Search Results - EGA European Genome-Phenome Archive

Reference epigenomes generated as part of the International Human Epigenomics Consortium (IHEC)

The Centre for Epigenome Mapping Technologies (CEMT) is an epigenome sequencing platform funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Genome BC as part of the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC). CEMT aims to produce 100 human reference epigenomes, each comprising the following datasets: whole genome; whole genome bisulfite and oxidative bisulfite; transcriptome; microRNA; and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq for the core chromatin marks (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K9me3, H3K27me3, H3K36me3, and H3K27ac).CEEHRC is a full member of the International Human Epigenomics Consortium (IHEC), which aims to coordinate the production of 1,000 reference maps of human epigenomes for key cellular states relevant to health and diseases. As such, all datasets submitted by the CEMT platform conform to IHEC assay standards and metadata guidelines.

Study EGAS00001000552

Single-cell Kinnex sequencing of Alzheimer's disease isoform profile

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, yet its molecular causes remain incompletely understood. RNA diversity in part arising from dysregulated splicing may contribute to AD pathogenesis; however, the ability to interrogate the resulting full-length isoforms in single brain cells has been technologically limited. Here we report the use of PacBio Kinnex long-read sequencing combined with 10X Genomics single-cell preparations to identify both annotated and unannotated RNA isoforms. Eight AD and seven non-diseased post-mortem human brains yielded ~70,000 single nuclei showing diverse, differentially expressed, and switched transcripts in multiple genes. Cell-type-specific isoform expression and variants with intra-exonic junctions associated with reverse transcriptase-mediated somatic gene recombination were also detected. Novel isoforms, including CHI3L1 and SEPTIN4, were altered in AD. Kinnex sequencing of RNA isoforms from single nuclei detected vast isoform diversity amongst brain cell types, representing an under-explored element in AD and other brain disorders.

Study EGAS50000001476

Human islet 3D chromatin maps provide insights into type 2 diabetes

The transcriptional output of each cell type is controlled by thousands of enhancers, many of which contain genetic risk variants for common diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). To gain insight into how enhancer variation influences diabetes risk, we created promoter capture Hi-C maps in human pancreatic islets. This linked diabetes-associated islet enhancers with their target genes, often located hundreds of kilobases away. We identified hubs that show spatial and functional connections between enhancersand target genes related to islet function and diabetes. We demonstrate that genetic variants distributed across hub enhancers have a major impact on T2D heritability, and use this knowledge to identify individuals in whom islet regulatory variation has a prominent role in T2D risk. Our results demonstrate the importance of 3D chromatin architecture for molecular interpretation of T2D genetic association signals, and define genomic spaces that harbor a distinct component of the T2D polygenic burden.

Study EGAS00001002917

Motif-directed chromatin repression by BCL11B shapes ectopic targeting and lineage commitment

BCL11B encodes a critical T-lineage transcription factor that is implicated as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor in acute leukemia. Despite its central role in development and malignancy, a basic understanding of the sequence determinants of BCL11B activity remains obscure. Here, we define two functionally distinct modes of BCL11B engagement with chromatin: Most detectable BCL11B binding events are determined by pre-existing patterns of chromatin accessibility and RUNX1 occupancy. In contrast, BCL11B directs chromatin closing at genomic regions enriched for DNA motifs containing the core “TGACC” sequence, which are most prevalent in non-T lineages. These BCL11B-closed target sites cannot be identified from conventional BCL11B chromatin profiling approaches yet represent the primary mechanism by which BCL11B regulates gene expression. We provide evidence that cell of origin impacts the ability of BCL11B to repress lineage-inappropriate gene programs, thereby promoting lineage skewing. Together, these findings define a motif-centered determinant of BCL11B repression and explain how BCL11B controls lineage specification.

Study EGAS50000001719

Immune cell atlas of environmental and ancestral diversity in Indonesia [scRNAseq]

Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) remains consistently underrepresented in large-scale human genomic resources despite its rich ancestral and lifestyle diversity. The region's complex population history and environmental/pathogen pressures could have shaped its populations' unique immune responses. Here, we generated single-cell PBMC profiles from 199 Indonesians sampled across four populations in the islands of Bali and New Guinea. The dataset consists of low-pass whole genome sequencing and pooled single-cell PBMC transcriptome sequencing. These groups capture diversity in regional genetic ancestries (West ISEA-like and Papuan-like) and lifestyle contrasts (urban versus rural communities in Bali; highland versus lowland communities in New Guinea), providing a window into how ancestry and environment jointly shape immune variation across ISEA. Together, this study provides the first large-scale single-cell immune atlas of ISEA, highlighting how ancestral and environmental diversity jointly shape human immunity in this globally important yet understudied region.

Study EGAS50000001656

Immune cell atlas of environmental and ancestral diversity in Indonesia [WGS]

Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) remains consistently underrepresented in large-scale human genomic resources despite its rich ancestral and lifestyle diversity. The region's complex population history and environmental/pathogen pressures could have shaped its populations' unique immune responses. Here, we generated single-cell PBMC profiles from 199 Indonesians sampled across four populations in the islands of Bali and New Guinea. The dataset consists of low-pass whole genome sequencing and pooled single-cell PBMC transcriptome sequencing, including T-cell receptor (TCR). These groups capture diversity in regional genetic ancestries (West ISEA-like and Papuan-like) and lifestyle contrasts (urban versus rural communities in Bali; highland versus lowland communities in New Guinea), providing a window into how ancestry and environment jointly shape immune variation across ISEA. Together, this study provides the first large-scale single-cell immune atlas of ISEA, highlighting how ancestral and environmental diversity jointly shape human immunity in this globally important yet understudied region.

Study EGAS50000001655

Evolving epigenomics of immune cells in type 1 diabetes at single nuclei resolution

The appearance of diabetes-associated autoantibodies is the first detectable sign of the disease process leading to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Evidence suggests that T1D is a heterogenous disease, where the type of antibodies first formed imply subtypes. Here, we followed 49 children, who subsequently presented with T1D and 49 matched controls, profiling single-cell epigenomics at different time points of disease development. Quantitation of cell and nuclei populations as well as transcriptome and open-chromatin states indicated robust, early, replicable monocyte lineage differences between cases and controls, suggesting heightened pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion early among cases. The order of autoantibody emergence in cases showed variation across lymphoid and myeloid cells, potentially indicating cellular immune response divergence. The strong monocytic lineage representation in peripheral blood immune cells before seroconversion and the weaker differential coordination of these gene networks close to clinical diagnosis emphasizes the importance of early life as a critical phase in T1D development.

