15041 results for "cancer studies using rna-seq"

in 61.96 milliseconds.

• WGS of TNBC PDXs

  WGS data relative to 36 triple negative breast cancer PDX models.

  Dataset EGAD00001008535

• Integrative genome profiling in AML

  AML emerges as a consequence of accumulating independent genetic aberrations that direct regulation and/or dysfunction of genes resulting in aberrant activation of signalling pathways, resistance to apoptosis and uncontrolled proliferation. Given the significant heterogeneity of AML genomes, AML patients demonstrate a highly variable response rate and poor median survival in response to current chemotherapy regimens. For the past 4 years we have conducted gene expression profiling on purified bone marrow populations equating to normal haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from healthy subjects and patients with de novo AML in order to identify AML signatures of aberrantly expressed genes in cancer versus normal. We are now applying a series of bioinformatic methodologies combined with clinical and conventional diagnostic data to establish novel genomics strategies for improved prognostication of AML. Additionally, we use our AML signatures to unravel oncogenic signalling pathway activities in AML patients and test inhibitory drugs for these pathways inn preclinical therapeutic programmes. We consider that superimposing GEP and clinical data for our AML patient cohort with additional data on their mutational status will significantly improve the prognostic power of the study as well as unravel yet unknown mutations associated with aberrant signalling activities of oncogenic pathways.

  Dataset EGAD00001001873

• 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.

  Dataset EGAD00001004135

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

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

  Dataset EGAD00001015261

• Diet driven microbial ecology underpins associations between cancer immunotherapy outcomes and the gut microbiome

  This study profiled baseline gut (fecal) microbiota signatures and dietary patterns of 103 trial patients from Australia and the Netherlands treated with neoadjuvant ICIs for high risk resectable metastatic melanoma and performed an integrated analysis with data from 115 patients with melanoma treated with ICIs in the United States. We observed geographically distinct microbial signatures of response and immune-related adverse events. Overall, response rates were higher in Ruminococcaceae-dominated microbiomes than in Bacteroidaceae-dominated microbiomes. Poor response was associated with lower fiber and omega 3 fatty acid consumption and elevated levels of C-reactive protein in the peripheral circulation at baseline.

  Study EGAS00001006982

• High Resolution Maps of the HeLa 3D Genome Using Hi-C

  We use in situ Hi-C to probe the three-dimensional architecture of genomes, constructing haploid and diploid maps of nine cell types (including HeLa). The densest, in human lymphoblastoid cells, contains 4.9 billion contacts, achieving 1-kilobase resolution. We find that genomes are partitioned into contact domains (median length, 185kb), which are associated with distinct patterns of histone marks and segregate into six subcompartments. We identify ~10,000 loops. These loops frequently link promoters and enhancers, correlate with gene activation, and show conservation across cell types and species. Loop anchors typically occur at domain boundaries and bind CTCF. CTCF sites at loop anchors occur predominantly (>90%) in a convergent orientation, with the asymmetric motifs 'facing' one another. The inactive X-chromosome splits into two massive domains and contains large loops anchored at CTCF-binding repeats. The data for the other (non-HeLa) cell types has been uploaded to GEO.

  Study phs001010

• Genome-wide quantification of rare somatic mutations in normal human tissues using massively parallel sequencing

  We present Bottleneck Sequencing System (BotSeqS), a nextgeneration sequencing method that simultaneously quantifies rare somatic point mutations across the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. BotSeqS combines molecular barcoding with a simple dilution step immediately prior to library amplification. We use BotSeqS to show age and tissue-dependent accumulations of rare mutations and demonstrate that somatic mutational burden in normal tissues can vary by several orders of magnitude, depending on biologic and environmental factors. We further show major differences between the mutational patterns of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in normal tissues. Lastly, the mutation spectra of normal tissues were different from each other, but similar to those of the cancers that arose in them. This technology can provide insights into the number and nature of genetic alterations in normal tissues and can be used to address a variety of fundamental questions about the genomes of diseased tissues.

  Study EGAS00001001838

• Privacy Notice for the Account User

  Privacy Notice for EGA User Account This Privacy Notice explains what personal data is collected by the specific service you are requesting, for what purposes, how it is processed, and how we keep it secure. Note that this service collects personal data directly provided by the user, and also collects personal data from users that is provided by other organisations. 1. Who controls your personal data and how to contact us? European Genome- Phenome Archive - EGA offers a service for permanent archiving and sharing of all types of personally identifiable genetic and phenotypic data resulting from biomedical research projects, jointly managed by European Molecular Biology Laboratory – European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and Fundació Centre de Regulació Genòmica - Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). EMBL-EBI and CRG represent joint Data Controllers’ of processing of your personal data. They and their Data protection officers may be contacted for data protection queries and for exercising your rights under Section 8. You may contact EMBL-EBI, represented by dr. Thomas Keane, by: email at: tk2@ebi.ac.uk or post at EMBL-EBI, Wellcome Genome Campus, CB10 1SD Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK. EMBL’s Data Protection Officer may be contacted by: telephone at +49 6221 387-8590, email at dpo@embl.org, or post at EMBL Heidelberg, Data protection officer, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany. You may contact CRG, whose EGA team is represented by dr. Jordi Rambla de Argila, by: email at jordi.rambla@crg.eu, or post at Fundació Centre de Regulació Genòmica - Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Dr.Aiguader 88, PRBB Building, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. CRG Data protection officer may be contacted by: email at dpo@crg.eu post at Fundació Centre de Regulació Genòmica - Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), C/ Dr. Aiguader, 88, PRBB Building, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. 2. Which is the lawful basis for processing personal data? We process your personal data on the grounds of important public interest. For monitoring your activities on the website, we process your personal data on the grounds of important public interest. Such legal basis is found in Article 5(1)(a) of EMBL Internal Policy No 68 on General Data Protection (hereinafter IP 68), which is equivalent to Article 6 (1)(e) of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter GDPR) and upon which personal data are processed for the achievement of the aims laid down in 1973 agreement establishing EMBL, such as the promotion of the cooperation in the fundamental research, in the development of advanced instrumentation and in advanced teaching in molecular biology and dissemination of information. 3. What personal data is collected from users of the service? How do we use this personal data? We collect the following personal data from you: Name Email address Title/Position Organisation Organisational affiliation Username and password (to authenticate access to the system) IP Address (for anonymous usage statistics) We process your personal data: to provide you with the authenticated access to the EGA service (opening and managing submission and distribution account), to publicly publish some aggregate data to facilitate scientific research (e.g. number of accounts, geographic distribution), to better understand the needs of the users and to guide future improvements of the service, to create anonymous usage statistics. If you do not provide us with your personal data we will not be able to open the user account and offer you our services or we will only provide you a subset of functionalities available within the service. 4. Who will have access to your personal data? The personal data will be disclosed to: Authorised staff in the data controller’s institutions acting on data controller`s behalf and instructions (for all user account data), Requested dataset Data access committee – DAC will have access to the name, email, organization, affiliation, title/position of the distribution user account, using it for their own purpose of granting access to their datasets. 5. Will your personal data be transferred to third countries (i.e. countries not part of EU/EEA) and/or international organisations? Distribution user account data are in the process of granting access disclosed to dataset(s) DAC, which might be a recipient in countries outside of the European Economic Area. Insofar as the second joint controller may be subject to GDPR, data transfer to and from the first joint controller (EMBL-EBI) is necessary for important reasons of public interest embedded in the aims of the EMBL and justified in the Article 9(4) of IP 68 (equivalent to Article 49(1)(d) of GDPR) read in conjunction with EMBL`s 1973 establishing agreement and Article 179(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. 6. How long do we keep your personal data? All data are stored for as long as you have the account open. Thereafter the storage is prolonged for as long as our service is live, even if you stop using our services. This prolongation is necessary for further scientific research, to ensure legal compliance and security and to facilitate internal and external audits it they arise. By contrast, the log files for the data categories related to anonymous usage statistics (raw web service logs) are processed only for 30 days and thereafter erased. 7. The joint Data Controllers provide these rights regarding your personal data You have the right to: Not be subject to decisions based solely on an automated processing of data (i.e. without human intervention) without you having your views taken into consideration. Request at reasonable intervals and without excessive delay or expense, information about the personal data processed about you. Under your request we will inform you in writing about, for example, the origin of the personal data or the preservation period. Request information to understand data processing activities when the results of these activities are applied to you. It must be clarified that rights under points 4 and 5 are only available whenever you need support whilst using our website. For other processing based on the grounds of important public interest you cannot exercise your rights to object, rectify or erase your personal data according to the Article 13(2)(a)(b) of IP 68 (equivalent to Article 17(3)(b)(d) and Article 21(6) of the GDPR). 8. Supervisory authority If you wish to complain against the processing of your personal data, you may do so by post at: EMBL Heidelberg, Data Protection Committee, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany, or Autoritat Catalana de Protecció de Dades (Catalan Data Protection Authority), C/Rosselló 214, Esc A, 1r 1a, Barcelona 08008, Spain. Published at: February 6, 2019

  Documentation data-protection/privacy-notice/ega-user-account

• National Eye Institute (NEI) Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)

