7147 results for "canc*"

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• Genome-wide cell-free DNA biological patterns in patients with cancer

  The structure of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is altered in the blood of cancer patients. From whole genome sequencing we retrieved the cfDNA fragment-end composition using a new software (FrEIA), as well as the cfDNA size and tumor fraction in three independent cohorts (n=925 cancer from >10 types and 321 control samples). At 95% specificity, we detect 72% of cancer samples using at least one cfDNA measure, including 64% of early-stage cancer (n=220). cfDNA detection correlates with a shorter overall (p=0.018) and recurrence-free (p=0.006) survival in patients with resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma. Integrating cfDNA measures with machine learning in an independent test set (n=396 cancer, 90 controls) achieve a detection accuracy of 82% and AUROC of 96%. In conclusion, harnessing the biological features of cfDNA can improve at no-extra cost the diagnostic performance of liquid biopsies.

  Study EGAS00001007400

• SMARCB1 loss activates patient-specific distal oncogenic enhancers in malignant rhabdoid tumors

  Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is a highly malignant and often lethal childhood cancer. MRTs are genetically defined by bi-allelic inactivating mutations in SMARCB1, a member of the BRG1/BRM-associated factors (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex. Mutations in BAF complex members are common in human cancer, yet their contribution to tumorigenesis remains in many cases poorly understood. Here, we studied derailed regulatory landscapes as a consequence of SMARCB1 loss in the context of MRT. Our multi-omics approach on patient-derived MRT organoids revealed a dramatic reshaping of the regulatory landscape upon SMARCB1 reconstitution. Chromosome conformation capture experiments subsequently revealed patient-specific looping of distal enhancer regions with the promoter of the MYC oncogene. This intertumoral heterogeneity in MYC enhancer utilization is also present in patient MRT tissues as shown by combined single-cell RNA-seq and ATAC-seq. We show that loss of SMARCB1 drives patient-specific epigenetic reprogramming underlying MRT tumorigenesis.

  Study EGAS00001007590

• Metabolic profiling of patient-derived organoids reveals nucleotide synthesis as a metabolic vulnerability in malignant rhabdoid tumors

  Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is one of the most aggressive childhood cancers for which no effective treatment options are available. Reprogramming of cellular metabolism is an important hallmark of cancer, with various metabolism-based drugs being approved cancer treatment. In this study, we use patient derived tumor organoids (tumoroids) to map the metabolic landscape of several pediatric cancers. Combining gene expression analyses and metabolite profiling using mass spectrometry, we find nucleotide biosynthesis to be a particular vulnerability of MRT. Treatment of MRT tumoroids with de novo nucleotide synthesis inhibitors lowers nucleotide levels in MRT tumoroids and induces apoptosis. Lastly, we demonstrate invivo efficacy of methotrexate in an MRT PDX mouse model. Our study revealsnucleotide biosynthesis as an MRT-specific metabolic vulnerability, which can ultimately lead to better treatment options for children suffering from this lethal pediatric malignancy.

  Study EGAS00001007877

• Genome-wide association study identifies common variants associated with breast cancer in South African Black women

  Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have characterized the contribution of common variants to the development of breast cancer (BC) in populations of European descent, however no GWAS have been reported in resident African populations. This GWAS included 2,485 resident African BC cases and 1,101 population matched controls. Two risk loci were identified, one on chromosome 15, located between UNC13C and RAB27A (rs7181788, p = 1.01x10-08) and a second in an intron of USP22 on chromosome 17 (rs899342, p = 4.62x10-08). RAB27A is a member of the RAS oncogene family associated with invasive growth and metastasis, and UNC13C is involved in tumor progression. The rs899342 SNP is an eQTL for expression of USP22 in a wide range of tissues. Several genome-wide significant signals were detected in a hormone receptor subtype analysis. Comparison of a meta-analysis of other African ancestry BC GWAS datasets predominantly of West African ancestry with our South African data showed limited evidence of shared risk loci, suggesting potential heterogeneity in genetic risk factors for breast cancer in different African populations. A European ancestry derived polygenic risk model for BC was applied to our data, explaining only 0.79% of variance, with an area under the curve of 0.56. This study identified genetic risk factors for BC in a resident African population, but larger studies in this and other African populations are needed to further define the contribution of common variants to BC risk.

  Study EGAS00001008032

• Cancer of Low survival and UnMet Need – Pathologist Initiated

  Despite significant advances in diagnostic cancer histopathology, a subset of tumors remain unable to be classified using WHO criteria. The resulting diagnostic uncertainty can result in inappropriate clinical management and negative patient outcomes. We investigated whether combining histopathology with whole genome and transcriptome sequencing (WGTS) could improve the classification of tumors that posed diagnostic dilemmas despite extensive histopathology and standard molecular work-up at a quaternary oncology center. We successfully sequenced 45 tumors from an initial set of 54 unclassified tumors (83% success rate). A confident diagnosis was made for 38/45 tumors (84%). Additionally, potential treatment targets were identified in 21/45 tumors (47%). Theoretical comparison with alternative assays demonstrated that WGTS was uniquely capable of detecting critical diagnostic findings in 15/38 tumors (39%). This work supports augmenting histopathology and standard molecular pathology with WGTS in the classification of difficult-to-diagnose tumors.

  Study EGAS00001008112

• Sequencing data from MethylScan assay on plasma

  Machine learning models in biomedical research are often hindered by demographic imbalances in clinical datasets, leading to biased predictions that disadvantage minority populations. Existing bias correction methods face limitations in handling the heterogeneity of biomedical data and the complexity of demographic influences. Here, we present DeBias, a computational framework for mitigating demographic biases in high-dimensional biomedical datasets. DeBias eliminates bias-associated subspaces within the entire feature space using control samples and enables global bias correction across all features, effectively preserving disease-specific signals while minimizing demographic distortions. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we applied DeBias to cfDNA methylation data for cancer detection. It achieved a >6-fold reduction in the number of features containing biases and outperformed existing methods in improving the cancer detection performance for minority populations. Our method represented a promising step toward developing machine learning models that are more accurate, reliable, and equitable for minority populations.

  Study EGAS00001008127

• Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling of hormone-naïve localised prostate cancer

  Localised prostate cancers (PCa) are heterogeneous and multifocal, with diverse outcomes. Current prognostic methods are epithelium-centric, overlooking the complex cellular landscape within the tumour microenvironment (TME), which remains incompletely characterised. We performed a comprehensive analysis of cancerous and adjacent-benign cores from 24 patients with hormone therapy-naïve localised PCa using single-cell RNA-sequencing. By integrating copy number variation and transcriptional signatures, we classified epithelial cells across a malignant spectrum, revealing widespread molecular perturbation. We found an expansion of Club cell phenotypes, suggestive of Luminal dedifferentiation. We also performed a detailed annotation of stromal phenotypes, focusing on fibroblasts, and identified a novel peri-neural fibroblast population. Spatial transcriptomics elucidated the precise anatomical distribution of CAFs within the PCa TME. This study provides a valuable foundation for advancing our understanding of PCa pathobiology and developing a comprehensive cellular model of the disease.

  Study EGAS00001008332