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• Ultra-Low-Pass Whole Genome Sequencing of Cell-Free DNA for Large B-Cell Lymphoma

  While deep targeted DNA sequencing of liquid biopsies has shown prognostic utility in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), the routine clinical adoption of these assays remains limited due to their high costs. Here, leveraging a well-annotated cohort of encompassing both frontline and relapsed/refractory (R/R) LBCL, we profiled patient plasma samples with two complementary modalities – ultra-low-pass whole genome sequencing (ulpWGS) and deep targeted DNA sequencing, the former being a cost-effective method to profile large scale chromosomal abnormalities and estimate tumor burden. Our findings revealed a strong association of high cell-free tumor burden by both genomic profiling modalities with established measures of tumor burden and patient survival. Notably, the associations with survival remained statistically significant after accounting for international prognostic index scoring. Furthermore, we showed that del(17p) in circulating tumor DNA as detected by ulpWGS was strongly associated with TP53 mutation status and predicted for significantly inferior patient outcome in frontline but not R/R LBCL patients. Our study demonstrates that ulpWGS can provide robust prognostic biomarkers for both frontline and R/R LBCL, highlighting its broad applicability for risk stratification.

  Study EGAS50000001027

• Vaccine-Expanded Plasmablast-like B Cells Are Associated with Response to Dendritic Cell Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

  Dendritic cells (DCs), either monocyte-derived (moDCs) or naturally circulating, have been employed in cancer treatment across both metastatic and adjuvant settings. DC vaccines (DC Vax) are capable of inducing tumor-specific immune responses, yet clinical outcomes have thus far fallen short of expectations. Here, we performed a multi-omics analysis of the apheresis product, including CD14⁺ monocytes, and the final DCVax formulation. Among all the components analyzed, the most striking finding was the unexpected presence of CD19⁺ B cells within the DC Vax formulation, which distinguished Responders from Non-Responders to moDC vaccination in metastatic melanoma. The abundance of B cells in DC Vax correlated with their peripheral frequency; however, within the vaccine, these cells acquired a CD20lowCD27hiCD38hi plasmablast-like phenotype, distinct from their autologous circulating B-cell precursors. Notably, a parallel observation was made in Responders, whose pre-treatment lesions were enriched in B cells organized as Tertiary Lymphoid Structures. These results underscore the importance of B cells in both baseline immunity and DCVax formulation, hinting at unexplored mechanisms by which they may influence vaccine effectiveness.

  Study EGAS50000001177

• Kids First: The Genomic Architecture of Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR)

  Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a male biased developmental disorder associated with a lack of innervation of the gastrointestinal tract. Genetic studies have been instrumental in understanding its multifactorial inheritance, high heritability, syndromic associations, and genetic heterogeneity with variable penetrance and expressivity. At least 24 genes and 9 loci with pathogenic alleles (PAs) are known to underlie HSCR pathogenesis and explain 62% of its population attributable risk (PAR). Despite this heterogeneity, there is functional unity in HSCR: ~53% of HSCR PAs disrupt RET and EDNRB signaling in the developing enteric nervous system (ENS) in which 11 genes comprising a gene regulatory network control RET and EDNRB gene expression. We propose to identify the remaining 30% PAR by studying 857 unrelated HSCR cases, their 125 affected and 1,446 unaffected firstdegree relatives by whole genome sequencing to increase statistical power of gene discovery through improved detection of all types of coding and regulatory PAs. HSCR arises from cell autonomous defects in enteric neural crest cell precursors (ENCCs) affecting their proliferation, differentiation and migration in the ENS, functional studies that will guide our detection of novel genes.

  Study phs003662

• Investigation of molecular diagnosis by molecular biological analysis using next-generation sequencer for actionable endocrine diseases (including neoplastic diseases)

  Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency, caused by an FBP1 mutation, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypoglycemic lactic acidosis. Due to the rarity of FBPase deficiency, the mechanism by which the mutations cause enzyme activity loss still remains unclear. Here we identify compound heterozygous missense mutations of FBP1, c.491G>A (p.G164D) and c.581T>C (p.F194S), in an adult patient with hypoglycemic lactic acidosis. The G164D and F194S FBP1 mutants exhibit decreased FBP1 protein expression and a loss of FBPase enzyme activity. The biochemical phenotypes of all previously reported FBP1 missense mutations in addition to G164D and F194S are classified into three functional categories. Type 1 mutations are located at pivotal residues in enzyme activity motifs and have no effects on protein expression. Type 2 mutations structurally cluster around the substrate binding pocket and are associated with decreased protein expression due to protein misfolding. Type 3 mutations are likely nonpathogenic. These findings demonstrate a key role of protein misfolding in mediating the pathogenesis of FBPase deficiency, particularly for Type 2 mutations. This study provides important insights that certain patients with Type 2 mutations may respond to chaperone molecules.