  The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was initially designed as a long-term multi-center, prospective study of the clinical course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and age-related cataract. In addition to collecting natural history data, AREDS included a clinical trial of high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements for AMD and a clinical trial of high-dose vitamin supplements for cataract. AREDS participants were 55 to 80 years of age at enrollment and had to be free of any illness or condition that would make long-term follow-up or compliance with study medications unlikely or difficult. On the basis of fundus photographs graded by a central reading center, best-corrected visual acuity and ophthalmologic evaluations, 4,757 participants were enrolled in one of several AMD categories, including persons with no AMD. The clinical trials for AMD and cataract were conducted concurrently. AREDS participants were followed on the clinical trials for a median time of 6.5 years. Subsequent to the conclusion of the clinical trials, participants were followed for an additional 5 years and natural history data were collected. The AREDS research design is detailed in AREDS Report 1. AREDS Report 8 contains the mainline results from the AMD trial; AREDS Report 9 contains the results of the cataract trial. Blood samples were also collected from 3,700+ AREDS participants for genetic research. Genetic samples from 600 AREDS participants (200 controls, 200 Neovascular AMD cases, and 200 Geographic Atrophy cases) were selected using data available in March 2005 and then were evaluated with a genome-wide scan. These data, as well as selected phenotypic data, were made available in the dbGaP. DNA from AREDS participants, which is currently being stored in the AREDS Genetic Repository, is available for research purposes. However, not all of the 3,700+ AREDS participants who submitted a blood sample currently have DNA available. In addition to including the data from the genome-wide scan on the 600 original samples, this second version of the AREDS dbGaP database provides a comprehensive set of data tables with extensive clinical information collected for the 4,757 participants who participated in AREDS. The tables include information collected at enrollment/baseline, during study follow-up, fundus and lens pathology, nutritional estimates, quality of life measures and measures of morbidity and mortality. In November 2010, over 72,000 high quality fundus and lens photographs of 595 AREDS participants (of the original 600 selected for the genome-wide scan) were made available in the AREDS dbGaP. In addition to the genome-wide scan data, the fundus and lens grading data for these participants are also available through the AREDS dbGaP. Details about the ocular photographs that are available may be found in the document "Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Ocular Photographs". In January 2012, a measure of daily sunlight exposure was added in a separate "sunlight" table. Furthermore, the "followup" table has been revised. The visual acuity for the right eye was inadvertently missing at odd-numbered visits (01, 03, 05, etc.). This data is now part of the table. In February 2014 over 134,500 high-quality fundus photographs (macular field F2) of 4613 AREDS participants were added to the existing AREDS dbGaP resource. The AREDS dbGaP image archive already contains over 72,000 high quality fundus and lens photographs of 595 AREDS participants for whom dbGaP-accessible genotype data exist. Information about the available ocular photographs found in the document "Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Ocular Photographs" has been updated with an addendum. It is hoped that this resource will better help researchers understand two important diseases that affect an aging population. These data may be applied to examination and inference on genetic and genetic-environmental bases for age-related diseases of public health significance and may also help elucidate the clinical course of both conditions, generate hypotheses, and aid in the design of clinical trials of preventive interventions. Definitions of Final AMD Phenotype Categories Please see phd001138.1 for a detailed description of how AREDS participants' final AMD phenotype was categorized. User's Guide for AREDS Phenotype Data A detailed User's Guide for the AREDS phenotype data is available. This User's Guide is meant to be a comprehensive document which explains the complexities of the AREDS data. It is recommended that all researchers using AREDS phenotype data make use of this User's Guide.

  Study phs000001

• Lung Tissue Research Consortium (LTRC-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the "Authorized Access" section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Biospecimens: Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from LTRC include DNA, Plasma, Serum, Tissue - FFPE Cassettes, Tissue – RNALater Frozen, and Tissue - Snap Frozen. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic research is subject to a tiered consent. Objectives: The LTRC was a biobank resource established by the NHLBI to collect and distribute lung tissue, blood samples, clinical data, and radiographic studies from participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), other related idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP) and interstitial pneumonias associated with connective tissue diseases who undergo medically-indicated lung resection. All tissue and blood specimens and clinical data were banked centrally and stored for distribution to external investigators who have approved study proposals to investigate the pathogenesis or management of lung diseases. The ultimate goal of this program was to enable research that illuminates the pathobiology of lung diseases and leads to novel interventional treatments for these conditions. Background: Chronic lung diseases are a main cause of death and disability in the United States. COPD affects over 14 million individuals in the United States and represents the third leading cause of mortality. Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor. However, only one of six individuals who smoke develops COPD. This could imply either an individual susceptibility or an additional immunologic or infectious injury to lung cells. Current treatments offer symptomatic relief, but do not prevent disease progression. Better understanding of disease pathogenesis, including the potential roles of lung parenchymal cell apoptosis, immunologic injury, and inflammation may lead to therapies that improve survival and quality of life. Interstitial pneumonias, including IPF and those associated with connective tissue disease, are less common than COPD, but for many of these diseases there are poor outcomes. For example, IPF has a 50% survival rate 2-3 years following diagnosis, and currently no treatment exists which prolongs survival. The prevalence of IPF is approximately 28 cases per 100,000. The underlying histology of IPF is usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), which can also occur in connective tissue diseases. The incidences of other interstitial pneumonias such as non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) or acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) are less frequent but also occur as an expression of interstitial lung disease in the connective tissue diseases. Moreover, there is significant crossover of these three interstitial pneumonias so that cases of IPF/UIP may also reveal fibrotic NSIP and be complicated by episodes of AIP. This implies common injuries but dissimilar histological responses. All of these processes are characterized by epithelial injury, uncontrolled fibroproliferation and the deposition of collagen, irrespective of the histology. It is clear that a better understanding of the genesis of the interstitial pneumonias is required before effective interventions can be developed. Participants: A total of 4,486 participants were enrolled, and lung tissue was obtained from 3,333 of these participants.Design: Written informed consent of each participant was required before any LTRC procedure was performed. Phenotypic data were then obtained that included recording of relevant medical information, a limited exposure history, radiological evaluation, and pulmonary physiological and lung function testing. Questionnaires were administered to determine the extent of symptoms, associated medical illnesses, smoking, environmental and occupational exposures, and quality of life. Laboratory testing included pulmonary function testing, a six-minute walk test, and chest x-ray CT. Blood specimens were collected both for defining the clinical phenotype of donors and to obtain serum, plasma, and DNA for later investigative purposes. At the time of surgery, lung tissues were collected and processed for long-term storage. The LTRC collected only the 'non-tumorous' portions of lung tissue from surgical procedures performed for primary or metastatic lung tumors and received those specimens only after the local pathologist had procured all tissue required for clinical care. Samples of appropriate size were cut and placed in formalin, RNAlater, glutaraldehyde, or liquid nitrogen within 30 minutes of excision (approximately 5% of cases exceeded this target time). Blood and tissue specimens were subsequently shipped to a central Tissue Repository for further processing and long-term storage. A Radiology Center provided quality control and quality assessment of CT data. A Data Coordinating Center managed study operations and maintained a repository of study data. Conclusions: LTRC established a biospecimen collection that is unique in its size, diseases included, standardization of methods, and extent of phenotypic data, serving as a valuable resource to facilitate research on the pathobiology of lung diseases.

  Study phs003913

• Evolution of an adenomacarcinoma in response to selection by targeted kinase inhibitors

  Background - Adenocarcinomas of the tongue are rare and represent the minority (20-25%) of salivary gland tumors affecting the tongue. We investigated the utility of massively parallel sequencing to characterize an adenocarcinoma of the tongue, before and after treatment. Results - In the pre-treatment tumor we identified 7,629 genes within regions of copy number gain. 1,078 genes exhibited increased expression relative to the blood and unrelated tumors and four genes contained somatic protein-coding mutations. Our analysis suggested the tumor cells were driven by the RET oncogene. Genes whose protein products are targeted by the RET inhibitors sunitinib and sorafenib correlated with being amplified and or highly expressed. Consistent with our observations administration of sunitinib was associated with stable disease lasting 4 months, after which the lung lesions began to grow. Administration of sorafenib and sulindac provided disease stabilization for an additional 3 months after which the cancer progressed and new lesions appeared. A recurring metastasis possessed 7,288 genes within copy number amplicons, 385 genes exhibiting increased expression relative to other tumours and 9 new somatic protein coding mutations. The observed mutations and amplif ications were consistent with therapeutic resistance arising through activation of the MAPK and AKT pathways. Conclusions - We conclude that complete genomic characterization of a rare tumour has the potential to aid in clinical decision making and identifying therapeutic approaches where no established treatment protocols exist. These results also provide direct in-vivo genomic evidence for mutational evolution within a tumor under drug selection and potential mechanisms of drug resistance accrual.

  Study EGAS00000000074

• Oncogenic fate conversion by PRDM16s causes acute myeloid leukemia

  Oncogenic mutations confer aberrant replicative capacity to cells with little or no replicative capacity, generating cancer stem cells that perpetuate the tumor through extensive self-replication and differentiation blockade. However, whether oncogenes disrupt the cellular identity ofcancer stem cell by altering the developmental potential is unknown. Fate conversion has been demonstrated by ectopic expression of master transcriptional regulators, such as PU.1 and C/EBP alpha that confers myeloid cell fate to other cell types, and PRDM16 that confers brown adipose fate to white adipocytes or myoblasts. Here we show that a transcriptional regulator overexpressed in human myeloid malignancies, PRDM16s, causes oncogenic fate conversion, by transforming cells fated to form platelets and erythrocytes into myeloid leukemia-initiating cells (LICs). Prdm16s expression in hematopoietic progenitor cells caused a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-like disease that progressed to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The myeloid diseases caused by Prdm16s exhibited expansion of megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEPs) but not granulocyte-macrophage progenitors. MEPs from Prdm16s-induced leukemia possessed LIC potential, and expression of Prdm16s in normal MEPs was sufficient to convert them to myeloid LICs and blocked megakaryocytic/erythroid potential. Prdm16s induced the expression of myeloid master regulators, including PU.1 and C/EBP alpha, by interacting with their super enhancers. Ablation of myeloid master regulators attenuated the myeloid potential and reinstalled the megakaryocytic/erythroid potential of leukemic-MEPs in mouse models and in human AML with PRDM16 rearrangement. Our study demonstrates that oncogenic Prdm16 expression converts the fate of MEPs to a malignant myeloid fate by activating myeloid master transcription factors.

