12214 results for "cancer rna-seq"

in 48.70 milliseconds.

• 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

• Longitudinal monitoring of cell-free DNA methylation in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients

  Here, we performed genome-wide 5-mC profiling in plasma of metastatic ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. We established a strategy to identify ALK-specific 5-mC changes from cfDNA and demonstrated the suitability of the identified markers for cancer detection, prognosis and therapy monitoring. Longitudinal plasma samples (n = 79) of 21 ALK-positive NSCLC patients and 13 healthy donors were collected alongside 15 ALK-positive tumor tissue and 10 healthy lung tissue specimens. All plasma and tissue samples were analyzed by cell-free DNA methylation immunoprecipitation sequencing to generate genome-wide 5-mC profiles. Information on genomic alterations (i.e., somatic mutations/fusions and copy number alterations) determined in matched plasma samples were available from previous studies.

  Study EGAS00001006573

• Newborn Screening Translational Research Network (NBSTRN): Newborn Sequencing in Genomic Medicine and Public Health (NSIGHT2)

  Large-scale studies of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in neonates have largely been neglected. Thus, the clinical and social implications of this absence are largely unknown. The proposed study aims to increase scientific knowledge for acutely ill neonates. This population may stand to benefit largely from WGS given the severity of illness. The proposed clinical study is a prospective, randomized, partially-blinded study that has both quantitative and qualitative assessments of the risks and benefits of the use of STATseq, a 2-day genome test, in acutely ill neonates at Children's Mercy Hospital. Study participants include neonates, their parents, and clinicians caring for them. The overall aims will provide a nuanced understanding of the role of rapid diagnostic WGS for acutely ill neonates, including relative diagnostic sensitivity and change in management both for broad NICU populations and subpopulations, accuracy, reproducibility, and relative value of proband WGS and familial triads. The technological aims include improving diagnostic sensitivity without sacrificing the rapid turnaround time. The clinical aims include looking at increased diagnostic yield, shorter time to diagnosis and clinician perception of management changes that result from implementation of STAT-seq. Finally, the study will investigate the perceived value of STAT-seq in parents and clinicians using structural equation modeling. The studies also are designed for long-term continuation of assessment of the enrollees (beyond the current funding period) and in additional sample types (via a biorepository). Long-term continuation studies will test effects on long-term morbidity, mortality, quality of life and cost of care. We hope that the study results will be sufficient to provide an evidence base for physician adoption and provider reimbursement of WGS in Level 3 and 4 NICUs.

  Study phs002094

• Aberrant Activation of Wound Healing Programs within the Metastatic Niche Facilitates Lung Colonization by Osteosarcoma Cells

  Lung metastasis is responsible for nearly all deaths caused by osteosarcoma, the most common pediatric bone tumor. How malignant bone cells coerce the lung microenvironment to support metastatic growth is unclear. This study delineates how osteosarcoma cells educate the lung microenvironment during metastatic progression.Using single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq), we characterized genome– and tissue-wide molecular changes induced within lung tissues by disseminated osteosarcoma cells in both immunocompetent murine models of metastasis and patient samples. We confirmed transcriptomic findings at the protein level and determined spatial relationships with multi-parameter immunofluorescence. We evaluated the ability of nintedanib to impair metastatic colonization and prevent osteosarcoma-induced education of the lung microenvironment in both immunocompetent murine osteosarcoma and immunodeficient human xenograft models.Osteosarcoma cells induced acute alveolar epithelial injury upon lung dissemination. scRNA-seq demonstrated that the surrounding lung stroma adopts a chronic, non-resolving wound-healing phenotype similar to that seen in other models of lung injury. Accordingly, metastasis-associated lung demonstrated marked fibrosis, likely due to the accumulation of pathogenic, pro-fibrotic, partially-differentiated epithelial intermediates. Inhibition of fibrotic pathways with nintedanib prevented metastatic progression in multiple murine and human xenograft models. Our work demonstrates that osteosarcoma cells co-opt fibrosis to promote metastatic outgrowth. When harmonized with data from adult epithelial cancers, our results support a generalized model wherein aberrant mesenchymal-epithelial interactions are critical for promoting lung metastasis. Adult epithelial carcinomas induce fibrotic pathways in normal lung fibroblasts, whereas osteosarcoma, a pediatric mesenchymal tumor, exhibits fibrotic reprogramming in response to the aberrant wound-healing behaviors of an otherwise normal lung epithelium, which are induced by tumor cell interactions.