Study EGAS50000000863

Single Cell RNA Transcriptomics of Mantle Cell Lymphoma Reveals the Presence of Treatment-Resistant Subclones at the Time of Diagnosis

Mantle cell lymphoma is a chronically relapsing B cell neoplasm characterized by clonal heterogeneity. We implemented single cell RNA sequencing of paired tumor samples from four patients with an aggressive nodal MCL at diagnosis and after failure of standard immunochemotherapy. Clustering the cells based on the inferred CNVs showed small subclones present at diagnosis with a CNV profile similar to the major subclone at relapse. Comparison of these subclones to major subclones present at diagnosis revealed 119 upregulated pathways common for the four patient with an aggressive MCL, including NF-kappaB and PTEN signaling pathways. Additionally, we sequenced a patient with an indolent to blastoid MCL transformation with intestinal tissue involvement. In contrast to other compartments at relapse, the cells in the intestine showed strikingly different CNV profile and presence of new driver mutations including NOTCH1. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that scRNAseq can potentially detect therapy resistant subclones at diagnosis.

Study EGAS50000000825

scRNA-seq of LN and lymphoma stroma

The activities of non-haematopoietic cells (NHCs), including mesenchymal stromal cells and endothelial cells, in lymphomas, reportedly underlie lymphomagenesis. However, understanding of lymphoma NHCs has been hampered by unexplained NHC heterogeneity, even in normal human lymph nodes (LNs). Here, we constructed a single-cell transcriptome atlas of >100,000 NHCs collected from 27 human samples, including LNs and various nodal lymphomas, revealing 30 distinct subclusters, including some that were previously unrecognized. Notably, this atlas was highly useful for comparative analysis with lymphoma NHCs, which revealed an unanticipated landscape of subcluster-specific changes in gene expression and interaction with malignant cells in follicular lymphoma NHCs, facilitating our understanding of stromal remodelling in lymphoma and potentially suggesting novel biomarkers. Our study largely updates NHC taxonomy in human LNs and pertains to analysis of disease status, providing a rich resource and deeper insights into LN and lymphoma biology and offering to advance lymphoma management and therapy.

Study EGAS00001005732

Sequencing data from MethylScan assay on plasma

Machine learning models in biomedical research are often hindered by demographic imbalances in clinical datasets, leading to biased predictions that disadvantage minority populations. Existing bias correction methods face limitations in handling the heterogeneity of biomedical data and the complexity of demographic influences. Here, we present DeBias, a computational framework for mitigating demographic biases in high-dimensional biomedical datasets. DeBias eliminates bias-associated subspaces within the entire feature space using control samples and enables global bias correction across all features, effectively preserving disease-specific signals while minimizing demographic distortions. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we applied DeBias to cfDNA methylation data for cancer detection. It achieved a >6-fold reduction in the number of features containing biases and outperformed existing methods in improving the cancer detection performance for minority populations. Our method represented a promising step toward developing machine learning models that are more accurate, reliable, and equitable for minority populations.

Study EGAS00001008127

Identification of gene mutations and fusion genes in patients with Sézary Syndrome

Sezary syndrome (SS) is a leukemic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with an aggressive clinical course. The goal of our study is to understand the genetic basis of the disease by looking for driver gene mutations and fusion genes in 15 erythrodermic patients with circulating Sezary cels, fourteen of them fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of SS. Peripheral blood samples were collected for each patient and CD4+ T-lymphocytes and Granulocytes were isolated. DNA and RNA was extracted for matched normal and tumor materials. Whole exome sequencing was performed on matched normal and tumor tissues of 12 patients and RNA sequencing was performed on 10 patients. For 7 of these patients, we have both exome as well as RNA sequencing data. In this study, we present a complex genomic landscape of Sezary syndrome with several point mutations, copy number variations and fusion events which could contribute to the pathogenesis of SS.

Study EGAS00001001706

Sensitive and Frequent Identification of High Avidity Neo-epitope Specific CD8 + T-cells in Immunotherapy-naïve Ovarian Cancer

Immunotherapy directed against private tumor neo-antigens derived from non-synonymous somatic mutations is a promising strategy of personalized cancer immunotherapy. However, feasibility in low mutational load tumor types remains unknown. Comprehensive and deep analysis of circulating and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for neo-epitope specific CD8 + T cells allowed prompt identification of oligoclonal and polyfunctional such cells from most immunotherapy-naïve patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer studied. Neo-epitope recognition was discordant between circulating T cells and TILs, and was more likely to be found among TILs, which displayed higher functionalavidity and unique TCRs with higher predicted affinity than their blood counterparts. Our results imply that identification of neo-epitope specific CD8 + T cells is achievable even in tumors with relatively low number of somatic mutations, and neo-epitope validation in TILs extends opportunities for mutanome-based personalized immunotherapies to such tumors.

Study EGAS00001002803

Chemotherapy induces canalization of cell state in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Comparison of intratumor genetic heterogeneity in cancer at diagnosis and relapse suggests that chemotherapy induces bottleneck selection of subclonal genotypes. However, evolutionary events subsequent to chemotherapy could also explain changes in clonal dominance seen at relapse. We therefore investigated the mechanisms of selection in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) during induction chemotherapy where maximal cytoreduction occurs. To distinguish stochastic versus deterministic events, individual leukemias were transplanted into multiple xenografts and chemotherapy administered. Analyses of the immediate post-treatment leukemic residuum at single-cell resolution revealed that chemotherapy has little impact on genetic heterogeneity. Rather, it acts on extensive, previously unappreciated, transcriptional and epigenetic heterogeneity in BCP-ALL, dramatically reducing the spectrum of cell states represented, leaving a genetically polyclonal but phenotypically uniform population, with hallmark signatures relating to developmental stage, cell cycle and metabolism. Hence, canalization of the cell state accounts for a significant component of bottleneck selection during induction chemotherapy.

Study EGAS00001004407

Assessment of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiol in mouse models of medulloblastoma

Phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been demonstrated to exhibit anti-cancer activity in preclinical models of brain cancer leading to new clinical trials for adults with glioblastoma. We describe here the first report that has investigated a role for THC and CBD in paediatric brain cancer. Cannabinoids had cytotoxic activity against medulloblastoma and ependymoma cells in vitro, functioning in part through the inhibition of cell cycle progression and the induction of autophagy. Despite these effects in vitro, when tested in orthotopic mouse models of medulloblastoma or ependymoma, no impact on animal survival was observed. Furthermore, cannabinoids neither enhanced nor impaired conventional chemotherapy in a medulloblastoma mouse model. These data show that while THC and CBD do have some effects on medulloblastoma and ependymoma cells, are well tolerated and have minimal adverse effects, they do not appear to elicit any survival benefit in preclinical models of paediatric brain cancer.