  Study EGAS00001003235

• pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma exomes in study: Pro-immunogenic Impact of MEK inhibition combined with an anti-CD40 immunostimulatory antibody

  Cancer types with lower mutational load and a non-permissive tumor microenvironment are intrinsically resistant to immune checkpoint blockade. While the combination of cytostatic drugs and immunostimulatory antibodies constitutes an attractive concept for overcoming this refractoriness, suppression of immune cell function by cytostatic drugs may limit therapeutic efficacy. Here we show that targeted inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) does not impair dendritic cell-mediated T-cell priming and activation. Accordingly, combining MEK inhibitors (MEKi) with agonist antibodies (Abs) targeting the immunostimulatory CD40 receptor resulted in potent synergistic anti-tumor efficacy. Detailed analysis of the mechanism of action of MEKi GDC-0623 by means of flow cytometric analysis of the tumor immune infiltrate and whole tumor transcriptomics showed that, in addition to its cytostatic impact on tumor cells, this drug exerts multiple pro-immunogenic effects, including the suppression of M2-type macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells and CD4+ T-regulatory cells. In addition, MEKi was found to induce tumor-cell intrinsic interferon signaling, which contributed to antigen presentation by tumor cells. Finally, the tumoridical impact of MEKi involves the activation of multiple pro-inflammatory pathways involved in immune cell effector function in the tumor microenvironment. Our data therefore indicate that the combination of MEK inhibition with agonist anti-CD40 Ab is a promising therapeutic concept, especially for the treatment of mutant Kras-driven tumors such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma exomes were generated in the context of the Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology project HIPO-K28E.

  Study EGAS00001004196

• These are from Korean HCC samples with exome sequencing

  Hepatic resection is the most curative treatment option for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, but is associated with a high recurrence rate, which exceeds 50% at 5 years after surgery. Understanding the genetic basis of hepatocellular carcinoma at surgically curable stages may enable the identification of new molecular biomarkers that accurately identify patients in need of additional early therapeutic interventions. Whole exome sequencing and copy number analysis was performed on 231 hepatocellular carcinomas (72% with hepatitis B viral infection) that were classified as early-stage hepatocellular carcinomas, candidates for surgical resection. Recurrent mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. Unsupervised genomic analyses identified an association between specific genetic aberrations and postoperative clinical outcomes. Recurrent somatic mutations were identified in 9 genes, including TP53, CTNNB1, AXIN1, RPS6KA3, and RB1. Recurrent homozygous deletions in FAM123A, RB1, and CDKN2A, and high-copy amplifications in MYC, RSPO2, CCND1, and FGF19 were detected. Pathway analyses of these genes revealed aberrations in the p53, Wnt, PIK3/Ras, cell cycle, and chromatin remodelling pathways. RB1 mutations were significantly associated with cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival after resection (p = 0.016 and p = 0.001, respectively). FGF19 amplifications, known to activate Wnt signalling, were mutually exclusive with CTNNB1 and AXIN1 mutations, and significantly associated with cirrhosis (p = 0.017). RB1 mutations can be used as a prognostic molecular biomarker for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Further study is required to investigate the potential role of FGF19 amplification in driving hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with liver cirrhosis and to investigate the potential of anti-FGF19 treatment in these patients.

  Study EGAS00001000604

• Search for new loci and low-frequency variants influencing glioma risk by exome-array analysis

  To identify protein altering variants (PAVs) for glioma we analysed Illumina HumanExome BeadChip exome array data on 1,882 glioma cases and 8,079 controls from three independent European populations. In addition to single variant tests we incorporated information on the predicted functional consequences of PAVs and analysed sets of genes with a higher likelihood of having a role in glioma on the basis of the profile of somatic mutations documented by large-scale sequencing initiatives. Globally tThere was a strong relationship between effect size and SNPs predicted to be damaging (P=2.29x10-49); however, these variants which are most likely to impact on risk, are rare (MAF<5%). While no single variant showed an association which was statistically significant at the genomewide threshold a number of represented promising Notable associations - were seen with the BRCA2:c.9976A>T, p.(Lys3326Ter)BRCA2 p.Lys332X variant, which has been shown documented to influence breast and lung cancer risks (OR=2.3, P=4.00x10-4 for glioblastoma [GBM]) and IDH2:c.782G>A, p.(Arg261His)IDH2 p.Arg261His (OR=3.21, P=7.67x10-3, for non-GBM). Additionally, gene burden tests revealed a statistically significant association for HARS2 and risk of GBM (P=2.20x10-6). Genome scans of low frequency PAVs represent a complementary strategy to identify disease-causing variants compared with scans based on tagSNPs. Strategies to lessen the multiple testing burden by restricting analysis to PAVs with higher priors affords an opportunity to maximise study power.

  Study EGAS00001001258

• Healthspan and lifespan extension by fecal microbiota transplantation in progeroid mice

  The gut microbiome is emerging as a key regulator of several metabolic, immune and neuroendocrine pathways. Gut microbiome deregulation has been implicated in major conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty acid liver disease or cancer, but its precise role in aging remains to be elucidated. Here, we characterize the gut microbiome profile of accelerated aging and show that its external modulation is sufficient to extend healthspan and lifespan. We found that two different mouse models of progeria present with intestinal dysbiosis, which is characterized, among other alterations, by an increment in proteobacteria, cyanobacteria and a loss in verrucomicrobia, whereas long-lived humans (i.e., centenarians) exhibit a remarkable increase in verrucomicrobia and a reduction in proteobacteria. Fecal microbiota transplantation proved to be effective to enhance healthspan and lifespan in both progeroid mouse models and, more importantly, the solely transplantation with the verrucomicrobia Akkermansia muciniphila was sufficient to exert beneficial effects. Our results demonstrate that intestinal dysbiosis is a phenotype associated with accelerated aging and its correction provides health benefits. Moreover, metabolomic analysis of ileal content points to the restoration of secondary bile acids as a possible mechanism for the beneficial outcome of reestablishing a healthy microbiome. Our results suggest the existence of a link between gut aging and the microbiota, and can help to gain insight into the rationale for microbiome-based interventions against age-related diseases. Mouse sequence data have been deposited in ENA (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena) under accession number PRJEB34214

  Study EGAS00001003656

• Spatiotemporal evolution and inter-patient heterogeneity in primary and recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

  Head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are heterogeneous in terms of origin and aetiology. In addition, there is uncertainty about the spatiotemporal genetic evolution from initial diagnosis to recurrence/metastasis (R/M) after primary treatments and further disease progression following systemic treatment. Changes in the genetic profile have implications on the selection of appropriate treatments for patients, especially in the era of targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Here, we analysed a cohort of 11 HNSCC patients with metachronous R/M, among whom nine had paired primary and R/M samples suitable for next-generation sequencing (multiple R/M samples collected at different time points were available for some of the patients). At the genomic level, the R/M samples shared a fraction of the somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with the index primary tumours, but they also acquired many additional mutations, while losing only a few others. A similar behaviour was also observed when examining the changes of mutational signatures between primary and R/M samples. Overall, R/M appeared thus more genetically diverse than the respective primary tumours. The transcriptomic analysis showed that R/M samples had lower immune cell infiltration and several genes related to immune response were significantly downregulated compared to the primary samples. Our results underline the importance of analysing multiple samples per patient to obtain a more complete picture of the patient’s tumour and advocates a re-biopsy in the event of R/M and treatment failure, in order to select the most appropriate therapeutic strategy.

  Study EGAS00001007464

• High-Resolution Spatial Transcriptomics Uncover Epidermal-Dermal Divergences in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Spatial Context Reshapes the Gene Expression Landscape

  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive malignancy with neuroendocrine differentiation marked by high plasticity, often manifesting as rapid therapy resistance. Although the cell-of-origin is presumed to be epithelial, epidermal localization of MCC is rarely observed, largely because in situ MCC is typically an incidental finding. Nevertheless, a subset of MCC tumors exhibits epidermotropism, wherein tumor cells are present in the epidermis. The behavior of cancer cells is profoundly influenced by the tumor microenvironment and interactions with neighboring cells. Notably, the normal counterparts of the cancer’s cell-of-origin have been shown to attenuate tumor aggressiveness. Thus, epidermotropic MCC presents a unique opportunity to explore the potential role of surrounding keratinocytes in modulating tumor cell behavior. While the epidermotropic tumor nests share histological resemblance with their dermal counterparts, their transcriptomic profiles remain unexplored. Here, we employed high-definition spatial and single cell transcriptomics to dissect the gene expression profiles of epidermotropic MCC cells, comparing them to MCC cells in the tumor core and those adjacent to blood vessels. Notably, epidermotropic MCC cells exhibit a transcriptomic signature reminiscent of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, characterized by upregulation of genes encoding keratins, S100A proteins, as well as calmodulin-like proteins 3 and 5. Mechanistically, this keratinocytic differentiation is associated with enhanced p63 activity, leading to the upregulation of PERP. Collectively, our study demonstrates that MCC cells can adopt a keratinocytic differentiation program in response to microenvironmental cues, underscoring the remarkable phenotypic plasticity of this malignancy and the importance of the tumor microenvironment for tumor characteristics.

  Study EGAS00001008157

• Clinical relevance of somatic copy-number alterations in plasma circulating tumor DNA from advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients treated with osimertinib

  Background: Somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs) are associated with drug resistance in patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical relevance and development of genome-wide SCNAs in plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) under osimertinib therapy.Methods: We included 43 patients with advanced EGFR T790M-positive lung adenocarcinoma who were treated with osimertinib after progression under previous EGFR-TKI therapy. We performed genomic profiling of ctDNA in plasma samples from each patient obtained pre-osimertinib and after patients developed resistance to osimertinib. SCNAs were detected by shallow whole-genome plasma sequencing and EGFR mutations were assessed by droplet digital PCR.Results: SCNAs in resistance-related genes (rrSCNAs) were detected in 10 out of 39 (25.6%) evaluable patients before start of osimertinib. The presence of rrSCNAs in plasma before initiation of osimertinib therapy was associated with a lower response rate to osimertinib (50% versus 86%, p=0.02) and was an independent predictor for shorter progression-free survival (adjusted HR 3.26, 95% CI 1.37-7.75, p=0.008) and overall survival (adjusted HR 2.41, 95% CI 1.09-5.34, p=0.03).Conclusions: Genomic profiling of plasma ctDNA is clinically relevant and affects the efficacy and clinical outcome of osimertinib. Our approach allows comprehensive assessment of SCNAs in plasma samples of lung adenocarcinoma patients and may help to guide genotype-specific therapeutic strategies in the future.

