16787 results for "sec+and+unspecified+malignant+neoplasm"

in 20.78 milliseconds.

• Genetic and Microenvironmental Analysis of Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma

  This study enrolled 129 patients diagnosed with PTCL, comprising 94 cases of nTFHL and 35 cases of PTCL-NOS. Whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were performed using DNA and RNA of sufficient quality extracted from their tumor specimens. WES was conducted for all 129 cases, while RNA-seq was performed on 57 tumor samples.

  Study EGAS50000001258

• Circulating cell-free DNA methylation profiling for detection, distinction, and estrogen receptor status classification of advanced breast cancer

  We developed cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation signatures for minimally invasive breast cancer detection, distinction, and estrogen receptor (ER) status classification with cell-free Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation and Sequencing (cfMeDIP-seq). We profiled peripheral blood plasma from 87 patients with mBC spanning ER-positive/HER2-negative (ER+/HER2-), HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

  Study EGAS50000001675

• Whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing of primary cutaneous CD8+ aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma

  Primary cutaneous CD8+ aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma (pcAECyTCL) is a rare variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with an aggressive clinical course and a very poor prognosis. We subjected tumor biopsies from patients with pcAECyTCL to whole-genome sequencing and RNA-sequencing to investigate genomic alterations and deregulated gene expression in the disease.

  Study EGAS00001004332

• Multiple esclerosis and mixed microbial infections

  This Project deals with the sequencing of ITS1 region, which is highly variable both in length and in nucleotide sequence for different yeast using yeast-specific primers ITS1 and ITS2. A total of 19 samples involving different brain regions from patients with different conditions were analysed. Of these, 10 are controls-healthy patients and 9 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

  Study EGAS00001002957

• Evolutionary analysis of pancreatic neoplastic cysts through whole-exome and targeted sequencing

  Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) are non-invasive neoplasms that are often observed in association with invasive pancreatic cancers, but their origins and evolutionary relationships are poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed 148 samples from IPMNs, MCNs, and small associated invasive carcinomas from 18 patients using whole exome or targeted sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001004473

• RNA-Seq and small RNA-Seq of tuberous sclerosis complex cortical tubers and age-matched controls.

  This dataset contains both standard RNA-Seq and small RNA-Seq of TSC related cortical tubers and age matched cortical controls. For the standard RNA-Seq paired-end sequencing was carried out. Each sample was split across multiple lanes. For the files available here the multiple lanes have been merged together, resulting in one forward and one reverse .fastq file for each sample. Small RNA-Seq was carried out on the same samples that underwent standard RNA-Seq. Again paired-end sequencing was carried out. The files here are raw and will need to be undergo quality control and trimming.

  Dataset EGAD00001003444

• Transcriptomic analysis of TFEB overexpression in LT-HSC, ST-HSC and MEP

  Long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSC), Short-term hematopietic stem cells (ST-HSC) and Megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors (MEP) were sorted from human cord blood and cultured overnight before transduction with lentivirus to overexpress GP91 (CTRL) or TFEB. Three (LT-HSC ans ST-HSC) or six (MEP) days later, BFP+ transduced cells were sorted for RNA extraction and sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001004969

• Whole-Exome Sequences from Imazighen and non-Imazghen from Algeria

  Study of high-coverage whole-exome sequences from Amazigh (Tamazight-speakers) and non-Amazigh individuals (Arab-speakers) from Algeria to analyze the impact of demography in functional genomic variation in the complex demographic context of North Africa. Amazigh individuals were sampled in Oum El Bouaghi, Batna, Khenchela, and Ghardaïa, and non-Amazigh individuals were sampled in Algiers.

  Study EGAS00001007236

• Preeclampsia InterPregGen Consortium: Whole Genome Sequencing of 100 unrelated Kazakhs (DNA samples from the Scientific Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Gulnara Svyatova, Principal Investigator

  Whole genome sequencing of 100 unrelated Kazakhs in order to impute genotypes into PE cases and controls from Kazakhstan and to provide genetic data and infrastructure for future genetic studies in Kazakhstan and Central Asia more generally and to fill a gap in worldwide information as Central Asia is not adequately represented in available genomic data. This dataset is one component of the InterPregGen FP7 project. DNA samples for this component were collected by InterPregGen Consortium collaborators at the Scientific Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Almaty, Kazakhstan (Gulnara Svyatova, Principal Investigator)