  Study phs003569

• Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA) sQTL

  Current efforts within the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) are largely focused on defining reference human cell types using a relatively small number of samples of predominantly European origin. However, the next phase of the HCA is likely to address the topic of human diversity by comprehensively characterizing variation in cell states across age, sex, population groups, diseases and environments. To spur this next phase, and also expand the geographical scope of the HCA, we propose an HCA-Asia seed network to generate an Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA). AIDA will generate transcriptome variation datasets from 5 major Asian population groups (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Malay), define an atlas of Asian cell types and states, and characterize their variation associated with ethnicity, age and sex. We will also formalize a study design based on common controls that can in principle reduce technical artifacts in a broad range of comparative single cell studies. This study design will be complemented with novel algorithms designed to normalize datasets of interest against the common controls, to increase the robustness of biological inferences. In addition to providing new tools and resources to the HCA, this seed network will serve as a template for future comparative studies in the single cell field.The AIDA dataset consists of scRNA-seq (10x 5′ v2 scRNA-seq) and genotype (Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array v.3) data. In the AIDA splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTL) project, we identified 11,577 independent cis-sQTLs, 607 trans-sQTLs, and 107 dynamic sQTLs. The post-imputation genotype for the Japanese and Korean cohort will be available through dbGaP. The Singaporean (ethnically Chinese, Indian and Malay) genotypes require a data access application to the HELIOS Data Access Committee (helios_science@ntu.edu.sg). European samples are used as control.

  Study phs003848

• Breast cancer bone metastases

  Dac EGAC00001003238

• Cancer Genetics Data Access Commitee

  Dac EGAC00001001742

• Pan Cancer Plasma cfRNA DAC

  Dac EGAC00001003176

• Data Access Commitee FGFR Cancer

  Dac EGAC00001003273

• Breast Cancer Cell Line Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00000000015

• Leeds Cancer Genomics

  Dac EGAC00001001156

• SMC Colon cancer team

  Dac EGAC00001001277

• Breast cancer bone metastases

  Dac EGAC00001001548

• PBL Cancer Data Committee

  Dac EGAC00001001870

• bladder cancer data access commitee

  Dac EGAC00001002016

• Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry group

  Dac EGAC00001002236

• OV cancer cell lines DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002307

• Lung cancer cfDNA dataset DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002387

• Lung cancer cfDNA dataset DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002388

• Cancer Team Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001002449

• GIS - NCCS Pancreatic Cancer DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002565

• Lung cancer cfDNA dataset DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002608

• Cancer Team Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001002891

• Pancreatic cancer PDOs/CAFs DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002897

• Pan Cancer Plasma cfRNA DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002956

