870 results for "fc credits Visitez le site Buyfc26coins.com Consommateur heureux de FC 26 coins, toujours content.rgWD"

in 52.25 milliseconds.

• National Cancer Institute (NCI) Adding Hispanics to Ongoing GWAS in Colorectal Cancer

  Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been instrumental in identifying a number of common susceptibility loci in Non Hispanic (NH)-White populations, and a NCI priority is to extend GWAS findings to other populations to address racial/ethnic disparities in cancer susceptibility. Currently, GWA studies of CRC in NH-Whites, Japanese and African-Americans are ongoing. We propose a complementary study to address this critical research area in Hispanics. Hispanics represent the fastest growing ethnic population in the U.S. and have been largely understudied in terms of genetic susceptibility to cancer. There are noted differences in incidence, survival and mortality in CRC by ethnic/racial groups. Hispanics often present with CRC at a younger age and have a significantly greater incidence of stage IV tumors or metastatic disease compared to NH-Whites. We propose to conduct a large, cost-efficient, population-based GWAS in Hispanics by building upon existing NIH-funded resources, the Colon Cancer Family Registry (Colon CFR) and the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC). We plan to recruit 2,500 Hispanic men and women diagnosed with CRC between 01/2008 to present using cancer registries in California, physican referrals and familial referrals. Risk factor/diet questionnaires, pathology reports, Oragene saliva samples (for genotyping), optional blood samples (for genotyping and biometric analysis) and tumor blocks (for MSI testing) will be collected using methodologies developed in the Colon CFR/MEC. Cases of CRC in the MEC (currently 473; anticipated 600 at end) will also be included. Population-based Hispanic individuals without a diagnosis of CRC participating in other GWA studies in the MEC (n=3,900, U01HG004726, Haiman) will be used as controls. We will genotype all 3,100 cases using the Illumina 1M array and use available genotype and epidemiologic data collected on 3,900 controls. Our statistical analyses will include: single-SNP and haplotype effects, gene-environment interactions and heterogeneity by MSI, tumor subtype and family history of CRC. We will replicate findings in a second-stage using CRC cases and controls from Mexico (1,000 cases and 1,000 controls, EU FP7 funding, CHIBCHA, Carvajal-Carmona/Tomlinson). We will also examine heterogeneity of the risk estimates by ethnicity/race by leveraging GWA data on NH-Whites (2,142 cases, 1,909 controls, U01 CA122839, Casey), (4,000 cases, 6,000 NH-White controls, UK-CHIBCHA, Tomlinson), Colombians (2,000 cases and 2,000 controls, CHIBCHA), Japanese (1,000 cases and 1,000 controls) and African-Americans (1,500 cases and 1,500 controls, R01CA126895, Le Marchand). We will genotype replicated significant SNPs in our main and combined analysis in several Hispanic populations (note: studies funded by EU or NIH for data collection but not GWAS), including 800 Puerto Ricans, 2,000 Brazilians, 2,000 Argentineans and 3,000 Spanish/Portuguese, to assess generalizability of findings. We will examine the differences in inflammatory gene transcription dynamics in leukocytes (from blood sample collection) by fatigue level (as assessed from study questionnaire data). This study will have a high impact by addressing the key question of racial/ethnic disparities related to genetic susceptibility to CRC, will provide translational guidelines on biological mechanisms during the cancer survivorship period to increase quality of life among cancer survivors, and will enable further growth and investment into research among Hispanics by providing a resource of genetic data and biospecimens, which is lacking.

  Study phs001193

• Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program in Germline and Somatic Variants in Myeloid Malignancies in Children

  The Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) is a trans-NIH effort initiated in response to the 2014 Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act and supported by the NIH Common Fund. This program focuses on gene discovery in pediatric cancers and structural birth defects and the development of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Data Resource (Kids First Data Resource).All of the WGS and phenotypic data from this study are accessible through dbGaP and kidsfirstdrc.org, where other Kids First datasets can also be accessed.This project aims to sequence an unparalleled number of cases of de novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Down Syndrome AML (DS-AML), to establish a database comprised of genomic and transcriptome information which can be interrogated for both somatic and germline variants. Identification of the somatic variants will provide valuable data on the potential genes and pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes. In addition, interrogation of the host’s constitutional genome may yield valuable information about potential germline variants that, in combination with the somatic data, might provide a more informed approach to patient care. For those patients with predisposition mutations, chemotherapy alone might not be adequate for cure, and stem cell transplantation might be required. Also, those who might be at high risk of adverse secondary events (cardiac complications, secondary malignancies, etc.) can be identified early and their therapy can be tailored to minimize anticipated complications. Thus, we propose that the optimum outcome can only be obtained through comprehensive interrogation of the somatic and germline genomes to fully annotate the genomic makeup of the leukemia and its host. Knowing the genomic and transcriptomic makeup of these patients, along with a full complement of clinical characteristics for this cohort, will be critical for making strong correlations which may aid in therapeutic development for future patients. The de novo AML, DS-AML, and Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) cases were all collected through clinical protocols conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). In addition to funding from the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program, the DS-AML cohort was specifically funded by the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome (INCLUDE) Project.

