with cancer. These families had 4, 5, and 7 children, respectively. Diagnoses included Wilms tumor, low-grade astrocytoma, and Burkitt’s lymphoma, respectively. We used whole-genome sequencing to profile normal cells from each family member and a linked-read technology for genomic phasing, which enabled us to identify compound-heterozygous and de novo variants in addition to simple-heterozygous and homozygous-alternate variants.

  Study EGAS00001005321

• Accurate detection and classification of pediatric sarcomas based on cell-free DNA fragmentation patterns

  Sequencing of cell-free DNA in the blood of cancer patients (“liquid biopsy”) provides attractive opportunities not only for early diagnosis, but also for minimally invasive monitoring of treatment response and disease courses. To unlock liquid biopsy analysis for pediatric tumors with few genetic aberrations, we developed an integrated genetic/epigenetic analysis method and applied it to 241 deep whole-genome sequencing profiles of 95 patients with Ewing sarcoma and 31 patients with other pediatric sarcomas. We achieved sensitive detection and classification of circulating tumor DNA in peripheral blood independent of any genetic alterations. We evaluated different metrics for cell-free DNA fragmentation analysis and developed LIQUORICE, a bioinformatic tool for detecting circulating tumor DNA based on tumor-specific chromatin structure. Using machine learning methods, we combined several fragmentation-based metrics into an integrated approach for liquid biopsy analysis tailored to cancers with low mutation rates but widespread epigenetic deregulation. Clinical associations highlighted the potential value of cfDNA fragmentation patterns as prognostic biomarkers in Ewing sarcoma. Additionally, we performed low coverage whole-genome-sequencing on 43 tumor biopsy samples from patients with Ewing sarcoma, in order to compare copy number aberrations detected in cell-free DNA and biopsy samples of the same patients. For validation of the epigenetic signatures inferred from cell-free DNA, we further performed reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) on 38 matched biopsy samples from patients with Ewing sarcoma. In summary, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of circulating tumor DNA beyond recurrent somatic mutations, and it renders the benefits of liquid biopsy more readily accessible for childhood cancers.

  Study EGAS00001005127

• Robust detection of translocations in lymphoma FFPE samples using Targeted Locus Capture-based sequencing - NGS targeted capture control cohort

  In routine diagnostic pathology, cancer biopsies are preserved by Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedding (FFPE) procedures for examination of (intra-) cellular morphology. Such procedures inadvertently induce DNA fragmentation, which compromises sequencing-based analyses of chromosomal rearrangements. Yet, rearrangements drive many types of hematolymphoid malignancies and solid tumors, and their manifestation is instructive for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Here, we present FFPE-Targeted Locus Capture (FFPE-TLC) for targeted sequencing of proximity-ligation products formed in FFPE tissue blocks, and PLIER, a computational framework that allows automated identification and characterization of rearrangements involving selected, clinically-relevant, loci. FFPE-TLC, blindly applied to 149 lymphoma and control FFPE samples, identifies the known and novel rearrangement partners. It outperforms fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in sensitivity and specificity, and shows clear advantages over standard capture-NGS methods, finding rearrangements involving repetitive sequences which they typically miss. FFPE-TLC is therefore a powerful clinical diagnostics tool for accurate targeted rearrangement detection in FFPE specimens.

  Study EGAS00001005325

• Mutational_landscape_in_haemochromatosis__exome_

  Somatic mutation has recently been shown to play a role in disease other than cancer. Driver mutations associated with lipid metabolism and insulin pathway have been identified in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is plausible that driver mutations seen in NAFLD are a consequence of selection pressure exerted on hepatocytes in the context of excess fat accumulation. It has not been investigated whether selection pressure and driver landscape varies between chronic liver diseases of different aetiologies. This study aims to investigate mutational landscape in haemochromatosis, which is a disorder caused by a build-up of iron in the liver. We aim to use data generated by whole-exome sequencing of laser-dissected microbiopsies from diseased livers to characterize driver landscape and mutational signatures in haemochromatosis patients.

  Study EGAS00001005158

• Clonal_dynamics_and_mutation_burden_in_male_germline___DupSeq

  This work aim to study clonal dynamics of pathogenic mutations in male germline. Using Nanoseq method, sperm from normal panel will be compared with sperm from men who have either clinical phynotypes or they have child(ren) with germline predisposition syndromes.

  Study EGAS00001005135

• A novel breast cancer cell line derived from a metastatic bone lesion of a breast cancer patient

  Purpose: We sought to generate and characterize a novel cell line from a breast cancer bone metastasis in order to better study the progression of the disease.Methods: The cell line, P7731, was derived from a metastatic bone lesion of a breast cancer patient and assessed for marker expression. P7731 was analyzed for DNA copy number variation, somatic mutations and gene expression and compared to the primary tumor. Results: P7731 cells are negative for estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 (triple-negative), strongly express vimentin (100% of cells positive) and also express cytokeratins 8/18 and 19 but at lower frequencies. Flow cytometry indicates P7731 cells are predominantly CD44+/CD49f+/EpCAM-, consistent with a primitive, mesenchymal-like phenotype. The cell line is tumorigenic in immunocompromised mice. Exome sequencing identified a total of 45 and 76 somatic mutations in the primary tumor and cell line respectively, of which 32 were identified in both samples and included mutations in known driver genes PIK3CA, TP53 and ARID1A. P7731 retains the DNA copy number alterations present in the matching primary tumor. Homozygous deletions detected in the cell line and in the primary tumor were found in regions containing three known (CDKN2A, CDKN2B and CDKN1B) and 23 putative tumor suppressor genes. Cell line specific gene amplification coupled with mRNA expression analysis revealed genes and pathways with potential pro-metastatic functions.Conclusion: This novel human breast cancer-bone metastasis cell line will be a useful model to study aspects of breast cancer biology, particularly metastasis-related changes from breast to bone.

  Study EGAS00001002840

• Epigenomic profile of diverse cancer

  Epigenomic profile of diverse cancer.

  Study EGAS00001004352

• Genomic and functional fidelity of small cell lung cancer patient-derived xenografts

  Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) can be generated from biopsies or circulating tumor cells (CTCs), though scarcity of tissue and low efficiency of tumor growth have previously limited these approaches. Applying an established clinical-translational pipeline for tissue collection and an automated microfluidic platform for CTC-enrichment, we generated 17 biopsy-derived PDXs and 17 CTC-derived PDXs in a two-year timeframe, at efficiencies of 89% and 38%, respectively. Whole exome sequencing showed that somatic alterations are stably maintained between patient tumors and PDXs. Early-passage PDXs maintain the genomic and transcriptional profiles of the founder PDX. In vivo treatment with etoposide and cisplatin (EP) in 30 PDX models demonstrated greater sensitivity in PDXs from EP naïve patients, and resistance to EP corresponded to increased expression of a MYC gene signature. Finally, serial CTC-derived PDXs generated from an individual patient at multiple time points accurately recapitulated the evolving drug sensitivities of that patient’s disease. Collectively, this work highlights the translational potential of this strategy.

  Study EGAS00001002853

• Colorectal adenomas, carcinomas and adjacent normal NKI-AvL TGO series NGS-ProToCol

  Cancer is caused by changes in the genome of cells, resulting in aberrant transcripts and proteins. In order to understand why normal cells become cancer cells and how we can identify and destroy them, the CTMM-NGS-ProToCol project aimed to understand prostate and colorectal cancer through DNA and RNA molecular profiling, to further improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.The state-of-the-art within the field of genome sequencing makes it possible to identify all the modifications in our genome that encode for RNA and of the transcripts themselves. The latest development in RNA sequencing is that if one does not select for polyA RNA, but first removes rRNA from the total RNA and then performs ‘random’ RNA sequencing, 30-60% of the reads are intronic. Since about 40% of the genome consists of genes (and only 1.6% is exonic), deep RNA sequencing will cover not only the exons, but also a large portion of the introns and therefore much of the genome. The power of the combined sequencing of genome and transcriptome is the full view of copy number aberrations (CNA), exon mutations and the consequence and relevance of the mutations at the RNA level in the form of differential gene expression, alternative splicing, alternative promoter usage, novel transcripts, fusion transcripts, read-through transcripts and mutations. For the colorectal (tumor) tissue dataset, we applied molecular profiling to 30 colorectal adenomas, 30 colorectal carcinomas and 18 normal adjacent colon tissues.