• DAC for noninvasive lung cancer subtyping

  Dac EGAC00001003474

• Lung cancer cfDNA dataset DAC

  Dac EGAC00001002994

• Ovarian cancer cfDNA dataset DAC

  Dac EGAC00001003234

• COH/USC Ovarian Cancer Studies

  Dac EGAC50000000834

• Mitochondrial DNA sequencing

  Study EGAS00001005540

• Patient-derived organoids_Vumc

  Study EGAS00001005947

• WGS of PMBCL

  Study EGAS00001006452

• CIDR: NCI Genome Wide Predictors of Survival in Colorectal Cancer

  CIDR/Molecular Correlates: This study genotyped archived blood samples from colorectal cancer cases participating in clinical trials. The goals of this project were to identify genetic variants associated with survival outcomes treatment and treatment-related severe adverse events among patients with colorectal cancer. Another goal was to examine the impact of adding information on germline genetic loci to existing prognostic models. MOSAIC: Multicenter International Study of Oxaliplatin/ 5FU-LV in the Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer (MOSAIC). A randomized, open label efficacy trial to evaluate the FOLFOX regimen versus LV5FU2 in the adjuvant treatment of stage II and III colon cancer. The primary end point was disease-free survival. CPT.ES1.604: Randomized phase 3 study of weekly irinotecan plus high-dose 5-fluorouracil (FUIRI) versus biweekly irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFIRI) as first-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic CRC. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that a regimen without leucovorin (LV) (FUIRI) is not inferior to the standard FOLFIRI (response rate). 03-TTD-01: The purpose of this phase III, multicenter, randomized, open-label study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) vs. oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil in continous infusion (5-FU CI) as first line treatment in advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. The primary outcome measure is time to disease progression. Secondary outcome measures are to determine safety of combination, objective response rate, time to onset of response, duration of response, time to treatment failure, one year survival time, and overall survival time. 03-TTD-01: The purpose of this phase III, multicenter, randomized, open-label study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) vs. oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil in continous infusion (5-FU CI) as first line treatment in advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. The primary outcome measure is time to disease progression. Secondary outcome measures are to determine safety of combination, objective response rate, time to onset of response, duration of response, time to treatment failure, one year survival time, and overall survival time. N0147: Randomized phase III clinical trial for adjuvant therapy in stage III colon cancer patients enrolled at institutions across North America. Originally designed to compare three different chemotherapy regimens, and then later expanded to evaluate adding cetuximab to each original arm (leading to six total arms). Further modification later added pre-screening for KRAS mutation status, with the resulting goal to assess the potential benefit of cetuximab added to the modified sixth version of the FOLFOX regimen (mFOLFOX6) in patients with resected stage III wild-type KRAS colon cancer. Main outcome of interest is disease-free survival in patients with wild-type KRAS, while secondary end points included overall survival and toxicity. N9741: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of various combination chemotherapy regimens in treating patients who have advanced, recurrent, or metastatic colorectal cancer that cannot be treated with surgery or radiation therapy. C-08: A Phase III Clinical Trial Comparing Infusional 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Leucovorin, and Oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) Every Two Weeks With Bevacizumab to the Same Regimen Without Bevacizumab For the Treatment of Patients With Resected Stages II and III Carcinoma of the Colon. The primary aim of the trial was to compare the relative efficacy of mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab with that of mFOLFOX6 alone in prolonging disease-free survival and the secondary aim was to compare the relative efficacy of mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab with that of mFOLFOX6 alone in prolonging survival.

  Study phs001290

• Optimized Polyepitope Neoantigen DNA Vaccines Elicit Neoantigen-Specific Immune Responses in Preclinical Models and in Clinical Translation

  A patient with Lynch syndrome and a neuroendocrine tumor sequenced with exome, whole genome, and bulk RNAseq. Sequence data was used to create a personalized cancer vaccine.

  Study phs002342

• Comprehensive analyses of clinicopathological features and genomic mutations of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma

  Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare primary liver cancer. We performed whole exome sequencing to clarify the relationship between genetic mutations and clinicopathological features in cHCC-CCA.

  Study JGAS000599

• Early-onset Colorectal Cancer Study TOGETHER Data Access Committee

  The Early-onset Colorectal Cancer Study TOGETHER Data Access Committee (DAC) is responsible for reviewing requests to access sequencing and clinical data from the study. Access to the data is restricted to researchers with approved ethical clearance and scientifically valid research projects. Each request will be evaluated by the DAC to ensure compliance with participants’ informed consent and all applicable data protection regulations.

  Dac EGAC50000000752

• Somatic copy number alterations profiling in non-small cell lung cancer and their correlation with clinical efficacy in first-line treatment

  Genomic data from FFPE tumor samples of 258 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), profiled by shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS) at 1x. The study aimed to characterize somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) and SCNA burden to assess their clinical relevance for patient stratification across different first-line treatments.