  Study phs002187

• cfMeDIP-seq for 18 patients with pleural mesothelioma

  The dataset contains cfMeDIP-sequencing data (bam files) for 18 plasma samples from pleural mesothelioma patients. The libraries were prepared according to the published protocol (Shen, S. Y., Burgener, J. M., Bratman, S. V. & De Carvalho, D. D. Preparation of cfMeDIP- seq libraries for methylome profiling of plasma cell-free DNA. Nat. Protoc. 14, 2749–2780 (2019)). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for pre-made libraries on NovaSeq X Plus with a 150 paired-end strategy. Low-quality reads and adapters were removed with Trim Galore version 0.6.6 (https://www.bioinformatics.babraham.ac.uk/projects/trim_galore). The trimmed reads were aligned to hg38 with Bowtie2 version 2.3.4.3. SAMTools version 1.9 was used to convert the SAM alignment files to BAM files, sort and index reads, and remove duplicates.

  Dataset EGAD50000002126

• Are children born after medical assisted reproduction at greater risk of having an increased de novo mutation rate?

  Introduction: De novo mutations (DNMs) play a prominent role in sporadic disorders with reduced fitness such as infertility and intellectual disability. Advanced paternal age is known to increase disease risk in offspring by increasing the number of DNMs in their genome. Less is known about the effect of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) on the number of DNMs in offspring. With the on-going trend of delayed parenthood more children are now born both from older fathers and through ART. Materials and Methods: We investigated 49 trios (mother, father and child) and 2 quartets (mother, father and 2 siblings) divided into children born after spontaneous conception (n=18); born after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) (n=17) and born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection combined with testicular sperm extraction (ICSI-TESE) (n=18). Groups further divided by paternal age, young (<35) or old (>45 years of age at conception). Whole-genome sequencing was performed twice to independently detect and validate all DNMs in children. Results: A clear paternal age effect was observed, with 70 DNMs detected on average in children born to young fathers and 94 DNMs in those born to older fathers (p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed between different methods of conception (p = 1) with paternal age affecting all methods equally. Conclusions: Paternal age, not method of conception, had a major effect on the observed number of DNMs in offspring. Given the role DNMs in disease risk, this negative result is good news for IVF and ICSI-TESE born children, if replicated in larger cohorts.

  Study EGAS00001005569

• 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

• Circulating Tumor Cell Heterogeneity in Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer by Single Cell Copy Number Analysis

  Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive variant of prostate cancer that may arise de novo or develop from pre-existing prostate adenocarcinoma as a mechanism of treatment resistance. Combined loss of tumor suppressors RB1, TP53, PTEN are frequent in NEPC but also present in a subset of prostate adenocarcinomas. Most clinical and preclinical studies support a trans-differentiation process, whereby NEPC arises clonally from a prostate adenocarcinoma precursor during the course of treatment resistance. Here we highlight a case of NEPC with significant intra-patient heterogeneity observed across metastases. We further demonstrate how single-cell genomic analysis of circulating tumor cells combined with phenotypic evaluation of cellular diversity can be considered as a window into tumor heterogeneity in patients with advanced prostate cancer. We performed whole genome sequencing of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patients with castration resistant adenocarcinoma (n=4) and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (n=8). CTCs were collected via Epic Sciences platform and single CTC genomic data (n=215) generated via Illumina NextSeq500. 