  Dataset EGAD00001005467

• TS and WGS data

  The dataset contains the targeted sequencing (TS) and the whole genome low pass (WGS) BAM files of the study. For the TS: Samples: TS_XXX There are normal and tumor DNA samples. Each DNA strand has been sequenced independently (PoolA and PoolB). A TruSeq Custom Amplicon panel of 20 genes frequently mutated in ILC and/or ER-positive BC in general was designed using DesignStudio from Illumina: AKT1, ARID1A, CDH1, ERBB2, ERBB3, ESR1, FOXA1, GATA3, IGF1R, JAK2, MAP2K4, MAP3K1, NF1, PIK3CA, PTEN, RB1, RUNX1, STAT3, TBX3, and, TP53. For the WGS: Samples: WGS_XXX There are normal and tumor DNA samples. Samples were sequenced to an average target coverage of 0.5X.

  Dataset EGAD00001006393

• Acral Melanoma PDXs from the admixed Brazilian Population - Tumour and unfiltered PDX sample CRAM files - RNAseq

  Patient Derived Xenograft RNAseq sample CRAM files mapped to build GRCh38. Acral melanoma (AM) is an aggressive melanoma subtype with limited therapeutic options and poor outcomes. In non-European descent and admixed populations, like in Latin America, it can account for a significant proportion of cutaneous melanoma cases. Here, we performed comprehensive genomic and functional profiling of AM from a uniquely diverse Brazilian cohort. Whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing was performed on both tumours and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) samples. The PDX were obtained from a comprehensive collection of patient-derived xenograft (AM-PDX) models that we established which faithfully retained the histopathological and genomic features of the original tumours.

  Dataset EGAD00001015742

• Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics - Underserved Populations (RADx-UP): COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Social Network Diffusion for Diverse Criminal Legal Involved Communities

  This RADx-UP Phase II proposal, "Social network diffusion of COVID-19 prevention for diverse Criminal Legal Involved Communities", will implement a situation appropriate COVID-19 testing and vaccination social network diffusion intervention - C3 - building upon RADx-UP Phase I lessons and successful social network prevention interventions developed previously by the research team. C3 Criminal Legal Involved (CLI) populations encompass those non-incarcerated who have experienced recent arrest, incarceration, probation, parole or diversion programs such as drug courts. While increases in COVID-19 testing have been observed among this group, there remain members with limited testing history as well as individuals who are vaccine hesitant. COVID-19 prevention messaging can no longer be simplified to "everyone test and/or everyone vaccinate" as testing and vaccination decisions among community members are sensitive to personal histories (i.e., prior infection), local infection rates (i.e., low rates) and testing/vaccination availability. As COVID-19 prevention efforts have become more complicated (i.e., test if exposed), people tend to focus on the messenger, and particularly those that are close to them. Personal connections and communications within existing personal network structures, such as families, friends and other trusted acquaintances represent the cornerstone to increase situation appropriate testing and overcoming COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. C3 builds upon RADx-UP I, by using a network diffusion approach facilitated through motivational interviewing purposefully geared to mobilize one's own organic social network to increase context appropriate testing and vaccine uptake. Through this process we will maximize the primary benefit and impact of this type of intervention which also has the intended effect of increasing likelihood that the messenger themselves will undergo the same behavior change that they have been trained to promote. We will leverage infrastructure developed in RADx-UP Phase I, which includes 4 high-impact sites across the Central US from Phase I: Baton Rouge LA, Little Rock AR, Indianapolis IN, and Chicago IL. We will utilize established engagement efforts already in place and continue to fully integrate communities in the strategic application of the intervention. We will use the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework to guide implementation. C3 aims to: Aim 1a. Test the efficacy (3-month situation appropriate testing or vaccination) of a network diffusion intervention (C3) versus an existing COVID-19 testing and vaccine linkage to care intervention among: 1) primary study participants (primary outcome); and 2) secondary study participants connected to primary participants (secondary outcome) using a RCT design. Aim 1b. Explore the mechanisms for differential intervention effects at the individual and network-level that may increase situation appropriate testing and/or vaccination uptake. Aim 2. Examine key RE-AIM components in real time tied to the implementation of the network diffusion intervention (C3).

