Search Results - EGA European Genome-Phenome Archive

Genomic determinants of response and resistance to inotuzumab in B-ALL

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin (InO) is an antibody-drug conjugate which delivers calicheamicin to CD22-expressing cells. In a retrospective cohort of InO treated B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients, we sought to understand the genomic determinants of response to InO. Acquired CD22 mutations were observed in 11% (3/27) of post-InO relapsed samples. CD22 mutation types were diverse (frameshift, nonsense, missense and stoploss) and we identified multiple mechanisms of mutation induced CD22 escape, including protein truncation, protein destabilization, and epitope alteration. Accelerated acquisition of mutations by error-prone DNA damage repair could drive CD22 mutation and escape. Acquired loss-of-function mutations in TP53, ATM and CDKN2A were observed, suggesting compromise of the G1/S DNA damage checkpoint as a mechanism of evading InO-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, genetic alterations modulating CD22 expression and DNA damage response influence InO efficacy. The diverse mechanisms of CD22 escape advocates for a refined approach for monitoring CD22-targeted therapy.

Study EGAS50000000067

Pyjacker identifies enhancer hijacking events in acute myeloid leukemia including MNX1 activation via deletion 7q

Acute myeloid leukemia with complex karyotype (ckAML) is characterized by high genomic complexity, including frequent TP53 mutations and chromothripsis. We hypothesized that the numerous genomic rearrangements could reposition active enhancers near proto-oncogenes, leading to their aberrant expression. We developed pyjacker, a computational tool for the detection of enhancer hijacking events, and applied it to a cohort of 39 ckAML samples. Pyjacker identified motor neuron and pancreas homeobox 1 (MNX1), a gene aberrantly expressed in 1.4% of AML patients, often as a result of del(7)(q22q36) associated with hijacking of a CDK6 enhancer. MNX1-activated cases show significant co-occurrence with BCOR mutations and a gene signature shared with t(7;12)(q36;p13) pediatric AML. We demonstrated that MNX1 is a dependency gene, as its knockdown in a xenograft model reduces leukemia cell fitness. In conclusion, enhancer hijacking is a frequent mechanism for oncogene activation in AML.

Study EGAS50000000743

A single-chain derivative of the integrin β1-activating TS2/16 antibody potentiates organoid growth in Matrigel and Collagen hydrogels.

Culturing epithelial organoids from Adult Stem Cells (ASCs) requires interaction of their β1-integrins with extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as laminin or collagen. Matrigel and BME® (extracts from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor cells grown in the mouse abdomen) are a popular source of ECM proteins. Yet, these preparations are costly and subject to batch-to-batch variation due to animal-derived contaminations. Here, we describe a single chain version (scFv) of antibody TS2/16, allosterically activating integrin β1 function in organoids. Addition of 5 nM of monomeric scFv to organoid medium results in up to 5-fold higher yields of organoids in Matrigel/BME®. In addition, scTS2/16 generates 6-7-fold higher yields of intestinal organoids in collagen-I hydrogel, when grown both in 3D and in 2D. Collagen is well-defined, available at clinical grade, and in combination with scTS2/16, will enable the clinical use of gastrointestinal organoids.

Study EGAS50000001113

Spatial Transcriptomics Uncovers Tumor Microenvironment-Based Subtypes in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common histological subtype of breast cancer (BC); however, little is known about its tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we investigated the spatial architecture of 43 hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) primary ILC samples, using spatial transcriptomics and detailed morphological annotation. By integrating morphology, spatial, and single-cell data, we mapped TME-related cell types, exploring their proximity to tumor cells and their enrichment in specific compartments. Clustering of spatial transcriptomics spots revealed significant inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity, identifying pathways and cell types linked with disease outcomes. Morphological and gene expression data were finally integrated with a multimodal approach, leading to the identification of 4 new ILC subtypes based on TME heterogeneity. By using derived, specific gene expression signatures, these subtypes were identified and validated in external bulk RNA-seq/microarray datasets (SCAN-B and METABRIC), where differences in prognosis emerged.