  Study EGAS00001004539

• ROBUST (NCT02285062)

  The ROBUST clinical trial is a Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to compare the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide plus R-CHOP chemotherapy (R2-CHOP) versus placebo plus R-CHOP in newly diagnosed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Molecular data was collected for all patients at screening, but the only patients of the Activated B-cell (ABC) cell-of-origin subtype were eligible for study inclusion and clinical follow-up. We have performed unsupervised clustering on this cohort and identified 7 novel transcriptional subtypes of DLBCL, one of which represents a high-risk subset of patients with high MYC expression, ABC-associated biology, and low immune infiltration.

  Study EGAS50000000333

• Integrated Single-Nucleus and Spatial Transcriptomics Elucidate Heterogeneity and Hypoxia-Driven Organization of Supratentorial Ependymoma

  Supratentorial ependymomas are often life-threatening brain tumours that are characterised by significant molecular heterogeneity. In this study, single-nucleus (n = 63) and spatial transcriptomics (n = 30) was performed to delineate the cellular and spatial landscape of supratentorial ependymoma. This study characterises the transcriptional consensus programs of this entity and connects them to clinical outcome. Two previously undescribed programs – associated with the remodelling of the extracellular matrix and the ZFTA fusion identity – are shown to be related to highly unfavourable outcome and to be exclusive to ZFTA fusion-positive tumours. Also, Hypoxia is proposed as the potential driver of spatial organisation, which may affect treatment success.

  Study EGAS50000001318

• Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of thymic epithelial tumors

  Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), comprising various histologic types of thymomas and thymic carcinomas, originate from thymic epithelial cells. Each histologic type is typically associated with a distinct immune cell composition and clinical manifestation. A better understanding of the cellular origins and molecular pathways underlying this heterogeneity is needed to improve patient stratification and treatment. Here, we conducted an integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis of 124 thymomas and 13 thymic carcinomas, including 20 newly sequenced cases combined with 117 cases from publicly available datasets. This approach stratified TETs into three subgroups with different possible origins: GTF2I-mutant (GTF2I-type) thymomas, copy number-altered (CN-type) thymomas, and thymic carcinomas.

  Study EGAS00001004227

• Guardians_of_the_genome__protecting_DNA_from_endogenous_sources_of_damage_

  Analysis of mutational signatures caused by DNA repair defects in human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. A reference human iPS cell line will be used for genetic manipulation to introduce homozygous knockouts of 100 genes known to be involved in or connected to DNA repair or DNA editing. Following a defined period of growth after homozygous knockout of each gene, sub clones will be generated and sequenced. The progenitor “parental” IPS cell line will be used to generate reference sequence data, in order to determine the mutational signature acquired due to the gene knockout. This is a pilot study to investigate the effects of oxygen conditions and growth period on mutations acquired

  Study EGAS00001000874

• Somatic mutation rates scale with lifespan across mammals

  The rates and patterns of somatic mutation in normal tissues are largely unknown outside of humans. Comparative analyses can shed light on the diversity of mutagenesis across species and on long-standing hypotheses regarding the evolution of somatic mutation rates and their role in cancer and ageing. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing of 208 intestinal crypts from 56 individuals to study the landscape of somatic mutation across 16 mammalian species. We found somatic mutagenesis to be dominated by seemingly endogenous mutational processes in all species, including 5-methylcytosine deamination and oxidative damage. With some differences, mutational signatures in other species resembled those described in humans, although the relative contribution of each signature varied across species. Remarkably, the somatic mutation rate per year varied greatly across species and exhibited a strong inverse relationship with species lifespan, with no other life-history trait studied displaying a comparable association. Despite widely different life histories among the species surveyed, including ~30-fold variation in lifespan and ~40,000-fold variation in body mass, the somatic mutation burden at the end of lifespan varied only by a factor of ~3. These data unveil common mutational processes across mammals and suggest that somatic mutation rates are evolutionarily constrained and may be a determinant of lifespan.

  Dataset EGAD00001008032

• CM067 WES - Clinical Outcomes by Tumor Mutational Burden and Inflammatory Gene Expression With Combined Nivolumab and Ipilimumab or Monotherapy in Advanced Melanoma

  Purpose Exploratory analyses of CheckMate 066 and 067 trials were conducted to investigate associations of tumor mutational burden (TMB), a 4-gene inflammatory gene expression signature, and BRAF mutation status with tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced melanoma. Patients and Methods Patients with known programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and BRAF mutation status received nivolumab (NIVO) or dacarbazine in CheckMate 066 and either NIVO, ipilimumab (IPI), or NIVO+IPI in CheckMate 067. Whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing were used to determine TMB and inflammatory gene expression signature scores, respectively. These biomarkers were evaluated in terms of their association with PFS and OS. Results In the NIVO, NIVO+IPI, and IPI arms of CheckMate 067, longer survival was associated with high (> median) versus low (≤ median) TMB with hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for PFS of 0.45 (0.30–0.65), 0.55 (0.38–0.81), and 0.60 (0.43–0.82), and for OS of 0.46 (0.30–0.71), 0.53 (0.34–0.82), and 0.52 (0.36–0.74), respectively. For NIVO-treated patients, these results were confirmed in CheckMate 066. A survival benefit was observed with high TMB and absence of BRAF mutation. Survival was associated with high versus low inflammatory signature scores with HRs (95% CI) for PFS of 0.56 (0.34–0.94), 0.40 (0.23–0.72), and 0.43 (0.27–0.70), and for OS of 0.37 (0.20–0.66), 0.38 (0.19–0.74), and 0.46 (0.27–0.79), in the NIVO, NIVO+IPI, and IPI arms, respectively. Weak correlations were observed between PD-L1, TMB, and the inflammatory signature. Conclusions Combined assessment of TMB, inflammatory gene expression signature, and BRAF mutation status may be predictive for response to immunotherapy in advanced melanoma.

  Dataset EGAD00001007573

• Genetic Modifiers of Huntington's Disease

  Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder typically diagnosed in mid-life that is caused by expansion of an otherwise polymorphic CAG trinucleotide repeat. The mutation causes a gain-of-function of the huntingtin protein to trigger a pathogenic process that produces detectable phenotypic differences many years before the traditional diagnosis, which is based upon characteristic motor symptoms. The prediagnosis phase of pathogenesis is now the subject of intense scrutiny by an NINDS-funded longitudinal study, PREDICT-HD, in which undiagnosed gene carriers are followed longitudinally and subjected to detailed phenotyping (PREDICT-HD Huntington Disease Study -- dbGaP Study Accession: phs000222). This powerful approach, which offers the potential for moving the focus of therapeutic development to the decades prior to neurological disease diagnosis, is enabled by the fact that all individuals with HD have the same type of mutation, which can be determined at any time in life by a single HD CAG repeat PCR amplification assay. The precise length of the HD CAG repeat differs between individuals. There is a strong negative correlation between the number of CAG repeats and the age at onset of diagnostic neurological abnormalities in HD, such that the CAG repeat accounts for ~50% of the variation in age at diagnosis. Analysis of the remaining variance not explained by the length of the CAG repeat has shown that it is highly heritable, being due to genetic variation, elsewhere in the genome. The intent of the Genetic Modifiers of Huntington's Disease study is to identify genetic modifiers of HD pathogenesis by using genomewide association techniques in diagnosed HD individuals to identify genetic factors associated with the residual variance in age at onset not explained by the CAG repeat, and to extend these analyses to pre-diagnosis phenotypes, for example, those defined in the PREDICT-HD study. Identification of modifier genes is a top priority for HD research (and an example of an approach that can be applied in other late-onset genetic disorders), as it could provide clues to developing rational treatments that delay or prevent the pathogenic process from causing the ravages of the disease that ensue in the ~15 years of inexorable decline to ultimate death that now follows clinical diagnosis. To further that goal, the release of study version 2 makes available whole exome sequencing data of n=221 study participants.

  Study phs000371

• University of Utah Pelvic Organ Prolapse Disorder Study

  The overall purpose of this University of Utah Pelvic Organ Prolapse Disorder Study was to identify and localize predisposition genes contributing to pelvic organ prolapse (POP). POP cases recruited for this study were identified by one of three methods: high-risk POP pedigree cases, POP sister pairs, and surgically-treated POP cases reporting a family history of POP. High-risk POP pedigree cases were identified using the Utah Population Database (UPDB), a genealogy database of residents in Utah that has been linked to diagnostic ICD9 and CPT codes in medical records at the University of Utah and Intermountain Healthcare. We identified families with a significant excess number of POP cases compared to matched population rates and targeted these individuals for recruitment as well as any other POP cases in the family. POP sister pair cases were identified at the University of Utah Urogyncology clinic for women who had undergone POP surgery and also self-reported one or more sisters who were also surgically treated for POP. POP affection status of all sisters was confirmed either by physical examination or by chart review. Surgically treated-POP cases reporting a family history of POP were identified at the University of Utah Urogyncology clinic by self-report of a family history of POP. Efforts were made to recruit other affected family members and confirm affection status. To obtain DNA, subjects provided either a blood specimen or saliva. Medical records were reviewed by a urogynecologist and diagnostic information for pelvic organ prolapse and stress and overactive bladder were obtained. Collected DNA was genotyped and analyzed. To maintain confidentiality of the familial data, genetic data from only one subject per family has been submitted to dbGaP. Use of the University of Utah Pelvic Organ Prolapse Disorder Study data is limited to investigators studying pelvic floor disorders. These pelvic floor disorders include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and anal incontinence, and other conditions related to weakening or injury to the muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis as a result of pelvic surgery, pregnancy, or vaginal delivery of a child. These data will be used only for research purposes related to pelvic floor disorders. They will not be used to determine the individual identity of any person or their relationship to another person or for research on non-disease traits.