  Study phs003234

• Multimodal Immune Profiling to Determine Mechanisms of COVID-19 Clinical Trajectory in Uganda

  We conducted a prospective cohort study of adults (RESERVE-U-C19) admitted to Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH), a national COVID-19 referral center, across three viral variant-driven phases of the pandemic in Uganda. In this cohort, which reflects the entire spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we integrated clinical data with serum proteomics (N=306) and whole-blood transcriptomics (N=100) to determine a range of host responses associated with COVID-19 severity, SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection, and circulating viral variants. Beyond the prognostic importance of myeloid cell-driven immune activation and lymphopenia, we show that multifaceted impairment of host protein synthesis and extensive redox imbalance define core metabolic signatures of severe COVID-19, with central roles for IL-7, IL-15, and lymphotoxin-α in COVID-19 respiratory failure. While prognostic signatures were generally consistent in SARS-CoV-2/HIV-coinfection, type I interferon responses uniquely scaled with COVID-19 severity in persons living with HIV. Throughout the pandemic, COVID-19 severity peaked during phases dominated by A.23/A.23.1 and Delta B.1.617.2/AY variants, with Delta phase COVID-19 distinguished by exaggerated pro-inflammatory myeloid cell and inflammasome activation, NK and CD8+ T-cell depletion, impaired host protein synthesis, and upregulation of viral cell entry and trafficking pathways. Data from this study available through dbGaP include raw RNA-Seq data from whole-blood of adult participants (N=100).

  Study phs003246

• NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) De Novo Mutation Identification in Taiwanese Schizophrenia Trios

  The substantial reproductive impact of schizophrenia, for which affected individuals have fewer than half as many offspring as unaffected individuals do, implies that mutations of largest effect will frequently be de novo mutations. Ascertaining exome sequence variation in father-mother-offspring trios allows such mutations to be identified and distinguished from the far-larger amount of rare variation that is inherited by each individual. The pursuit of this approach in a large, well-powered cohort of trios can also provide lessons that inform the development of such gene discovery strategies more generally in human genetics. Schizophrenia trios from the Taiwanese population are being collected by Dr. Ming Tsuang (PI, UC San Diego, California) and investigators in Taiwan (PI, Dr. Hai Gwo Hwu; both funded by NIMH grant 1R01MH085560; Expanding Rapid Ascertainment Networks of Schizophrenia Families in Taiwan). A total of 3800 trios are anticipated to be collected by May 2013. This represents a highly homogenous national sample from the same ancestral population. DNA samples will be obtained from the NIMH Repository, Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository (described below) and stored at the Broad Institute. Genetic and data analyses will be performed at the Broad Institute. We propose to sequence the whole exome of trios by hybrid capture and Illumina next generation sequencing and perform targeted genotyping and validation of variants (SNPs, indels and CNVs) using several molecular methods, to include emulsion-based PCR and Sanger sequencing.

  Study phs001196

• Enrichment of Lung Microbiome with Supraglottic Taxa which is Associated with Increased Pulmonary Inflammation

  Background: The lung microbiome of healthy individuals frequently harbors oral organisms. Despite evidence that micro-aspiration is commonly associated with smoking-related lung diseases, the effects of lung microbiome enrichment with upper airway taxa on inflammation has not been studied. We hypothesize that the presence of oral microorganisms in the lung microbiome is associated with enhanced pulmonary inflammation. Methods: We sampled bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from the lower airways of 29 asymptomatic subjects (9 never-smokers, 14 former-smokers and 6 current-smokers). We quantified, amplified, and sequenced 16S rRNA genes from BAL samples by qPCR and 454 sequencing. Pulmonary inflammation was assessed by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), BAL lymphocytes and neutrophils. Results: BAL had lower total 16S than supraglottic samples and higher than saline background. Bacterial communities in the lower airway clustered in two distinct groups that we designated as pneumotypes. The rRNA gene concentration and microbial community of the first pneumotype was similar to that of the saline background. The second pneumotype had higher rRNA gene concentration and higher relative abundance of supraglottic-characteristic taxa (SCT), such as Veillonella and Prevotella, and we called it pneumotypeSCT. Smoking had no effect on pneumotype allocation, alpha or beta diversity. PneumotypeSCT was associated with higher BAL lymphocyte-count (p = 0.007), BAL neutrophil-count (p = 0.034) and eNO (p = 0.022). Conclusion: A pneumotype with high relative abundance of supraglottic-characteristic taxa is associated with enhanced subclinical lung inflammation.