  Study phs002462

• Next Generation Mendelian Genetics: Congenital Hyperinsulinism

  The NHGRI Next Generation Mendelian Genetics project uses exome resequencing to identify variants in unsolved Mendelian diseases. Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the most common cause of hypoglycemia in the newborn and it is due to mutations in 8 different genes (ABCC8, KCNJ11, GLUD1, GCK, HADH, SLC16A1, HNF4A and UCP2). It is a heterogeneous disease with variable onset (birth to adulthood) and a persistent, intermittent, or transient course with possible later conversion to non-autoimmune diabetes. Although mutations in the two subunits of the KATP channel (ABCC8 and KCNJ11) account for 50% of the cases, the other half is still genetically unexplained. CHI can be inherited in a dominant or recessive and can also present as a 'de novo' mutation. We became part of this study when we submitted 8 DNA samples for exome sequencing, from patients with CHI of Caucasian ancestry, which had no mutations identified in ABCC8 or KCNJ1, with the goal to identify new mutations in known genes or new mutations in new genes or genetic variants.

  Study phs000539

• The spectrum of somatic mutations in high-risk acute myeloid leukemia with -7/del(7q)

  Patients with myeloid malignancies bearing high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities lack effective therapies and have a poor overall survival. -7/del(7q) is identified in half of high-risk myeloid neoplasms. We recently identified CUX1 to be a haploinsufficient myeloid tumor suppressor gene located within the commonly deleted segment of 7q22. Here we identify the spectrum of somatic mutations that co-occur with loss of CUX1 and chromosome 7 in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or a therapy-related myeloid neoplasm. -7/del(7q) leukemias have a distinct mutational profile characterized by low frequencies of alterations in major leukemogenic pathways, including genes encoding transcription factors, cohesin, and DNA-methylation-related proteins. In contrast, RAS pathway activating mutations occurred in 40% of -7/del(7q) samples, a significantly higher frequency than other AMLs and higher than previously reported. As targeted therapeutics advance, our data provide guidance for which pathways are most relevant in the treatment of adverse-risk myeloid leukemia.

  Study phs000759

• Kids First: Genomics of Orofacial Clefts in the Philippines

  Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are the most common craniofacial structural birth defect in humans caused by incomplete formation of the upper lip and/or the palate. Over 4,000 children in the Philippines are born with an OFC every year, and the Filipino OFC birth prevalence rate of 1 in 500 live births is one of the highest in the world. Genome-wide association studies support a multifactorial etiology for OFCs, but common variants only account for up to ~25% of the heritable risk in any one population. Sequencing studies in diverse populations is essential to fully understand the genetic architecture of OFCs. The study goals of the Kids First project are to sequence a collection of case-parent trios from the Philippines, in order to identify de novo mutations and inherited rare variants, and understand the population differences in common variant signals in the Philippines versus other populations. Approximately 373 trios from the Philippines were selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS) as part of this Gabriella Miller Kids First project.

  Study phs002595

• DHODH is a synthetic-lethal vulnerability in BCOR-deficient acute myeloid leukemia

  Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) remains challenging to treat, especially in cases with mutations in the BCL-6 co- repressor (BCOR), which are associated with poor prognosis and chemo-resistance. In this study, we reveal a synthetic lethal interaction between BCOR and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). We demonstrate that BCOR-deficient cells have a heightened sensitivity to DHODH inhibitors such as brequinar and leflunomide, that are already in clinical use. We confirm that DHODH inhibition selectively induces cell death in BCOR-mutant cells in multiple cellular models, in malignant and non-malignant cells, through chemical and genetic manipulation. Interestingly, we find that the dependency on DHODH does not stem from its role in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis disruption. Rather, DHODH’s role in the electron transport chain, essential for mitigating reactive oxygen species, may be the physiological vulnerability that pushes BCOR-mutant cells toward cell death when DHODH is inhibited. DHODH inhibitors could be repurposed as targeted therapies for BCOR-mutant tumors, offering a promising strategy for precision medicine in AML and other cancers.

  Study EGAS50000001108

• DHODH is a synthetic-lethal vulnerability in BCOR-deficient acute myeloid leukemia

  Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) remains challenging to treat, especially in cases with mutations in the BCL-6 co- repressor (BCOR), which are associated with poor prognosis and chemo-resistance. In this study, we reveal a synthetic lethal interaction between BCOR and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). We demonstrate that BCOR-deficient cells have a heightened sensitivity to DHODH inhibitors such as brequinar and leflunomide, that are already in clinical use. We confirm that DHODH inhibition selectively induces cell death in BCOR-mutant cells in multiple cellular models, in malignant and non-malignant cells, through chemical and genetic manipulation. Interestingly, we find that the dependency on DHODH does not stem from its role in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis disruption. Rather, DHODH’s role in the electron transport chain, essential for mitigating reactive oxygen species, may be the physiological vulnerability that pushes BCOR-mutant cells toward cell death when DHODH is inhibited. DHODH inhibitors could be repurposed as targeted therapies for BCOR-mutant tumors, offering a promising strategy for precision medicine in AML and other cancers.

