11765 results for "cancer rna-seq"

in 32.98 milliseconds.

• Non-neuronal TGF-β–mediated extracellular matrix remodeling drives neurodegeneration in a PSP-Richardson syndrome model

  Progressive supranuclear palsy-Richardson syndrome (PSP-RS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder marked by rapid motor decline, cognitive impairment, and widespread accumulation of pathological tau. Yet, the molecular triggers of sporadic PSP-RS remain elusive. In this study, we combined patient-derived midbrain organoids with integrative multi-omics to uncover a previously unrecognized pathological cascade. At the core lies an early and aberrant activation of TGF-β signaling, which initiates profound extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and aberrant integrin-mediated focal adhesion. This cascade leads to persistent hyperactivation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways, disrupting cytoskeletal integrity, impairing autophagy, promoting pathological tau phosphorylation and mislocalization, and ultimately driving synaptic degeneration. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed an ectopic expansion of vascular leptomeningeal-like cells (VLMCs), a collagen-producing population, accompanied by a broad ECM gene dysregulation unique to PSP-RS. Remarkably, pharmacological blockade of TGF-β, AKT, ERK, or mTOR signaling reversed tau pathology and restored synaptic integrity. These findings position TGF-β-driven ECM remodeling as a master regulator of neurodegeneration in sporadic PSP-RS and unveil multiple actionable therapeutic targets for this currently untreatable disease.

  Study EGAS50000001236

• Oncoprint GSCCs

  Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most malignant primary brain tumor, with a median survival rarely exceeding 2 years. Tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment are key factors contributing to the poor response rates of current therapeutic approaches. GBM-associated macrophages (GAMs) often exhibit immunosuppressive features that promote tumor progression. However, their dynamic interactions with GBM tumor cells remain poorly understood. Here, we used patient-derived GBM stem cell cultures and combined single-cell RNA sequencing of GAM-GBM co-cultures and real-time in vivo monitoring of GAM-GBM interactions in orthotopic zebrafish xenograft models to provide insight into the cellular, molecular, and spatial heterogeneity. Our analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity across GBM patients in GBM-induced GAM polarization and the ability to attract and activate GAMs – features that correlated with patient survival. Differential gene expression analysis, immunohistochemistry on original tumor samples, and knock-out experiments in zebrafish subsequently identified LGALS1 as a primary regulator of immunosuppression. Overall, our work highlights that GAM-GBM interactions can be studied in a clinically relevant way using co-cultures and avatar models, while offering new opportunities to identify promising immune-modulating targets.

  Study EGAS00001007481

• HCA_Thymus_Disease

  Single cell RNA sequencing on thymic cells from children with syndromic diseases such as Trisomy 21 and inflammatory/autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis. Our group has previously performed atlasing of the healthy human thymus using single cell transcriptomics and obtained an unprecedented understanding of human thymus throughout development. In this study, we intend to survey diseased human thymus and compare this to healthy to obtain a better understanding of thymic dysfunction in human diseases. The diseases we will survey include congenital conditions such as Down's syndrome, CHARGE syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome as well as acquired diseases such as myasthenia gravis and thymic hyperplasia. We intend to perform genetic and genomic study on the samples, including expression analysis. This will not only help us to understand the cells and molecular pathways affected in dysfunctional thymus; but may also lead to generalisable understandings in human genetic diseases and inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. 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 EGAS00001004310

• The mission of the BIOS Consortium is to create a large-scale data infrastructure and to bring together BBMRI researchers focusing on integrative omics studies in Dutch Biobanks.

  The advent of the genome-wide association study (GWAS) led to the successful identification of thousands of variants that are robustly associated with complex disease phenotypes. Dutch biobanks played a substantial role in these discoveries. For most of these variants, however, the mechanisms through which they contribute to these phenotypes remain unknown. The BIOS Consortium applies a functional genomics approach that integrates genome-wide genetic data with data on the epigenome and transcriptome to elucidate these mechanisms. Over 4000 samples from BBMRI-NL biobanks with in-depth information on disease phenotypes and GWAS data are being enriched with RNA-sequencing and genome-wide DNA methylation data. The same is true for samples with whole-genome sequencing data from GoNL. This unique data infrastructure provides a powerful platform to evaluate key questions in integrative omics from establishing comprehensive eQTL and meQTL catalogues to linking molecular pathways across omics levels to phenotypic outcomes.