Study EGAS50000001001

Direct genetic transformation bypasses tumor-associated DNA methylation alterations

Tumors represent dynamically evolving populations of mutant cells, and many advances have been made in understanding the biology of their progression. However, key unresolved questions remain about the conditions that support their initial transformation, which cannot be easily captured in patient populations but are instead modeled using transgenic cellular or animal systems. Here, we used extensive patient atlas data to define common features of the tumor DNA methylation landscape as they compare to healthy human cells and used this benchmark to screen 21 engineered human and mouse models for their ability to reproduce these patterns. Notably, we find that genetically induced cellular transformation can trigger global changes in DNA methylation levels that are consistent with extensive proliferation but rarely recapitulate the widespread de novo methylation of Polycomb targets as found in clinical samples. Our results raise pertinent questions about the relationship between genetic and epigenetic aspects of tumorigenesis and provide an important molecular reference for evaluating existing as well as newer tumor models.

Study EGAS50000000902

High-grade B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified: an LLMPP study

Molecular characterization of high-grade B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (HGBCL-NOS), is hindered by its rarity, evolving definition, and poor diagnostic reproducibility. To address this challenge, we analyzed 92 HGBCL-NOS tumors collected across Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular Profiling Project sites. These tumors were profiled using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify somatic mutations, WGS or low-pass WGS to detect copy number alterations, targeted capture sequencing to assess MYC and BCL2 structural variants, and RNA sequencing. The genetic features of HGBCL-NOS were compared to those of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL-NOS) and EBV-negative adult Burkitt lymphoma (BL). DLBCL-NOS tumors underwent targeted capture sequencing using a panel of 125 genes recurrently mutated in aggressive B-cell lymphomas. BL biopsies were drawn from the Burkitt Lymphoma Genome Sequencing Project and had available WGS (dbGaP Study Accession: phs000527.v18.p6).

Study EGAS50000000932

DNA methylation and transposable element landscapes define human regulatory T cells in tissues and identify their blood recirculating counterpart

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in tissues can perform immunoregulatory and tissue-regenerative functions. Despite these important tasks, human-tissue Treg cells lack understanding, specifically, the epigenetic basis of their differentiation as well as re-circulating tissue-Treg cells are incompletely understood. Here, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of human Treg cells from skin and blood and embedded this in a multi-omic epigenetic framework including chromatin accessibility and gene-expression. We thereby revealed novel epigenetic programs defining human skin Treg cell differentiation and delineated how these are present on the different epigenetic levels. We discovered that transposable elements are an integral constituent of the demethylation landscape in skin Treg cells. Based on TCR-sequencing and DNA demethylation homologies, our data unveil that blood CCR8+ Treg cells are recirculatory human tissue-Treg cells. Our data provide novel insights in human tissue-Treg biology, required to harness these cells for therapeutic avenues.

Study EGAS50000000738

Identifying genetic variants that alter TCR usage in the peripheral repertoire

The relationship between genetic variation and CD8+ T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire usage in patients receiving Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB) therapy for cancer is unexplored. We have conducted a genome-wide and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-focused analysis of CD8+ T-cell TCR repertoire to identify genetic determinants of variable gene (V-gene) and CDR3 K-mer usage from samples taken prior to and after ICB (n=250). We identify 11 cis and 10 trans V-gene associations, primarily to the MHC, that meet genome-wide significance. TCR clones containing HLA associated V-genes were less stable across treatment, whilst at the single-cell level, genetically associated clones demonstrate subset enrichment and increased tumor reactivity expression profiles. Notably, patients with HLA-matched TCR clones demonstrate improved overall survival. Our work indicates a complex relationship between genotype and TCR repertoire in the context of ICB treatment, with novel implications for understanding factors relating to therapeutic response and patient outcomes.

Study EGAS00001008189

MutWP6__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__Botseq

The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Within Mutographs, work lead by the Sanger Institute will investigate whether detection of somatic mutations and mutational signatures in circulating white blood cells can be developed into a practical, generic system for surveying and monitoring multiple different endogenous and exogenous exposures, providing an ‘observatory’ on somatic mutational processes in humans. Whole genome sequences are generated at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (Illumina HiSeqX). Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

Study EGAS00001004330

Sensitive neoantigen discovery by real-time mutanome-guided immunopeptidomics - WES