  Study EGAS00001002854

• Evolution_of_the_cancer_epigenome_in_myeloproliferative_neoplasms_TGS

  Targeted sequencing of haematopoietic colonies.

  Study EGAS00001003863

• Small_molecule_inhibitors_in_melanoma___Kenski___Kong___WES

  Small-molecule inhibitors targeting the most commonly activated pathway in melanoma, MAPK pathway (either alone or in combination) are already given to melanoma patients for few years, and initially reduce tumour burden dramatically, eventually melanomas become resistant and tumours progress while on treatment. Resistance to this treatment occurs by acquisition of additional mutations or other alterations that affect the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by either direct or indirect signalling. Many resistance mechanisms somehow lead to reactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), thereby restoring signalling of the oncogenic BRAF/MEK/ERK pathway. In addition, PI3K pathway activation contributes to resistance to BRAF inhibition. Less frequent but equally important to the phenomenon of targeted drug resistance is the observation that B15–20% of BRAF mutant melanoma patients fail to respond to BRAF inhibition already early on treatment, owing to intrinsic resistance. These patients have little therapeutic options, unless immunotherapy can be given. To better understand the resistance mechanisms in MAPK inhibitor-treated melanoma patients and melanoma biology, our lab generated a big panel of MAPK inhibitor resistant melanoma cell lines by continuous drug exposure. The understanding of the genetic landscape and gene expression as well as cross resistance to other treatment regimens, and other aspects of melanoma biology such as phenotype switch, will allow us to better exploit new therapeutic strategies for melanoma patients.

  Study EGAS00001002863

• Exploring_the_heterogeneity_of_sarcoma_using_single_cell_sequencing_

  Multi region samples are collected from patients, with consent, immediately after resection of the tumour. Samples are digested and sorted using FACS as single cells into lysis buffer. Cells are then stored until further processing for G&T-seq. After sequencing, we will explore intra-tumour heterogeneity using computational approaches to integrate RNA and DNA data onto the tumour phylogeny This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001002866

• Whole genome analysis of mutation hotspots in gastric cancer

  Tissue-specific driver mutations in non-coding genomic regions remain undefined for most cancer types. In this study, we unbiasedly analysed 212 gastric cancer whole genomes to identify recurrently mutated non-coding regions in gastric cancer. Applying comprehensive statistical approa- ches to accurately model background mutational processes, we observe significant enrich- ment of non-coding indels (insertions/deletions) in three gastric lineage-specific genes. We further identify 34 mutation hotspots, of which 11 overlap CTCF binding sites (CBSs).

  Study EGAS00001002872

• Foundation Medicine Genomic Data Used to Identify Prognostic Markers and Fusion Genes in Multiple Myeloma

  The purpose of this study is to identify prognostic markers and treatment targets using a clinically certified sequencing panel in multiple myeloma. Mutational burden was associated with maf and proliferation gene expression groups, and a high-mutational burden was associated with a poor prognosis. We identified homozygous deletions that were present in multiple myeloma within key genes, including CDKN2C, RB1, TRAF3, BIRC3 and TP53, and that bi-allelic inactivation was significantly enriched at relapse. Alterations in CDKN2C, TP53, RB1 and the t(4;14) were associated with poor prognosis. Alterations in RB1 were predominantly homozygous deletions and were associated with relapse and a poor prognosis which was independent of other genetic markers, including t(4;14), after multivariate analysis. Bi-allelic inactivation of key tumor suppressor genes in myeloma was enriched at relapse, especially in RB1, CDKN2C and TP53 where they have prognostic significance. In addition, chromosomal rearrangements that result in oncogenic kinase activation are present in many solid and hematological malignancies, but none have been reported in multiple myeloma (MM). Here we detected fusion genes in 1.5% of patients. These fusion genes were in-frame and the majority of them contained kinase domains from either receptor tyrosine kinases (ALK, ROS1, NTRK3, and FGFR1) or cytoplasmic kinases (BRAF, MAP3K14, and MAPK14) which would result in the activation of MEK/ERK, NF-κB or inflammatory signaling pathways. Fusion genes were present in smoldering MM, newly diagnosed MM and relapse patient samples indicating they are not solely late events. Most fusion genes were subclonal in nature, but one EML4-ALK fusion was clonal indicating it is a driver of disease pathogenesis. Samples with fusions of receptor tyrosine kinases were not found in conjunction with clonal Ras/Raf mutations indicating a parallel mechanism of MEK/ERK pathway activation. Fusion genes involving MAP3K14 (NIK), which regulates the NF-κB pathway, were detected as were t(14;17) rearrangements involving NIK in 2% of MM samples. Activation of kinases in myeloma through rearrangements presents an opportunity to use treatments existing in other cancers.

  Study EGAS00001002874

• Phylogenetic reconstruction of breast cancer

  The aim of this study was to identify the evolutionary trajectories of metastatic breast cancer. We present whole genome sequencing data (primary tumours, axillary lymph nodes, distant metastasis and matched normal tissues) from 16 breast cancer patients. This work sheds light on the routes on which tumour cells metastasize and their role in disease progression in ER-positive breast cancer.

  Study EGAS00001004356

• RNA-seq of Liver Cancer

  The French ICGC project on liver tumors is coordinated by Pr Jessica Zucman-Rossi and funded by Inca (French Institute for Cancer). The aim of the present project is to identify the catalog of somatic and germline mutations in liver tumors using whole genome (WGS) and whole exome sequencing (WGS), integrated with DNA methylation and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. The present series corresponds to 161 RNA-seq samples from tumors with matched WES or WGS. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for more than 90% of liver cancers, and is a major health problem. It is the 3rd cause of cancer-related mortality. Advances in genomic analyses have formed a comprehensive understanding of different underlying pathobiological layers resulting in hepatocarcinogenesis. Thus, the development of next-generation sequencing technologies has made it possible to generate more comprehensive catalogues of somatic alteration events (single nucleotide substitutions, structural variations, and epigenetic changes) in liver cancer genome than ever before.

  Study EGAS00001002879

• Genomic DNA of tumor tissues, adjacent normal tissues, and peripheral blood were extracted using QIAamp DNA mini Kit (QIAGEN, cat. #51306)

  Although genomic instability, epigenetic abnormality, and gene expression dysregulation are hallmarks of colorectal cancer, these features have not been simultaneously analyzed at single cell resolution. Using optimized single cell multiomics sequencing together with multiregional sampling of the primary tumor, lymphatic and distant metastases, we provide insights beyond intratumoral heterogeneity. Genome wide DNA methylation levels were relatively consistent within a single genetic sublineage. The genome-wide DNA demethylation patterns of cancer cells were consistent in all 10 sequenced patients. The cancer cells’ DNA demethylation degrees clearly correlated with the densities of the heterochromatin-associated histone modification H3K9me3 of normal tissue, and those of repetitive element Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of reconstructing genetic lineages, and tracing their epigenomic and transcriptomic dynamics with single cell multiomics sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001003242

• Integrated clinical, whole genome, and transcriptome analysis of multisampled lethal metastatic prostate cancer

  We report the first combined analysis of whole genome sequence, detailed clinical history, and transcriptome sequence of multiple prostate cancer metastases in a single patient (A21). Whole genome and transcriptome sequence was obtained from 9 anatomically separate metastases, and targeted DNA sequencing was performed in cancerous and noncancerous foci within the primary tumor specimen removed 5 years prior to death. Transcriptome analysis revealed increased expression of AR-regulated genes in liver metastases that harbored an AR p.L702H mutation, suggesting a dominant effect by the mutation despite being present in only 1 of an estimated 16 copies per cell. The metastases harbored several alterations to the PI3K/AKT pathway, including a clonal truncal mutation in PIK3CG and present in all metastatic sites studied. The list of truncal genomic alterations shared by all metastases included homozygous deletion of TP53, hemizygous deletion of RB1 and CHD1, and amplification of FGFR1. If the patient were treated today given this knowledge, use of second-generation androgen-directed therapies, cessation of glucocorticoid administration, and therapeutic inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway or FGFR1 receptor could provide personalized benefit. Three previously unreported truncal clonal missense mutations (ABCC4 p.R891L, ALDH9A1 p.W89R, and ASNA1 p.P75R) were expressed at the RNA level and assessed as druggable. The truncal status of mutations is critical for actionability, and can only be determined through analysis of multiple sites of metastasis. Our findings suggest that a large set of deeply analyzed cases could serve as powerful guide to more effective prostate cancer basic science and personalized cancer medicine clinical trials.