  Study EGAS00001001077

• Biased allelic expression in human primary fibroblast single cells.

  The study of gene expression in mammalian single cells using genomic technologies now provides the possibility to investigate the patterns of allelic gene expression. We have used single-cell RNA sequencing to detect the allele-specific mRNA level in 203 single human primary fibroblast cells over 133,633 unique heterozygous single nucleotide variants (hetSNVs). We have observed that at the snapshot of analyses each cell contains mostly transcripts from one allele from the majority of genes; indeed 76.4% of the hetSNVs display stochastic monoallelic expression in single cells. Remarkably, adjacent hetSNVs exhibit haplotype consistent allelic ratio; in contrast distant sites located in two different genes are independent of the haplotype structure. Moreover, the allele-specific expression in single cells correlated with the abundance of the cellular transcript. We observed that genes expressing both alleles in majority of the single cells at a given time point are rare and enriched in highly expressed genes. The relative abundance of each allele in a cell is controlled by some regulatory mechanisms since we observed related single-cell allelic profiles according to genes. Overall, these results have direct implications in cellular phenotypic variability.

  Study EGAS00001001009

• BARIA baseline first 100 individuals transcriptomes

  Prevalence of obesity and associated diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are increasing. Underlying mechanisms, especially in humans, are unclear. Bariatric surgery provides the unique opportunity to obtain biopsies and portal vein blood-samples. Methods The BARIA Study aims to assess how microbiota and their metabolites affect transcription in key tissues and clinical outcome in obese subjects and how baseline anthropometric and metabolic characteristics determine weight loss and glucose homeostasis after bariatric surgery. We phenotype patients undergoing bariatric surgery (predominantly laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), before weight loss, with biometrics, dietary and psychological questionnaires, mixed meal test (MMT) and collect fecal-samples and intra-operative biopsies from liver, adipose tissues and jejunum. We aim to include 1500 patients. A subset (approximately 25%) will undergo intra-operative portal vein blood-sampling. Fecal-samples are analyzed with shotgun metagenomics and targeted metabolomics, fasted and postprandial plasma-samples are subjected to metabolomics, and RNA is extracted from the tissues for RNAseq-analyses. Data will be integrated using state-of-the-art neuronal networks and metabolic modeling. Patient follow-up will be ten years.

  Study EGAS00001005704

• Kidney_transplant_nephrectomy_scRNAseq

  Single cell transcriptomics study of tissue from human kidney transplant nephrectomies Tissue is acquired from kidney transplant nephrectomies, homogenised and disaggregated to a single cell suspension prior to droplet encapsulation single cell RNAseq (10X protocol) or plate based single cell RNAseq (SS2 protocol). Human tissues, including the kidney are seeded with a tissue resident immune cell network throughout life. These cells may self renew in situ or be replaced by circulating precursors which enter the tissue in response to tissue specific niche and inflammatory signals. We are using single cell RNA sequencing of kidney transplant nephrectomy tissue to 1) understand the immune cell populations which are resident within the human kidney 2) identify which of these populations is donor or recipient derived. 3) Uncover the temporal dynamics of donor/recipient chimerism in the the human kidney following transplantation. 4) Understand transcriptional differences between organs removed for a variety of reasons (infection, chronic rejection, vascular emergencies) 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 EGAS00001003935

• Germline biallelic mutation affecting the transcription factor Helios causes pleiotropic defects of immunity

  We studied a patient with recurrent respiratory infections and hypogammaglobulinemia and identified a germline homozygous missense mutation in IKZF2 encoding Helios (p.Ile325Val). We show that HeliosI325V retains DNA-binding and dimerization properties, but loses interaction with several partners, including epigenetic remodelers HDAC1, HDAC3 and the ATAC complex. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed gene expression signatures indicative of a shift towards pro-inflammatory, effector-like status in the patient’s T cells. We observed an upregulation of the anti-inflammatory gene, TSC22D3, encoding the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), whose expression was reported to increase upon IL-2 deprivation. We validated this finding in primary T cells, where we observed a pronounced reduction in IL-2 production upon their stimulation, together with a defect in their ability to proliferate, rendering them more anergic. Collectively, we identify a novel germline-encoded inborn error of immunity and define a role for Helios in conventional T cells, whereby interactions with specific binding partners is necessary to mediate the transcriptional programs that enable T-cell homeostasis in health and disease.