  Study phs001439

• PRE-DETERMINE: Biologic Markers and MRI SCD Cohort Study

  The PRE-DETERMINE Study is a prospective, multi-center study of 5,764 patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and documentation of either a prior myocardial infarction (MI) or mild to moderate left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 35-50%. Patients were enrolled at 136 sites where information on baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, pertinent past medical history, lifestyle habits, cardiac test results, and medications were collected via electronic data capture. Electrocardiograms (ECG) along with a blood sample was also collected at baseline, sent to central laboratories, and stored for future analyses. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) scans were collected on a subset of patients and analyzed. Enrollment closed in November 2013 and patients are now being followed centrally by the Clinical Coordinating Center via mail/phone to document interim non-fatal arrhythmic events and cause-specific mortality. Questionnaires that inquire about intervening implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantations, ICD therapies, cardiac arrest, and other pertinent cardiovascular endpoints are mailed to participants every six months, and follow-up telephone calls are made to non-responders. Study endpoints are being confirmed through review of medical records, interviews with next-of-kin, and autopsy reports, if available.The primary objective of PRE-DETERMINE is to determine whether biologic markers and ECGs can be utilized to advance sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk prediction in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and LVEF >30-35%. The overarching goal of the study is to identify a series of markers that alone or in combination specifically predict risk of arrhythmic death as compared to other causes of mortality among this at risk population of CHD patients with preserved LVEF> 30-35%. If biologic or ECG markers are identified that can specifically predict risk of ventricular arrhythmias, then these markers may serve as relatively inexpensive methods to identify those at risk. The public health impact of identifying markers could be quite substantial, leading to more efficient utilization of ICDs and advances in our understanding of mechanisms underlying SCD.Among the 95% of participants that provided a blood sample at baseline, genome wide genotyping using the Illumina Global Screening Array (GSA) has been performed. A total of 4,335 participants with European ancestry gave consent that allows genetic research and deposition of data into dbGaP.

  Study phs002940

• Kids First: Genetics of Pediatric Germ Cell Tumors

  The Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) is a trans-NIH effort initiated in response to the 2014 Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act and supported by the NIH Common Fund. This program focuses on gene discovery in pediatric cancers and structural birth defects and the development of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Data Resource (Kids First Data Resource). All of the genomic and phenotypic data from this study are accessible through dbGaP. The data is also available at the Kids First Portal, where other Kids First datasets can also be accessed in the cloud for data analysis, data visualization, collaboration and interoperability, open to all researchers and developers.Pediatric malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent approximately 6% of childhood cancers, including 3% of tumors in children aged 0-14 years and 15% of tumors in adolescents. GCTs are heterogeneous and grouped together due to the presumed common cell of origin, the primordial germ cell (PGC). GCTs typically occur in the testes or ovaries; however, extragonadal GCTs can occur and are likely a result of abnormal germ cell migration during development. Evidence suggests that GCTs, including those diagnosed in adults, are initiated in utero. Thus, alterations in normal embryonic development are likely to be especially relevant to GCT etiology. Germline susceptibility has not been evaluated in an agnostic fashion in pediatric GCT, mainly due to a lack of an adequate number of samples; however, emerging evidence supports a genetic etiology.In the two Kids First GCT projects, we will evaluate genetic susceptibility to intracranial and extracranial GCT by sequencing probands and their unaffected parents. The goals of the project are to: 1) evaluate the contribution of rare genetic variants in GCT through the use of aggregate burden tests, focusing on genes and established regulatory regions; 2) identify de novo SNVs and CNVs in pediatric GCT using a case-parent triad design; and 3) identify molecular signatures in GCT tumor specimens, overall and by age group and tumor characteristics. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data generated through the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program will provide an opportunity to investigate the genetic origins of GCT in a diverse set of samples. Given the limited knowledge of GCT etiology and biology, the results of the proposed analyses are likely to have a big impact on the field.

  Study phs002322

• Singapore Adult Metabolism Study - Phase 2 (SAMS2)

  Singapore Adult Metabolism Study - Phase 2 (SAMS2) was an interventional study where hundreds of donors aged 21-45 were recruited to participate in a 16-week weight loss program. Study individuals selected (see below for more detailed selection standards) were sedentary (exercise 1 or fewer times a week), obese or overweight with a body fat mass greater than 24% and a BMI between 23-35 kg/m2. For this study, we adjusted BMI definition for Asian population, based on the WHO Consultation 2002, and the BMI cut-off is 23 kg/m2 for overweight and 27.5 kg/m2 for obese. The weight loss program included a combination of dietary interventions, structured exercise sessions, and additional physical activity performed in participants' own time. Energy and protein requirements were calculated based on each participant's weight, height, and physical activity level, with the goal of achieving a 40% calorie deficit. Participants' calorie intake was tracked using food recalls and questionnaires. Additionally, subjects attended structured exercise sessions at least three times per week, supervised by a coach. Each session consisted of 90 minutes of aerobic and strength training exercises, designed to burn approximately 500 kcal per session. To monitor daily physical activity, participants wore pedometers throughout the study. In total, the exercise sessions (500 kcal per session) and daily physical activity (targeting an additional 500 kcal) were aimed at achieving a total caloric expenditure of 2000 kcal per week. We collected clinical data and skeletal muscle biopsies from 54 overweight/obese Asian individuals before and after a 16-week lifestyle intervention, which resulted in an average ~10% weight loss, accompanied by a ~30% increase in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Improvements were observed in 118 of 252 clinical traits and six blood lipids. Transcriptomic analysis of paired skeletal muscle biopsies identified 505 differentially expressed genes enriched in mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity. Thousands of muscle-specific e/sQTLs were detected pre- and post- intervention, including hundreds of lifestyle-responsive e/sQTLs. Notably, approximately 4.2% of eQTLs and 7.3% of sQTLs showed Asian specificity. Joint analysis with GWAS identified 16 putative metabolic risk genes. Our study reveals gene-by-lifestyle interactions and how lifestyle modulates gene regulation in skeletal muscle.

  Study phs004078

• Exploring high-throughput drug sensitivity testing in neuroblastoma cell lines and patient-derived tumor organoids in the era of precision medicine

  Despite druggable events in 80% of neuroblastoma patients within the Princess Máxima Center precision medicine program 'iTHER', clinical uptake of treatment recommendations has been low, and the clinical impact for individual patients remains hard to predict. This stresses the need for a method integrating genomics and transcriptomics with functional approaches into therapeutic decision making. We aimed to launch an online repository integrating genomics and transcriptomics with high-throughput drug screening (HTS) of nineteen commonly used neuroblastoma cell lines and fourteen generated neuroblastoma patient-derived organoids (NBL-PDOs) to improve identification of molecularly matched therapies and support clinical uptake. Cell lines, NBL-PDOs and their parental tumors were characterized utilizing (lc)WGS, WES and RNAseq. Cells were exposed to a ~200 compound library, and viability was assessed using CellTiterGlo or MTT. Molecular and HTS results were transferred to the R2 platform (http://r2platform.com/pmc_nb_drugs/), in which a comprehensive suite of visualizations and analysis options were implemented. As a result, a powerful reference set of cell lines is available, reflecting distinct known pharmacologic vulnerabilities, including resistance of TP53-inactivated lines to MDM2 inhibitor idasanutlin; ALK-inhibitor sensitivity in ALK-activated lines, and sensitivity of an ATM-deleted cell line to PARP- and CHEK1-inhibitors. Novel established NBL-PDOs retained molecular features of their parental tumor and again reflected established drug sensitivities. However, HTS also identified additional therapeutic vulnerabilities in vitro, such as a striking correlation between a positive mesenchymal signature and sensitivity to BCL2-inhibitor venetoclax. Finally, we explored personalized drug sensitivities within iTHER, demonstrating HTS can support genomic and transcriptomic results, thereby strengthening the rationale for clinical uptake. Furthermore, in vitro insensitivity may avoid ineffective treatments. Lastly, novel treatment options may be identified, as indicated by sensitivity to ponatinib correlating with overexpression of RET or KIT. In conclusion, we established a dynamic publicly available dataset with detailed genomic, transcriptomic, and pharmacological annotation of classical neuroblastoma cell lines as well as NBL-PDOs, representing the heterogeneous landscape of neuroblastoma. We anticipate that in vitro drug screening will be complementary to genomic-guided precision medicine by supporting clinical decision making, thereby improving prognosis for all neuroblastoma patients in the future.

  Study EGAS00001007160

• Acute Respiratory Distress Network (ARDSNet) Studies 06 and 08 Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Aerosolized Albuterol Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury (ALTA) (ARDSNet-ALTA-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Biospecimens Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from ARDSNet-ALTA include Plasma, DNA, Urine, and BAL. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic research is subject to a tiered consent. Objectives This clinical trial was designed to test the hypothesis that an aerosolized beta-2-agonist, albuterol, would improve clinical outcomes in participants with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Background In participants with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS), inflammation of the pulmonary circulation increases vascular permeability. Fluid leaks from blood vessels into the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli. Recovery from this form of acute respiratory failure requires that the pulmonary edema resolve. The resolution of alveolar edema is driven by active transport of sodium and chloride ions from the luminal space across both type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells, creating an osmotic gradient for the reabsorption of water. In the ex vivo human lung, the rate of alveolar fluid clearance can be doubled by treatment with a cyclic AMP beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. On the basis of the preclinical observations that treatment with beta-2-agonists could reduce pulmonary edema and accelerate the rate of alveolar fluid clearance, the ALTA study was designed and undertaken with the hypothesis that treatment of participants with ALI/ARDS with beta-agonist therapy would accelerate the resolution of alveolar edema and improve clinical outcomes. Participants There were 282 participants. Design Study staff conducted a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which participants were randomized to receive aerosolized albuterol (5 mg) or saline placebo every 4 hours for up to 10 days. The primary outcome variable for the trial was ventilator-free days. Conclusions Ventilator-free days were not significantly different between the albuterol and placebo groups. The results suggest that aerosolized albuterol does not improve clinical outcomes in participants with ALI. Routine use of beta-2 agonist therapy in mechanically ventilated participants with ALI cannot be recommended (Matthay, et al., 2011, PMID: 21562125).

