7297 results for "canc*"

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• Sperm sequencing reveals extensive positive selection in the human germline -TargetedNanoSeq

  Mutations that occur during human ageing in the cell lineages of sperm or eggs have the potential to be transmitted to offspring. In males, positive selection of driver mutations during spermatogenesis is known to increase the birth prevalence of certain developmental disorders and cancer predisposition syndromes. However, direct observation of the scope of this selection in sperm has been limited by the error rates of sequencing technologies. Using the duplex sequencing method known as NanoSeq, we sequenced bulk sperm samples from individuals aged 24 to 75 years. Our findings revealed a linear accumulation mutations per year and mutational signatures consistent with pedigree studies. Deep targeted and deep exome NanoSeq of sperm samples identified genes subject to significant positive selection in the male germline, which are linked to diverse cellular pathways including RAS/MAPK and BMP signaling. Strikingly, nearly all positively selected genes are associated with developmental or cancer predisposition disorders in children. We find that this effect drives an elevated risk of known likely disease-causing mutations in sperm across a wide age range. This implies that the disorders attributed to these genes likely exhibit elevated birth prevalence in human populations, particularly among older fathers. These findings shed light on the dynamics of germline mutations and highlight an increased disease risk for children born to fathers of advanced age.

  Dataset EGAD00001015591

• RNAseq of human breast cancer tumors from the PEARL study

  Formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded human breast cancer tumor samples had RNA extracted using the Thermo Scientific KingFisher Flex instrument and the Applied Biosystems MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit; Total RNA libraries were created using the Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform and the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA Library Prep Gold Kit; libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 machine using a 2x50 bp paired-end configuration to target a read depth of 120 million clusters per library.

  Dataset EGAD00001015613

• RNA-seq dataset of Characterization of UV DNA damage in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  Extensive characterization of mutational signature SBS7a in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples. We aimed to describe the presentation of SBS7a in BCP-ALL, identify other pediatric cancers presenting with SBS7a, look into the link of SBS7a and UV-light in the context of BCP-ALL and cancers with provable UV exposure, and pinpoint when SBS7a was acquired.

  Dataset EGAD00001015598

• WGS dataset of Characterization of UV DNA damage in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  Extensive characterization of mutational signature SBS7a in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples. We aimed to describe the presentation of SBS7a in BCP-ALL, identify other pediatric cancers presenting with SBS7a, look into the link of SBS7a and UV-light in the context of BCP-ALL and cancers with provable UV exposure, and pinpoint when SBS7a was acquired.

  Dataset EGAD00001015599

• WGS dataset of Characterization of UV DNA damage in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  We characterized B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) patients that present with the mutational signature SBS7a. We found clear subtype specificity, but presence of SBS7a did not seem linked to heterogeneity within subtypes. To further distinguish the incidence of SBS7a in pediatric cancer we analyzed a pan-cancer WGS cohort and identified frequent SBS7a in anaplastic large cell lymphomas. As SBS7a is commonly found in skin cancers and has been linked to UV-light induced DNA damage, we compared the features of UV-light induced DNA damage in skin cancer and SBS7a in ALL, and found high similarity. We found no defects in UV damage response pathways in SBS7a-positive samples, indicating no additional UV vulnerability. Additionally, transcriptomic data showed no differences between samples with and without SBS7a. Finally we looked into the moment of exposure to the source of SBS7a by deep sequencing of diagnosis-relapse pairs and single cell whole genome sequencing of diagnosis samples with high SBS7a.

  Dataset EGAD00001015600

• scWGS dataset of Characterization of UV DNA damage in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  Extensive characterization of mutational signature SBS7a in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples. We aimed to describe the presentation of SBS7a in BCP-ALL, identify other pediatric cancers presenting with SBS7a, look into the link of SBS7a and UV-light in the context of BCP-ALL and cancers with provable UV exposure, and pinpoint when SBS7a was acquired.

  Dataset EGAD00001015601

• Genomic Sequencing of Triple Negative Breast Cancer - CUTseq data

  CUTseq data for study EGAS00001008261

  Dataset EGAD00001015684

• MethylScan data from tissue samples

  Raw data (fastq files) for tumor/normal paired samples (378 samples in total; 78, 58, 29, 24 pairs from liver, lung, ovary, and stomach cancer patients, respectively) profiled with the MethylScan assay, a low cost assay for profiling methylation. The MethylScan assay is designed for cfDNA methylome sequencing that enriches for the disease-associated DNA by depleting background signal. For solid tissues, the assay was performed without the MSRE digestion step.