Study EGAS00001004963

Mult-omics Palbociclib Resistance Study in HR+/HER2– Metastatic Breast Cancer

Resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy (ET) are common and poorly understood since they have been real game changer in patients with HR-positive and HER2-negative MBC. A comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analysis of pre-treatment and post-treatment tumors from patients treated with palbociclib plus ET identified novel markers associated with poor prognosis such as genomic scar features caused by homologous repair deficiency (HRD), estrogen response signatures, and four unique prognostic clusters with distinct molecular features. Tumors with TP53 mutations co-occurring with a unique HRD-high cluster responded poorly. By comparing genomic and transciptomic profiles of paired samples, tumors were found to be further enriched in HRD genomic scars and many had switched to aggressive molecular subtypes. Furthermore, we identified high frequencies of acquired genomic alterations upon disease progression in RB1, ESR1, PTEN, and KMT2C. Our findings provide new insight into potential predictive biomarkers that could be targeted to overcome resistance. (NCT03401359)

Study EGAS00001005736

Genome-wide Rare Variant Score Associates With Morphological Subtypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Defining different genetic subtypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can help predict developmental outcomes. Based on minor physical and major congenital anomalies, we categorized 325 Canadian children with ASD into dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic subgroupings. We developed a method to calculate a genome-wide rare variant score (GRVS) from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data for each ASD proband. GRVS is a sum of the number of variants in morphology-associated coding and non-coding regions, weighted by their effect sizes. Probands with dysmorphic ASD had a significantly higher GRVS compared to those with non-dysmorphic ASD (P= 0.027). Using the polygenic transmission disequilibrium test, we observed an over-transmission of ASD-associated common variants in non-dysmorphic ASD probands (P= 2.9×10-3). We replicated our findings using 442 ASD probands that had accompanying morphology data in the Simons Simplex Collection. Our findings provide support for an alternative genomic classification of ASD subgroups using morphology data, which may inform intervention protocols.

Study EGAS00001005753

Disease specific alterations in the olfactory mucosa of patients with Alzheimer’s disease

OOlfactory dysfunction manifests early in several neurodegenerative disorders. Olfaction is orchestrated by olfactory mucosal cells located in the upper nasal cavity. However, it is unclear how this tissue reflects key neurodegenerative features in Alzheimer’s disease. Here we report that Alzheimer´s disease olfactory mucosal cells secrete toxic amyloid-beta. We detail cell-type-specific gene expression patterns, unveiling 147 differentially expressed disease-associated genes compared to the cognitively healthy controls, and 5 distinct populations in globose basal cell -, myofibroblast-, and fibroblast/ stromal – like cells in vitro. Overall, coordinated alteration of RNA and protein metabolism, inflammatory processes and signal transduction were observed in multiple cell populations, suggesting a key role in pathophysiology. Our results demonstrate the potential of olfactory cell cultures in modelling Alzheimer´s disease. Moreover, for the first time we provide single cell data on olfactory mucosa in Alzheimer´s disease for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the disease.

Study EGAS00001006019

Genome-wide cell-free DNA termini in patients with cancer

The structure, fragmentation patterns and terminal sequences of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are altered by nucleases and biological mechanisms in the blood of cancer patients. The cfDNA fragment-end composition recovered from low coverage WGS (<1 fold coverage) using a bespoke software (FrEIA) is aberrant in the plasma from cancer patient (n = 418, 655 samples) compared to controls (n = 117). As a standalone test FrEIA allows detection down to ~0.2% tumor fraction in vitro and in silico at 95% specificity, leading to a sensitivity of ~71% for detecting lung cancer (14/22 stage I-II, 27/38 stage III, 92/127 stage IV) and ~68% for detecting esophageal adenocarcinoma (26/44 stage II, 46/62 stage III). Additional cfDNA biological patterns can be combined with FrEIA increasing the diagnostic potential of low coverage WGS at minimal cost (mean AUROC = 0.96). Integrating multiple cfDNA biological signal augments the diagnostic performance of liquid biopsy.

Study EGAS00001006142

Accumulation of copy number alterations and clinical progression across advanced prostate cancer

The burden of copy number alterations positively associated with radiologically-evident distant metastases at diagnosis (P=0.00006) and showed a non-linear relationship with clinical outcome on univariable and multivariable analysis, characterised by a sharp increase in the relative risk of progression (P=0.003) and death (P=0.045) for each unit increase, stabilising into more modest increases with higher burdens. This association between copy number burden and outcome was similar in each of the four metastatic states. Copy number loss occurred significantly more frequently than gain at the lowest copy number burden quartile (q=4.1X10-6). Loss of segments in chromosome 5q21-22 and gains at 8q21-24, respectively including CHD1 and cMYC, occurred more frequently in cases with higher copy number alteration (for either region: Kolmogorov–Smirnov distance, 0.5; adjusted P<0.0001). Copy number alterations showed variability across tumor regions in the same prostate. This variance associated with increased risk of distant metastases (Kruskal-Wallis test P=0.037).

Study EGAS00001006251

An IL-1β driven neutrophil-stromal cell axis fosters a BAFF-rich microenvironment in multiple myeloma

The bone marrow is continuously occupied by high numbers of neutrophils, and a tumor-supportive bias of these cells could significantly impact bone marrow-confined malignancies. In multiple myeloma, the bone marrow is characterized by inflammatory stromal cells with the potential to influence neutrophils. Here, we investigated myeloma-associated alterations in marrow neutrophils and the impact of stromal inflammation on neutrophil function. Mature neutrophils in myeloma marrow are activated and tumor-supportive, transcribing increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, and myeloma cell survival factors, such as the BCMA-ligand BAFF. Neutrophils were re-activated after first-line treatment, while this regimen reduced, but did not normalize, stromal inflammation. Interactions with inflammatory stroma induced neutrophil activation, including BAFF secretion, in a STAT3-dependent manner and once activated, neutrophils gained the ability to reciprocally induce stromal activation. Combined, our data define the presence of a neutrophil-stromal cell feed-forward loop driving tumor-supportive inflammation that could impact disease recurrence.