  Dac EGAC50000000929

• Whole genome shotgun sequencing and somatic mutations data in Hepatocellular carcinoma

  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignancy of the liver. Genomic analysis is conducted to identify genetic alterations in driver genes which are all druggable targets for cancer therapy.

  Study EGAS00001002578

• Genomic determination for Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) by shallow Whole Genome Sequencing (sWGS)

  Genomic determination for Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) by shallow Whole Genome Sequencing (sWGS) with shallowHRD (PMID : 32315385) on 55 triple-negative breast cancer Patient Derived-Xenograft (PDX) treated with platinum.

  Study EGAS00001005926

• Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database entries

  These data have been used to produce cancer incidence results for https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37181409/ , https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40231433/ and https://plsd.eu as available in March 2026. The tables contain demographic information at individual level, individual cancer events with given age, as well as prophylactic and therapeutic surgeries to remove organs. The data have been de-identified to ensure anonymity.

  Dataset EGAD50000002468

• Expression data from the Neo-CheckRay trial

  ER+/HER2- early breast cancer were treated with neoadjuvant immune-modulating SBRT and anti-CD73. The RNAseq dataset contains fastq files for 234 samples corresponding to 134 patients. There are 208 breast cancer samples, taken at screening (N=136) or week 6 (N=76). In addition, there are 26 lymph node samples taken at screening.

  Dataset EGAD50000002552

• Whole-genome sequencing data of metastatic salivary gland cancer

  This dataset contains whole-genome sequencing data of three patients with metastatic salivary gland cancer who underwent autopsy to harvest tumor biopsies from spatially separated metastatic sites and biopsies from healthy skin as a control. Two patients had the subtype adenoid cystic carcinoma (patients 1 and 4) and one patient had the subtype myoepithelial carcinoma.

  Dataset EGAD50000002056

• lpWGS of solid and liquid samples from female patients with metastatic breast cancer

  low-pass Whole Genome Sequencing (lpWGS) to assess the representativeness of seven body liquids from female patients with metastatic breast cancer. 20 patients. 216 liquid samples, 745 solid samples, 20 matched normal samples. 0.5X coverage. Illumina single read sequencing. Fastq files are provided. lpWGS from Richard et al., Nature Communications, 2025.

  Dataset EGAD50000001851

• Targeted sequencing data on sequential liquid biopsy samples from CSPC patients

  Sequencing data from newly diagnosed high emtastatic burder prostate cancer patients receiving an AR pathway inhibitor (ARPI) or docetaxel. Targeted sequencing data of prostate cancer relevant genes using the PCF-SELECT capture panel. cfDNA from PreADT, baseline, on-treatment (Cycle1 to 6) taken on ARPI or Docetaxel were sequenced as well as patient-matched WBC DNA

  Dataset EGAD50000001960

• cfDNA sWGS BAM — Breast cancer stage II-III (HR+/HER2−)

  Plasma cfDNA sWGS for breast cancer patients (HR+/HER2−, stage II–III), blood drawn pre-operatively (no neoadjuvant), Centre Léon Bérard/MyProbe (France). Libraries: DSP and/or SSP as recorded. Sequencing by IntegraGen (2022–2024); alignment to GRCh38 with BWA-MEM; BAMs sorted/indexed; primary mapped reads only (see analysis metadata for exact filters/MAPQ). Controlled access.

  Dataset EGAD50000001877

• MET amplification in gastric cancer

  WES sequencing of two cases of MET amplified gastric cancer. Six unfixed fresh frozen samples were obtained from the primary tumors (three samples from each) and three samples from corresponding non-neoplastic mucosa. In addition, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were obtained from the primary tumors (n=2), lymph node metastases (n=7) and non-neoplastic mucosa (n=2).

  Dataset EGAD50000001099

• Genomic Profiling of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer to inform therapy - WGS mapped reads

  Genomics-Driven Precision Medicine for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer - Early Results from the COMPASS Trial - WGS mapped reads

  Dataset EGAD00001003585

• Whole exome profiling of spatial biopsies of high grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer patients

  This data set is comprised of data from seven distinct high grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGS-EOC) partients, from whom multiple biopsies were taken at the time of surgery, from the ovary and from different locations in the peritoneal cavity. This data set contains 28 samples, sequenced with a whole exome sequencing approach.