  Study EGAS50000001060

• Health Information National Trends Survey-SEER (HINTS-SEER)

  HINTS-SEER is a cross-sectional survey that sampled cancer survivors from three different SEER cancer registries. Sampling frames of survivors from each registry were stratified by time since diagnosis and race/ethnicity, with non-malignant tumors and non-melanoma skin cancers excluded. Respondents who consented completed a self-administered questionnaire sent through the mail and resulted in a total sample of 1,234 respondents. The goal of HINTS-SEER was to better understand the communication needs and practices, information preferences, risk behaviors and cancer knowledge of cancer survivors using a modified version of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) specifically designed for cancers survivors. Demographic information on the survivors showed that over 60% of the sample was 10 or more years since diagnosis with the most common cancers being male reproductive (24.6%), female breast (23%) and melanoma (9.6%) and gastrointestinal (8.6%). De-identified data is available in SAS, SPSS, and STATA formats, as part of a data package that also includes a history document, methodology report, data analysis recommendations, and a codebook.

  Study phs004065

• MED12L Gene Alterations Define Aggressive BRCA2-Mutant Prostate Cancers

  Germline mutation of BRCA2 increases the lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa) by over 700%. BRCA2-mutant PCa have poorer prognosis than sporadic PCa, with rapid development of metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates of ~50-60%1-4. Despite this, unique genomic driver events that explain the aggressiveness of localized BRCA2-mutant PCa are lacking. We used whole-genome sequencing to fully characterize 14 BRCA2-mutant PCa and demonstrate that BRCA2-mutant PCa is associated with increased genetic instability and a mutually exclusive mutational burden when compared to sporadic PCa. Importantly, BRCA2-mutated cancers are defined by unique copy number gains and hypomethylation events, including alterations in the MED12L/MED12 axis, which are found solely in mCRPC and are enriched in PCa tumours harbouring aggressive intraductal carcinoma (IDC-P) pathologic sub-types. Our findings begin to explain the clinical entity of BRCA2-mutated PCa as these tumours have a unique and aggressive genotype de novo, associated with IDC-P and mCRPC, even in the hormone-naive setting.

  Study EGAS00001001615

• Drug screening and whole genome sequencing of primary cells and cell lines from ovarian cancer patients to associate genomic aberrations with in vitro drug sensitivities

  Identifying drugs for cancers with poor prognosis like ovarian cancer (OC) is hindered by inappropriate cell models and the limitations of current viability assays. We developed an automated confocal microscopy-based live cell assay (DeathPro) that robustly de-convolves cell death and proliferation over time by employing a specific image processing strategy. Using DeathPro, we screened nine OC patient-derived cell lines and one normal cell line (HOSEpiC) with 22 drugs or combinations. Whole genome was performed to analyze if the cell lines harbor OC-typical genomic aberrations and to relate genomic features to drug sensitivities. Commonly observed alterations in OC patients like TP53 mutations and MYC or PI3KCA amplifications were absent in the normal cell line but frequently detected in the OC cell lines. Moreover, genome-derived homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) scores of the OC cell lines correlated with their responses to carboplatin, olaparib and DNA demethylation drugs. Overall, we propose an imaging-based platform to guide drug development and genome-drug sensitivity analysis.

  Study EGAS00001002239

• GOSH_Childhood_Leukemia_Behjati_WellcomeCore_RNA

  Paediatric single-cell archival project This project is taking sequential samples of children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) between 2011 and the present day. Patients selected, are those that have done badly (e.g. had to escalate treatment, relapsed or died) despite having apparently ""good"" or ""intermediate"" risk cytogenetics, and often also had immunotherapy (e.g., the bi-specific T-cell engager blinatumomab) because of this. Using samples from key treatment-points, we hope to better characterise their disease and treatment response, to re-define understandings of risk for patients who did unexpectedly poorly. Additionally, we hope to define the disease/immunological factors that determine response to increasingly used immunotherapies within the field of paediatric B-ALL. Each of the samples will be viably frozen bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells. They will come in Eppendorf's, frozen and de-anonymised, from GOSH. We plan to primarily do single cell analysis (GEX, BCR +/-TCR), and then tumour-only WGS and bulk-RNA expression on left-over