Study EGAS00001007038

Pediatric Patient-Derived-Xenograft development in MAPPYACTS – international pediatric cancer precision medicine trial in relapsed and refractory tumors

Pediatric patients with recurrent and refractory cancers are in most need for new treatments. This study developed patient-derived-xenograft (PDX) models within the European MAPPYACTS cancer precision medicine trial (NCT02613962). To date, 131 PDX models were established following heterotopical and/or orthotopical implantation in immunocompromised mice: 76 sarcomas, 25 other solid tumors, 12 central nervous system tumors, 15 acute leukemias, and 3 lymphomas. PDX establishment rate was 43%. Histology, whole exome and RNA sequencing revealed a high concordance with the primary patient’s tumor profile, human leukocyte-antigen characteristics and specific metabolic pathway signatures. A detailed patient molecular characterization, including specific mutations prioritized in the clinical molecular tumor boards are provided. Ninety models were shared with the IMI2 ITCC Paediatric Preclinical Proof-of-concept Platform (IMI2 ITCC-P4) for further exploitation. This new PDX biobank of unique recurrent childhood cancers provides an essential support for basic and translational research and new treatments development in advanced pediatric malignancies.

Study EGAS00001007327

SMARCB1 loss activates patient-specific distal oncogenic enhancers in malignant rhabdoid tumors

Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is a highly malignant and often lethal childhood cancer. MRTs are genetically defined by bi-allelic inactivating mutations in SMARCB1, a member of the BRG1/BRM-associated factors (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex. Mutations in BAF complex members are common in human cancer, yet their contribution to tumorigenesis remains in many cases poorly understood. Here, we studied derailed regulatory landscapes as a consequence of SMARCB1 loss in the context of MRT. Our multi-omics approach on patient-derived MRT organoids revealed a dramatic reshaping of the regulatory landscape upon SMARCB1 reconstitution. Chromosome conformation capture experiments subsequently revealed patient-specific looping of distal enhancer regions with the promoter of the MYC oncogene. This intertumoral heterogeneity in MYC enhancer utilization is also present in patient MRT tissues as shown by combined single-cell RNA-seq and ATAC-seq. We show that loss of SMARCB1 drives patient-specific epigenetic reprogramming underlying MRT tumorigenesis.

Study EGAS00001007590

ARHGAP11A Maintains Cortical Progenitor Identity Through RHOA–ROCK Signalling During Human Brain Development

Mammalian brain development involves coordinated progenitor amplification, migration, and differentiation. Apical progenitors (APs) establish the ventricular zone (VZ) and are key determinants of brain size and complexity. Rho-family guanosine triphosphatases (Rho GTPases) regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and AP behaviour, but how specific Rho GTPase-activating proteins (Rho GAPs) influence progenitor identity and VZ architecture remains unclear. Using human forebrain organoids, we investigated the Rho GAP ARHGAP11A in human corticogenesis. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ARHGAP11A knockout revealed its essential role in maintaining VZ integrity. Loss of ARHGAP11A impaired neuroepithelial organisation and randomised mitotic cleavage plane orientation via the RHOA–ROCK–actin axis. This led to premature AP delamination, AP depletion, and reduced cell density and glial numbers. Pharmacological inhibition of RHOA or ROCK rescued these defects, highlighting ARHGAP11A’s role in cytoskeletal remodelling to maintain cortical progenitors. Our findings establish ARHGAP11A as a critical regulator of AP identity and VZ integrity, with broad implications for human corticogenesis.

Study EGAS00001008322

HCA_Adrenal_Foetal_WSSS_RNA_SB

The Human Cell Atlas initiative is an ambitious global research effort which aims to describe every cell in the human body across all developmental stages to generate a reference map to accelerate progress in science and medicine particularly relating to human development and disease. The initiative is led by investigators based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and funding support from the Wellcome and NIH. This specific project will assess human development. We aim to interrogate the cellular composition and molecular regulators underpinning development and maturation through single cell RNA-sequencing/spatial transcriptomics and computational algorithms to predict cellular developmental trajectories and cell-cell interactions. We will subsequent validate these findings in situ using allied imaging technologies e.g. immunohistochemistry and RNAscope and in vitro culture of human intestinal organoids (HIOs). This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

Study EGAS00001004089

Genetic_variation_in_Kuusamo

The aim of this study is to characterize as completely as possible the genetic variation and structure of Kuusamo and surrounding regions. We will perform low coverage, whole genome sequencing in a relatively limited number (approximately 200) of individuals from the FINRISK study both of whose parents are born in Kuusamo, Posio or Taivalkoski. Sequencing will be performed at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI). We have previously shown using simulations and genome wide SNP data that the genetic characteristics agree with known genealogical data, and that approximately 200 individuals suffice to capture the majority of the genetic variation in this population.We have also developed methods for long-range haplotyping and long-range imputation, which are more accurate than traditional methods. This will allow us to identify a majority of the founder haplotypes in this population. The information from the haplotypes identified in this study can be used in other studies to impute from genome-wide SNP data the full genome sequence of samples ascertained for specific phenotypes.

Study EGAS00001000020

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

Dataset EGAD00001007858

Prediction of plasma ctDNA fraction and prognostic implications of liquid biopsy in advanced prostate cancer

No consensus strategies exist for prognosticating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Circulating tumor DNA fraction (ctDNA%) is increasingly reported by commercial and laboratory tests but its utility for risk stratification is unclear. Here, we intersect ctDNA%, treatment outcomes, and clinical characteristics across 738 plasma samples from 491 male mCRPC patients from two randomized multicentre phase II trials and a prospective province-wide blood biobanking program. ctDNA% correlates with serum and radiographic metrics of disease burden and is highest in patients with liver metastases. ctDNA% strongly predicts overall survival, progression-free survival, and treatment response independent of therapeutic context and outperformed established prognostic clinical factors. Recognizing that ctDNA-based biomarker genotyping is limited by low ctDNA% in some patients, we leverage the relationship between clinical prognostic factors and ctDNA% to develop a clinically-interpretable machine learning tool that predicts whether a patient has sufficient ctDNA% for informative ctDNA genotyping (available online: https://www.ctDNA.org). Our results affirm ctDNA% as an actionable tool for patient risk stratification and provide a practical framework for optimized biomarker testing.