  Study EGAS00001001659

• Cell-free DNA analysis reveals POLR1D-mediated resistance to bevacizumab in colorectal cancer

  Bevacizumab is an approved anti-angiogenic drug for patients with metastasized colorectal cancer (mCRC) targeting VEGF. The survival benefit of anti-VEGF therapy in mCRC patients is limited to a few months and acquired resistance mechanisms are greatly unknown. Using plasma DNA, we studied the evolution of tumor genomes in a cohort of patients with mCRC (n=150) and observed a recurrent focal amplification (8.7% of cases) on chromosome 13q12.2. Analysis of TCGA data (n=619) suggested an association with later stages, which we confirmed by longitudinal plasma analyses. We defined the minimally amplified region and studied the mechanistic consequences of copy number gain of the involved genes. The amplification of one gene, POLR1D, impacted cell proliferation, resulting in upregulation of VEGFA, an important regulator of angiogenesis which has been implicated in the resistance to bevacizumab. In several patients, we observed the emergence of this 13q12.2 amplicon under bevacizumab treatment, which was invariably associated with evolution of therapy resistance. Hence, we describe a novel resistance mechanism against a widely applied treatment in mCRC patients which will impact clinical management

  Study EGAS00001003791

• A whole genome analysis of single fetal human stem cells from the liver and the intestine

  Mutations of embryonic and fetal origin have the potential to affect a large proportion of adult cells and may alter cancer predisposition or lead to genetic disease syndromes. We have recently shown that human adult-stem cells progressively acquire approximately 40 novel tissue-specific mutations per year throughout postnatal life. Prenatal mutation rates are as yet unknown. Here we determined genome-wide mutation patterns of single stem cells in human development by sequencing of clonally expanded intestinal and liver organoid cultures of 2nd trimester human foetuses. Our results show that mutation rates in fetal stem cells are significantly higher than in adult stem cells.

  Study EGAS00001002886

• Whole Genome Sequencing of HCC

  The French ICGC project on liver tumors is coordinated by Pr Jessica Zucman-Rossi and funded by Inca (French Institute for Cancer). The aim of the present project is to identify the catalog of somatic and germline mutations in liver tumors using whole genome (WGS) and whole exome sequencing (WGS), integrated with DNA methylation and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. The present series corresponds to 24 whole genome sequencing (12 Tumoral/Non-tumoral pairs). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for more than 90% of liver cancers, and is a major health problem. It is the 3rd cause of cancer-related mortality. Advances in genomic analyses have formed a comprehensive understanding of different underlying pathobiological layers resulting in hepatocarcinogenesis. Thus, the development of next-generation sequencing technologies has made it possible to generate more comprehensive catalogues of somatic alteration events (single nucleotide substitutions, structural variations, and epigenetic changes) in liver cancer genome than ever before.

  Study EGAS00001002888

• Somatic_mutation_profiling_of_intestinal_crypts_from_IBD

  In this project we want to investigate the role that somatic mutations in intestinal stem cells play in IBD. We will use laser capture microdissection to ascertain epithelial cells from an individual crypts/vilus. We will extract DNA from these and use a new low-input material library prep methods to make accurate libraries for sequencing. In this pilot phase of the project we will perform 15X whole-genome sequencing of a small number of crypts biopsied from four patients. Biopsies have been taken from inflammed and noninflammed patches to compare mutation rates and mutational signatures. We will also test if crypts from inflammed patches of a single patient are clonal (either within a given inflammed patch or across inflammed patches). We will quantify the rate of cancer driver mutations in inflammed and non-inflammed crypts. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001002896

• 2015_AML_ETO

  This study includes 10 paired samples of 2015 Korean AML-ETO paitients.10 AML-ETO tumor samples are paired with each normal(Saliva or BM derived) sequencing data.The results of this WGS study were analyzed by Mutect and GATK for ranking germline variants and cancer variants to make mutational profile matrix.

  Study EGAS00001002897

• 2015_AML_ETO_WGS_additional

  This study includes 2 paired samples of 2015 Korean AML-ETO paitients. 2 AML-ETO tumor samples are paired with each normal(Saliva or BM derived) sequencing data.The results of this WGS study were analyzed by Mutect and GATK for ranking germline variants and cancer variants to make mutational profile matrix.

  Study EGAS00001002898

• SCLC tumor sequencing

  In this study we have sequenced the tumor of 28 Small Cell Lung Cancer patients.

  Study EGAS00001003985

• Accurate mapping of mitochondrial DNA deletions and duplications using deep sequencing

  Deletions and duplications in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cause mitochondrial disease and accumulate in conditions such as cancer and age-related disorders, but validated high-throughput methodology that can readily detect and discriminate between these two types of events is lacking. Here we present MitoSAlt, a computational method for accurate identification, quantification and visualization of mtDNA deletions and duplications from whole genome, whole exome or transcriptome sequencing data. MitoSAlt was tested on simulated sequencing reads and human patient samples with single deletions and duplications to verify its accuracy. Application to mouse models of mtDNA maintenance disease further demonstrated the ability to detect deletions and duplications even at low levels of heteroplasmy. MitoSAlt paves the way for simple and reliable determination of mtDNA deletions and duplications across a wide range of relevant conditions and available sequencing datasets.  

  Study EGAS00001004380

• Whole_Genome_sequencing_of_rhabdomyosarcoma_tumour_tissue

  The aim of this study is to investigate the genomic landscape of human cancer.

  Study EGAS00001008274

• Circulating tumor cells Exome sequencing from breast cancer

  Single cell technologies allow interrogating the extent of tumor heterogeneity, providing novel insights into tumor evolution and treatment resistance mechanisms. Here, we investigated the level of genetic heterogeneity among circulating tumor cells (CTCs) at the single nucleotide variation and copy number aberration (CNA) levels and compared it to synchronous matched primary tumor/metastatic lesion from 3 metastatic breast cancer patients with triple-negative (TNBC), HER2-positive (HER2+) and estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) tumors. Whole exome sequencing was performed on 3 synchronous bulk tumor tissue and 21 single/pooled CTC samples. When comparing bulk tissue with CTCs from the same patient, we found similar CNA profiles and the same patient-specific driver mutations for the HER2+ and TNBC tumors. Different CNA profiles and driver mutations were found for the ER+ tumor, with two distinct clones being identified in the CTCs, one harboring an activating ESR1 mutation, the other one bearing a TP53 mutation. These data suggest that tumor tissue and CTCs provide in a subset of patients complementary clinically relevant information to map tumor heterogeneity and monitor tumor evolution. Further validation is needed.