  Study EGAS00001007616

• 3/7 Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: Finding Actionable Variation

  The goal of this study was to generate new therapeutic hypotheses by targeted sequencing of 161 genes most likely to harbor schizophrenia (SCZ) causal variants in multi-ancestry schizophrenia case-control cohorts. The gene panel was intended to contain putative SCZ risk genes, from within which, the majority of new discoveries from additional WES/WGS would come. To this end, we integrated current knowledge of the genetic architecture of SCZ (results from The Schizophrenia Exome Sequencing Meta-Analysis Consortium, or SCHEMA) and gene membership in gene sets that have been implicated in SCZ using a Bayesian framework. A total of 23,352 individuals selected to be non-overlapping with SCHEMA, as well as other previous and ongoing sequencing efforts in the field, were identified from over 20 individual study sites. Sequencing of the exonic regions of 161 prioritized genes was performed on the Ion Torrent platform in between June 2018 and April 2019. Sequencing plates were matched with respect to ancestry and case/control composition whenever possible. The average sequencing depth across all samples was 224x. Single sample calling was performed using Torrent Variant Caller v5.8.0, which is specially optimized to exploit the underlying flow signal information generated by the Ion Torrent sequencing. The schizophrenia case-control status was obtained from each original study site.

  Study phs003138

• Ischemic Stroke Genetics Study (ISGS)

  The third leading cause of death in the United States, stroke is an acute neurological event leading to death of neural tissues. Although the majority of strokes are ischemic strokes, meaning there is oxygen deprivation to the brain, almost 20% of strokes are hemorrhagic, resulting from bleeding into the brain. Stroke is a complex disorder and likely multigenic in nature, resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These well characterized risk factors that contribute to the incidence of stroke include hypertension, cardiac disease, sickle cell disease, hyperhomocysteinemia, family history of stroke and smoking. ISGS aim is to perform a prospective genetic association study of ischemic stroke focusing on the hemostatic system. ISGS is a 5-center case-control study of first-ever ischemic stroke cases and concurrent controls individually matched for age, sex and recruitment site. This data includes that from subjects both banked in the NINDS repository with biologicals publicly available, and those whose samples are not banked/not available. Important links to apply for individual-level data Data Use Certification Requirements (DUC) Apply here for controlled access to individual level data Participant Protection Policy FAQ --> This study utilized the NINDS Repository Cerebrovascular/Stroke Study, and neurologically normal controls from the sample population which are banked in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS Repository) collection for a first stage whole genome analysis.

  Study phs000102

• The Gene Partnership (TGP) - eMERGE Data

  The Gene Partnership (TGP) is a prospective longitudinal registry at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) to study the genetic and environmental contributions to childhood health and disease, collect genetic information on a large number of children who have been phenotyped, and implement the Informed Cohort and the Informed Cohort Oversight Board (ICOB). The term "The Gene Partnership" reflects a partnership between researchers and participants. Children seen at BCH are offered enrollment, as are their parents and siblings. DNA is collected on all enrollees. BCH has a comprehensive EMR system, and virtually all inpatient and outpatient data are captured electronically. Clinical data in the BCH EMR is loaded in the i2b2 data warehouse which is available to investigators. Cases, phenotypes, and covariates are ascertained using the i2b2 database. Participants at BCH in TGP have consented to receive any research result and/or incidental finding that arises from studies using TGP that is approved by the Informed Cohort Oversight Board (ICOB) and is in accordance with the participants' preferences; results are returned through the Personally Controlled Health Record (PCHR). BCH and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) have partnered as the Pediatric Alliance for Genomic and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Research (PAGER) site for the eMERGE Phase II network for pediatric institutions, and the cohort for eMERGE at BCH is TGP.