  Study EGAS00001005675

• Identification of Germline Monoallelic Mutations in IKZF2 in Patients with Immune Dysregulation.

  Helios, encoded by IKZF2, is a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors with pivotal roles in T-follicular helper, NK- and T-regulatory cell physiology. Somatic IKZF2 mutations are frequently found in lymphoid malignancies. Although germline mutations in IKZF1 and IKZF3, encoding Ikaros and Aiolos, have recently been identified in patients with phenotypically similar immunodeficiency syndromes, the effect of germline mutations in IKZF2 on human hematopoiesis and immunity remains enigmatic. We identified germline IKZF2 mutations (one nonsense (p.R291X)- and 4 distinct missense variants) in six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, immune thrombocytopenia or EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Patients exhibited hypogammaglobulinemia, decreased number of T-follicular helper and NKcells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of PBMCs from the patient carrying the R291X variant revealed upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes associated with T-cell receptor activation and T-cell exhaustion. Functional assays revealed the inability of HeliosR291X to homodimerize and bind target DNA as dimers. Moreover, proteomic analysis by proximity-dependent Biotin Identification revealed aberrant interaction of 3/5 Helios mutants with core components of the NuRD complex conveying HELIOS mediated epigenetic and transcriptional dysregulation.

  Study EGAS00001005874

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

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

  Study EGAS00001006747

• The impact of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 on adaptive and innate immune responses

  The mRNA-based BNT162b2 protects against severe disease and mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2 through induction of specific antibody and T-cell responses. Much less is known about its broad effects on immune responses against other pathogens. In the present study, we investigated the specific adaptive immune responses induced by BNT162b2 vaccination against various SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as its effects on the responsiveness of human immune cells upon stimulation with heterologous viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. BNT162b2 vaccination induced effective humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 that started to wane after six months. We also observed long-term transcriptional changes in immune cells after vaccination, as assessed by RNA sequencing. Additionally, vaccination with BNT162b2 modulated innate immune responses as measured by the production of inflammatory cytokines when stimulated with various microbial stimuli other than SARS-CoV-2, including higher IL-1/IL-6 release and decreased production of IFN-α. Altogether, these data expand our knowledge regarding the overall immunological effects of this new class of vaccines and underline the need of additional studies to elucidate their effects on both innate and adaptive immune responses.

  Study EGAS00001006818

• Single-cell profiling of co-cultures of GSCCs and macrophages

  Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most malignant primary brain tumor, with a median survival rarely exceeding 2 years. Tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment are key factors contributing to the poor response rates of current therapeutic approaches. GBM-associated macrophages (GAMs) often exhibit immunosuppressive features that promote tumor progression. However, their dynamic interactions with GBM tumor cells remain poorly understood. Here, we used patient-derived GBM stem cell cultures and combined single-cell RNA sequencing of GAM-GBM co-cultures and real-time in vivo monitoring of GAM-GBM interactions in orthotopic zebrafish xenograft models to provide insight into the cellular, molecular, and spatial heterogeneity. Our analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity across GBM patients in GBM-induced GAM polarization and the ability to attract and activate GAMs – features that correlated with patient survival. Differential gene expression analysis, immunohistochemistry on original tumor samples, and knock-out experiments in zebrafish subsequently identified LGALS1 as a primary regulator of immunosuppression. Overall, our work highlights that GAM-GBM interactions can be studied in a clinically relevant way using co-cultures and avatar models, while offering new opportunities to identify promising immune-modulating targets.