  Study JGAS000625

• Non-canonical NF-κB signaling skews B cells away from germinal center to low-affinity effector fate

  The non-canonical (NC) NF-κB pathway is a central regulator of B-cell development and survival, yet its role during B-cell mediated adaptive responses remains uncharted. Here, we uncover an unanticipated regulatory function for NC NF-κB in shaping humoral immunity. High-resolution mapping of NC NF-kB status in B cells from human lymphoid tissues revealed low activity in germinal center B-cells (GCB) than effector subsets, suggesting a selective attenuation. Consistently, mice model harboring B-cells with enforced NC NF-κB activation revealed near- complete loss of GCB and high-affinity antibodies, following vaccination. GCB loss was not driven by intrinsic defects in formation or expansion, but by an immune-niche dysregulation marked by regulatory T-cell expansion. Mechanistically, NC NF-κB activation promoted B-cell- derived IL-10, and blocking this axis normalize the niche and rescue GCB. Concurrently, NC NF- κB signaling boosted low-affinity antibody responses by transcriptionally priming follicular B- cells for plasmacytic differentiation. Together, these findings position NC NF-κB as a tunable rheostat linking B-cell signaling to immune-niche control and humoral immunity.

  Study EGAS50000001646

• Comprehensive molecular profiling identifies novel genetic drivers and subtypes underlying medulloblastoma

  Current therapies for medulloblastoma (MB), a highly malignant childhood brain tumor, impose debilitating effects on the developing child, warranting the development of molecularly targeted treatments with reduced toxicities. Prior studies have failed to disclose the full spectrum of driver genes and molecular processes operative in MB or adequately explain heterogeneity among molecular subgroups. Herein, we detail the somatic landscape across 491 sequenced MBs and molecular heterogeneity amongst 1,256 epigenetically analyzed cases, identifying subgroup-specific mutational signatures, driver genes, and pathway alterations including previously unappreciated actionable therapeutic targets. Integrative approaches for assigning driver genes to subgroups explained >65-70% of Group 3 and Group 4, doubling previous knowledge. Novel subtypes underlying Group 3 and Group 4 were differentially enriched for specific driver events, including hotspot in-frame indels targeting KBTBD4 and ‘enhancer hijacking’ driving activation of PRDM6. Thus, application of integrative genomics to an unprecedented cohort of clinical samples derived from a single childhood cancer entity has disclosed a series of new cancer genes and biologically relevant subtype diversity that represent attractive therapeutic targets for treating MB.

  Study EGAS00001001953

• WTCCC2 Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) samples

  A WTCCC2 project genome-wide association study for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in individuals from India, Brazil and Sudan, genotyped on the custom Illumina 670k array. The WTCCC2 analysis of the Brazilian and Indian samples is described in Fakiola et al. [Nat Genet. 2013 Feb;45(2):208-13].It should be noted that due to expected family structure in the data, normal analyses of these data should include an estimation of the relatedness between the samples. For more details about sample collection for the project please refer to the Methods section of the paper above. The samples from India were all collected from Bihar state in northeastern India. The Brazilian samples were collected from a wide area of northern Brazil, and managed at two laboratories in Natal and Belem. For more details on the geographic distribution of the Brazil samples please see Jamieson et al. [Genes Immun. 2007 Jan;8(1):84-90]. We have not generated qc_passed or info files for the Sudanese data, a preliminary scan of the data indicated that there may be DNA quality issues with these samples.