  Study EGAS00001005228

• Matching of actionable mutations with therapies in cancer patients: comparison of three commercial decision support platforms

  Purpose: In oncology, precision medicine centers on tailoring the most appropriate therapy to a patient according to their tumor molecular profile. We addressed the question whether there is a consensus in the classification of actionability of somatic variants and their alignment to treatment recommendations. To this end, we evaluated three commercial clinical decision support tools to assess their variant classification and drug matching strategies.Methods: In this two centers study 48 patients with metastatic breast (n=12), colorectal (n=17) or non-small cell lung cancer (n=19) were recruited based on circulating tumor DNA levels in peripheral blood. In individual patients’ plasma samples, we established somatic copy number alterations and somatic mutations across a 77 cancer-associated gene panel and exposed the obtained molecular profiles to the decision support packages NAVIFY Mutation Profiler (NMP; Roche), Qiagen Clinical Insight (QCI) Interpret (Qiagen) and CureMatch Bionov (CureMatch).Results: In the plasma samples, altogether 492 somatic alterations were assessed. Each decision support platform varied in their format of data input, mode of variant classification and strategies for identifying druggable targets and clinical trials, which resulted in discrepancies in tier classification as well as designations of actionability. The frequency of concordant actionable events for tier I-A or tier I-B classifications, i.e. those with the strongest clinical evidence, was only 4.3%, 9.5% and 28.4% when comparing NMP with QCI, NMP with CureMatch, and CureMatch with QCI, respectively. As a consequence, the obtained treatment recommendations differed drastically, and alignment of treatment recommendations was limited to established predictive markers.Conclusions: The lack of standards for the extraction of treatment recommendations from comprehensive tumor molecular profiling data challenge the promising concepts of precision oncology.

  Study EGAS00001004383

• Combining a Universal Telomerase Based Cancer Vaccine with Ipilimumab in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma - Five-year Follow up of a Phase I/IIa Trial

  Background Ipilimumab improves survival for patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. Combining a therapeutic cancer vaccine with ipilimumab may increase efficacy by providing enhanced anti-tumor immune responses. UV1 consists of three synthetic long peptides from human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). These peptides comprise epitopes recognized by T cells from cancer patients experiencing long-term survival following treatment with a first-generation hTERT vaccine, and generate long-lasting immune responses in cancer patients when used as monotherapy. The objective of this trial was to investigate the safety and efficacy of combining UV1 with ipilimumab in metastatic melanoma. Patients and methods In this phase I/IIa, single center trial [NCT02275416], patients with metastatic melanoma received repeated UV1 vaccinations, with GM-CSF as an adjuvant, in combination with ipilimumab. Patients were evaluated for safety, efficacy and immune response. Immune responses against vaccine peptides were monitored in peripheral blood by measuring antigen-specific proliferation and IFN-γ production. Results Twelve patients were recruited. Adverse events were mainly diarrhea, injection site reaction, pruritus, rash, nausea and fatigue. Ten patients showed a Th1 immune response to UV1 peptides, occurring early and after few vaccinations. Three patients obtained a partial response and one patient a complete response. Overall survival was 50% at 5 years. Conclusion Treatment was well tolerated. The rapid expansion of UV1-specific Th1 cells in the majority of patients indicates synergy between UV1 vaccine and CTLA-4 blockade. This may have translated into clinical benefit, encouraging the combination of UV1 vaccination with standard of care treatment regimes containing ipilimumab/CTLA-4 blocking antibodies.

  Study EGAS00001005253

• Scottish High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

  Scottish HGSOC samples were collected via local Bioresource facilities at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen and stored in liquid Nitrogen until required. HGSOC patients were determined from pathology records and were included in the study where there was matched tumour and whole blood samples. On receipt of tumour material the tumour was processed as follows: firstly, the tumour sample was divided into two for DNA and RNA extraction. Slivers of tissue were cut from the front and rear faces of the DNA sample, then fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections from the front and rear tissues from all samples were examined by H&E staining supplemented by WT1/p53 immunohistochemistry if required. Following pathology review, samples were only included if they met the following criteria: they were confirmed as HGSOC and there was greater than 40% tumour cellularity throughout the tumour, determined using the H&E sections. Somatic DNA was extracted using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and tissue kit (cat no 69504). The tissue was initially homogenised using a Qiagen Bioruptor, followed by the manufacturers recommended protocol (including RNase digestion step). Germline DNA was extracted from 1-3ml whole blood using the Qiagen FlexiGene kit (cat no 51206) following the manufacturers recommended protocol. The resulting DNA underwent quality control as follows: firstly, A260 and A280nm were measured on a Denovix DS-11 Fx to qualitatively illustrate A260/280nm and A260/230nm ratios as surrogate measures of DNA purity. A260/280 had to be 1.8 or greater and A260/230 had to be 2.0 or greater. Then, DNA was quantified using LifeTechnologies Qubit dsDNA BR kit (cat no Q32850) and we required a minimum of 50ul at 25ng/ul for WGS. Thirdly, DNA was diluted to 25ng/ul and a representative sample was loaded onto a 0.8% TAE gel, ran at 100v for 60mins and then imaged using a BioRad ChemiDoc imaging system to visualise the DNA quality. Only when all 4 quality control requirements were satisfied was the DNA sequenced. The DNA was sequenced at the Glasgow Precision Oncology Laboratories.

  Study EGAS00001004410

• PELICAN33 longitudinal clinical and autopsy phenomic assessment in lethal metastatic prostate cancer

  Objective: To identify novel phenotypes and features associated with metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) outcome, and to identify biomarker and data requirements to be tested in future precision oncology trials. Design, Setting, and Participants: We analyzed deep longitudinal clinical, neuroendocrine expression, and autopsy data of 33 men who died from mPC between 1995 and 2004 (PELICAN33), and related findings to mPC biomarkers reported in the literature. Intervention: 33 men prospectively consented to participate in an integrated clinical-molecular rapid autopsy study of mPC.

  Study EGAS00001005399

• Preservation of stemness in high-grade serous ovarian cancer organoids requires low Wnt environment

  High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) likely originates from the fallopian tube (FT) epithelium, but advanced stages are mostly found outside the FT. We used ex-vivo cultures of HGSOC and knock-out of tumor suppressors in FT organoids to study changes in epithelial cells and niche requirements for normal and transformed FT cells. We found that transformed cells require BMP signaling and are growth arrested in Wnt rich medium.

  Study EGAS00001003821

• SS18-SSX-mediated hijacking of BAF complexes drives synovial sarcoma

  Synovial sarcoma (SS) is defined by a recurrent t(x;18) chromosomal translocation, which produces the hallmark SS18-SSX oncogenic fusion. Incorporation of SS18-SSX into BAF complexes renders BAF complexes aberrant in two distinct manners: the addition of 78aa of SSX onto SS18, and concomitant loss of BAF47 assembly. However, the importance and functional contributions of each of these perturbations on BAF complex targeting and gene expression regulation remain unclear. Here we use an integrative set of genomic approaches in human cancer cell lines and primary tumor samples to define the mechanistic consequences of the SS18-SSX fusion oncoprotein. We find that SS18-SSX hijacks BAF complexes to broad polycomb domains to activate bivalent genes, driving a unique gene expression program distinct from other loss-of-function BAF complex malignancies. Importantly, restoration of BAF47 rescues enhancer activation but is dispensable for proliferative arrest in cell lines. These results demonstrate that gain-of-function SS18-SSX-mediated BAF complex targeting and gene activation is the driving event in SS, and present a mechanism by which distinct functions of BAF complexes can be co-opted to drive oncogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001002920

• Prospective high-throughput genome profiling in advanced cancers:

  Genomics-based tumor profiling in advanced cancers (aC) was recently demonstrated as feasible in clinical practice. After the prospective pilot PANDORA study done on advanced breast cancers, we conducted a prospective monocenter clinical trial called PERMED01 to evaluate the number patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer for whom identification of molecular alterations in tumor samples could lead to the delivery of a targeted therapy