  Study EGAS00001007482

• Genome‐wide postnatal changes in immunity following fetal inflammatory response

  The fetal inflammatory response (FIR) increases the risk of perinatal brain injury, particularly in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs, < 28 weeks of gestation). One of the mechanisms contributing to such a risk is a postnatal intermittent or sustained systemic inflammation (ISSI) following FIR. The link between prenatal and postnatal systemic inflammation is supported by the presence of well‐established inflammatory biomarkers in the umbilical cord and peripheral blood. However, the extent of molecular changes contributing to this association is unknown. Using RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry proteomics, we profiled the transcriptome and proteome of archived neonatal dried blood spot (DBS) specimens from 21 ELGANs. Comparing FIR‐affected and unaffected ELGANs, we identified 782 gene and 27 protein expression changes of 50% magnitude or more, and an experiment‐wide significance level below 5% false discovery rate. These expression changes confirm the robust postnatal activation of the innate immune system in FIR‐affected ELGANs and reveal for the first time an impairment of their adaptive immunity. In turn, the altered pathways provide clues about the molecular mechanisms triggering ISSI after FIR, and the onset of perinatal brain injury.

  Study EGAS00001003635

• SINGLE-CELL RNA SEQUENCING Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 13 ‘mild-moderate’ and 10 ‘critical’ COVID19 PBMC samples

  Summary Epidemiological and clinical reports have indicated that SARS-CoV-2 virulence hinges upon the triggering of an aberrant host immune response, more so than on direct virus-induced cellular damage. To elucidate the immunopathology underlying COVID-19 severity, we performed cytokine and multiplex immune profiling in mild-moderate and critically ill COVID-19 patients. Hypercytokinemia in COVID-19 differed from the IFN-γ-driven cytokine storm in macrophage activation syndrome, and was more pronounced in critical versus mild-moderate COVID-19. Systems modelling of cytokine levels paired with deep-immune profiling showed that classical monocytes drive this hyper-inflammatory phenotype and that a reduction in T-lymphocytes correlates with disease severity, with CD8+ cells being disproportionately affected. Expression of antigen presenting machinery was also reduced in critical disease. Furthermore, we found that neutrophils contributed to disease severity and local tissue damage by amplification of hypercytokinemia and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Together these findings suggest a myeloid-driven immunopathology, in which hyperactivated neutrophils and an ineffective adaptive immune system act as mediators of COVID-19 disease severity.

  Study EGAS00001005039

• An alternative splicing modulator decreases mutant HTT and improves the molecular fingerprint in Huntington’s disease patient neurons

  Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by poly-Q expansion in the Huntingtin (HTT) protein. Here, we delineate elevated mutant HTT (mHTT) levels in patient-derived cells including fibroblasts and iPSC derived cortical neurons using a GLP approved HTT assay. HD patients’ fibroblasts and cortical neurons recapitulate aberrant alternative splicing as a molecular fingerprint of HD. Branaplam is a splicing modulator currently tested in a phase II study in HD (NCT05111249). The drug lowers total HTT (tHTT) and mHTT levels in fibroblasts, iPSC, cortical progenitors, and neurons in a dose dependent manner at an IC50 consistently below 10nm without inducing cellular toxicity. Branaplam promotes inclusion of non-annotated novel exons. Amongst, a 115bp frameshift-inducing exon in the HTT transcript in Branaplam treated cells from Ctrl and HD patients leading to a profound reduction of HTT RNA and protein levels. Importantly, Branaplam ameliorates aberrant alternative splicing in HD patients’ fibroblasts and cortical neurons. These findings highlight the applicability of splicing modulators in the treatment of CAG repeat disorders and decipher their molecular effects associated with the pharmacokinetic and -dynamic properties in patient-derived cellular models.