  Study EGAS00001000773

• Field_effect_of_healthy_and_diseased_livers_WGS

  Recent work in the Campbell group has revealed somatic mutations present in normal, non-cancerous human skin. A subset of the mutations conferred selective advantages to the host cells, leading to clonal expansions and raising the risk for future cancer development. Capturing such somatic mutations in normal tissue is important to advance our understanding about carcinogenesis and could provide prospective medical insights. In this project, our goal is to detect somatic mutations in normal (pre-cancerous) liver tissue. Using Laser Microdissection technology, we will dissect individual liver lobules from patient samples and submit these to sequencing. For each patient sample, we aim to sequence multiple lobules to characterise the mutagenic burden. Samples will be taken from patients with different liver disease aetiologies, including alcoholism and obesity, with a view on distinguishing the prevalent mutation types occurring in each disease context. We will perform both whole genome and targeted sequencing, initially using the WTSI cancer panel. Later we aim to use a novel bait set that captures both cancer genes as well as genes relevant to the non-cancerous samples (ie. genes implicated in hereditary disorders, immune sequences).

  Study EGAS00001002413

• SHANK2 mutations associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder cause hyperconnectivity of human neurons

  Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the synaptic scaffolding gene SHANK2 are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To investigate their effect on synaptic connectivity, we generated cortical neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from neurotypic and ASD-affected donors. We developed Sparse coculture for Connectivity (SparCon) assays where SHANK2 and control neurons were differentially labeled and sparsely seeded together on a lawn of unlabeled control neurons. We observed striking increases in dendrite length, dendrite complexity, total synapse number, and frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. These findings were phenocopied in gene-edited homozygous SHANK2 knockout cells and rescued by gene correction of an ASD SHANK2 muation, supporting a role for SHANK2 as a regulator of connectivity in developing human neurons. Dendrite length increases were exacerbated by IGF1, TG003, or BDNF, and suppressed by DHPG treatment. The transcriptome in these isogenic SHANK2 neurons was deeply perturbed in synapse, plasticity, and neuronal morphogenesis gene sets and ASD gene modules, and activity-dependent dendrite extension was impaired. Our unexpected findings provide evidence for hyperconnectivity and profoundly altered transcriptome in SHANK2 neurons derived from ASD subjects.

  Study EGAS00001003436

• UK10K_OBESITY_GS

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. The GS samples are part of the Obesity group and will undergo exome sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001000242

• Oncoprint GSCCs

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

  Study EGAS00001007481

• Spatial_transcriptome_analysis_of_Paediatric_Thymus

  Cell atlas of Paediatric Thymus Cell atlas of Paediatric Thymus - 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. We aim to interrogate the cellular composition and molecular regulators underpinning a cells identity through; genetic and genomic analysis, expression analysis, non-identifiable video imaging and cell line and organoid production, as well as, computational algorithms to predict cellular developmental trajectories and cell-cell interactions. We will subsequently validate these findings in situ using spatial genomic and imaging technologies e.g. immunohistochemistry, RNAscope, in situ sequencing and spatial transcriptomic analyses. 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 EGAS00001004281

• Widespread DNA hypomethylation and differential gene expression in Turner syndrome

  Adults with 45,X monosomy (Turner syndrome) reflect a surviving minority since more than 99% of fetuses with 45,X monosomy die in utero. In adulthood 45,X monosomy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, although strikingly heterogeneous with some individuals left untouched while others suffer from cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and infertility. The present study investigates the leukocyte DNAmethylation profile by using the 450K-Illumina Infinium assay and the leukocyte RNA-expression profile in 45,X monosomy compared with karyotypically normal female and male controls. We present results illustrating that genome wide X-chromosome RNA-expression profile, autosomal DNA-methylation profile, and the X-chromosome methylation profile clearly distinguish Turner syndrome from controls. Our results reveal genome wide hypomethylation with most differentially methylated positions showing a medium level of methylation. Contrary to previous studies, applying a single loci specific analysis at well-defined DNA loci, our results indicate that the hypomethylation extend to repetitive elements. We describe novel candidate genes that could be involved in comorbidity in TS and explain congenital urinary malformations (PRKX), premature ovarian failure (KDM6A), and aortic aneurysm formation (ZFYVE9 and TIMP1)

  Study EGAS00001002190

• Determination_of_cell_specific_regulatory_enhancers_in_hematopoetic_models

  The BLUEPRINT project is a large-scale project investigating epigenetic mechanisms involved in blood formation, in health and disease. The human variation workpackage (WP10) of the project seeks to characterize the effect of common sequence variation on the epigenome status of a cell. To do this, the project will use highly purified blood cells to minimise “experimental noise” and therefore enhance the power to discover modest effects. Two peripheral blood cell types, the CD14+CD16- monocyte (an important central orchestrator of adaptive immunity and a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity) and the CD65+CD9- neutrophilic granulocyte (the frontline cell for innate immunity) have been selected for this purpose. The two types of cells will be obtained at high purity from adult blood (AB) of 200 healthy males and females, respectively. Cells will be purified by using already validated and fully operational protocols that are based on density gradient centrifugation of the buffy coat obtained from whole blood, followed by magnetic bead-based purification using monoclonal antibodies against Cluster of Differentiation (CD) lineage-specific cell surface markers. This data set contains functional genomics data for gene expression and chromatin state.