Targeting cancer-specific HLA-peptide complexes is a promising immunotherapy approach, with mutated neoantigens offering high value for their immunogenicity and cancer-specificity. Selecting immunogenic targets requires personalized prioritization of cancer-specific immunopeptides. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based immunopeptidomics supports this process by directly identifying cancer-specific antigens and informing global presentation patterns to refine immunogenicity predictions. Clinical pipelines, however, must balance global depth and target sensitivity compounded by low input samples and time constraints. Here, we present NeoDiscMS, an extension of the NeoDisc pipeline, enabling personalized immunopeptidomics data acquisition. By leveraging real-time NGS-guided spectral acquisitions, NeoDiscMS maximizing sensitivity with minimal loss of global depth. NeoDiscMS improves TAA-derived peptide detection up to 20% and enhances neoantigen identification confidence compared to the clinical gold standard method. Designed for effectiveness and ease of use, it requires minimal effort for implementation. NeoDiscMS advances personalization in clinical antigen discovery by enabling more sensitive neoantigen detection while seamlessly integrating into existing workflows.

Study EGAS50000000976

Dual inhibition of FLT3 and BCL-2 is effective in preclinical models of BCL11B-activated lineage ambiguous leukemia

Aberrant activation of BCL11B (“BCL11B-a”) defines a subtype of lineage ambiguous leukemias with T-lymphoid and myeloid features, co-occurring activating FLT3 mutations, and a stem/progenitor immunophenotype and gene expression profile. As with other lineage ambiguous leukemias, optimal treatment is unclear and there are limited targeted therapeutic options. Here, we investigated the efficacy of BCL-2 and FLT3 inhibition with venetoclax and gilteritinib, respectively, in preclinical models of BCL11B-a leukemia. Despite variation in response to single agent therapies, the combination of venetoclax plus gilteritinib was highly effective in all models evaluated. BH3 profiling and single cell RNA-seq analysis suggests that resistance to venetoclax and/or gilteritinib monotherapies is due to the tumor-intrinsic activity of BCL-xL and/or MCL-1 prior to drug treatment. These data support clinical evaluation of venetoclax in combination with gilteritinib in BCL11B-a lineage ambiguous leukemias.

Study EGAS50000000978

Single cell RNA sequencing of human embryonic forebrain after slice culturing for between four weeks and one month

With the aim of verifying normal tissue development in our Organotypic Timelapse recording with Transcriptomic Readout (OTTR) live tissue imaging method, we performed single cell RNA sequencing in organotypic slice cultures containing labelled cells from virally delivered ubiquitous Enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP)-expression. Human fetal cortices of PCW 7.5-10.5 were cut into strips along the dorso-ventral axis and directly placed en face, ventricular side down, on PTFE culturing membranes. To assess tissue health with our culturing method, we performed single cell RNA-seq analysis of the cortical explants (using adjacent slices from the same samples subjected to timelapse imaging). We cultured these control slices for four days in vitro (mimicking the start of a live imaging experiment after lentiviral infection and expression of EYFP), 11 days in vitro (corresponding to the end of one week of live imaging), and for two weeks and one month in vitro.

Study EGAS50000001185

CLL Genome

The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Genome Project aims to identify genetic alterations involved in the development and progression of the CLL, which are still unknown, with the objective of generating a comprehensive catalogue of genetic alterations in 500 independent tumours. The CLL Genome Project, as a contributing member of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), has the purposes of creating diagnostic tools, discovering therapeutic targets and developing new strategies that will allow a customized therapy for CLL in order to make it more precise and effective. This study consists of two datasets. EGAD00001000023 described in the Nature paper (2011), Whole-genome sequencing identifies recurrent mutations in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and the dataset EGA00001000044 & & EGAD00001000083 described in the Nature (2011) paper, Exome sequencing identifies recurrent mutations of the splicing factor SF3B1 gene in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Additional data generated within the ICGC-CLL genome project can be found in studies EGAS00001000374 and EGAS00001001306

Study EGAS00000000092

Tumor inflammation and mutational burden are differentially associated with response to nivolumab or nivolumab plus ipilimumab in metastatic colorectal cancer

Nivolumab alone and in combination with ipilimumab demonstrated durable clinical benefit in patients with previously treated microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer in the phase 2 CheckMate 142 study. Exploratory biomarker analyses of tumor and microbiome samples from CheckMate 142 were performed to evaluate associations between various biomarkers and the efficacy of nivolumab monotherapy and nivolumab plus ipilimumab combination in these patients. Higher expression of inflammation-related gene expression signatures was associated with improved response per investigator assessment and survival benefit with nivolumab monotherapy. In contrast, higher tumor mutational burden, tumor indel burden and degrees of microsatellite instability were associated with improved response per investigator assessment and survival benefit with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. While interpretation is limited by the exploratory nature of these analyses, they suggest that tumor antigenicity rather than baseline tumor inflammation might be important for the combinatorial efficacy. Validation of these findings in larger, randomized studies is necessary.