Study EGAS50000000211

Comprehensive spatial landscape and plasticity of immunosuppressive fibroblasts in breast cancer

Although immunosuppressive and pro-metastatic functions of FAP+ Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAF) are well-established, their plasticity and spatial distribution remain poorly understood. Here, we analyze trajectory inference, deconvolute spatial transcriptomics at single-cell level and perform functional assays to generate an integrative high-resolution map of breast cancer (BC), focusing particularly on the different subpopulations within inflammatory and myofibroblastic (iCAF/myCAF) FAP+ CAF. We identify 10 spatially-organized FAP+ CAF-related cellular niches, called EcoCellTypes, which are precisely localized within tumors. Consistent with their spatial organization, we identify DPP4- and YAP1-dependent mechanisms, by which cancer cells drive the transition of the detoxification-associated inflammatory FAP+ CAF cluster (Detox-iCAF) towards immunosuppressive extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing myofibroblasts (ECM-myCAF). In turn, ECM-myCAF polarize TREM2+ macrophages and regulatory NK cells to induce immunosuppressive EcoCellTypes. FAP+ CAF subpopulations accumulate differently depending on the invasive BC status and predict invasive recurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which could help in identifying low-risk DCIS patients eligible for therapeutic de-escalation.

Study EGAS50000000220

ScRNA-seq of human kidney immune cells of patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis, Lupus Nephritis against a "healthy" nephrectomy control

ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AGN) associates with a high risk of end-stage kidney disease. The role of kidney immune cells in local inflammation remains unclear. Here, we investigate kidney immune cell diversity and function. Kidney tissue from AGN patients (n=5) and a lupus nephritis (LN) patient (n=1) were aquired during a biopsy procedure for a clinical indication. Needle-core biopsies were obtained for histopathological examination, and an additional pass was performed to retrieve kidney tissue for scRNA-seq. Healthy kidney tissue (n=1) was obtained from a kidney that was surgically removed do tue due to a (non-invasive) papillary urothelial carcinoma. Immediately after collection, kidney tissue was processed into a single-cell suspension and sorted using a 4-color flow cytometry panel to isolate living, CD45+ immune cells. To aid in the multi-omic characterization, surface markers and T and B cell repertoires were sequenced in 2 samples (1 AGN patient and the nephrectomy control). These samples were incubated with an oligo-antibody TotalSeq-C cocktail containing 130 unique cell surface antigens.

Study EGAS50000000159

WES in HCCOs with varying Doxorubicin resistance

We aimed to identify somatic mutations that could explain the resistance to Doxorubicin. Therefor, we purified Exomes from liver biopsies and HCC organoids using Agilent SureSelectXT (clinical research exome, HS2 V8, or Human all Exon V6 Cosmic) and performed WES. Matched non-tumoral liver biopsies served as the control for germline mutations. 12 of these samples were previously reported. Sequence reads were aligned to the reference human genome GRCh38 using Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA, v0.7.17). Duplicate removal, base quality adjustment, mutation calling (Mutect2, intervals: SureSelectXT_HS_V8_S33266340, germline-recourse: gnomad.exomes.r2.1.1.sites.liftover_grch38, Panel-of-Normal: 1000g_pon.hg38), filtering of Mutect calls, and functional annotation (Funcotator, funcotator_dataSources.v1.7.20200521g) were performed using the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK, v4.4) according to the Broad Institute best practices in Somatic short variant discovery workflows. Mutations with a functional annotation of Deletion, Insertion, Non-stop, Splice-Site, Start-Codon and Missense mutations were kept. A list of 43 commonly mutated genes in HCC was analyzed in the HCC organoids [TCGA, Comprehensive and Integrative Genomic Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cell, 2017. 169(7): p. 1327-1341.e23].

Study EGAS50000000043

An isoform quantitative trait locus in SBNO2 links genetic susceptibility to Crohn’s disease with defective antimicrobial activity

Despite major advances in linking single genetic variants to single causal genes, the significance of genetic variation on transcript-level regulation of expression, transcript-specific functions, and relevance to human disease has been poorly investigated. Strawberry notch homolog 2 (SBNO2) is a candidate gene in a susceptibility locus with different variants associated with Crohn’s disease and bone mineral density. The SBNO2 locus is also differentially methylated in Crohn’s disease but the functional mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that the isoforms of SBNO2 are differentially regulated by lipopolysaccharide and IL-10. We identify Crohn’s disease associated isoform quantitative trait loci that negatively regulate the expression of the noncanonical isoform 2 corresponding with the methylation signals at the isoform 2 promoter in IBD and CD. The two isoforms of SBNO2 drive differential gene networks with isoform 2 dominantly impacting antimicrobial activity in macrophages. Our data highlight the role of isoform quantitative trait loci to understand disease susceptibility and resolve underlying mechanisms of disease.

Study EGAS50000000183

Evolutionary trajectories of IDH-mutant astrocytoma identify molecular grading markers related to cell cycling

To study the evolutionary processes that drive malignant transformation in IDH-mutant astrocytomas, we performed multi-omics on a large cohort of matched initial and recurrent tumor samples. We find that genome-wide DNA-methylation levels decreased over time, mainly in patients with high-grade recurrences. DNA-demethylation was lifted from specific loci associated with DNA replication, and was associated with upregulation of cell cycling associated genes. Upregulation of cell cycling genes occurred predominantly in proliferating tumor cells, and was associated with tumor grade. Temporal DNA-demethylation and upregulation of cell cycling were hardly affected by chemo- and/or radiotherapy, indicating treatment does not affect the course of disease. Further, we defined a DNA-methylation based signature associated with tumor grade and poor prognostic genetic events, with a prognostic power stronger than CDKN2A/B deletion. We validated its prognostic power on primary tumor samples of patients included in the CATNON randomized phase 3 clinical trial. Therefore this model can serve as a molecular grading marker for IDH-mutant astrocytomas.

Study EGAS00001007527

CD8-targeted IL-2 unleashes tumor-specific immunity in human cancer tissue by reviving the dysfunctional T cell pool

Tumor-specific CD8+ T cells are key effectors of antitumor immunity but are often rendered dysfunctional in the tumor microenvironment. Immune checkpoint blockade can restore antitumor T cell function in some patients, however most do not respond to this therapy, often despite T cell infiltration in their tumors. We here explored a CD8-targeted IL-2 fusion molecule (CD8-IL2) to selectively reactivate intratumoral CD8+ T cells in patient-derived tumor fragments. Treatment with CD8-IL2 broadly armed intratumoral CD8+ T cells with enhanced effector capacity, thereby specifically enabling reinvigoration of the dysfunctional T cell pool to elicit potent immune activity. Notably, the revival of dysfunctional T cells to mediate effector activity by CD8-IL2 depended on simultaneous antigen recognition and was quantitatively and qualitatively superior to that achieved by PD-1 blockade. Finally, CD8-IL2 was able to functionally reinvigorate T cells in tumors resistant to anti-PD-1, underscoring its potential as a novel treatment strategy for cancer patients.