  Study EGAS00001000586

• Gut microbiome modulates response to anti PD1 immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma patients

  There is a growing appreciation of the role of the microbiome in cancer, and evidence in pre-clinical models that the gut microbiome may modulate responses to immune checkpoint blockade though this has not been well-characterized in patients. We analyzed the oral (n=86)and gut (n=43) 16S microbiome in melanoma patients on PD-1 blockade. Significant differences were noted in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome between responders and non-responders in patients with a fecal microbiome sample, with significantly higher alpha diversity and relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae bacteria) in R. Metagenomic studies (n=25) revealed functional differences in gut bacteria in R including enrichment of anabolic pathways. Immune profiling demonstrated enhanced systemic and anti-tumor immunity in patients with a favorable gut microbiome as well as in germ-free mice receiving fecal transplant from responding patients. Together, these data have important implications for treatment with immune checkpoint blockade in cancer. The fastq files associated with this dataset are stored at ENA under the following accession numbers: PRJEB22894 (Fecal 16S), PRJEB22874 (Oral 16S), PRJEB22895 (Murine 16S), PRJEB22893 (Fecal WGS).

  Study EGAS00001002698

• An_exome_sequencing_study_of_the_HIV_elite_long_term_non_progressors_and_rapid_progressors__CASCADE_cohorts_

  Background: A rare subgroup of HIV infected individuals naturally controls infection withouttreatment. These ?elite controllers? constitute an important model for the natural control ofHIV infection. Indeed, the study of these individuals may provide insights into strategies forthe development of HIV vaccines. Although several HLA and chemokine alleles are knownto be over-represented in elite controllers, only a small portion of HIV phenotypic variation isexplained by known genetic variants. The elite controller phenotype is rare and distinct,representing the extreme of an infectious disease trait. As such, this phenotype may be partlyexplained by variation in host immune control, which may be characterized by differences inrare functional genetic variants. Genomic regions underlying elite control can be potentiallyidentified by comparing the presence or frequency of variants in this group to thatrepresenting the opposite extreme. In this context, ?rapid progressors? is a group defined byits rapid immunological and clinical disease progression.Aim: To extend an existing study, in order to identify DNA sequence variants involved in thecontrol of HIV infection with greater statistical resolution. Specifically, we aim to sequence upto 200 exomes from multiple cohort studies within the EuroCoord CASCADE collaboration (acollaboration of 25 HIV seroconversion cohort studies across Europe).

  Study EGAS00001000522

• Somatic IL4R Hotspot Mutations in Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell lymphoma lead to constitutive JAK-STAT activation

  Primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a distinct subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma thought to arise from thymic medullary B cells. Gene mutations underlying the molecular pathogenesis of the disease are incompletely characterized. Here, we describe novel somatic IL4R mutations in 15 out of 62 primary cases of PMBCL (24.2%) and in all PMBCL-derived cell lines tested. The majority of mutations (11/21; 52%) were hotspot single nucleotide variants in exon 8 leading to an I242N amino acid change in the transmembrane domain. Functional analyses establish this mutation as gain-of-function leading to constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway and upregulation of downstream cytokine expression profiles and B cell specific antigens. Moreover, expression of I242N mutant IL4R in a mouse xenotransplantation model conferred growth advantage in vivo. The pattern of concurrent mutations within the JAK-STAT signaling pathway suggests additive/synergistic effects of these gene mutations contributing to lymphomagenesis. Our data establish IL4R mutations as novel driver alterations and provide a strong preclinical rationale for therapeutic targeting of JAK-STAT signaling in PMBCL.

  Study EGAS00001002796

• Hominin-specific NOTCH2 paralogs expand human cortical neurogenesis through regulation of Delta/Notch interactions.