  Study EGAS00001006289

• Genome-Wide Association Study of HCC in Non-Asian USA Population

  This GWAS of HCC relied on existing biological and data resources from 7 USA sites and one Canadian site which allows for the integration of genetic and environmental data. Total of 2199 case patients and 1103 non cancer controls were genotyped. Case patients are defined as patients with pathological or radiological diagnosis of HCC with and without chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Study was restricted to Caucasian population without prior infection with chronic HBV infection. All DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood. Study population of the participated sites are: Site-1: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center A hospital based-case-control study was initiated at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2000 and approved by the Institutional Review Board of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Study design was previously described in detailed (1-3). Written informed consent for an interview and for a biological sample was obtained from each participant. At time of diagnosis prior to treatment exposure. Case patients were recruited from the population of patients with newly diagnosed HCC who were evaluated and treated at the institution's gastrointestinal medical and surgical oncology outpatient clinics. Inclusion criteria were as follows: a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of HCC, U.S. residency, and the ability to communicate in English. Patients with concurrent or past history of other types of cancers were excluded. Control subjects were healthy spouses of patients with cancers other than liver, gastrointestinal, lung, or head and neck (smoking-related cancers) undergoing treatment at our institution. Eligibility criteria for control subjects were the same as those for patients, except that control subjects could not have ever had cancer. A short, structured questionnaire was used to screen potential control subjects on the basis of eligibility criteria. Control subjects and patients were recruited simultaneously. Case patients and control subjects were interviewed by well-trained interviewers who followed a written protocol to guide ascertainment and reduce surveillance, interviewer, and recall bias. No proxy interviews were conducted. The interviewers used a structured and validated questionnaire to collect information about demographic characteristics and potential risk factors for HCC such as personal smoking history, alcohol use, medical history, occupational history, and family history of cancer. Blood samples from cases and controls were tested for HBV and HCV. HCV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen, and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen were detected by use of a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL). Important clinical information were retrieved from patients' medical records. Total of 1188 case patients and 278 controls from MD Anderson study were genotyped. Site-2: Mayo Clinic Case patients and controls included in the study from Mayo clinic were recruited as part of Mayo International Hepatobiliary Neoplasia Register and Biorepository. Only USA patients and controls were participated. All cases and controls signed informed consent indicating their willingness to participate in genetic studies. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected from participants and retrieved from medical records. Total of 522 HCC case patients and 182 controls were genotyped in this study. Site-3: Toronto University Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatobiliary Tumors (HBT study, CAPCR 09-0289) is a hospital-based study that includes 1710 patients diagnosed with liver, bile duct or gallbladder adenocarcinoma (Hepatocellular carcinoma - HCC; cholangiocarcinoma - CCA; and gall bladder adenocarcinoma -GBCa) recruited at University Health Network (UHN) between 2009 and 2018. HBT study is a prospective study of cancer patients that collects self-reported demographic and epidemiological data, medical records/clinical information and blood samples for research purposes. Eligible patients recruited between 2009 and March 15 2016 were selected to participate in the Genome-Wide Association Study in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (GWAS in HCC, CAPCR 15-9943-CE), a sub-study of the HBT study. Eligible prospective patients recruited after March 15 2016 signed the Addendum to the HBT consent form and became eligible to participate in the GWAS in HCC study. Total of 271 cases and 21 controls were genotyped from Toronto University Site-4: University of Pittsburgh The design of the study has been described previously (4-6). Briefly, this population-based study enrolled 120 HCC patients and 230 matched controls from black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white residents of Los Angeles County who were between 18 and 74 years of age at diagnosis from January 1995 through December 2001. HCC Cases were identified through the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program. We sought to recruit up to two control subjects per case from the neighborhoods where HCC patients resided at the time of diagnosis, who were matched to the index case by sex, age (within 5 years), and race (Hispanic white, non-Hispanic white, black). Blood samples (plasma and buffy coat), medical and lifestyle factors were collected from all consenting participants. Total of 65 cases and 60 controls were genotyped in this study Site-5: South Western Dallas Under IRB approval, HCC Cases and controls were prospectively collected since 2015 from the outpatient Liver clinics from Parkland Health and Hospital System and UT Southwestern Medical Center, two large health systems in Dallas TX. A Total of 31 cases and 29 controls were genotyped from site 5. Site-6: Columbia University HCC patients from Columbia are those recruited as part of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center Database Shared Resource which seeks to recruit all cancer patients for potential future studies. The PI is Dr. Katherine Crew AAAL5871. This resource collects sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical data on patients as well as a blood sample. Those who indicated on their consent form that they would participate in genetic studies were included. Total of 79 case patients with HCC were genotyped from Columbia University. Site-7: University of Michigan The study population included from University of Michigan were included from a prospective study of with chronic HCV infection recruited in Ann Arbor Patients who had under- gone liver transplantation, known coinfection with HIV, life expectancy <12 months due to extra-hepatic illnesses, or were receiving HCV treatment at enrolment, were excluded. Protocol, surveys, and data forms were developed where each enrolled patient completed the same questionnaire All patients provided written informed consent before enrolment in the study. The study was approved by the institutional review board or ethics committee at the University of Michigan. Detailed study description was previously published (7). Total of 44 cases and 347 controls were genotyped Site-8: Veteran Administration Medical Center in Houston This research including written informed consent form was jointly approved by Institutional Review Boards for the Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Study details have been previously published (8). Briefly, we prospectively recruited consecutive HCV-infected veterans prior to their previously scheduled HCV clinic visit at a large tertiary care VA medical center between May 1, 2009 and December 31, 2012. Patients completed a research assistant (RA) administered survey interrogating medical and risk factor history including lifetime alcohol use, had anthropometric measurements taken, and completed a fasting venipuncture for performance of the FibroSure-ActiTest as a measure of hepatic pathology. We restricted our current analysis to individuals who were: (1) White male veterans between 18 and 70 years; (2) had no history of HCC, liver transplant, decompensated liver disease including ascites, dementia, or psychosis; (3) were serologically-confirmed to have chronic HCV and to be negative for both HIV and active HBV infection; (4) were not currently receiving anti-HCV pharmacotherapy; and (5) had FibroSURE testing shown F3/F4 fibrosis consistent with cirrhosis.