  Study phs000495

• Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Consortium (ADGC) Genome Wide Association Study -NIA Alzheimer's Disease Centers Cohort

  The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Alzheimer's Disease Centers (ADCs) cohort includes subjects ascertained and evaluated by the clinical and neuropathology cores of the 29 NIA-funded ADCs. Data collection is coordinated by the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). NACC coordinates collection of phenotype data from the 29 ADCs, cleans all data, coordinates implementation of definitions of AD cases and controls, and coordinates collection of samples. The ADC cohort consists of autopsy-confirmed and clinically-confirmed AD cases, and cognitively normal elders (CNEs) with complete neuropathology data who were older than 60 years at age of death, and living CNEs evaluated using the Uniform dataset (UDS) protocol who were documented to not have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and were between 60 and 100 years of age at assessment. ADCs sent frozen tissue from autopsied subjects and DNA samples from some autopsied subjects and from living subjects to the National Cell Repository for Alzheimer's Disease (NCRAD). DNA was prepared by NCRAD for genotyping and sent to the genotyping site at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. ADC samples were genotyped and analyzed in separate batches. [Reprinted from AC Naj et al. Common variants at MS4A4/MS4A6E, CD2AP, CD33 and EPHA1 are associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Nature Genetics 43, 436-441 (2011). doi:10.1038/ng.801. PMID: 21460841.]

  Study phs000372

• Analysis_of_genomic_integrity_of_disease_corrected_human_induced_pluripotent_stem_cells_by_exome_sequencing

  Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells hold great promise for autologous cell transplantation. In order to apply this therapy to monogenic disorder, disease-causing mutations must be corrected prior to transplantation. We generated iPS cells from patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which is caused by homozygous non-synonymous mutation in the SERPINA1 gene. In vitro differentiation of patient-derived iPS cells to hepatocytes showed recapitulation of the disease phenotype. We corrected the mutations by gene targeting using zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) and piggyBac transposon technologies. Our mutation correction is highly accurate. There is no exogenous sequence left behind at the targeted site. The corrected iPS cell-derived hepatocytes were indistinguishable from healthy hepatocyte, suggesting that the corrected gene was fully functional. The genomic integrity was also analyzed by CGH and SNP array, showing no genomic alterations. These are important points to ensure clinical safety as well as functional restoration of the corrected gene. One remaining question is if these corrected iPS cells are clinically safe at the single base-pair level. Recent publications suggested that cancer-related mutations are significantly accumulated during iPS cell propagation. We aim to assess the clinical safety of the corrected iPS cells by using exome sequencing. Outcome from this project would bring iPS cell technology one step closer to clinical applications.

  Study EGAS00001000055

• Structural variant analysis of homologous recombination-deficient genomes

  Homologous recombination (HR) deficiency causes DNA breaks and cytogenetic aberrations. Paradoxically, the types of DNA rearrangements specifically associated with HR-deficient cancers only minimally impact chromosomal structure. Addressing this, we combined a genome graph analysis of short-read whole genome sequencing (WGS) profiles across thousands of tumors with deep linked-read (LR) WGS of 46 BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutant breast cancers to discover a distinct class of HR deficiency-enriched rearrangements called reciprocal pairs. LR WGS showed that reciprocal pairs with identical rearrangement orientations gave rise to one of two distinct chromosomal outcomes, distinguishable only with long molecule data. While one (cis) outcome corresponded to the copy and pasting of a small segment to a distant site, a second (trans) outcome was a quasi-balanced translocation or multi-megabase inversion with substantial (10kb) duplications at each junction. The full spectrum of reciprocal pair outcomes could be explained by an HR-independent replication restart repair mechanism. LR WGS additionally identified single-strand annealing (SSA) as a BRCA2-deficiency specific repair pathway in human cancers. Replication restart- and SSA-associated SVs improved BRCA1- vs. BRCA2- deficiency classification and identified metastatic cancer cases with favorable chemotherapy responses. Our data reveal classes of BRCA1- and BRCA2-deficiency specific rearrangements as drivers of cytogenetic aberrations in HR deficient cells.

  Study EGAS00001007186

• Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade in mismatch-repair proficient colon cancers

  Immune checkpoint blockade has led to paradigm shifts in the treatment of various tumour types, yet limited efficacy has been observed in patients with metastatic mismatch-repair proficient (pMMR) colorectal cancer. Here we report an in-depth analysis of patients with early-stage pMMR colon cancer from the phase II NICHE study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03026140). A total of 31 patients received neoadjuvant treatment of nivolumab plus ipilimumab followed by surgery. The response rate was 26% and included six patients with a major pathological response (≤10% residual viable tumour). One patient with an ongoing clinical complete response did not undergo surgery. Responses were observed despite a low tumour mutational burden in all tumours, while chromosomal genomic instability scores were significantly higher in responders compared to non-responders. Responding tumours were more likely to be TP53 mutant, KRASG12 wildtype and had significantly higher baseline expression of proliferation signatures and TCF1. Imaging mass cytometry also revealed a higher percentage of Ki-67+ cancer and Ki-67+ CD8+ T cells in responders compared to non-responders. Meanwhile, in non-responders, we observed an enrichment for an inflamed-fibrotic microenvironment associated with TGF-β expression, hinting towards possible resistance mechanisms. These results provide a comprehensive analysis of response to neoadjuvant ICB in early-stage pMMR colon cancers and identify potential biomarkers for patient selection.