  The human cerebral cortex has undergone rapid expansion and increased complexity during recent evolution. Hominid-specific gene duplications represent a major driving force of evolution, but their impact on human brain evolution remains unclear. Using tailored RNA sequencing (RNAseq), we profiled the spatial and temporal expression of Hominid-specific duplicated (HS) genes in the human fetal cortex, leading to the identification of a repertoire of 36 HS genes displaying robust and dynamic patterns during cortical neurogenesis. Among these we focused on NOTCH2NL, previously uncharacterized HS paralogs of NOTCH2. NOTCH2NL promote the clonal expansion of human cortical progenitors by increasing self-renewal, ultimately leading to higher neuronal output. NOTCH2NL function by activating the Notch pathway, through inhibition of Delta/Notch interactions. Our study uncovers a large repertoire of recently evolved genes linking genomic evolution to human brain development, and reveals how hominin-specific NOTCH paralogs may have contributed to the expansion of the human cortex. The dataset contains raw sequences (FASTQ files) from the Illumina 2x150bp paired-end RNA sequencing profiles of 11 fetal human brain samples at 7, 9, 12, 15 and 21 gestational weeks.

  Study EGAS00001002798

• Japan PBC-GWAS Haplotype Study

  Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) susceptibility loci have largely been discovered through single SNP association testing. In this study, we report genic haplotype patterns associated with PBC risk genome-wide in two Japanese cohorts. Among the 74 genic PBC risk haplotype candidates we detected with a novel methodological approach in a discovery cohort of 1,937 Japanese, nearly two-thirds were replicated (49 haplotypes, Bonferroni-corrected P<6.8x10-4) in an independent Japanese cohort (N=949). Along with corroborating known PBC-associated loci (TNFSF15, HLA-DRA), risk haplotypes may potentially model cis-interactions that regulate gene expression. For example, one replicated haplotype association (9q32-9q33.1, OR=1.7, P=3.0x10-21) consists of intergenic SNPs outside of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region that overlap regulatory histone mark peaks in liver and blood cells, and are significantly associated with TNFSF8 expression in whole blood. We also replicated a novel haplotype association involving non-HLA SNPs mapped to UMAD1 (7p21.3; OR=15.2, P=3.9x10-9) that overlap enhancer peaks in liver and memory Th cells. Our analysis demonstrates the utility of haplotype association analyses in discovering and characterizing PBC susceptibility loci.

  Study EGAS00001002915

• Integrative_genome_profiling_in_AML

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

  Study EGAS00001000858

• An_evaluation_of_different_strategies_for_large_scale_pooled_sequencing_study_design_

  Second generation sequencing technology has enabled the design of large-scale sequencing experiments in targeted disease-related regions in thousands of cases and controls. Cost implications dictate a pooled DNA sequencing design, evaluation of allele frequency differences based on the resequenced samples and large-scale targeted follow-up in further samples. To evaluate the feasibility of this approach and to assess different study design strategies, we have carried out a pilot study which tests the feasibility of PCR-based and pull-down DNA pooling for (a) SNP discovery and (b) allele frequency comparison purposes. All samples are from the HapMap or 1958 BC. The sample composition of the pool is listed below: Pool 5: 31 HapMap Individuals (NA12249, NA12156, NA12004, NA11831, NA12716, NA11832, NA11993, NA12057, NA11995, NA12006, NA12144, NA12802, NA12146, NA12005, NA12003, NA07000, NA12043, NA12044, NA11992, NA11881, NA11994, NA07345, NA12154, NA06994, NA06985, NA12239, NA07022, NA07034, NA12155, NA07056, NA06993); 19 1958 BC Individuals (WTCCC88214, WTCCC88215, WTCCC88216, WTCCC88217, WTCCC88222, WTCCC88233, WTCCC88240, WTCCC88241, WTCCC88242, WTCCC88247, WTCCC88249, WTCCC88262, WTCCC88264, WTCCC88278, WTCCC88294, WTCCC88298, WTCCC88302, WTCCC88305, WTCCC88321) Some pools were carried out in duplicate to assess reproducibility. We focused on 10 (PD), 7(PCR) chromosomal regions, ~2(PD), ~1.6 (PCR) Mb in total.