  Dataset EGAD00001004154

• BC WGS Dataset

  We propose to definitively characterise the somatic genetics of breast cancer through generation of comprehensive catalogues of somatic mutations in breast cancer cases by high coverage genome sequencing coupled with integrated transcriptomic and methylation analyses.

  Dataset EGAD00001001338

• Shallow whole genome sequencing on stage 1 epithelial ovarian cancer

  BAM files (aligned against the hg38 genome) from a shallow whole-genome sequencing experiment (median depth 0.5X) on 218 samples from Stage 1 epithelial ovarian cancer biopises. Samples labeled "bis" or "tris" with the same ID are relapses; "left" or "right" samples indicate, in the case of bilateral tumor, from which ovary the sample was taken.

  Dataset EGAD00001006881

• Sequencing of longitudinal glioma pairs

  Clonal evolution drives cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Recent studies revealed divergent longitudinal trajectories in gliomas, but early molecular traits steering post-treatment cancer evolution remain unclear. We analyzed sequencing data of 544 initial-recurrent adult diffuse glioma pairs to identify genomic and transcriptomic early predictors of tumor evolution in each molecular subtype.

  Dataset EGAD00001009845

• Bulk BCR NGS data from metastatic breast tumours from donors with therapy-resistant lethal metastatic breast cancer.

  Bulk B Cell Receptor high-throughput sequencing data across 27 metastatic breast tumours obtained from 8 donors with therapy-resistant lethal metastatic breast cancer at the time of a warm autopsy. The 35 samples were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq instrument and their raw FastQ files deposited here.

  Dataset EGAD00001010023

• Genomic data used in "ACT-Discover: identifying karyotype heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer evolution using ctDNA"

  Genomic data used in "ACT-Discover: identifying karyotype heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer evolution using ctDNA"

  Dataset EGAD00001010250

• Illumina TSO500 DNA Dataset for Manuscript titled: Evaluation of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) Samples from Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for Whole Genome, Whole Exome and Comprehensive Panel Sequencing

  Illumina TSO500 DNA Dataset for Manuscript titled: Evaluation of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) Samples from Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for Whole Genome, Whole Exome and Comprehensive Panel Sequencing

  Dataset EGAD00001015396

• Small cell cancer NDS Oxford DAC

  Dac EGAC00001003350

• Cancer Team Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001002762

• Small cell cancer NDS Oxford DAC

  Dac EGAC00001003343

• Asian lung cancer genome data

  Dac EGAC00001000248

• MCCB Breast Cancer Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001000854

• Rectal Cancer Samples Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001001034

• University of Florida Brain Cancer DAC

  Dac EGAC00001001035

• DAC for Familial Breast Cancer study EGAS00001003305

  Dac EGAC00001001087

• OSBREAC (Oslo Breast Cancer Research Consortium)

  Dac EGAC00001001186

• Ewha-Samsumg Lung cancer collaboration DAC

  Dac EGAC00001001237

• Ewha-Samsung Lung cancer collaboration DAC

  Dac EGAC00001001283

• UCL Cancer Institute Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001001360

• Yale Cancer Center Data Access Commitee

  Dac EGAC00001001437

• Lung cancer TRM Data Access Commitee

  Dac EGAC00001001759

• Gene expression and Cancer

  Dac EGAC00001001772

• 4C Endometrial Cancer Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001001956

• University of Calgary Charbonneau Cancer Institute

  Dac EGAC00001002170

• The MITIMM Cancer Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001002268

• EPICC: Evolutionary Predictions in Colorectal Cancer

  Dac EGAC00001002299

• Cancer Sequencing Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001002457