  Study EGAS00001004554

• Deep multi-region whole-genome sequencing reveals heterogeneity and gene-by-environment interactions in treatment-naive, metastatic lung cancer

  Our understanding of genomic heterogeneity in lung cancer is largely based on the analysis of early-stage surgical specimens. Here we used endoscopic sampling of paired primary and intrathoracic metastatic tumors from 11 lung cancer patients to map genomic heterogeneity inoperable lung cancer with deep whole-genome sequencing. Intra-patient heterogeneity in driver or targetable mutations was predominantly in the form of copy number gain. Private mutation signatures, including patterns consistent with defects in homologous recombination, were highly variable both within and between patients. Irrespective of histotype, we observed a smaller than expected number of private mutations, suggesting that ancestral clones accumulated large mutation burdens immediately prior to metastasis. Single-region whole-genome sequencing of from 20 patients showed that tumors in ever-smokers with the strongest tobacco signatures were associated with germline variants in genes implicated in the repair of cigarette-induced DNA damage. Our results suggest that lung cancer precursors in ever-smokers accumulate large numbers of mutations prior to the formation of frank malignancy followed by rapid metastatic spread. In advanced lung cancer, germline variants in DNA repair genes may interact with the airway environment to influence the pattern of founder mutations, whereas similar interactions with the tumor microenvironment may play a role in the acquisition of mutations following metastasis.

  Study EGAS00001003830

• Molecular evolution and clinical trajectories of prostate cancer identifies novel markers for risk stratification

  Prostate cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease that is thought to develop over many years. Identifying the earliest somatic changes can give important insights into the tumour evolution and aid in stratifying high- from low-risk diseases. Here we pursued integrative whole-genome, transcriptome and methylome-based analysis of early-onset prostate cancer patients. Characterisation of genomic alterations across 270 PCa tumours revealed age-related genomic alterations and mutation signatures including BRCAness and APOBEC. We used methylation- and expression-data to identify four molecular subgroups, which included a highly aggressive tumour subgroup that frequently involved recurrent duplications and increased expression of ESRP1. Analysis of 12,000 tissue-microarray tumour samples demonstrated that ESRP1 is a candidate biomarker associated with faster proliferation rate and shorter time to relapse. We combine the patterns of molecular co-occurrence, risk-stratification and subgroup information to deconvolute tumor heterogeneity, which reveal complex but recurrent clinical trajectories of prostate cancer.

  Study EGAS00001002923

• Adult-type Granulosa Cell Tumour of the Ovary

  A recurrent mutation in FOXL2 (c.402C>G; p.C134W) is present in over 95% of adult-type granulosa cell tumours (AGCTs). In contrast, various loss-of-function mutations in FOXL2 lead to the development of blepharophimosis, ptosis and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). BPES is characterized by an eyelid malformation often accompanied with primary ovarian insufficiency but not granulosa cell tumours. Two recent studies suggest that FOXL2 C402G is a gain or change-of-function mutation with altered DNA-binding specificity. Another study proposes that FOXL2 C402G is selectively targeted for degradation inducing somatic haploinsufficiency suggesting its role as a tumour suppressor. The latter study relies on data indicative of an FOXL2 allelic imbalance in AGCTs. Here we present RNA-seq data as genetic evidence that no real allelic imbalance is observed at the transcriptomic level in AGCTs. Additionally, there is no loss of protein expression in tumours harboring the mutated allele. These data and other features of this mutation as compared to other oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes argue strongly against FOXL2 being a tumour suppressor in this context. Given the likelihood that FOXL2 C402G is oncogenic, targeting the variant protein or its downstream consequences is the most viable path forward to identifying an effective treatment for this cancer.

  Study EGAS00001005414

• Genomic and Transcriptomic Profile of Paired Primary-Metastasis Colorectal Tumors

  The goal of this study is to identify mechanisms of metastization in a portuguese cohort of colorectal cancer. Namely, we want to identify patterns of genomic and transcriptomic diversification associated with metastasis.

  Study EGAS00001005276

• Clonal fitness inferred from timeseries modeling of single cell cancer genomes

  Progress in defining genomic fitness landscapes in cancer by copy number alterations (CNA) has been impeded by lack of single cell and timeseries sampling. We generated 42,000 single cell whole genomes (scWGS) from breast epithelium and primary triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient-derived xenografts (PDX) collected during multi-year time series. Using a Wright-Fisher population genetics model, we inferred reproducible CNA-defined clonal fitness dynamics induced by TP53 mutation and cisplatin chemotherapy, with accurate forecasting of experimentally enforced clonal competition dynamics. Drug treatment in three long-term serially passaged TNBC PDX resulted in cisplatin resistant clones that had shown low fitness in the untreated setting. By contrast high fitness clones from treatment naive controls were eradicated reflecting an inversion of the fitness landscape. Upon drug release selective pressure dynamics were reversed indicating a fitness cost of treatment resistance. Taken together, our findings reveal clonal fitness dynamics linked to CNA and therapeutic resistance in polyclonal tumours.

  Study EGAS00001004448

• Somatic_mutation_and_clonal_evolution_in_the_human_bladder_TGS

  In this study, we aim to characterise the landscape of mutation and clonal selection in the human bladder. The study includes targeted sequencing of laser-dissected microbiopsies from the bladder. The samples utilised in this study will include urothelium from transplant donors with no history of bladder cancer and cystectomy specimens from patients with bladder cancer.

  Study EGAS00001002659

• Single-cell transcriptome sequencing of regulatory and conventional T cells in breast cancer patients and healthy individuals.

  Identification of tumor-specific effects on gene expression profile of regulatory T cells and conventional T cells in humans, investigation of the clonal origin of regulatory T cells and impact analysis of tumor-specific conversion of conventional T cells into induced regulatory T cells on the peripheral regulatory T cell repertoire in humans.

  Study EGAS00001002933

• Single_cell_ATAC_sequencing_of_rhabdomyosarcoma_tumour_tissue

  The aim of this study is to investigate the genomic landscape of human cancer.

  Study EGAS00001008276

• Genome-wide discovery of somatic coding and regulatory variants in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

  Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive cancer originating from mature B-cells. Prognosis is strongly associated with molecular subgroup, although the driver mutations that distinguish the two main subgroups remain poorly defined. Through an integrative analysis of whole genomes, exomes, and transcriptomes, we have uncovered genes and non-coding loci that are commonly mutated in DLBCL. Our analysis has identified novel cis-regulatory sites, and implicates recurrent mutations in the 3'UTR of NFKBIZ as a novel mechanism of oncogene deregulation and NFκB pathway activation in the activated B-cell (ABC) subgroup. Small amplifications associated with over-expression of FCGR2B (the Fcγ receptor protein IIB), primarily in the germinal centre B-cell (GCB) subgroup, correlate with poor patient outcomes suggestive of a novel oncogene. These results expand the list of subgroup driver mutations that may facilitate implementation of improved diagnostic assays and could offer new avenues for the development of targeted therapeutics.

  Study EGAS00001002936

• Whole-exome sequencing and microRNA profiling predicted relapse risk of stage I lung adenocarcinomas

  Despite the advance in precision therapy, about 20% of stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients suffer a relapse after surgical resection. To develop molecular signatures for relapse prediction of stage I lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), we conduct comprehensive analyses of multiplatform molecular profiling from 113 treatment-naïve stage I Taiwanese LUAD patients. We identify 16 nonsynonymous non-sporadic point mutations (NSPOPMs) harbored at EGFR, KRAS, TP53, CTNNB1 and 6 other genes, and find that the Non-EGFR NSPOPMs were associated with early relapse in a dose-dependent manner via variant allele fraction (VAF). We define a score, maxVAF, to aggregate the VAFs of these NSPOPMs by the maximum value. MicroRNA expression analysis shows a strong correlation between miR-31 and maxVAF. Combining maxVAF with miR-31 led to a powerful risk prediction for surgically resected stage I patients (hazard ratio = 8.65, P = 0.001). Our study opens up more options for precision management of stage I LUAD patients.