  Study phs003743

• About

  About What's the EGA? The European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA) is a global network for permanent archiving and sharing of personally identifiable genetic, phenotypic, and clinical data generated for the purposes of biomedical research projects or in the context of research-focused healthcare systems. Jointly managed by the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in Cambridge (UK) and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona, we aim to advance biomedical research and promote personalised medicine worldwide by enabling discovery of and access to human genomic and health research data. The EGA contains data collected from individuals whose consent agreements authorise data release for specific research use to bona fide researchers. We ensure strict security measures to control access to the data and maintain patient confidentiality. With expertise in data management and technical infrastructure, we promote FAIR data reuse and enable researchers to share their data securely. By leveraging public funding and our strategic partnerships, the EGA provides a free service for permanent data storage, data discovery, and secure data access. In addition, we foster a federated network to provide transnational access to human research data in compliance with legal frameworks. For additional information about the EGA, please contact: Helen Parkinson and Mallory Freeberg EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute Arcadi Navarro, Roderic Guigó, and Jordi Rambla Center for Genomic Regulation History The European Genome-phenome Archive was launched in 2008 at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), an outstation of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), to address an identified need for archiving and sharing the results of genome-wide association studies from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium. With the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2013 and a formal agreement in 2016, the EGA became a joint project of EMBL-EBI and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The two institutes work together to support the EGA services, including supporting submissions, website, strategic leadership, and data infrastructure developments. In 2022, the Federated EGA was officially launched with the signature of the first five countries: Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. With more than 20 additional nodes worldwide preparing to join, the Federated EGA aims to become the largest human omics data sharing initiative towards understanding human health and disease. EGA overview If you're a researcher you may need to deposit, manage, or access genomic data in a secure and regulated way. The European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA) is a platform that facilitates these processes, ensuring that sensitive data is stored and shared in accordance with legal and ethical regulations. Submission process To start a submission, you need to become an EGA submitter. For that, you’ll need to sign a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with us, that defines the terms and conditions under which your data will be processed and shared within the EGA system. The access to each study is controlled by its Data Access Committee (DAC). The DAC is responsible for managing data access requests and ensuring that the release of data is in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Please, note that once your data is released, all public metadata related to your study and dataset(s) will be searchable on the EGA website. However, the files are only accessible under controlled access, which means that a DAC has to agree to a previous data access request. Request process It is possible to submit an access request to data stored at the EGA. The DAC assigned to the study will assess the request and, if approved, grant access to the data. Requesters must provide sufficient justification for your request and comply with the intended data usage in order to get access to it. Each dataset is covered by a Data Access Agreement (DAA) that defines the terms and conditions of use for the specified dataset/s. The DAA is created and provided by the DAC, and must be signed by the individual requesting access to the given dataset/s. Download process Once the request for access is approved, the data and metadata can be downloaded. The EGA offers various download options to fit the needs: it is possible to preview files without downloading them, download specific files of interest, or even download terabytes of data. Overall, the EGA provides a secure and regulated environment for depositing, managing, and accessing human data. Regardless of the role - submitter, DAC member, or requester - the EGA provides assistance for each while ensuring that sensitive data is managed in an ethical and responsible manner. More information on how EGA handles data is available in the EGA dataflow.

  Documentation about/ega

• A Pilot Trial of Complement Inhibition Using Eculizumab to Overcome Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness in HLA Allo-Immunized Patients

  Platelet transfusion can be a life-saving procedure in preventing or treating serious bleeding in patients who have low and/or dysfunctional platelets. Heavily transfused patients frequently develop human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allo-immunization resulting in platelet transfusion refractoriness and a high risk for life-threatening thrombocytopenia. Data suggest complement activation leading to the destruction of platelets bound by HLA allo-antibodies may play a pathophysiologic role in platelet refractoriness. We conducted a pilot trial to investigate the use of eculizumab to treat platelet transfusion refractoriness in allo-immunized patients with severe thrombocytopenia. We hypothesized that when we treated patients having platelet refractoriness with eculizumab, platelet counts would increase to higher numbers after platelet transfusions, decreasing the risk of bleeding complications associated with having a low platelet count. The response of the treatment was assessed by the corrected platelet count increment (CCI) 10 - 60 min and 18 - 24 h post transfusion, and any requirement for subsequent platelet transfusions following eculizumab. Reference 1 (PMID: 32086819) contains the main results for this trial.

  Study phs003212

• HIV-phyloTSI: Subtype-independent estimation of time since HIV-1 infection for cross-sectional measures of population incidence using deep sequence data

  Estimating the time since HIV infection (TSI) at population level is essential for tracking changes in the global HIV epidemic. Most methods for determining TSI give a binary classification of infections as recent or non-recent within a window of several months, and cannot assess the cumulative impact of an intervention. We developed a Random Forest Regression model, HIV-phyloTSI, which combines measures of within-host diversity and divergence to generate continuous TSI estimates directly from viral deep-sequencing data, with no need for additional variables. HIV-phyloTSI provides a continuous measure of TSI up to 9 years, with a mean absolute error of less than 12 months overall and less than 5 months for infections with a TSI of up to a year. It performs equally well for all major HIV subtypes based on data from African and European cohorts. We demonstrate how HIV-phyloTSI can be used for incidence estimates on a population level.

  Study EGAS50000000895

• EGA file encryption types

  EGA file encryption The European Genome-Phenome Archive (EGA) stands as a significant initiative in the field of genomics, facilitating the secure storage and sharing of vast amounts of genomic data. Jointly hosted by the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), the EGA offers a robust infrastructure for managing encrypted data, ensuring the privacy and integrity of sensitive genomic information. Both CRG and EMBL-EBI play pivotal roles in the EGA, each institution bringing unique expertise in managing different types of encryptions. EMBL-EBI EGACryptor encryption system, while CRG utilises Crypt4GH, resulting in two distinct encryption file types: cip and c4gh, respectively. How can I check the file encryption? To access your dataset of interest on the European Genome-Phenome Archive (EGA) and determine the corresponding encryption file extension, please follow these step-by-step instructions: Utilise the search or navigation features provided on the EGA website to locate the dataset you are interested in. Once you find the dataset webpage, click on the "Files" tab, typically located on the dataset's webpage. Upon reaching the "Files" tab, you will be presented with a table containing comprehensive information about the files associated with the dataset. This table will include various columns, such as "File Name," "Size," and "Location." The "Location" column is particularly relevant for determining the encryption file extension. Figure 1: File table showing all the information available for the files in a dataset. This table is specific for each dataset. To identify the encryption file extension corresponding to a specific file, locate the "Location" column in the table. If the file is archived in Spain, the file will have the .c4gh extension, indicating that it is encrypted using Crypt4gh. Conversely, if the file is archived in the UK, the encrypted file extension will be .cip, indicating the usage of EGACryptor for encryption. It is worth noting that a file can be available in both locations, meaning it will be accessible with both file extensions (.c4gh and .cip). This allows users to choose the encryption method that aligns with their preferred platform or analysis tools.

  Documentation check-encryption-type

• Clonal dynamics after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation using genome-wide somatic mutations - TGS

  Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) replaces the stem cells responsible for blood production with those harvested from a donor, and is received by 40,000 patients worldwide each year. To quantify dynamics of long-term stem cell engraftment, we sequenced whole genomes of 2,824 single-cell-derived haematopoietic colonies from blood samples of 10 donor-recipient pairs taken 9-31 years after HLA-matched sibling HCT. With younger donors, 10,000-50,000 stem cells had engrafted and were still contributing to haematopoiesis at time of sampling, but estimates were 10-fold lower with older donors. Engrafted stem cells made multilineage contributions to myeloid, B-lymphoid and T-lymphoid populations, although individual clones often showed biases towards one or other mature cell type. Recipients had lower clonal diversity than matched donors, equivalent to ~10-15 years of additional ageing, arising from up to 25-fold greater expansion of stem cell clones. An HCT-related population bottleneck alone could not explain these differences: instead, phylogenetic trees evinced two distinct modes of HCT-specific selection. In 'pruning selection', cell divisions underpinning recipient-enriched clonal expansions had occurred in the donor, preceding transplant - their selective advantage derived from preferential mobilisation, harvest, survival ex vivo or initial homing. In 'growth selection', cell divisions underpinning clonal expansion occurred through proliferative advantage in the recipient's marrow after homing - clones with multiple driver mutations especially demonstrated this pattern. Uprooting stem cells from their native environment and transplanting them to foreign soil exaggerates selective pressures, distorting and accelerating the loss of clonal diversity compared to the unperturbed haematopoiesis of donors.