Study EGAS50000000416

ucfDNA workflows for molecular profiling of malignant disease

Urinary cell-free DNA (ucfDNA) is a promising liquid biopsy analyte obtained by a non-invasive sampling method, particularly valuable in urological cancers due to the proximity of biofluids to the tumor site. However, extremely high fragmentation and low abundance of ucfDNA pose significant analytical challenges. Improper handling and storage can severely affect ucfDNA quality, necessitating optimized pre-analytical workflows for clinical applications. We evaluated multiple pre-analytical workflows, including urine stabilization approaches against unstabilized urine samples. Our results demonstrated that without stabilization, ucfDNA degraded rapidly and minimal quantities remaining after 72 hours. In contrast, urine stabilization preserved ucfDNA integrity, enabling successful downstream analyses, including digital PCR and next-generation sequencing, for mutation detection in cancer-related genes and genome wide copy number profiling. These findings underscore the critical role of stabilization for a reliable ucfDNA analysis and highlight its potential in molecular diagnostics as a complementary tool to plasma-based liquid biopsies.

Study EGAS50000001093

Processing of tissue and cfDNA samples of CRC patients using Active-seq

In this study, we have developed a novel technology called Active-Seq (Azide Click Tagging for In Vitro Epigenomic sequencing), a base conversion-free technology used to profile the DNA methylation status of a sample, based on the isolation of DNA containing unmodified CpG sites using a mutated bacterial methyltransferase enzyme and a synthetically prepared cofactor analogue. We procured samples from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients including tumour tissue as well as normal adjacent tissues. The data enabled us to identify CRC-specific markers that could then be used to track and monitor the presence of tumour DNA in cell-free DNA plasma (cfDNA) samples procured in the same patients. The FASTQ files of all the colorectal cancer tissues, normal adjacent tissues as wells as the cfDNA samples are available in this submission. The data made available in this study have been used to outline an approach for tumour-informed disease profiling in colorectal cancer cfDNA samples using Active-Seq.

Study EGAS50000001226

Dynamic human admixture histories over the past ~1,300 years at the northern Himalayan frontier

Archaeological and paleogenomic evidence from the Tibetan Plateau and high-altitude Central Himalayas suggest biocultural connections with each other and with lowland East, Central, and South Asia. However, genetic histories at the northern frontier of the Indian Himalayas, which is geographically more proximal to Central and lowland South Asia, remain underexplored. We analyzed genome-wide data from 7 ancient (~2300 to 100 years old) and 10 present-day individuals from the northern Indian Himalayas and one ~3370-year-old individual from the Central Himalayas in Nepal. Ancient and present-day individuals from the northern Himalayas predominantly have Tibetan-related genetic ancestry, likely the source of high-altitude adaptive variants in these individuals, with substantial Steppe-related genetic ancestry that is observed in all individuals dating between ~1300 years and present day. In addition, some present-day individuals have lowland South Asian admixture. Our analyses reveal a dynamic interplay between genetic admixture and continuity in the northern Himalayas.

Study EGAS50000001342

Spatial Dynamics of the Developing Human Heart

Heart development relies on a topologically defined interplay between diverse cardiac cells. We finely curated spatial and single-cell measurements with high-resolution imaging-based transcriptomics validation to explore spatial dynamics during early human cardiogenesis. Analyzing almost 80,000 individual cells and 70,000 spatially barcoded tissue regions between the 5.5th and 14th postconceptional weeks, we identified 31 coarse- and 72 fine-grained cell states and mapped them to highly resolved cardiac cellular niches. We provide novel insight into the development of the cardiac pacemaker-conduction system, heart valves, and atrial septum, and decipher heterogeneity of the hitherto elusive cardiac fibroblast population. Furthermore, we describe the formation of the cardiac autonomic innervation and present the first spatial account of chromaffin cells in the fetal human heart. Our study, supported by an open-access, spatially centric interactive viewer, delineates the cellular and molecular architecture of the developing heart, offering links to genetic causes of heart disease.