  Study EGAS00001004461

• Whole-genome sequencing identifies ADGRG6 enhancer mutations and FRS2 duplications as angiogenesis-related drivers in bladder cancer

  Bladder cancer is one of the most common and highly vascularized cancers. To better understand its genomic structure and underlying etiology, we conducted whole-genome sequencing in 65 urothelial bladder carcinomas (the most common type of bladder cancer) and identified recurrent genetic alterations in a set of angiogenesis genes, facilitating the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying pathological angiogenesis in this type of cancer.

  Study EGAS00001003388

• Lymphoctye_colony_WGS

  We study lymphocyte somatic evolution through the sequencing of normal healthy lymphocytes. We perform whole-genome sequencing of single-cell derived T and B cell colonies to identify somatic mutations, and perform targeted deep-sequencing of these mutations. The lineages of T and B cells, and the frequencies of these mutations reveals the neutral and non-neutral evolutionary processes underlying lymphocyte growth and function.

  Study EGAS00001002948

• Genomic Rearrangements in Pediatric Cancer

  This study contains a collection of samples used to determine the role and impact of genomic rearrangements in a pan cancer pediatric cohort.

  Study EGAS00001005312

• Studying the single cell characteristics of pancreatic cancer

  Pancreatic cancer is a dangerous malignancy in the pancreas. In this study we use single-cell RNA sequencing technique to help understand the transcriptome characteristics of pancreatic tumor cells. This study help understands the complex microenvironment of pancreatic tumors and will likely to benefit clinical research of pancreatic cancer treatments.

  Study EGAS00001003889

• Oesophageal_Adenocarcinoma_Organoid_ATAC

  ATAC Sequencing of 5 patient derived organoid cell models. Each model was derived from a piece of patient tumour taken following surgical rescetion of the tumour. All model derivations took place with the CGaP facility in Sanger. This ATAC data will be combined with other sequencing data in order to generate

  Study EGAS00001003890

• Multimodal Genomic Features Predict Outcome of Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

  Despite progress in immunotherapy, identifying patients that respond has remained a challenge. Through analysis of whole-exome and targeted sequence data from 5,449 tumors, we found a significant correlation between tumor mutation burden (TMB) and tumor purity, suggesting that low tumor purity tumors are likely to have inaccurate TMB estimates. We developed a new method to estimate a corrected TMB (cTMB) that was adjusted for tumor purity and more accurately predicted outcome to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). To identify improved predictive markers together with cTMB, we performed whole-exome sequencing for 104 lung tumors treated with ICB. Through comprehensive analyses of sequence and structural alterations, we discovered a significant enrichment in activating mutations in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) genes in non-responding tumors in three immunotherapy-treated cohorts. An integrated multivariable model incorporating cTMB, RTK mutations, smoking-related mutational signature, and HLA status provided an improved predictor of response to immunotherapy that was independently validated.

  Study EGAS00001003892

• WES data from 165 tumor/germline samples with muscle invasive bladder cancer.

  In this study, a total of 300 patients with MIBC receiving chemotherapy were included; 62 received NAC before cystectomy and 245 received first-line chemotherapy upon detection of locally-advanced (T4b) or metastatic disease. Treatment response, defined as pathological downstaging (< pTa,CIS,N0) after NAC or complete or partial response after first-line treatment (RECIST criteria). WES was performed using DNA from 165 tumors (76x median coverage) and associated germline DNA (46x median coverage). Data provided here consist of 5,828 fastq files for WES.

  Study EGAS00001004507

• Identification of hypermutation and defective mismatch repair in ctDNA from metastatic prostate cancer

  DNA mismatch repair defects (MMRd) and tumor hypermutation are rare and under-characterized in metastatic prostate cancer. Furthermore, since hypermutated MMRd prostate cancers can respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, there is an urgent need for practical detection tools. We analyzed cell-free DNA targeted sequencing data from 434 metastatic prostate cancer patients with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) purity above 2%. Samples with somatic hypermutation were subjected to 150x whole exome sequencing. These data allowed us to interrogate the salient genomic properties of this rare prostate cancer subtype and correlate findings with patient clinical outcomes.

  Study EGAS00001003899

• Targeted sequencing DDR genes in cancer stem cells

  Colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) show heterogeneous levels of constitutive replication stress leading distinct dependence on the replication stress response. The aim of the projects was to find genetic, epigenetic, phenotypic factors associated with the resistance of colorectal CSCs to inhibitors of the ATR/CHK1 pathway, which regulates of the replication stress response. Different pairs of colorectal CSCs sensitive and resistant to ATR or CHK1 inhibitors were analyzed

  Study EGAS00001004892

• Colorectal adenomas, NKI-AvL TGO series Stool-Proteomics

  Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops from normal epithelium, through a benign precursor lesion called adenoma, by accumulation of genetic alterations affecting oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. About 5% of colorectal adenomas are estimated to progress to CRC. However, it is important to identify which adenomas actually are at high-risk of progression, because these should serve as intermediate endpoints for e.g. CRC screening programs. In clinical practice, adenomas with a size of ≥10 mm, villous component and/or high-grade dysplasia, called advanced adenomas, are considered high-risk, although this classification lacks solid evidence. Specific DNA copy number changes are associated with adenoma-to-carcinoma progression.For this tissue dataset, we applied low-pass whole genome sequencing to 98 non-advanced and advanced adenomas. These adenomas were classified as lesions with low-risk or high-risk of progression, according to the presence of specific DNA copy number changes (Carvalho et al, CancerPrevRes, 2018).

  Study EGAS00001002953

• Contribution of allelic imbalance to colorectal cancer

  Point mutations in cancer have been extensively studied but chromosomal gains and losses have been more challenging to interpret due to their unspecific nature. Here we examine high-resolution allelic imbalance (AI) landscape in 1699 colorectal cancers, 256 of which have been whole genome sequenced (WGSed). The imbalances pinpoint 38 genes as plausible AI targets based on previous knowledge, and unbiased CRISPR-Cas9 knockout and activation screens identified altogether 79 genes within AI peaks regulating cell growth. Genetic and functional data implicates loss of TP53 as a sufficient driver of AI. The WGS highlights an influence of copy number aberrations on the rate of detected somatic point mutations. Importantly, the data reveal several associations between AI target genes, suggesting a role for a network of lineage-determining transcription factors in colorectal tumorigenesis. Overall, the results unravel the contribution of AI in colorectal cancer and provide a plausible explanation why so few genes are commonly affected by point mutations in cancers.

  Study EGAS00001002966

• Identification of Therapeutic Targets in Rhabdomyosarcoma Through Integrated Genomic, Epigenomic, and Proteomic Analyses

  Personalized cancer therapy based on the somatic mutations identified in patient tumors is becoming an increasingly emphasized approach to improve outcomes of patients with cancer. There are also examples of therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer that result from changes in gene expression that are a direct or indirect result of tumor specific epigenetic perturbations. These genomic and epigenomic changes are ultimately manifest in the tumor proteome and phosphoproteome. In this study, we integrated genomic, epigenomic and proteomic data for rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities. RMS was selected for this analysis because RAS pathway mutations in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) are the most common potentially actionable lesions across pediatric solid tumors. The epigenomic data was useful for identifying deregulated developmental pathways in RMS including the WNT, HH, BMP, adenyl cyclase, p38/MAPK and PI3K pathways. Perturbations in those 6 myogenic signal transduction pathways were also evident in the proteome and phosphoteome data. In addition, the proteomic/phosphoproteomic data revealed that the cell cycle checkpoint, unfolded protein response and RB/E2F pathways were deregulated in RMS relative to normal muscle. Recent success targeting CDK4/6 and MEK in adult cancers with RAS mutations led us to test the value of these targets in RMS tumors. We also targeted the unfolded protein response pathway and cell cycle checkpoint pathway using molecular targeted therapeutics in orthotopic patient derived xenografts. Taken together, these data demonstrate the value of integrating epigenomic and proteomic data to identify tumor vulnerabilities that extend beyond somatic mutations identified in the genome.