  Study phs000633

• Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing for Genetic Disease Diagnosis in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

  Monogenic diseases are frequent causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and disease presentations are often undifferentiated at birth. More than 3,500 monogenic diseases have been characterized, but clinical testing is available for only some of them and many feature clinical and genetic heterogeneity. As such, an immense unmet need exists for improved molecular diagnosis in infants. Because disease progression is extremely rapid, albeit heterogeneous, in newborns, molecular diagnoses must occur quickly to be relevant for clinical decision-making. We describe 50-hour differential diagnosis of genetic disorders by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) that features automated bioinformatic analysis and is intended to be a prototype for use in neonatal intensive care units. Retrospective 50-hour WGS identified known molecular diagnoses in two children. Prospective WGS disclosed potential molecular diagnosis of a severe GJB2-related skin disease in one neonate; BRAT1-related lethal neonatal rigidity and multifocal seizure syndrome in another infant, identified BCL9L as a novel, recessive visceral heterotaxy gene (HTX6) in a pedigree, and ruled out known candidate genes in one infants. Sequencing of parents or affected siblings expedited the identification of disease gene in prospective cases. Thus, rapid WGS can potentially broaden and foreshorten differential diagnosis, resulting in fewer empirical treatments and faster progression to genetic and prognostic counseling. Reprinted from Saunders et. al, Rapid Whole-Genome Sequencing for Genetic Disease Diagnosis in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Sci. Transl. Med. 4, 154ra135 (2012; PMID: 23035047) with permission from AAAS.

  Study phs000564

• LCLF1.0 Data

  In this study, we investigated ad libitum food intake of 20 healthy adult volunteers who each completed a 4-week stay at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During their stay, they consumed a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet and a low-fat, high-carbohydrate (LFHC) diet for 2 weeks each, in random order. We collected information about energy intake and metabolic changes in response to the two test diets. The test diets were presented to subjects in amounts exceeding their daily energy requirements, and subjects were instructed to eat as much or as little of each diet as desired. This study implemented 7-day rotating menus for each test diet. The diets were matched for presented calories and protein, but the LCHF diet was low in carbohydrate (~10% of calories) and high in fat (~75% of calories) whereas the LFHC diet was high in carbohydrates (~75% of calories) and low in fat (~10% of calories). The two test diets had a common foundation of vegetables with low amounts of digestible carbohydrates such as lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, zucchini, tomato, asparagus, broccoli, peppers, brussels sprouts, and green beans. The LCHF diet included meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and nuts. The LFHC diet included legumes, rice, root vegetables, soy products, corn, lentils, peas, whole grains, bread, and fruit. The test diets were designed using a standard computerized nutrition database, and blood samples were collected from the subjects.

  Study phs003187

• Identification of RNA biomarkers in Parkinson's disease patients

  Parkinson?s disease (PD) is an age-related, chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons and subsequent motor symptoms. These overt motor symptoms are often preceded by prodromal non-motor symptoms. Though a number of genetic and environmental factors have been identified to play a role in PD, more exact methods for both diagnosing and assessing prognosis are yet to be discovered. By analyzing the transcriptome of early-stage PD patients, this study aims to identify genes (including important non-coding RNAs) and pathways altered at disease onset that may be used as novel biomarkers for PD diagnosis as well as potential new drug targets. The study consists of three main sources of data: first year blood transcriptomes, second year blood transcriptome and matched neural stem cell (NSC)/neuron transcriptomes. All transcriptome libraries were synthesized and sequenced using no-amplification non-tagging cap analysis of gene expression (nAnT-iCAGE) on the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Resulting data was mapped to the human genome annotation (hg38), processed CAGE tags were clustered ready for differential expression analyses. First year blood sequencing consisted of 22 PD patients and 10 healthy controls across four lanes. In the second year, a further four lanes were sequenced containing 17 PD patients (12 patients from the first year and 5 new patients) along with 10 healthy controls and 5 first year blood samples matching the new second year patients.