Study EGAS50000001122

Spatial Dynamics of the Developing Heart (single-cell)

Heart development relies on a topologically defined interplay between diverse cardiac cells. We finely curated spatial and single-cell measurements with high-resolution imaging-based transcriptomics validation to explore spatial dynamics during early human cardiogenesis. Analyzing almost 80,000 individual cells and 70,000 spatially barcoded tissue regions between the 5.5th and 14th postconceptional weeks, we identified 31 coarse- and 72 fine-grained cell states and mapped them to highly resolved cardiac cellular niches. We provide novel insight into the development of the cardiac pacemaker-conduction system, heart valves, and atrial septum, and decipher heterogeneity of the hitherto elusive cardiac fibroblast population. Furthermore, we describe the formation of the cardiac autonomic innervation and present the first spatial account of chromaffin cells in the fetal human heart. Our study, supported by an open-access, spatially centric interactive viewer, delineates the cellular and molecular architecture of the developing heart, offering links to genetic causes of heart disease.

Study EGAS50000001029

Maturation of Human Intestinal Epithelial Cell Layers Fortifies the Apical Surface against Salmonella Attack

Pathogen invasion of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) is a key gut infection event. The dynamics of this process in intact epithelia and the factors governing IEC susceptibility remain underexplored. We present a resource for live-cell infection imaging in human enteroid-/colonoid-derived IEC layers, across maturation states and in the presence or absence of soluble mucus production. Utilization of this resource shows how human IEC maturation fortifies the apical surface against invasion by Salmonella Typhimurium (S.Tm). Immature IEC layers appear permissive to S.Tm invasion, but maturation towards an enterocyte/colonocyte phenotype reduces the susceptibility by up to tenfold. This shift couples to downregulated expression of actin regulatory proteins exploited by the pathogen, an increased dependence on the S.Tm effector SipA, and the build-up of the apical IEC glycocalyx linked to surface-attached mucins like MUC13 and nullifiable by StcE-enzyme treatment. This underscores how the maturation state of human IECs governs susceptibility to bacterial invasion.

Study EGAS50000001241

T cell receptor repertoire in cell-free DNA as a proxy for tumor infiltrates in patients treated with pembrolizumab

Profiling tumour and systemic T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires can identify features associated with clinical benefit of cancer patients on immune checkpoint blockade therapy. This study reports on diversity and specificity analysis of TCR sequences from 59 tumor, 306 peripheral blood (PBMC), and 73 cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples from 81 patients with solid tumors treated with pembrolizumab. This analysis reveals that head and neck carcinomas have significantly lower PBMC diversity and shorter persistence of pembrolizumab-induced diversification compared to other cancers. Using GLIPHII (Grouping Lymphocyte Interactions with Paratope Hotspots), we find that tumor-derived clonotypes form non-microbial specificity signatures that are shared across patients and cancer types. Tumor-derived clonotypes are enriched in cfDNA compared to PBMCs, despite the diversity of cfDNA TCR repertories being two orders of magnitude lower than PBMCs. TCRs shared between tumors and cfDNAs persist in PBMCs beyond 50 weeks of treatment, suggesting cfDNA captures clonotypes contributing to anti-tumor immune surveillance.

Study EGAS50000001306

Bulk RNA sequencing of day 2 and day 7 biopsies from the tuberculin skin test in people with latent tuberculosis, and of day 2 biopsies from saline controls