  Study EGAS00001002967

• The Molecular Landscape of Asian Breast Cancers Reveals Clinically Relevant Population-Specific Differences

  Molecular profiles of breast cancer have contributed to an improved understanding of the disease, enabled development of molecular prognostic signatures to guide treatment decisions and unveiled new or more accurate therapeutic options for breast cancer patients. However, the extent to which differences in genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors influence molecular profiles in different populations remains poorly characterised, as relatively few large-scale molecular studies of breast tumours in non-Caucasian populations have hitherto been reported. Here, we present the molecular profiles of 560 Asian breast tumours and a comparative analysis of breast cancers arising in Asian and Caucasian women. Compared to the breast tumours in predominantly Caucasian women reported in TCGA and METABRIC, we show an increased prevalence of Her2-enriched molecular subtypes and higher prevalence of TP53 somatic mutations in ER+ Asian breast tumours. Using gene expression and immunohistochemistry, we observed elevated immune scores in Asian breast tumours, suggesting potential clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Whilst Her2-subtype and enriched immune score are associated with improved survival, presence of TP53 somatic mutations is associated with poorer survival in ER+ tumours. Taken together, these population differences unveil new opportunities to improve the understanding of this disease and lay the foundation for precision medicine in different populations.

  Study EGAS00001004518

• Targeted_sequencing_of_embryonic_variants___Warm_Autopsy

  Targeted sequencing of variants previously identified as embryonic from phylogenetic tree building of LCM WGS of PD28690.

  Study EGAS00001003952

• Partner-independent fusion gene detection by multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 enrichment and long-read Nanopore sequencing

  Fusion genes are hallmarks of various cancer types and important determinants for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment possibilities. The promiscuity of fusion genes with respect to partner choice and exact breakpoint-positions restricts their detection in the diagnostic setting, even for known and recurrent fusion gene configurations. To accurately identify these gene fusions in an unbiased manner, we developed FUDGE: a FUsion gene Detection assay from Gene Enrichment. FUDGE couples target-selected and strand-specific CRISPR/Cas9 activity for enrichment and detection of fusion gene drivers (e.g. BRAF, EWSR1, KMT2A/MLL) - without prior knowledge of fusion partner or breakpoint-location - to long-read Nanopore sequencing. FUDGE encompasses a dedicated bioinformatics approach (NanoFG) to detect fusion genes from Nanopore sequencing data. Our strategy is flexible with respect to target choice and enables multiplexed enrichment for simultaneous analysis of several genes in multiple samples in a single sequencing run. We observe on average a 508-fold on-target enrichment and identify fusion breakpoints at nucleotide resolution - all within two days. We demonstrate that FUDGE effectively identifies fusion genes in cancer cell lines, tumor samples and on whole genome amplified DNA irrespective of partner gene or breakpoint-position in 100% of cases. Furthermore, we show that FUDGE is superior to routine diagnostic methods for fusion gene detection. In summary, we have developed a rapid and versatile fusion gene detection assay, providing an unparalleled opportunity for pan-cancer detection of fusion genes in routine diagnostics.

  Study EGAS00001003964

• Spiradenocarcinoma

  • Spiradenocarcinoma is a rare cutaneous sweat gland adnexal cancer with potential for aggressive behaviour. They are classified histologically into low- and high-grade tumours, with morphologically low-grade tumours thought to behave more favourably. However, limited information is available, with only 18 published cases. • We have collected morphologically low-grade spiroadenocarcinomas (one with a lung metastasis) and high-grade spiroadenocarcinomas, as well as some spiradenomas (benign lesions), cylindromas (another type of malignant cutaneous sweat gland adnexal tumour) and hybrid spiradenoma-cylindromas. • H&E-stained sections were reviewed, follow-up was obtained, and immunohistochemistry for Ki-67, p53 and, MYB has been performed. The tumours were solitary, measuring 0.8-7?cm (median: 2.7?cm), with a predilection for the head and neck of elderly patients (median age: 72 years; range 53-92) without gender bias. Histologically, the tumours were multinodular and located in deep dermis and subcutis. A pre-existing spiradenoma was present in all cases. The malignant component was characterized by expansile growth with loss of the dual cell population, up to moderate cytological atypia and increased mitotic activity (median: 10/10 HPF; range 1-28). Additional findings included squamoid differentiation (n=9), necrosis (n=7), and ulceration (n=5). P53 expression was variable and no significant differences were noted in the benign compared with the malignant parts of the tumours. In contrast, in the malignant components the Ki-67 proliferative index was slightly increased, and MYB expression was lost. Follow-up (median: 67 months; range: 13-132) available for 16 patients (84%) revealed a local recurrence rate of 19% but no metastases or disease-related mortality. • Here we wish to exome sequence these cases to define the first genomic landscape for this malignancy.

  Study EGAS00001001799

• Single cell exome sequencing of lung adenocarcinoma

  Single cell exome sequencing was performed on 200 single cells isolated from a lung adenocarcinoma, female, non-smoker patient. The cells were derived from two distant tumour sectors and a far normal sector. The single cells were amplified on the Fluidigm C1 machine using the GE Healthcare illustra GenomiPhi V2 DNA Amplification Kit prior to sequencing library preparation. In addition, bulk exome sequencing was also conducted for each tumour sectors. For this study, somatic variations were detected from the single cells and phylogenetic clustering was conducted to elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of lung cancer.

  Study EGAS00001002972

• WGS_of_healhy_mesothelial_cells_and_primary_mesothelima_cell_lines

  Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer associated with previous exposure to asbestos. Currently there are no effective treatments for mesothelioma and majority of patients will die within a year after diagnosis. Although a large number of preclinical and clinical trials assessed the efficacy of various therapuetic modes, none of the tested molecules entered the clinic. Thus, to better understand what drives mesothelioma carcinogenesis and to identify novel targets for therapy, here we aim at performing WGS of heathy mesothelial cells and a panel of mesothelioma cells lines. Primary mesothelial cell lines were established in prof. Marciniak lab from human pleural specimens, while primary mesothelioma cell lines were obtained from MesobanK. Both models constitute low passage cell lines and therefore should closely represent genetics of the original tissue.

  Study EGAS00001005559

• Detection and characterization of lung cancer using cell-free DNA fragmentomes

  Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death world-wide, largely due to its late diagnosis. Non-invasive approaches for assessment of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) provide an opportunity for detection and intervention that may have broader accessibility than current imaging approaches. Using a machine learning model for detecting tumor-derived cfDNA through genome-wide analyses of cfDNA fragmentation, we examined a prospective study of 365 individuals at risk for lung cancer (Lung Cancer Diagnostic Study, LUCAS), including 129 individuals ultimately diagnosed with lung cancer and 236 individuals determined to not have lung cancer. We externally validated the cancer detection model using an independent cohort of 385 non-cancer individuals and 46 predominantly early stage lung cancer patients. Combining fragmentation features with clinical risk factors and CEA levels followed by CT imaging detected 94% of patients with cancer across stages and subtypes, including 91% of stage I/II and 96% of stage III/IV, at 80% specificity. Genome-wide fragmentation profiles across ~13,000 ASCL1 transcription factor binding sites could be used to distinguish individuals with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) from those with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with high accuracy (AUC=0.98). Among individuals with lung cancer, a higher cfDNA fragmentation score was associated with tumor size and invasion, and represented an independent prognostic indicator of survival. These studies provide a facile approach for non-invasive detection of lung cancer and clinical management of this disease.

  Study EGAS00001005340

• Targeted sequencing about core genes involved in telomere biology in colorectal cancer patients

  We sequenced the coding exons of core genes involved in telomere maintenance using peripheral blood DNA of 192 CRC patients. The primary sequencing data were generated by using Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine® (PGM™) platform (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA).