  Study JGAS000119

• Diagnostic Genomic Analysis is Prognostic in AYA ALL Patients Treated on a MRD-Stratified Paediatric Protocol

  Background: Over the last decade, next generation sequencing has enabled classification of multiple new recurrent genomic drivers of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We provide a comprehensive genomic survey of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients treated on the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) ALL06 study. ALL06 clinical trial described the efficacy and tolerability of AYA ALL patients aged 15-39 years treated on a single minimal residual disease (MRD)-stratified platform. In this study we have taken the ALL06 cohort and retrospectively performed comprehensive genomic analyses assessing response of AYA patients with various genomic subtypes treated with a paediatric approach. Methods: Genomic risk classification of B- and T-ALL patients (n=57) enrolled to the study was based on mRNA-Sequencing, MLPA, immunophenotyping and cytogenetics. Results: Using this approach, 36/40 (90%) B- and 13/17 (76.5%) T-ALL patients were classified according to genomic risk. We have linked outcome data with each patient’s genomic risk and found a strong correlation between adverse genomic risk and MRD at the end of consolidation, translating to inferior overall and relapse free survival. Patients with adverse risk genomics who achieved negative MRD status had improved responses compared to those with persistent MRD. Patients with standard risk genomics had excellent responses regardless of their MRD status. Conclusion: Our data argue strongly for incorporation of a genomic risk classification into future ALL treatment paradigms at the time of diagnosis.

  Study EGAS50000000752

• Evolution of the African pygmy phenotype

  The evolutionary history of the human ‘pygmy’ phenotype (small body size), a characteristic of African and Southeast Asian rainforest hunter-gatherers, is largely unknown. Here we use a genome-wide admixture mapping analysis to identify 16 genomic regions that are significantly associated with the pygmy phenotype in the Batwa, a rainforest hunter-gatherer population from Uganda (East Central Africa). The identified genomic regions have multiple attributes that provide supporting evidence of genuine association with the pygmy phenotype, including enrichments for SNPs previously associated with stature variation in Europeans and for genes with growth hormone receptor and regulation functions. To test adaptive evolutionary hypotheses we computed the haplotype-based iHS statistic and the level of population differentiation (FST) between the Batwa and their agricultural neighbors, the Bakiga, for each SNP. Both |iHS| and FST values were significantly higher for SNPs within the Batwa pygmy phenotype-associated regions than the remainder of the genome, a signature of polygenic adaptation. In contrast, when we expanded our analysis to include Baka rainforest hunter-gatherers from Cameroon and Gabon (West Central Africa) and Nzebi and Nzime neighboring agriculturalists, we did not observe elevated |iHS| or FST values in these genomic regions. Together, these results suggest adaptive and at least partially convergent origins of the pygmy phenotype even within Africa, supporting the hypothesis that small body size confers a selective advantage for tropical rainforest hunter-gatherers but raising questions about the antiquity of this behavior.

  Study EGAS00001000908

• Whole exome sequencing of an invasive diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma sampled from different sites

  The lateral ventricle subventricular zone (SVZ) is a frequent site of high-grade glioma (HGG) spread and tumor invasion of the SVZ is a predictor of a worse clinical prognosis. A range of HGG types invade the stem cell niche of the SVZ, including both adult glioblastoma and pediatric high-grade gliomas such as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating this frequent invasion of the SVZ are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that neural precursor cell (NPC):glioma cell communication underpins the propensity of glioma to colonize the SVZ. SVZ NPCs secrete chemoattractant signals toward which glioma cells home. Biochemical and proteomic analyses of factors secreted by SVZ NPCs revealed a discrete list of candidate proteins. Necessity and sufficiency testing implicated the neurite outgrowth-promoting factor pleiotrophin, along with three required binding partners (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), SPARC-like protein 1, and heat shock protein 90B), as key mediators of this chemoattractant effect. Pleiotrophin protein expression is strongly enriched in the SVZ, and knockdown of pleiotrophin expression starkly reduced glioma invasion of the SVZ in the adult murine brain. Pleiotrophin, in complex with the three binding partners, activated the Rho/ROCK pathway in DIPG cells, and inhibition of ROCK resulted in decreased DIPG invasion toward SVZ neural precursor cell-secreted factors. These findings demonstrate a pathogenic role for neural precursor cell – glioma interactions and potential therapeutic targets to limit glioma invasion.