  Dataset EGAD00001015685

• Genomic Sequencing of Triple Negative Breast Cancer - Exome data

  Exome data for study EGAS00001008261

  Dataset EGAD00001015687

• Genomic and Functional Profiling of Acral Melanoma from the admixed Brazilian Population Reveals Disease Drivers and Targetable Vulnerabilities

  Acral melanoma, a subtype of melanoma characterized by its occurrence on palms, soles, and beneath the nails, presents unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to its distinct genetic and environmental factors. Despite recent advancements in targeted therapies for melanoma, the efficacy of treatments in acral melanoma remains limited, emphasizing the urgent need for a deeper understanding of its genetic landscape. CRISPR-based functional genomics screening has emerged as a powerful tool for uncovering genetic dependencies and potential therapeutic targets in various cancers. In this project, we present the results of CRISPR screening performed on acral melanoma cell lines to identify genes essential for cell survival and proliferation collectively termed “fitness". Through this screening approach, we aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of acral melanoma and identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. Our findings reveal key genetic drivers and pathways implicated in acral melanoma progression, offering potential targets for the development of precision therapies tailored to this aggressive subtype of melanoma

  Dataset EGAD00001015690

• Ancestry and somatic profile predict acral melanoma origin and prognosis – WXS

  Acral melanoma, which is not ultraviolet (UV)-associated, is the most common type of melanoma in several low- and middle-income countries including Mexico. Latin American samples are significantly underrepresented in global cancer genomics studies, which directly affects patients in these regions as it is known that cancer risk and incidence may be influenced by ancestry and environmental exposures. To address this, we characterise the genome and transcriptome of 123 acral melanoma tumours from 92 Mexican patients, a population notable because of its genetic admixture. Compared with other studies of melanoma, we found fewer frequent mutations in classical driver genes such as BRAF, NRAS or NF1. While most patients had predominantly Amerindian genetic ancestry, those with higher European ancestry had increased frequency of BRAF mutations and a lower median number of structural variants. The tumours with activating BRAF mutations have a transcriptional profile more similar to cutaneous non-volar melanocytes, suggesting that acral melanomas in these patients may arise from a distinct cell of origin compared to other tumours arising in these locations. KIT mutations were found in a subset of these tumours, and quadruple wild-type samples (non BRAF/NRAS/NF1/KIT) differed from mutated samples in their structural genomic profile and overall and recurrence-free survival patterns. Transcriptional profiling defined three expression clusters; these characteristics were associated with recurrence-free and overall survival. We highlight potential novel low-frequency drivers, such as PTPRJ, NF2 and RDH5. Our study enhances knowledge of this understudied disease and underscores the importance of including samples from diverse ancestries in cancer genomics studies.

  Dataset EGAD00001015755

• Ancestry and somatic profile predict acral melanoma origin and prognosis – RNA

  Acral melanoma, which is not ultraviolet (UV)-associated, is the most common type of melanoma in several low- and middle-income countries including Mexico. Latin American samples are significantly underrepresented in global cancer genomics studies, which directly affects patients in these regions as it is known that cancer risk and incidence may be influenced by ancestry and environmental exposures. To address this, we characterise the genome and transcriptome of 123 acral melanoma tumours from 92 Mexican patients, a population notable because of its genetic admixture. Compared with other studies of melanoma, we found fewer frequent mutations in classical driver genes such as BRAF, NRAS or NF1. While most patients had predominantly Amerindian genetic ancestry, those with higher European ancestry had increased frequency of BRAF mutations and a lower median number of structural variants. The tumours with activating BRAF mutations have a transcriptional profile more similar to cutaneous non-volar melanocytes, suggesting that acral melanomas in these patients may arise from a distinct cell of origin compared to other tumours arising in these locations. KIT mutations were found in a subset of these tumours, and quadruple wild-type samples (non BRAF/NRAS/NF1/KIT) differed from mutated samples in their structural genomic profile and overall and recurrence-free survival patterns. Transcriptional profiling defined three expression clusters; these characteristics were associated with recurrence-free and overall survival. We highlight potential novel low-frequency drivers, such as PTPRJ, NF2 and RDH5. Our study enhances knowledge of this understudied disease and underscores the importance of including samples from diverse ancestries in cancer genomics studies.