  Study EGAS00001000134

• Identification of 19 novel loci reveals gene regulatory mechanisms determining susceptibility to testicular germ cell tumour

  Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) is the most common cancer in young men1,2, and is characterised by strong inherited genetic risk factors3. Here we have undertaken large-scale genome wide association study (GWAS) for TGCT, encompassing ~7,500 cases and ~23,000 controls, through the Oncoarray consortium. We identified 19 novel loci, approximately doubling the number of known TGCT risk loci to 44 (P<5x10-8)4-14 and conduct deep, high-throughput functional annotation of all risk loci. We establish a network of physical interactions for all risk SNPs to candidate casual genes in 3D space, using high-throughput chromosome conformation capture techniques (HiC) in TGCT cells. Firstly, functional evidence reveals widespread disruption of developmental transcriptional regulators, consistent with failed primordial germ cell differentiation as an initiating step in TGCT oncogenesis15. We secondly observe multiple risk loci associated with defective microtubule assembly, compatible with the high level of aneuploidy observed in TGCTs, suggesting gross chromosomal instability. Finally KIT-MAPK signalling features as a recurrently dysregulated pathway. In summary our findings substantially increase the number of known TGCT risk alleles, and provides a functional basis for disease susceptibility.

  Study EGAS00001001836

• SS18-SSX-mediated hijacking of BAF complexes drives synovial sarcoma

  Synovial sarcoma (SS) is defined by a recurrent t(x;18) chromosomal translocation, which produces the hallmark SS18-SSX oncogenic fusion. Incorporation of SS18-SSX into BAF complexes renders BAF complexes aberrant in two distinct manners: the addition of 78aa of SSX onto SS18, and concomitant loss of BAF47 assembly. However, the importance and functional contributions of each of these perturbations on BAF complex targeting and gene expression regulation remain unclear. Here we use an integrative set of genomic approaches in human cancer cell lines and primary tumor samples to define the mechanistic consequences of the SS18-SSX fusion oncoprotein. We find that SS18-SSX hijacks BAF complexes to broad polycomb domains to activate bivalent genes, driving a unique gene expression program distinct from other loss-of-function BAF complex malignancies. Importantly, restoration of BAF47 rescues enhancer activation but is dispensable for proliferative arrest in cell lines. These results demonstrate that gain-of-function SS18-SSX-mediated BAF complex targeting and gene activation is the driving event in SS, and present a mechanism by which distinct functions of BAF complexes can be co-opted to drive oncogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001002920

• Resequencing (MIPS) of candidate genes for Keratoconus (2020)

  In this study, we selected 34 candidate genes for KC based on previous Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and the literature, and resequenced them in 745 KC patients and 810 ethnically matched controls. Data analysis was performed using the single variant association test as well as gene-based mutation burden and variance components tests. In our study, we detected enrichment of genetic variation across multiple gene-based tests for the genes COL2A1, COL5A1, TNXB, ZEB1 and ZNF469. The top hit in the Fisher’s exact test was obtained for a common variant in the COL12A1 gene. Interestingly, COL5A1, TNXB, ZNF469 and COL12A1 are all known Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) genes. Though the co-occurrence of KC and EDS has been reported previously, this study is the first to demonstrate a consistent role of genetic variants in EDS genes in the etiology of KC. In conclusion, our data show a shared genetic etiology between KC and EDS, and clearly confirm the currently disputed role of ZNF469 in disease susceptibility for KC. Besides the role for EDS genes, we also confirm the previously reported involvement of genetic variation in ZEB1 in KC.

  Study EGAS00001004267

• Patient-tailored design for selective co-inhibition of leukemic cell subpopulations

  The extensive primary and secondary drug resistance in many cancer types requires rational approaches to design personalized and selective combinatorial therapies that do not only show synergistic effect in overall cancer cell killing but also result in minimal toxic side effects on non-malignant cells. To address the combinatorial explosion in the number of relevant combinations, we implemented a machine learning approach that prioritizes patient-customized drug combinations with a desired synergy-efficacy-toxicity balance by combining single-cell RNA-sequencing with ex vivo single-agent testing in scarce patient-derived primary cells. When applied to two diagnostic and two refractory AML patient cases, each with a different genetic background, our integrated approach accurately predicted patient-specific combinations that were shown to result not only in synergistic cancer cell co-inhibition but were also capable of targeting specific AML cell subpopulations that emerge in differing stages of disease pathogenesis or treatment regimens. Our data-driven approach provides an unbiased means for systematic identification of personalized combinatorial regimens that selectively co-inhibit leukemic cells while avoiding inhibition of non-malignant cells, and highlight the relevance of considering cell heterogeneity for personalized cancer therapy.

  Study EGAS00001004614