Study EGAS00001007712

Efficacy and safety of entrectinib in patients with ROS1-positive advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from the Blood First Assay Screening Trial (BFAST)

BFAST is a global, open-label, multicohort trial that evaluates the efficacy and safety of multiple therapies in patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC and targetable alterations, identified by blood-based molecular testing. We present data from Cohort D (ROS1-positive). Patients ≥18 years old with stage IIIB/IV, ROS1-positive NSCLC detected by blood-based testing, received entrectinib 600 mg daily. At data cut-off (November 2021), 55 patients were enrolled and 54 had measurable disease. Cohort D met its primary endpoint; the confirmed objective response rate (ORR) by investigator was 81.5% which was consistent with the ORR from the integrated analysis of entrectinib (investigator-assessed ORR: 73.4%, data cut-off May 2019, ≥12 months follow-up). The safety profile of entrectinib was consistent with prior reports. These results demonstrate consistency with those from the integrated analysis of entrectinib in patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC identified by tissue-based testing and support the clinical value of blood-based testing to inform clinical decision-making.

Study EGAS50000000105

Cancer cell and tumor microenvironment biomarkers associated with disease-free survival with adjuvant nivolumab in the phase 3 CheckMate 274 trial

In the CheckMate 274 trial, adjuvant nivolumab versus placebo demonstrated an improvement in the primary endpoint of disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma after radical resection. An extensive analysis of tumor biomarkers, including their associations with DFS, was performed. Analysis of genome-wide differential gene expression and known gene signatures found that immune-related genes and pathways, in particular an IFNγ signature, were predictive of DFS in nivolumab-treated patients. Predictive and prognostic associations, respectively, were found for tumor-infiltrating CD4 and CD8 T cells. Analysis of a composite predictive model suggested that CD4 gene expression and tumor cell PD-L1 expression had the greatest contributions to predicting outcomes in nivolumab-treated patients. These results reinforce recent studies establishing the importance of biomarkers of adaptive immunity, and in particular CD4 T cells, in influencing response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and establish the potential predictive rather than solely prognostic nature of such findings.

Study EGAS50000000560

Long-read-transcriptome-sequencing of CLL and MDS patients uncovers common molecular effects of SF3B1 mutations

Mutations in SF3B1 occur frequently in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and a full-length transcriptome approach can expand our current knowledge on SF3B1 mutation effects on RNA splicing. We applied long-read-transcriptome-sequencing (LRTS) to 44 MDS and CLL patients with and without SF3B1 mutations and found a large fraction (>60%) of novel isoforms. Furthermore, we revealed that mutation effects on alternative splicing were largely common in both cancer types and specifically altered the usage of introns as well as 3’-splice-sites. We combined the LRTS with genome-wide SF3B1-RNA binding maps and show multimodal binding at 3’-splice-sites highlighting a window of 12-21nt upstream of the canonical 3’-splice-site in which a dynamic switch in splice site usage is observable in patients carrying SF3B1 mutations. Our work presents the hitherto most complete LRTS study in CLL and MDS and provides a resource for further research on aberrant splicing in cancer.

Study EGAS50000000053

Altered enhancer-promoter interaction leads to MNX1 expression in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia with t(7;12)(q36;p13)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the t(7;12)(q36;p13) translocation occurs only in very young children and has a poor clinical outcome. The expected oncofusion between breakpoint partners (MNX1 and ETV6) has only been reported in a subset of cases. However, a universal feature is the strong transcript and protein expression of MNX1, a homeobox transcription factor that is normally not expressed in hematopoietic cells. Here, we map the translocation breakpoints on chromosomes 7 and 12 in affected patients to a region proximal to MNX1 and either introns 1 or 2 of ETV6. The frequency of MNX1 overexpression in pediatric AML (n=1556, own and published data) is 2.4% and occurs predominantly in t(7;12)(q36;p13) AML. Chromatin interaction assays in a t(7;12)(q36;p13) iPSC cell line model unravel an enhancer-hijacking event that explains MNX1 overexpression in hematopoietic cells. Our data suggest that enhancer-hijacking is a more common and overlooked mechanism for structural rearrangement-mediated gene activation in AML.

Study EGAS50000000130

Transcriptomics sequencing analysis of pre-invasive lung adenocarcinoma in never-smokers

The prevalence of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has increased sharply in East Asia. Early diagnosis leads to better survival rates, but this requires an improved understanding of the molecular changes during early tumorigenesis, particularly in non-smokers. We performed whole exome-sequencing and RNA-sequencing for samples from 94 East Asian patients with precancerous lesions (25 with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia [AAH]; 69 with adenocarcinoma in situ [AIS]) and 73 patients with early invasive lesions (minimally invasive adenocarcinoma [MIA]). Cellular analysis revealed that the activities of endothelial and stromal cells could categorize tumors into molecular subtypes within pathology-defined lesion types. These subtypes were linked with the advanced radiology-defined lesion type and coordinated with immune cell infiltration throughout the progression of LUAD. Characterization of these lesion types identified positively selected mutation patterns, and suggested that angiogenesis of the late-stage AIS type potentially contributes to tissue invasion of the MIA type. Our findings offer a novel resource that may help to improve early diagnosis and patient prognosis, and also suggest possible approaches for early disease interception.

Study EGAS50000000439

Loss of SDHB promotes dysregulated iron homeostasis, oxidative stress and sensitivity to ascorbate

Succinate dehydrogenase is a key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain. All four subunits of succinate dehydrogenase are tumor suppressor genes predisposing to paraganglioma, but only mutations in the SDHB subunit are associated with increased risk of metastasis. Here we generated an Sdhd knockout chromaffin cell line and compared it to Sdhb-deficient cells. Both cell types exhibited similar SDH loss of function, metabolic adaptation, and succinate accumulation. In contrast, Sdhb-/- cells showed hallmarks of mesenchymal transition associated with increased DNA hypermethylation and a stronger pseudo-hypoxic phenotype compared to Sdhd-/- cells. Loss of SDHB specifically led to increased oxidative stress associated with dysregulated iron and copper homeostasis in the absence of NRF2 activation. High-dose ascorbate exacerbated the increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, leading to cell death in Sdhb-/- cells. These data establish a mechanism linking oxidative stress to iron homeostasis that specifically occurs in SDHB deficient cells and may promote metastasis. They also highlight high-dose ascorbate as a promising therapeutic strategy for SDHB-related cancers.