  Study phs001744

• Gene expression-based prediction of pazopanib efficacy in sarcoma (HIPO, H021)

  The multi-receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor pazopanib is approved for the treatment of advanced non-adipocytic soft-tissue sarcoma and has also shown activity in other sarcoma subtypes. However, its clinical efficacy is highly variable, and no reliable predictors exist to date to select patients who are most likely to benefit from this drug. We analyzed the molecular profiles and clinical outcomes of pazopanib-treated sarcoma patients enrolled in a prospective observational study by the German Cancer Consortium, DKTK MASTER, that employs whole-genome/exome sequencing (WGS/WES) and transcriptome sequencing to inform the care of adults with advanced cancer across histologies who are younger than 51 and patients with rare tumors, including rare subtypes of more common entities, regardless of age.​ Among a total of 109 patients with available WGS/WES data, there was no correlation between clinical parameters, specific genetic alterations, or mutational signatures and clinical outcome. In contrast, analysis of a subcohort of 62 patients who underwent molecular analysis before pazopanib treatment and had transcriptome sequencing data available showed that mRNA levels of NTRK3 (hazard ratio [HR]=0.53, p=0.021), IGF1R (HR=1.82, p=0.027), and KDR (HR=0.50, p=0.011) were independently associated with progression-free survival (PFS). Based on the expression of these RTK genes, i.e., the features NTRK3-high, IGF1R-low, and KDR-high, we developed a pazopanib efficacy predictor (PEP) that stratified patients into three groups with significantly different PFS (p<0.0001). Application of the PEP to an independent cohort of pazopanib-treated sarcoma patients from DKTK MASTER (n=43) confirmed its potential to separate patient groups with significantly different PFS (p=0.02), whereas no such association was observed in sarcoma patients from DKTK MASTER (n=77) or The Cancer Genome Atlas sarcoma cohort (n=256) who were not treated with pazopanib. A score based on the combined expression of NTRK3, IGF1R, and KDR allows identification of sarcoma patients with good, intermediate, and poor outcome following pazopanib therapy and warrants investigation as a predictive tool in prospective studies to optimize the use of this drug in the clinic.

  Study EGAS00001005836

• DO NOT USE - Whole genome sequencing of SI-NETs from six patients

  Small intestine neuroendocrine tumor (SI-NET), the most common cancer of the small bowel, often displays a curious multifocal phenotype with several intestinal tumors centered around a regional lymph node metastasis, yet the typical path of evolution of these lesions remains unclear. Here, we determined the complete genome sequences of 24 tumor and 3 adjacent normal tissue samples with their paired normal blood samples (totally 33 whole genomes) from 6 patients with multifocal SI-NETs, allowing elucidation of phylogenetic relationships between multiple intestinal tumors and metastases in individual patients.