  Study EGAS00001002326

• RB1 Gene Inactivation by Chromothripsis in Human Retinoblastoma

  Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer of the developing retina. Most retinoblastomas initiate with biallelic inactivation of the RB1 gene through diverse mechanisms including point mutations, nucleotide insertions, deletions, loss of heterozygosity and promoter hypermethylation. Recently, a novel mechanism of retinoblastoma initiation was proposed. Gallie and colleagues discovered that a small proportion of retinoblastomas lack RB1 mutations and had MYCN amplification [1]. In this study, we identified recurrent chromosomal, regional and focal genomic lesions in 94 primary retinoblastomas with their matched normal DNA using SNP 6.0 chips. We also analyzed the RB1 gene mutations and compared the mechanism of RB1 inactivation to the recurrent copy number variations in the retinoblastoma genome. In addition to the previously described focal amplification of MYCN and deletions in RB1 and BCOR, we also identified recurrent focal amplification of OTX2, a transcription factor required for retinal photoreceptor development. We identified 10 retinoblastomas in our cohort that lacked RB1 point mutations or indels. We performed whole genome sequencing on those 10 tumors and their corresponding germline DNA. In one of the tumors, the RB1 gene was unaltered, the MYCN gene was amplified and RB1 protein was expressed in the nuclei of the tumor cells. In addition, several tumors had complex patterns of structural variations and we identified 3 tumors with chromothripsis at the RB1 locus. This is the first report of chromothripsis as a mechanism for RB1 gene inactivation in cancer.

  Study EGAS00001000598

• Tissue-specific mutation accumulation in human adult stem cells during life

  Gradual accumulation of mutations in human adult stem cells during life is associated with various age-related diseases, including cancer. The number of stem cell divisions throughout life is believed to be a major determinant for mutation accumulation and could explain the extreme variation of cancer incidence across different organs. Yet, mutation patterns and rates of healthy adult stem cells remain unknown. Here, we determined genome-wide mutation patterns in primary adult stem cells of the small intestine, colon and liver of human donors with ages ranging from 3 to 87 years. We find that the number of mutations increases linearly with age up to several thousand mutations per cell at 87 years of age, while mutation spectra remain constant throughout life. Small intestine and colon stem cells have a 2-fold higher mutation rate per year compared with liver stem cells. These differences could be exclusively attributed to the mutagenic action of spontaneous deamination of cytosine residues and may reflect the high stem cell division rate in these tissues. The genomic distribution of somatic mutations is non-random and predominantly associated with DNA replication dynamics in the small intestine and colon, and with transcription in the liver. These results indicate that a stable balance between various mutagenic and DNA repair processes is maintained throughout life and that the activity of these processes in adult stem cells varies between tissues.

  Study EGAS00001001682

• UK10K COHORT TWINSUK

  The UK10K project proposes 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 directly analyse 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 TwinsUK samples will be part of the cohort study and will undergo whole genome sequencing. For further information with regard to this cohort please contact Brent Richards (brent.richards@kcl.ac.uk) or Nicole Soranzo (ns6@sanger.ac.uk).

  Study EGAS00001000108

• Targets of MEK inhibition in DIPG

  The survival of children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) remains dismal, with new treatments desperately needed. In the era of precision medicine, targeted therapies represent an exciting treatment opportunity, yet resistance can rapidly emerge, playing an important role in treatment failure. In a prospective biopsy-stratified clinical trial, we combined detailed molecular profiling (methylation BeadArray, exome, RNAseq, phospho-proteomics) linked to drug screening in newly-established patient-derived models of DIPG in vitro and in vivo. We identified a high degree of in vitro sensitivity to the MEK inhibitor trametinib in samples which harboured genetic alterations targeting the MAPK pathway, including the non-canonical BRAF_G469V mutation, and those affecting PIK3R1 and NF1. However, treatment of PDX models and of a patient with trametinib at relapse failed to elicit a significant response. We generated trametinib-resistant clones in the BRAF_G469V model through continuous drug exposure, and identified acquired mutations in MEK1/2 (MEK1_K57N, MEK1_I141S and MEK2_I115N) with sustained pathway up-regulation. These cells showed the hallmarks of mesenchymal transition, and expression signatures overlapping with inherently trametinib-insensitive primary patient-derived cells that predicted an observed sensitivity to dasatinib. Combinations of trametinib with dasatinib and the downstream ERK inhibitor ulixertinib showed highly synergistic effects in vitro. These data highlight the MAPK pathway as a therapeutic target in DIPG, and show the importance of parallel resistance modelling and rational combinatorial treatments likely to be required for meaningful clinical translation.

  Study EGAS00001004495