• Cancer Core Europe Data Access Commitee

  Dac EGAC00001002460

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002508

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002520

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002526

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002535

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002541

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002554

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002580

• Prostate Cancer Sample Data Access Commitee

  Dac EGAC00001002586

• Laboratory of Applied Cancer Genomics team

  Dac EGAC00001002587

• EPICC: Evolutionary Predictions in Colorectal Cancer

  Dac EGAC00001002592

• Prostate Cancer Sample Data Access Commitee

  Dac EGAC00001002593

• UCL cancer institute data access commitee

  Dac EGAC00001002659

• Salivary gland cancer TSO500 data team

  Dac EGAC00001002668

• INSERM U944 Team Genome and Cancer

  Dac EGAC00001002976

• Cancer Team Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001002982

• Ovarian Cancer Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001003014

• Cancer Genomics Project DBA Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC01000000005

• MESA colorectal cancer data access committee

  Dac EGAC00001002798

• Cancer Epigenetics Group

  Dac EGAC00001003349

• Metastatic Breast Cancer Data Access Committee

  Dac EGAC00001003074

• Genomic characterization of retinoblastoma

  Study EGAS00001005248

• Soft tissue sarcoma sequencing data

  Study EGAS00001006356

• HGSOC organoid sequencing study

  Study EGAS00001007189

• early-Duodenal Cancer sequencing study

  ...

  Study EGAS00001006357

• How upcycled prostate cancer sequences enabled key findings on telomeres length

  The length of telomeres, the chromosomes’ end tails, as depicted in the figure below, physiologically shorten with aging. This means that younger cells have longer telomeres compared to their aged counterparts; one could say that the length of cells’ telomeres is a measure of their replicative power. Cancer cells are known to be able to turn this into their favour, and expand their replicative immortality through telomere lengthening and maintenance. Despite being a well-studied pan-cancer hallmark, the relation of the telomeres length to specific cancer genomic features is poorly understood. Julia Livingstone and her colleagues from P.C. Boutros' team in Los Angeles focused their work on prostate cancer. To investigate the relations between telomere length and the clinico-genomics of prostate tumours, they used whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 392 published tumour–reference pairs previously deposited at the EGA under accession numbers EGAS00001000400 and EGAS00001000900. Their work was published on Nature Communications in November 2021. They determined the telomere length of the sequencing sample, from both tumour and non-tumour adjacent tissues, and subsequently ran statistical analysis to investigate possible correlation between the telomeres length with several cancer features. The team discovered that telomeres length does not correlate with any specific driver gene mutation, but it does with the overall frequency of single nucleotides variants in a sample. This finding suggests that tumours with shorter telomeres accumulate more mutations without strong selective pressures for specific ones. While proliferation rate did not correlate directly with telomere length, methylation of almost half of all genes strongly did. The team’s results are massive and reveal a complicated and fascinating relation of different clinical and genomic features of prostate cancer with telomere length. In the paper discussion, they smartly consider different possibilities. As noted above, all these amazing results have been obtained analysing previously sequenced samples. Remarkably, the researchers who generated the samples did not focus at all on telomeres length. They indeed studied specific genes mutations and the features of early and late-onset prostate cancer. This proves, once again, the power of sequencing data re-use. This data is tremendously rich in information, and can hardly be exhausted with any number of analyses. Generating sequencing data, especially Whole Genome Sequencing, even better if tumor-reference paired, is like shopping every last article at the grocery store. You can then cook several recipes, or prepare a seven-course dinner, and still have ingredients left for someone else to borrow and cook something you have not thought about, a recipe that is just not in your cookbook. Noteworthy, the data retrieved from the EGA for this paper is associated with rich and complete metadata, meaning pheno-clinical information regarding the sample donors. As Julia Livingstone and her team wrote, using rich clinical annotations enabled them to assess the relationship between telomere length and patients outcome. This highlights once again the importance of reporting and annotating metadata correctly; It might feel like extra work for the researchers depositing their data, but it really has a huge value. Our team at the EGA is currently working to improve the metadata annotation process, with the aim to maximize the benefits for the scientific community.

  Blog prostate-cancer-sequences-enabled-key-findings-on-telomeres-length