  Dataset EGAD00001010874

• WES of adult intellectual disabilities with co-morbid psychiatric disorders (2019-08-07)

  ost adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) do not undergo genetic diagnostic investigation as part of their clinical care and have 'missed the boat' with regard to the WES and WGS genetic testing that is now being provided for children with ID. There is a dramatically increased risk of psychistric disorders in adults with ID, e.g. the risk of psychoses is 10X higher than in the general population. It remains an open question as to how much of adult ID is genetic in origin and how similar the genetic forms of adult ID are to those being diagnosed in children, in part due to survivor bias. There is also the opportunity to identify adults with treatable forms of ID, of which over 80 have been described, thus improving their clinical management. Furthermore, analysis of medical records of adults with genetic forms of ID can help to characterise the 'natural history' of individual disorders, resulting in more accurate prognoses for diagnosed children and identifying opportunities for improved management and possibly therapeutic intervention (e.g. optimal anti-epileptic therapy). Here we propose to exome sequence (to ~50X coverage) 200 adults with ID and co-morbid psychiatric disorders. This cohort has previously been assayed with chromosomal microarrays (Wolfe et al 2017 EJHG, 25, 66-72) identifying a diagnostic yield of ~11% which is comparable to the CNV diagnostic yield in various child ID cohorts (10-15%). The authors observed no substantive biases in diagnostic yield between different psychiatric diagnostic classes. The WES data will be analysed using the diagnostic workflows developed in the DDD study to ensure comparability between child and adult ID datasets. This study is intended as a pilot study to demonstrate the value of WES in adults with ID. 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/ . This dataset contains all the data available for this study on 2019-08-07.

  Dataset EGAD00001005236

• Molecular evolution of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma progressing under tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy (HIPO-045)

  Background:Acquired resistance to targeted drugs is largely due to intra-tumor molecular heterogeneity and clonal selection. Objective:The objective of this study was to determine molecular alterations and mediating resistant mechanisms and to suggest additional treatment options.Design, Setting, and Participants:Four patients were enrolled into the MORE (Molecular Renal Cancer Evolution) trial. We investigated the mutational spectra of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) at baseline and compared them to those upon clonal evolution at progression on systemic therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.Outcome Measurements:DNA was isolated from tumor tissues after surgery, metastasis biopsies after progression on sunitinib or axitinib, and subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES). In addition, the exomes of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from two patients were sequenced at baseline and at progression.Results and Limitations:Our data provide evidence for clonal evolution and various acquired resistance mechanisms of ccRCC with subclonal mutations in FLT4, MTOR, ITGA3/5, SETD2, and VHL on metastatic progression. The limited number of shared mutations in tissue and plasma biopsies indicates that both sources provide complementary information, possibly due to mutations present in metastatic lesions which were not amenable to tissue sampling but are represented in the ctDNA. Conclusion:Acquired resistance to targeted therapies in metastatic ccRCC is due to intra-tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution. Larger patient cohorts have to be studied to estimate the benefit of WES from biopsies and ctDNA for therapy decision in metastatic ccRCC.Patient Summary:We analyzed the molecular profiles of ccRCC patients in primary tissues and metastatic tissues upon progression on tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Clinically relevant mutations upon progression were detected in the metastatic sites of all of four patients, suggesting that it might be possible to derive therapies based on sequencing the metastases.?HIPO-045

  Study EGAS00001001861

• Distinct evolutionary trajectories of primary high grade serous ovarian cancers revealed through spatial mutational profiling

  High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is characterized by poor outcome, often attributed to emergence of treatment-resistant sub-clones. We sought to measure the degree of genomic diversity within primary, untreated HGSC to examine the natural state of tumor evolution prior to therapy. We performed exome sequencing, copy number analysis, targeted amplicon deep sequencing and gene expression profiling on thirty-one spatially and temporally separated HGSC tumor specimens (six patients) including ovarian masses, distant metastases, and fallopian tube lesions. We found widespread intra-tumoral variation in mutation, copy number, and gene expression profiles, with key driver alterations in genes present in only a subset of samples (e.g. PIK3CA, CTNNB1, NF1). On average, only 51.5% of mutations were present in every sample of a given case (range: 10.2% to 91.4%), with TP53 as the only somatic mutation consistently present in all samples. Complex segmental aneuploidies, such as whole genome doubling, were present in a subset of samples from the same individual, with divergent copy number changes segregating independently of point mutation acquisition. Reconstruction of evolutionary histories showed one patient with mixed HGSC and endometrioid histology with common etiologic origin in the fallopian tube and subsequent selection of different driver mutations in the histologically distinct samples. In this patient, we observed mixed cell populations in the early fallopian tube lesion, indicating diversity arises at early stages of tumorigenesis. Our results reveal that HGSC exhibit highly individual evolutionary trajectories and diverse genomic tapestries prior to therapy, exposing an essential biological characteristic to inform future design of personalized therapeutic solutions and investigation of drug resistance mechanisms.

  Study EGAS00001000547

• Multi-Layered Molecular Profiling Informs the Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor

  Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an ultra-rare soft tissue sarcoma with dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Here, we identified individual therapeutic targets in a cohort of 30 DSRCT patients by use of multilayered molecular profiling (genomic, transcriptomic, and (phospho-)proteomic analyses) within the DKFZ NCT DKTK MASTER program. 28 of the 30 patients received at least one personalized treatment recommendation. In line with the observation that DSRCTs are an entity with a low mutational load, most of the treatment recommendations were based on target gene or -protein expression. 13 patients received a recommended therapy, resulting in four partial responses, four stable diseases, and five progressive diseases. Eight of 13 patients received the multi tyrosine kinase inhibitor pazopanib, with mixed response. Based on high ERBB2 expression levels, two patients received the antibody drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), showed exceptional, long-lasting responses and are currently (8/2024) still on treatment and progression-free. We detected high ERBB2 protein expression in all DSRCT samples with proteome data (n = 9), which suggests that ERBB2 may be a particularly useful therapeutic target for DSRCT patients. For one of the two exceptional responders we did not detect a substantial ERBB2/HER2 overexpression, which may indicate that T-DXd could also be efficacious in DSRCT patients with low levels of HER2, as also described for breast cancer patients. In conclusion, multi-omic molecular profiling revealed personalized therapeutic targets in patients with DSRCT with HER2 targeting, with T-DXd as a promising therapeutic option for this ultra-rare and difficult-to-treat tumor entity.

  Study EGAS00001007934

• Clinical Outcomes of 344 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma patients

  This study examines clinical outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We analyzed a cohort of 344 patients from the German High-Grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group (DSHNHL). To protect patient confidentiality, all samples were pseudonymized. The dataset includes clinical key characteristics, such as patient age at diagnosis, sex, ECOG performance status, disease stage, serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, bulky disease, bone marrow involvement, extranodal involvement, and B-symptoms. We used these data alongside proteomic and transcriptomic profiles to explore relationships between clinical features and molecular signatures, reconstructing regulatory networks. Insights from this integrative analysis aim to identify key pathological drivers and biomarkers of DLBCL progression, ultimately informing improved risk stratification and targeted therapeutic approaches.

  Study EGAS50000001054

• DAC for Genomic landscapes of endometrioid and mucinous ovarian cancers and morphologically similar tumor types

  While endometrioid and mucinous ovarian cancers represent nearly a quarter of ovarian cancers, their molecular characteristics and pathologic origins are poorly understood. To characterize the genomic and epigenomic alterations of these ovarian cancer subtypes and evaluate links to morphologically similar tumors from other sites, we performed sequence, copy number, mutation signature, rearrangement, and methylation analyses from tumor samples and matched normal tissues of 133 patients. These analyses included patients with ovarian endometrioid (n=44), ovarian mucinous (n=43), uterine endometrial (n=15), and gastrointestinal mucinous cancers (n=31). In addition to identifying genes previously known to be involved in these tumors, we identified alterations in RAD51C, NOTCH4, SMARCA1/4 and JAK1 in ovarian endometrioid, ESR1 in uterine endometrioid, and SMARCA4 in ovarian mucinous cancers. Whole genome sequencing revealed rearrangements involving PTEN, NF1, and NF2 in ovarian endometrioid tumors, and NF1 and MED1 in ovarian mucinous cancers. The number of alterations and affected genes in ovarian and uterine endometrioid cancers were similar as were genome-wide methylation profiles, suggesting that these tumors may have a similar tissue of origin. By contrast, methylation patterns in ovarian mucinous cancers were more similar to other gastrointestinal mucinous cancers, including mucinous cancers of the stomach, colon, and pancreas. These analyses provide insights into the genomic landscapes and origins of mucinous and endometrioid ovarian carcinomas, providing new avenues for early clinical intervention and management of patients with these cancers.

  Dac EGAC50000000341

• CRISPR-screening identifies mechanisms of resistance to KRASG12C and SHP2 inhibitor combinations in non-small cell lung cancer

  Although KRASG12C inhibitors show clinical activity in patients with KRAS G12C mutated NSCLC and other solid tumor malignancies, response is limited by multiple mechanisms of resistance. The KRASG12C inhibitor JDQ443 shows enhanced preclinical antitumor activity combined with the SHP2 inhibitor TNO155, and the combination is currently under clinical evaluation. To identify rational combination strategies that could help overcome or prevent some types of resistance, we evaluated the duration of tumor responses to JDQ443 �� TNO155, alone or combined with the PI3K�� inhibitor alpelisib and/or the CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib, in xenograft models derived from a KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC line and investigated the genetic mechanisms associated with loss of response to combined KRASG12C/SHP2 inhibition.

  Study JGAS000643

• Somatic mutations and single cell transcriptomes reveal the root of malignant rhabdoid tumours

  Like many childhood cancers, malignant rhabdoid tumours (MRT) are thought to arise from aberrant foetal development. Although MRT predominantly exhibit a mesenchymal phenotype, it has been suggested that the foetal root of MRT lies in neural crest development. Here, we combine phylogenetic analyses of MRT, single cell mRNA assays, and functional experiments in patient-derived MRT organoids, to define the embryological origin of MRT and explore therapeutic avenues that may drive MRT differentiation. Phylogenetic analyses from the distribution of somatic mutations revealed that MRT were related to neural crest-derived, but not to mesodermal tissues, providing direct evidence of the neural crest origin of MRT in humans. In MRT organoids, reversal of the principal driver event underpinning MRT, SMARCB1 loss, induced differentiation along mesenchymal pathways. Together, these findings placed MRT cells on a developmental trajectory of neural crest to mesenchyme conversion, and defined the transcriptional changes underpinning MRT differentiation. Searching perturbation databases for agents that mimic these mRNA changes, we identified HDAC and mTOR inhibition as potential differentiation agents. Treatment of MRT organoids with this drug combination induced proliferation arrest with transcriptional changes akin to SMARCB1 re-expression. Our study defines the embryological root of MRT and proposes a differentiation treatment for this often fatal childhood cancer.

