Multimodal cell-free DNA whole-genome TAPS is sensitive and reveals specific cancer signals
This study presents a methodology for detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using deep whole-genome TET-Assisted Pyridine Borane Sequencing (TAPS), a less destructive alternative to bisulphite sequencing. The method enables simultaneous analysis of genomic and methylomic data for multi-cancer detection and monitoring minimal residual disease. In a diagnostic accuracy study across various cancer types, it achieved 85.3% sensitivity and 88.8% specificity, with validation done using matched tumour biopsies. Additionally, in silico validation showed strong discrimination at low ctDNA levels. The approach also successfully tracks tumour burden and ctDNA shedding from precancerous lesions post-treatment, making it ready for further clinical testing.
Study
EGAS50000000715
The immunopeptidome landscape associated with T cell infiltration, inflammation and immune-editing in lung cancer
One key barrier for improving efficacy of cancer immunotherapy remains patient stratification. While patients with CD3+CD8+ T cell inflamed ‘hot’ tumors typically show better response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, it is still unknown if the repertoire of HLA bound peptides (HLAp) presented in ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ tumors is substantially different. We surveyed 61 tumor regions and adjacent non-malignant lung tissues from eight lung cancer patients and performed deep antigen discovery combining immunopeptidomics, genomics, bulk and spatial transcriptomics and explored the heterogenic expression and presentation of tumor (neo)antigens. We associated diverse immune cell populations with the immunopeptidome in CD3+CD8+ T cell excluded, infiltrated, hot and cold tumors and found evidence for lack of immune-editing and higher presentation efficiency of tumor antigens in cold and CD3+CD8+ T cell excluded tumors. This could have implications for the choice of combination therapies tailored to the patient’s mutanome and microenvironment.
Study
EGAS00001006298
IL-27 promotes tumour control by enhancing cytotoxic T cell function
Cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTL) are essential for anti-tumour immunity but are frequently dysfunctional in established tumours. Here, we show that expression of a CTL signature is strongly associated with IL-27 expression in diverse human and murine tumours. In mice, IL-27 acts directly on tumour-specific CTL to promote their persistence and effector function in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, treatment with inducible IL-27 overexpression or a half-life-extended IL-27 protein in vivo is well tolerated, induces regression of large established tumours, drives an enhanced cytotoxic program in anti-tumour CTL, and synergizes with PD-L1 blockade. In cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy, high expression of IL-27 is associated with improved clinical response. Finally, IL-27 increases cytotoxicity and limits terminal differentiation of human CD8+ T cells during chronic antigen exposure. Our data demonstrate that endogenous IL-27 is essential for anti-tumour immunity and that IL-27 receptor agonism can safely improve anti-tumor T cell responses alone or in combination with PD-L1 blockade.
Study
EGAS50000000694
Molecular landscape of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is an aggressive malignancy assumed to originate from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which mostly affects the skin, bone marrow and lymph nodes and sequentially other organ systems. We applied paired WES/RNA-seq combined with genome-wide copy-number analysis to characterize 47 BPDCN patients regarding mutational drivers, cytogenetic aberrations and gene-expression profiles.
Study
EGAS00001006166
CAGEKID: Cancer Genomics of the Kidney - Targeted Sequencing
The aim of CAGEKID is to carry out comprehensive detection of DNA markers for conventional (clear cell) renal carcinoma. The project includes complete analysis of somatic and constitutional DNA variation, methylation patterns and expression in a large number of constitutional/tumor pairs. CAGEKID is a part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium, ICGC.
Study
EGAS00001007004
Assessment of candidate high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma predisposition genes through integrated germline and tumour sequencing
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) has a significant hereditary component, only half of which is explained. Previously, we performed germline exome sequencing on BRCA1 and BRCA2-negative HGSOC patients, revealing three proposed and 43 novel candidate genes enriched with rare loss-of-function variants. For validation, we undertook case-control analyses using genomic data from disease-free controls. This confirms enrichment for nearly all previously identified genes. Additionally, one-hundred-and-eleven HGSOC tumours from variant carriers were sequenced alongside other complementary studies, seeking evidence of biallelic inactivation as supportive evidence. PALB2 and ATM validate as HGSOC predisposition genes, with 6/8 germline carrier tumours exhibiting biallelic inactivation accompanied by characteristic mutational signatures. Among candidate genes, only LLGL2 consistently shows biallelic inactivation and protein expression loss, supporting it as a novel HGSOC susceptibility gene. The remaining candidate genes fail to validate. Integrating case-control analyses with tumour sequencing is thus crucial for accurate gene discovery in familial cancer studies.
Study
EGAS50000000770
Case Report: Precision medicine target revealed by in-vitro modelling of relapsed, refractory ALL from a child with neurofibromatosis
Children with neurofibromatosis have a higher risk of developing juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia, but rarely develop B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL). Through in-vitro modelling, a novel NF1 p.L2467 frameshift (fs) mutation identified in a relapsed/refractory Ph-like B-ALL patient with neurofibromatosis demonstrated cytokine independence and increased RAS signalling, indicative of leukaemic transformation. Furthermore, these cells were sensitive to the MEK inhibitors trametinib and mirdametinib. Bi-allelic NF1 loss of function may be a contributing factor to relapse and with sensitivity to MEK inhibitors, suggests a novel precision medicine target in the setting of neurofibromatosis patients with B-ALL.
Study
EGAS00001006187
Targeted_sequencing_of_genes_recurrently_mutated_in_AML___part2
Genomic libraries will be generated from total genomic DNA derived from 4000 samples with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Libraries will be enriched for a selected panel of genes using a bespoke pulldown protocol. 64 Samples will be individually barcoded and subjected to up to one lanes of Illumina HiSeq. Paired reads will be mapped to build 37 of the human reference genome to facilitate the characterisation of known gene mutations in cancer as well as the validation of potentially novel variants identified by prior exome sequencing.
Study
EGAS00001000570
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
Clonal evolution and clinical implications of genetic abnormalities in blastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia
Blast crisis (BC) predicts dismal outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). We comprehensively investigated genetic abnormalities in 136 BC and 148 chronic phase (CP) samples obtained from 216 CML patients using exome and targeted sequencing.
Study
EGAS00001005075