  Study EGAS00001002977

• Unraveling the transcriptomic profile of utero-tubal lavage fluid of ovarian cancer patients

  The majority of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage and have a high mortality rate. Current screening strategies fail to improve prognosis because markers of early stage disease are lacking. This medical need justifies the search for biomarkers enabling early detection of ovarian cancer. In this study, we explore the extracellular transcriptome of utero-tubal lavage fluid obtained from 26 ovarian cancer patients and 48 controls using messenger RNA (mRNA) capture and small RNA sequencing. Because of its contact with the fallopian tube and the ovaries, collection of utero-tubal lavage might be the preferred non-invasive method to identify localized lesions compared with analyses based on peripheral blood samples. We observed an enrichment of ovarian and fallopian tube specific messenger RNAs in utero-tubal lavage fluid compared to other human biofluids. Over 300 mRNAs and 41 miRNAs were upregulated in ovarian cancer samples compared with controls. Upregulated genes were enriched for genes involved in cell cycle activation and proliferation, hinting at a tumor derived signal. In conclusion, we provide proof-of-principle that mRNA capture sequencing of utero-tubal lavage fluid is technically feasible, and that the extracellular transcriptome of utero-tubal lavage should be further explored in larger cohorts to assess the diagnostic value of the biomarkers identified in this study.

  Study EGAS00001005498

• Identification of the mutational consequences of precancerous liver disease (including alcohol abuse) on the genomes of human adult stem cells.

  Stem cells are believed to be the cells-of-origin cancer. Nevertheless, their genome remains remarkably stable during life. To increase insight into how these cells can drive tumorigenesis, we set out to determine the genomic integrity of human adult stem cells from patients with liver disease associated with increased cancer risk. To this end, we characterized genome-wide mutation profiles of single ASCs from livers of patients with alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic liver disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The patients included in our study received a liver transplant due to their liver disease. Strikingly, we found that ASCs in these livers maintain a stable genome and have comparable mutation rates as healthy human liver ASCs. We did observe more nonsense and nonsynonymous mutations in COSMIC cancer genes that are hit by dominant mutations in tumors in comparison to healthy ASCs (n.s.), including two ASCs in alcoholic liver disease patients with a nonsense mutation in PTPRK. Next, we sequenced 5 biopsies of an alcoholic tumour to identify the mutational patterns in the tumour-initiating ASC. We found that the mutational patterns are, again, similar to healthy liver, but the mutational load is slightly higher. This suggests that the increased cancer risk in the liver disease patients is not caused by an increased mutational load, but rather that the precancerous liver environment promotes outgrowth of cells that would normally be selected against.

  Study EGAS00001002983

• Tumor-specific expression of let-7i and miR-192 is associated with resistance to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in patients with larynx and hypopharynx cancer

  Background: The majority of patients with locally advanced larynx or hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma are treated with organ preserving chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Clinical outcome following CRT varies greatly. We hypothesized tumor microRNA (miRNA) expression is predictive for outcome following CRT. Methods: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) miRNA profiling was performed on 37 formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor samples. Patients with a recurrence free survival (RFS) of less than 2 years (“poor outcome”) and patients without recurrence within 2 years (“good outcome”) were compared by differential expression analysis. Tumor-specific miRNAs were selected based on normal mucosa miRNA expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. A model was constructed to predict outcome using group-regularized penalized logistic ridge regression. Candidate miRNAs were validated in the initial sample set by RT-qPCR as well as in 46 additional tumor samples.Results: 1,938 known mature miRNAs were detected. Thirteen miRNAs were differentially expressed (p<0.05, FDR<0.1) according to outcome group. Initial class prediction in the NGS cohort (n=37) resulted in a model combining five miRNAs and disease stage, able to predict CRT outcome with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82. In the RT-qPCR cohort (n=83), 25 patients (30%) experienced early recurrence (median RFS 8 months; median follow-up 42 months). Class prediction resulted in a model combining let-7i-5p and miR-192-5p and disease stage, able to discriminate with an AUC of 0.80 patients with good versus poor clinical outcome.Conclusion: The combined miRNA expression and disease stage prediction model is superior to using either factor alone. ¬¬¬This study indicates NGS miRNA profiling using FFPE specimens is feasible, resulting in clinically relevant biomarkers.

  Study EGAS00001004001

• Role_of_HPV_and_Interferon_in_APOBEC_mutational_signature

  The aim of this project is to test whether HPV oncogenes and /or interferon induce the APOBEC mutational signature in vitro, and to test the role of APOBEC3A in this process.

  Study EGAS00001002988

• A benchmarking resource for NGS testing of cancer predisposition genes

  A benchmarking resource of 639 individuals, to assess the analytical sensitivity of cancer predisposition gene (CPG) testing.The dataset includes sequencing data generated using the TruSight Cancer Panel (TSCP) a targeted NGS assay for analysis of CPGs and orthogonally generated data supporting at least one pathogenic variant in a CPG for a total of 645 pathogenic CPG variants.The set of pathogenic CPG variants includes strong representation of some of the most challenging types of pathogenic variants, with 339 indels, including 16 complex indels and 24 insertions or deletions with length greater than 5bp, and 74 exon CNVs, including 23 single exon CNVs. There are 502 pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2, making this an important first-line validation dataset for laboratories performing NGS testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2.

  Study EGAS00001002993

• Whole_Genome_Sequencing_of_Human_Organoid_Lines

  The study will use WGS to aid in benchmarking different culture conditions in a set of genetically annotated human organoid lines. The data will be used to assess whether there is any clonal differences introduced when culturing these lines in different conditions.

  Study EGAS00001003538

• Host whole genome variations are associated with neurocognitive outcome in survivors of pediatric medulloblastoma

  Host whole genome analysis is a promising source of predictive information for long-term morbidity in cancer survivors. However, studies on genetic predictors of long-term outcome, particularly neurocognitive function following chemoradiation in pediatric oncology are limited. In the present study, we evaluated variations in host whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their association with cognitive outcome. Whole-genome SNP analysis of host peripheral blood was conducted on 22 medulloblastoma long-term survivors, of whom 18 completed neuropsychological testing. First, unsupervised consensus clustering of the most variable SNPs within 409 genes involved in DNA repair was performed. Discrete variant groups were identified, although they were not associated with cognitive outcome, suggesting that variations in genes corresponding to a single functional group may be insufficient to predict long-term outcome alone. In support of this interpretation, unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis using disease-associated gene variants by cognitive impairment status yielded two distinct variant clusters comprised of 36 variants, 34 of which were in noncoding regions. These findings illustrate for the first time that cognitively impaired survivors have a distinct variant profile compared to other medulloblastoma survivors. Future research in larger cohorts is needed to validate host genome predictors of cognitive impairment that may impact clinical management.

  Study EGAS00001002996

• Epigenetic profiling of colorectal cancer initiating cells (CC-ICs) to identify bivalently marked genes (H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 ChIP-seq), and investigation of changes in transcriptome following EZH2 inhibition using RNA-seq.

  Epigenetic regulation of transcription plays a crucial role in lineage commitment of embryonic stem cells. Promoters of key lineage-specific differentiation genes are found in a repressed bivalent state, having both activating H3K4me3 and repressive H3K27me3 histone marks, making them poised for transcription upon loss of H3K27me3 in response to environmental cues. Whether the tumour-initiating, self-renewing, cancer-initiating cells (C-ICs) have similar epigenetic regulatory mechanism that prevent lineage commitment is unknown. In order to investigate bivalently marked and repressed promoters, we used a patient-derived CC-IC enriched model to identify the changes in transcriptome following inhibition of EZH2, the H3K27 methyltransferase. We also performed ChIP-seq for H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 at baseline in order to identify repressed and bivalently marked promoters.

  Study EGAS00001003003