  Dataset EGAD00001006296

• Spatially confined sub-tumor microenvironments in pancreatic cancer

  Intratumoral heterogeneity is a critical frontier in understanding how the tumor microenvironment (TME) propels malignant progression. Here, we deconvolute the human pancreatic TME through large-scale integration of histology-guided regional multiOMICs with clinical data and patient-derived preclinical models. We discover subTMEs, histologically definable tissue states anchored in fibroblast plasticity, with regional relationships to tumor immunity, subtypes, differentiation, and treatment response. Reactive subTMEs rich in complex but functionally coordinated fibroblast communities were immune-hot and inhabited by aggressive tumor cell phenotypes. The matrix-rich deserted subTMEs harbored less activated fibroblasts and tumor- suppressive features yet were markedly chemoprotective and enriched upon chemotherapy. SubTMEs originated in fibroblast differentiation trajectories and transitory states were notable both in single cell transcriptomics and in situ. The intratumoral co-occurrence of subTMEs produced patient-specific phenotypic and computationally predictable heterogeneity tightly linked to malignant biology. Therefore, heterogeneity within the plentiful, notorious pancreatic TME is not random but marks fundamental tissue organizational units.

  Dataset EGAD00001008155

• Incentives and Case Management to Improve Cardiac Care: Healthy Lifestyle Program (HeLP)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this study.Objectives: The HeLP study assessed how early case management, financial incentives contingent on cardiac-rehabilitation attendance, or both impacted adherence to cardiac rehabilitation among patients with lower socioeconomic status (SES) who had a cardiac-rehabilitation-qualifying diagnosis. Background:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Regular attendance at cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is the number one recommendation for patients who have experienced a recent cardiac event. CR is a secondary prevention outpatient program involving an individually tailored structured exercise program along with counseling and encouragement regarding lifestyle changes to reduce the recurrence of major cardiac events.Despite the benefits of CR attendance, enrollment and adherence to the program are low. This is particularly true of individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES), who also generally suffer a higher burden from CVD on account of higher-risk cardiac profiles. As these profiles are the result of modifiable behavior targeted by CR (i.e., smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity), methods of increasing CR attendance among this population are necessary.Case management and financial incentives contingent on CR attendance are two potential strategies for addressing this issue. Previous studies have shown how trained case managers can support and assist patients with attending CR and improving their cardiac health, and how financial incentives can promote various types of health-related behavior. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate how these two interventions, individually and in tandem, fared at improving CR adherence among individuals of lower SES specifically. Participants:A total of 314 participants were screened, and 209 were randomized. All consented to have their data shared for research purposes. Design:Eligible patients were approached either while still in the hospital or during initial visits to CR. After obtaining informed consent, clinical and demographic characteristics (i.e., age, sex, education, race and ethnicity, smoking status, and CR-qualifying diagnosis) and depressive symptoms were collected. Participants then were randomized 2:3:3:3 to usual care (UC), case management starting in hospital (CM), financial incentives for attending CR (FI), or financial incentives plus case management (FICM). For all participants regardless of condition, an appropriate referral for CR was confirmed after randomization. Over the course of the study participants completed three assessments – one at intake, one after four months, and one after one year. Clinical (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and cardiac-related quality of life) and sociocognitive (i.e., Beck Depression Inventory, Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) measures were obtained at each assessment. Participants randomized to the UC condition were contacted weekly by study staff for adverse event checks, but received no additional intervention. Participants randomized to the CM condition were immediately assigned a case manager. Case managers met with their participants, usually within 24 hours of consent while they were still in the hospital, to introduce themselves during an initial check-in. Within the first week of consent they completed a longer, more thorough initial needs assessment with their participant and established behavioral goals. For the next 16 weeks, case managers met with their participants at least once a week, typically over the phone, to discuss progress on these goals and address any problems or barriers that had arisen. Case managers also were available via phone outside of these regular meetings during normal working hours and Saturday mornings. Participants randomized to the FI condition could earn money for completing an initial CR orientation and attending CR sessions. Twenty dollars could be earned for completing the CR orientation session. CR attendance was reinforced on an escalating schedule starting at $10. Payments increased by $2 for each successive session attended, and capped out at a maximum of $40 per session. Unexcused absences resulted in the incentives for that session not being earned, and the potential earnings for the next scheduled session being reset to $10. Successful participation of two consecutive sessions following the reset resulted in the incentives being returned to the amount prior to the reset. In total, participants could earn $1220 for attending the initial orientation and all 36 sessions of CR. The primary outcome of interest was the percentage of participants who completed at least 30 sessions of CR. Secondary outcomes included the number of sessions completed, cardiorespiratory fitness (peak VO2 and estimated metabolic equivalents (METs)), body composition (waist circumference and BMI), depression scores, and both general and cardiac-related qualify of life. Conclusions:The two interventions involving financial incentives (i.e., financial incentives alone and financial incentives plus case management) significantly improved CR adherence compared to usual care. Subsequent analyses revealed that the combination of financial incentives and case management led to greater improvements in CR attendance than financial incentives alone.

  Study phs003737

• Kids First: Genomic Etiologies of CHARGE Syndrome, Related Conditions and Structural Anomalies

  Developmental disorders with structural birth defects account for the majority of morbidity and mortality in children's hospitals, and the genetic bases of many clinical phenotypes remain unknown. Genetic testing for individuals with structural malformations has uncovered the basis of many such birth defects; however, many more cases remain unsolved, posing challenges for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Multiple anomaly conditions are particularly challenging to diagnose, since they often present with unique combinations of clinical features that vary widely between affected individuals, even in the same family. CHARGE Syndrome (Coloboma of the eye, Heart Defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retardation of growth and development, Genital abnormalities including pubertal delay and infertility, Ear abnormalities with deafness and vestibular disorders) is a multiple anomaly condition that affects a wide variety of organ systems. CHARGE Syndrome is caused in most cases by monoallelic pathogenic variants in CHD7, the gene encoding ATP-dependent helicase chromodomain DNA binding protein 7. Both de novo and inherited variants in CHD7 have been reported in CHARGE, and a growing number of families present with individuals who test positive for a pathogenic CHD7 variant yet exhibit only mild features. Similarly, individuals with CHARGE Syndrome often exhibit broad variability and reduced penetrance of clinical features, consistent with pleiotropic roles for CHD7 during development and/or additional genetic contributors or modifying alleles. Recent work has also implicated RERE, KMT2D, EP300, and PUF60 in having a role in CHARGE Syndrome.We hypothesize that (1) some cases of CHARGE are due to other genetic etiologies including oligogenicity, and (2) genetic modifiers contribute to the broad clinical variability and reduced penetrance of CHARGE features. To address these hypotheses, we have generated a cohort of 223 deeply clinically phenotyped individuals with CHARGE Syndrome and related disorders and structural anomalies who tested negative by chromosomal microarray, single gene sequencing, next generation panel sequencing, or exome sequencing. These individuals exhibit clinical CHARGE-like features including structural birth defects affecting craniofacial, ocular, neurosensory, brain, heart, mediastinal, renal, genitourinary, and skeletal organs. Our cohort includes these 223 individuals as well as affected and unaffected family members who consented to clinical and research genetic testing and donated blood samples for DNA and RNA isolation and sequencing. Building on this valuable cohort, we propose to use exome and genome sequencing to identify novel genetic etiologies of CHARGE and related developmental disorders for which alternative genetic tests have been inconclusive. Identification of novel pathogenic genetic variants and contributing modifier alleles within the coding and non-coding portion of the genome of these individuals will improve genetic diagnosis and provide important insights toward understanding the developmental mechanisms of structural birth defects.

  Study phs002592

• Single Cell and Tissue Level Functional Genomics Analysis of Astrocyte-Related Mechanisms in Taupathy

  This data is the first part of a larger single cell and tissue level functional genomics analysis of dementias with tau pathology.  Cellular resolution will clarify the role of glial genes and pathways in neurodegenerative disease. This includes understanding the role of microglia and astrocytes in neurodegenerative disorders characterized by Tau protein pathology. To achieve a refined view of microglial neuroinflammatory signaling in tau-associated neurodegeneration, we performed a functional genomic analysis that integrated time-course gene expression data from mouse models expressing human mutant MAPT (the tau gene) with single nuclear sequencing data obtained from patients with frontotemporal dementia with Tau protein pathology (Pick’s disease). This included microglia-specific gene expression data obtained from single nuclear sequencing of postmortem frozen precentral gyrus samples collected from 16 total individuals, including 8 subjects with clinical diagnosis of behavior variant frontotemporal dementia and neuropathological diagnosis of Pick’s disease (Tau protein pathology) and controls (n=8). Our findings present detailed molecular profiles of disease-associated microglial transitions over the course of tau-associated neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we demonstrate overlap between microglia profiles obtained from precentral gyrus of patients with Pick’s disease with those up-regulated during the neurodegenerative stage in mice expressing human MAPT mutations.

  Study phs002197

• Recording physiological history of cells with chemical labeling.

  Recordings of the physiological history of cells provide insights into biological processes, yet obtaining such recordings is a challenge. To address this, we introduce a method to record transient cellular events for later analysis. We designed proteins that become labeled in the presence of both a specific cellular activity and a fluorescent substrate. The recording period is set by the presence of the substrate, whereas the cellular activity controls the degree of the labeling. The use of distinguishable substrates enabled the recording of successive periods of activity. We recorded protein-protein interactions, G-protein-coupled receptor activation and elevations in intracellular calcium. Recordings of elevated calcium levels allowed selections of cells from heterogenous populations for transcriptomic analysis and tracking of neuronal activities in flies and zebrafish.

  Study EGAS50000000056