  Study EGAS00001005009

• Whole exome sequencing of pediatric soft tissue sarcoma PDX models

  Childhood cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in pediatric patients in Europe. Pediatric sarcomas, comprising soft tissue sarcomas and malignant bone tumors, are a heterogenous group of malignancies, with more than 50 subtypes (WHO classification). Due to low case numbers, studying pediatric sarcomas requires accurate and reliable preclinical models. Here, we established 18 soft tissues sarcoma PDX models, including Ewing Sarcoma, Rhabdmyosarcoma and Osteosarcoma. We characterized these models by Whole Exome Sequencing and assessd the response to a wide range of drugs.

  Study EGAS50000000048

• Oral Microbiome in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

  The purpose of our study was to assess the influence of oral microbiota on the development of esophageal cancer. Our preliminary case-control studies reported a global alteration of foregut microbiome in esophageal adenocarcinoma with the strongest changes found in the oral microbiome. We hypothesise that commensal oral bacteria are capable of activating or degrading carcinogens in cigarette smoke and therefore may contribute to esophageal carcinogenesis. We conducted a prospective study nested in two large US cohorts, to determine whether oral microbiota are associated with subsequent esophageal adenocarcinoma.

  Study phs001527

• Breakpoint detection using long insert whole genome sequencing

  In this study, we hypothesize that shallow long insert whole genome sequencing (LI-WGS) increases our power for detecting breakpoints compared to shallow short insert WGS. We performed a priori analyses to demonstrate the benefits of LI-WGS, developed a long insert library preparation protocol based off Illumina's protocol, and compared LI-WGS against short insert WGS on test samples. We then used long insert WGS to identify translocations and copy number changes in tumor and germline samples collected from cancer patients with different malignancies.

  Study phs000646

• Pharmacogenomic Analysis of Microtubule Targeting Agent Response and Toxicity

  Microtubule targeting agents are commonly prescribed for early and metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors. However, interindividual variability in microtubule targeting drug response and toxicity can cause limited therapeutic benefit and impact quality of life. In the present study, genome-wide analyses were performed to investigate how genetic factors can be used to increase prediction of treatment response and toxicity, identify genes or gene pathways associated with chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity, and inform further in vitro studies that may help isolate differences in response and toxicity of microtubule targeting agents.

  Study phs002060

• Genomic Analysis of Bevacizumab-induced Hypertension

  Bevacizumab use in the treatment of cancer can lead to the development of hypertension in some patients, and high-grade toxicity can limit therapy or lead to cardiovascular complications. The factors that contribute to interindividual variability in blood pressure rise during bevacizumab treatment are not well understood. In the present study, whole exomes and flanking regulatory regions of candidate genes associated with vasodilation and blood pressure were sequenced in bevacizumab-treated subjects with the objective of identifying genes harboring multiple variants associated with severe, early-onset bevacizumab-induced hypertension.

  Study phs001597

• Germline Genome Sequencing from Patients with Early-Onset Merkel Cell Carcinoma

  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer associated with advanced age. Approximately 5% of cases are early-onset MCC, occurring in individuals younger than 50 years. This study used genome sequencing to identify germline risk factors among patients with early-onset MCC. The available data in the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) includes genome sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA from 37 patients with early-onset MCC (age ATM = 2, BRCA1 = 2, BRCA2 = 1, TP53 = 1, and MAGT1 = 1).

  Study phs003485

• Targeted re-sequencing of multi-region sampled tumors in PDAC

  Multi-region tumor samples were cut from frozen sections or FFPEs and reviewed from microdissection and H&E staining in order to select ones with high cellularity. DNA extraction was done using DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kits for frozen samples following the manufacturer’s guideline. Extracted DNAs were processed on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 in a paired end mode (100x100) using a custom targeted panel based on the list of all unique somatic mutations from the original WES data by the Integrated Genomics Operation (IGO) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY).

  Study EGAS50000000239