Study EGAS00001005279

Blood-based monitoring of relapsed/refractory cHL patients predict responses to PD-1 blockade treatment

Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) patients are uniquely susceptible to treatment with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) treatment. However, monitoring with FDG-PET/CT, the current response detection standard, is challenging. Here, we address the potential applicability of tissue biomarkers and blood-based biomarkers in PD-1 treated cHL patients. We evaluated 9p24.1/PD-L1/PD-L2 alterations, and expression of PD-L1 and antigen presentation molecules (HLA class I/II) in 9 tissue biopsies of 4 patients. In addition, we assessed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), extracellular vesicle associated miRNAs (EV-miRNAs), soluble PD-L1 and serum TARC (sTARC) in 26 longitudinal blood samples of these patients during PD-1 treatment. We found that the predictive power of tissue biomarkers is dependent on the timing of the biopsy . The dynamics of blood-based biomarkers: sTARC, EV-miRNAs and ctDNA corresponded well immunotherapy treatment response. Therefore, blood-based biomarkers are promising monitoring strategies in PD-1 treated cHL patients and should be further explored in clinical trials or observational studies.

Study EGAS00001005894

IL-27 promotes tumour control by enhancing cytotoxic T cell function

Cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTL) are essential for anti-tumour immunity but are frequently dysfunctional in established tumours. Here, we show that expression of a CTL signature is strongly associated with IL-27 expression in diverse human and murine tumours. In mice, IL-27 acts directly on tumour-specific CTL to promote their persistence and effector function in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, treatment with inducible IL-27 overexpression or a half-life-extended IL-27 protein in vivo is well tolerated, induces regression of large established tumours, drives an enhanced cytotoxic program in anti-tumour CTL, and synergizes with PD-L1 blockade. In cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy, high expression of IL-27 is associated with improved clinical response. Finally, IL-27 increases cytotoxicity and limits terminal differentiation of human CD8+ T cells during chronic antigen exposure. Our data demonstrate that endogenous IL-27 is essential for anti-tumour immunity and that IL-27 receptor agonism can safely improve anti-tumor T cell responses alone or in combination with PD-L1 blockade.

Study EGAS50000000694

Assessment of candidate high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma predisposition genes through integrated germline and tumour sequencing

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) has a significant hereditary component, only half of which is explained. Previously, we performed germline exome sequencing on BRCA1 and BRCA2-negative HGSOC patients, revealing three proposed and 43 novel candidate genes enriched with rare loss-of-function variants. For validation, we undertook case-control analyses using genomic data from disease-free controls. This confirms enrichment for nearly all previously identified genes. Additionally, one-hundred-and-eleven HGSOC tumours from variant carriers were sequenced alongside other complementary studies, seeking evidence of biallelic inactivation as supportive evidence. PALB2 and ATM validate as HGSOC predisposition genes, with 6/8 germline carrier tumours exhibiting biallelic inactivation accompanied by characteristic mutational signatures. Among candidate genes, only LLGL2 consistently shows biallelic inactivation and protein expression loss, supporting it as a novel HGSOC susceptibility gene. The remaining candidate genes fail to validate. Integrating case-control analyses with tumour sequencing is thus crucial for accurate gene discovery in familial cancer studies.

Study EGAS50000000770

Transcriptome profiling of patient derived neural stem cells highlights the importance of CTNND2 and WNT signaling in early neuralization

Loss of CTNND2/δ-catenin function is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, including Cri-du-chat syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CTNND2, the encoded protein, is crucial for the cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex in the brain. However, the specific impact on neurodevelopment remains unclear. To investigate, we used neuroepithelial stem cells (NESCs) derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with loss of CTNND2. In monolayer cultures, we observed abnormal neural rosette formation and failure to establish stable neural stem cells. 3D organoid cultures confirmed delayed neurogenesis and slower growth in patient-derived iPSC lines. We have built a transcriptomic catalog and observed a dysregulation of the WNT signaling pathway linked to our observed cellular phenotypes. To validate we excluded the WNT activator CHIR99021 from the media, which partially rescued the transcriptomic and morphological phenotype of the patient neural induction. This study enhances our understanding of how CTNND2 loss affects early neurogenesis and neuronal maturation in patient specific cells.

Study EGAS50000000323

Whole exome sequencing of pre-invasive lung adenocarcinoma in non-smokers

The prevalence of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has increased sharply in East Asia. Early diagnosis leads to better survival rates, but this requires an improved understanding of the molecular changes during early tumorigenesis, particularly in non-smokers. We performed whole exome-sequencing and RNA-sequencing for samples from 94 East Asian patients with precancerous lesions (25 with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia [AAH]; 69 with adenocarcinoma in situ [AIS]) and 73 patients with early invasive lesions (minimally invasive adenocarcinoma [MIA]). Cellular analysis revealed that the activities of endothelial and stromal cells could categorize tumors into molecular subtypes within pathology-defined lesion types. These subtypes were linked with the advanced radiology-defined lesion type and coordinated with immune cell infiltration throughout the progression of LUAD. Characterization of these lesion types identified positively selected mutation patterns, and suggested that angiogenesis of the late-stage AIS type potentially contributes to tissue invasion of the MIA type. Our findings offer a novel resource that may help to improve early diagnosis and patient prognosis, and also suggest possible approaches for early disease interception.

Study EGAS50000000438

Anti-myeloperoxidase IgM B cells in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a prototypic autoimmune disease, with a subset of AAV patients manifesting anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) IgG. Patients with AAV respond positively to B cell-targeting and complement-targeting therapies, but disease flares are not uncommon. Here, by comparing samples from healthy individuals and MPO+ AVV patients, we show that B cell autoreactivity against MPO in the circulation of patients is dominated by CD27+IgM+ B cells whereas MPO-specific IgG+ cells are infrequent. Additionally, while naive anti-MPO-IgM B cells are present in both patients and controls and produce anti-MPO IgM upon stimulation, anti-MPO-IgM memory B cells and serum anti-MPO IgM are features of patients. Our results thus hint that defective elimination of B cell reactivity to MPO in the human repertoire, the presence of activated IgM+ anti-MPO B cells in disease, and a dominant role for anti-MPO IgM in complement activation, may all contribute to MPO+ AAV etiology and thereby serve as potential target for therapy.