  Study EGAS50000000856

• Extracellular transcriptome in seminal plasma for non-invasive prostate cancer diagnosis

  A diagnostic non-invasive biomarker test for prostate cancer at an early stage, with high sensitivity and specificity, would improve diagnostic decision making. Extracellular RNAs present in seminal plasma might contain biomarker potential for the accurate detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. So far, the extracellular messenger RNA (mRNA) profile of seminal plasma has not been interrogated for its biomarker potential in the context of prostate cancer. Here, we investigate the mRNA transcriptome in seminal plasma samples obtained from prostate cancer patients (n=25), patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (n=26) and individuals without prostatic disease (n=6). Seminal plasma harbors a complex mRNA repertoire that reflects prostate as its tissue of origin. The endogenous RNA content is higher in the prostate cancer samples compared to the control samples. Prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3), a long non-coding RNA with prostate cancer-specific overexpression, and ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), known to be involved in the prostate cancer pathogenesis, were more abundant in the prostate cancer group. In addition, twelve high confidence fusion transcripts could be detected in prostate cancer samples, including the bona-fide prostate cancer fusion transcript TMPRSS2-ERG. Our findings provide proof-of-principle that the extracellular transcriptome of seminal plasma can reveal information of an underlying prostate cancer.

  Study EGAS00001005277

• Unraveling the transcriptomic profile of utero-tubal lavage fluid of ovarian cancer patients

  The majority of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage and have a high mortality rate. Current screening strategies fail to improve prognosis because markers of early stage disease are lacking. This medical need justifies the search for biomarkers enabling early detection of ovarian cancer. In this study, we explore the extracellular transcriptome of utero-tubal lavage fluid obtained from 26 ovarian cancer patients and 48 controls using messenger RNA (mRNA) capture and small RNA sequencing. Because of its contact with the fallopian tube and the ovaries, collection of utero-tubal lavage might be the preferred non-invasive method to identify localized lesions compared with analyses based on peripheral blood samples. We observed an enrichment of ovarian and fallopian tube specific messenger RNAs in utero-tubal lavage fluid compared to other human biofluids. Over 300 mRNAs and 41 miRNAs were upregulated in ovarian cancer samples compared with controls. Upregulated genes were enriched for genes involved in cell cycle activation and proliferation, hinting at a tumor derived signal. In conclusion, we provide proof-of-principle that mRNA capture sequencing of utero-tubal lavage fluid is technically feasible, and that the extracellular transcriptome of utero-tubal lavage should be further explored in larger cohorts to assess the diagnostic value of the biomarkers identified in this study.

  Study EGAS00001005498

• Cell-free DNA fragmentation patterns and personalized sequencing reveal circulating tumor DNA in urine and plasma of glioma patients

  Glioma-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is challenging to detect using liquid biopsy as levels in body fluids are low. We determined the glioma-derived DNA fractions in tumor biopsies, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma and urine samples, using deep sequencing of personalized capture panels. By sequencing cfDNA across thousands of mutations identified individually in each patient’s matched tumor we detected tumor-derived DNA in plasma (10/12) and urine samples (8/11). The median tumor fraction was 6.4x10-3 in CSF, 3.1x10-5 in plasma and 4.7x10-5 in urine. We identified a shift in the size distribution for mutant cfDNA fragments in these body fluids. Next, we analyzed cfDNA fragment sizes with paired-end shallow whole genome sequencing (WGS) in urine samples from 35 patients with gliomas, 8 individuals with non-malignant brain disorders, and 26 controls (n=69 individuals, 96 samples). cfDNA in urine of glioma patients was significantly more fragmented compared to urine from patients with non-malignant brain disorders (t-test, p=1.7x10-2) and compared to urine of controls (t-test, p=5.2x10-9). The proportion of DNA fragments <60 bp was higher in glioma patients urine and could be used for classification (AUC=0.93). Machine learning models integrating fragment lengths could identify urine samples from glioma patients (AUC=0.97 in cross-validation).

  Study EGAS00001004355