We used the tuberculin skin test (TST) as human challenge model to study the temporal evolution of the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens in vivo. Study participants comprised healthy HIV seronegative adults, 18-60 years of age. Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection was defined as immune memory for Mtb-specific antigens identified by positive peripheral blood IFNg release assays, but no clinical or radiological evidence of active TB. Two units tuberculin each were injected intradermally into the contralateral forearms of participants. After 2 days (n=216) or 7 days (n=158), 3 mm skin punch biopsies were taken from the injection sites and processed for whole genome transcriptional profiling by bulk RNA sequencing. The time points reflect maximum clinical inflammation (day 2) and maximum T cell infiltration (day 7) of the TST. TST samples were compared to skin biopsies taken two days after control injection of saline in a separate group of individuals (n=33), comprising healthy volunteers as well as patients with active or latent TB, ranging from 18-75 years of age. This dataset includes 407 samples from 256 individuals (n=33 saline, n=223 with Day 2 and/or Day 7 TST). Skin biopsies were collected into RNAlater (Qiagen) for RNA extraction. Total RNA was obtained with the Precellys Evolution homogenizer (Bertin Instruments) and Qiagen RNeasy mini kit. RNA was subjected to DNase treatment to remove contaminating genomic DNA using a TURBO DNA-free kit (Ambion, Life Technologies). The KAPA mRNA HyperPrep Kit (Roche Diagnostics) was used to construct stranded mRNA-Seq libraries from up to 500 ng intact total RNA. Paired-end sequencing was performed on the Illumina Nextseq using the Nextseq 500/550 High Output 75 cycle kit (Illumina). Runs were demultiplexed using bcl2fastq by Illumina.

Dataset EGAD50000001208

TONIC-Trial-cfDNA-Project

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is an emerging technology to predict and monitor response to cancer treatment, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, data on cfDNA dynamics during ICB in metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) are limited. While most applications of cfDNA involve assays that focus on mutation detection, mTNBC and multiple other cancer types are driven by copy number alterations (CNAs). We evaluate cfDNA-based copy number profile abnormality (CPA) score as a potential biomarker for monitoring ICB response in mTNBC, analyzing data from 87 patients enrolled in stage 1 and stage 2 of the TONIC-trial. We find significant concordance between cfDNA-based and tissue-based CNA profiles. Additionally, responders show a decrease in CPA scores upon ICB at week 6 (3 cycles of nivolumab). These findings underscore the potential of cfDNA-based CNA dynamics as a non-invasive biomarker for ICB early response assessment in patients with mTNBC.

Study EGAS50000001308

Delineation of the heterogeneous molecular landscape of HRS cells and their biological contributions to forming comprehensive TME ecosystems.

The tissue architecture of classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL) is unique among cancers and characterized by rare malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells that are co-evolving in a complex ecosystem of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The lack of a comprehensive systems-level interrogation has hindered the description of disease heterogeneity and clinically relevant molecular subtypes. Here, we employed an integrative, multimodal approach to characterize CHL tumors using malignant cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and imaging mass cytometry. We identified four molecular subtypes (CST, CN913, STB, and CN2P) each characterized by distinct clinical features, mutational patterns, malignant cell gene expression profiles, and spatial architecture of immune cell populations. Functional modeling of CSF2RB mutations, a characteristic feature of CST, revealed dysregulated oncogenic signaling and changes in tumor microenvironment crosstalk. These findings highlight the significance of multi-dimensional profiling in elucidating patterns of molecular alterations that drive immune ecosystems and underlie therapeutically exploitable vulnerabilities.

Study EGAS00001008064

A tumor-associated photoreceptor signature unifies distinct central nervous system malignancies

Pineoblastoma is a clinically aggressive childhood brain tumor composed of distinct molecular subgroups with divergent driver genes, demographics, and clinical outcomes. To identify developmental origins and mechanisms governing disease pathogenesis, we derive single-cell transcriptomes from pineal parenchymal tumors, aligning malignant cells with our atlas of pineal gland development to retrace cellular origins. Integrative computational analyses maps pineoblastoma origins to transient cycling pinealocyte progenitors during development. Lineage-specific perturbation of suspected drivers in the early pineal gland yields preclinical models representative of consensus molecular subgroups. Multi-omic characterization of patient tumors and these models uncovers a tumor-associated photoreceptor signature common to pineoblastoma, retinoblastoma, and Group 3 medulloblastoma. Transcriptional activity of this signature within respective cellular origins establishes a developmental basis for molecular similarities between entities. Photoreceptor signature constituents are selective dependencies across these anatomically distinct central nervous system malignancies, motivating future studies evaluating developmentally encoded programs of malignancy as potential therapeutic liabilities.

Study EGAS50000001457

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