Study EGAS50000000753

Copy number variations and fragmentation features in cell-free DNA predict response in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients under anti-PD-(L)1 therapy

Anti-PD-(L)1 therapy is routinely used in metastatic NSCLC. However, response rates vary and biomarkers predicting treatment efficacy are lacking. Liquid biopsies allow monitoring of residual disease during therapy. Residual circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after therapy represents a predictive marker for adverse outcome. Here, we assessed copy number variations (CNVs) in serial plasma samples of NSCLC patients receiving PD-(L)1 blockade. We profiled CNV and fragmentation features in 118 plasma samples of advanced NSCLC patients by low-coverage whole genome sequencing taken at baseline, after four therapy cycles and at disease progression. CNVs and fragment features (i.e., fragment length, end motifs, position) were significantly altered in patients compared to healthy donors. Furthermore, fragment length changes at baseline and residual CNVs after four therapy cycles correlated with short progression-free survival. Our results highlight the suitability of plasma-based CNV and fragment analysis for disease monitoring and as a predictive marker for response duration in NSCLC patients under anti-PD-(L)1 therapy.

Study EGAS50000000441

Gene expression adaptation of metastases to their host tissue

The adaptation of metastatic cells to their host tissue critically determines the pathogenicity of a cancer and therefore patient survival. Yet, it remains elusive to what extent the host environment drives gene expression programs in metastatic cells. Here we identify adaptive mechanisms that enable metastases to establish themselves in a novel tissue context. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on malignant and benign tissue samples from untreated donors with colorectal adenocarcinoma and liver metastasis to deduce tissue adaptive expression patterns. A novel computational approach identified genes and pathways that consistently adapted to the host tissue at the transition from the primary tumor to the paired metastasis across donors. This analysis revealed that the majority of expression changes in the metastasis reflect an expression signature reminiscent of benign liver epithelial cells. Cellular processes adapting to the liver environment include basic cellular functions such as energy metabolism, as well as tissue-specific pathways such as the regulation of lipid metabolism by PPAR-α. These adaptations potentially increase the pathogenicity of the metastatic cells and may provide new therapeutic strategies.

Study EGAS50000000817

Timing and trajectory of BCR-ABL1 driven chronic myeloid leukaemia

Mutation of some genes provide fitness advantages that drive uncontrolled cell proliferation, leading to clinical manifestations of cancer. The discovery of the Philadelphia chromosome in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) provided the very first such genetic link to cancer and the hypothesis that this lesion provided an abnormal growth advantage to cells. However, little is known about the trajectory to CML, the rate of BCR::ABL1 driven clonal expansion, and how this impacts on disease presentation. Here, using whole-genome sequencing of 1013 single-cell-derived colonies from patients with CML, we reconstruct phylogenetic trees of haematopoiesis in 9 patients aged 22 to 81 years at diagnosis. The expected intronic breaks in BCR and ABL1 were not always observed, and out-of-frame exonic breakpoints in BCR, requiring exon skipping to derive BCR::ABL1 fusion transcripts, were noted in several patients. Apart from ASXL1 and RUNX1 mutations, additional somatic mutations in myeloid genes were generally present only in wild-type cells and did not contribute to the CML clone. Using phylogenetic analysis, we infer sustained explosive growth attributed to BCR::ABL1 fusion, with clonal expansions beginning 3-14 years (Cl 2-16 years) before diagnosis and annual growth rates exceeding 70,000% per year in some young patients with the most recent and rapid clonal expansions. Mutation rate was higher in BCR::ABL1-positive cells than in wild-type counterparts, together with markedly shorter telomere lengths, reflecting their excessive cell division history. Clonal expansion rates inferred from phylogenetic trees were in line with mutational signature patterns and telomere attrition, and inversely correlated with the time to diagnosis. Whole genome sequencing of advanced phase CML was characterised by genomic evolution within BCR::ABL1-positive cells. Our findings highlight the oncogenic potency of a single BCR::ABL1 fusion and its capacity to drive fast clonal outgrowth to cancer. These data contrast with the early-in-life, slow, and sequential clonal trajectories typical of most cancers, such as Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, solid organ malignancies, and patterns of clonal expansion in healthy tissue ageing.

Dataset EGAD00001015473

Synthetic - FEGA Sweden Heilsa synthetic dataset December 2023

Synthetic - This submission contains a subset of a synthetic dataset derived from the project Heilsa Tryggvedottir - a Nordic collaboration on sharing sensitive human data. Heilsa Tryggvedottir is funded by the Nordic e-Infrastructure Collaboration (NeIC), the ELIXIR nodes of Finland, Norway, and Sweden, Computerome in Denmark, and the Estonian Scientific Computing Infrastructure (ETAIS). In the synthetic data creation process, it was attempted to strike a fine balance between the usability of the datasets (e.g. technical FEGA development, testing, user training, and basic bioinformatics) and compliance with GDPR. File names and file content (e.g. headers in fastq) are anonymized. Moreover, the X, Y, and mitochondrial sequences have been discarded from the original data since these data can be used for maternal, paternal, or ethnic origin tracing. The dataset does not follow natural haplotype distribution (inherent to imputation panels). The only inputs derived from real sequence data are variant distribution density per chromosome and learning sequencing error models. The synthetic dataset consists of two fastq files, a cram file, a vcf file, and two index files.

Study EGAS50000000086

Relation between transcriptome, karyotype and age in cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies.

Why women live longer than men is still an open question in human biology. Sex chromosomes have been proposed to play a role in the observed sex gap in longevity, and the Y male chromosome has been suspected of having a potential toxic genomic impact on male longevity. It has been hypothesized that transposable element (TE) repression declines with age, potentially leading to detrimental effects such as somatic mutations and disrupted gene expression, which may accelerate the aging process. Given that the Y chromosome is rich in repeats, age-related increases in TE expression could be more pronounced in males, likely contributing to their reduced longevity compared to females. In this work, we first studied whether TE expression is associated with the number of sex chromosomes in humans. We analyzed blood transcriptomic data obtained from individuals of different karyotype compositions: 46,XX females (normal female karyotype), 46,XY males (normal male karyotype), as well as males with abnormal karyotypes, such as 47,XXY, and 47,XYY.

Study EGAS50000001009

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