  Dataset EGAD00001015756

• PEACE (Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment) whole exome sequencing data

  PEACE (Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment) whole exome sequencing data

  Dataset EGAD00001015763

• Genomics Define Malignant Transformation in Myeloma Precursor Conditions

  Multiple myeloma (MM) is consistently preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). While these precursor conditions are asymptomatic, they are not entirely benign and carry a lifelong risk of progression to MM. Unlike other cancers defined by pathology, malignant transformation from MGUS or SMM to MM has so far relied on demonstration of clinical end-organ damage as morphology and cytogenetics cannot reliably distinguish them. In this study, using genomic data from 374 patients with MGUS or SMM (277 training, 97 validation), to our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time the ability to identify malignant transformation in MGUS and SMM. We introduce the concept of genomic MM and genomic MGUS to differentiate the subsets of MGUS and SMM that are biologically malignant with genomic features indistinguishable from MM from the subset that is premalignant and unlikely to progress to malignancy. Importantly, we find that most SMM has biological features of malignant transformation indistinguishable from MM. As expected, this subset that we consider having genomic MM is associated with a high risk of progression to MM although some patients remained progression-free beyond 5 years. Conversely, 60% of MGUS and 10% of SMM have no evidence of malignant transformation (genomic MGUS), with no progression during follow-up. Integration of genomic features with the 2/20/20 International Myeloma Working Group model significantly improved the prediction of progression among genomic MM. These findings support the use of genomic criteria to refine the classification and the risk stratification in myeloma precursor conditions.

  Dataset EGAD00001015768

• Single-cell RNA sequencing of breast cancer lung metastasis and adjacent normal tissue

  This dataset contains single-cell RNA sequencing data from two samples: L1 (breast cancer metastasis to lung) and N3 (adjacent normal lung tissue) from a female patient. The samples were processed using 10X Chromium 3' technology and sequenced on Illumina NextSeq 500. This data supports the study "Endocrine therapy reprogramming of breast cancer facilitates metastatic escape via upregulation of P-Rex1/Rac1 signalling" which investigates how endocrine therapy reprograms breast cancer cells, leading to upregulation of P-Rex1/Rac1 signalling pathways that facilitate metastatic escape. The single-cell analysis reveals cellular reprogramming mechanisms in endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer cells that form metastases in the lung.

  Dataset EGAD00001015769

• Resolution of tumour cell populations enhances specificity of treatment options for precision cancer medicine

  This dataset comprises FASTQ files for single-cell RNA-seq and single-cell ATAC-seq data. These data were generated using 10x Genomics' multiome kit. In this cohort, there are 25 samples from 17 human cancer patients.

  Dataset EGAD00001015782

• MethylScan data of plasma samples

  10ng from each cfDNA sample was used as the input material. For gDNA samples, 1.5-2ug each was first sonicated by Covaris R230 system (Woburn, MA). Next, size-selection with 0.8x-1.5x two-step Ampure XP beads was performed to enrich the 150-200bp fragments. 200ng of the size-selected gDNA was used as input material. The pre-capture library construction was performed with NEB UltraII DNA library prep kit for Illumina (Ipswich, MA) and the adapter was the methylated EM-seq adapter. Before the first PCR amplification, the gDNA samples were subjected to bisulfite conversion by QIAGEN Epitect kit, and cfDNA samples were subjected to enzymatic conversion by NEBNext enzymatic methyl-seq kit if the hybrid capture panel designed for converted DNA was used downstream. Twist panel hybrid capture was performed with their standard protocol (Twist Bioscience, South San Francisco, CA). The concentration of the post-capture library after the second PCR amplification was measured by Qubit 1xdsDNA HS kit (ThermoFisher, Waltham, MA). Their quality was examined by TBE-UREA PAGE and Bioanalyzer before sequencing. Libraries were then sequenced with 150bp paired-end reads on Illumina machines by Genewiz, Inc. (South Plainfield, NJ, USA). This dataset contains MethylScan data of the plasma samples from 248 noncancer individuals and 27 cancer patients (17 liver and 10 GI-tract cancers).

  Dataset EGAD00001015815

• On-target mutations confer resistance to WRN helicase inhibitors in Microsatellite Unstable Cancer Cells

  This study investigates genetic dependencies and resistance mechanisms to Werner helicase inhibitors (WRNi) in microsatellite-unstable (MSI) cancer models. To define determinants of WRN dependency and acquired resistance, we performed genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens, CRISPR base-editing mutagenesis screens targeting WRN, targeted sequencing of resistance-associated variants, bulk RNA sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing. The datasets deposited in EGA comprise raw sequencing files from CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens, CRISPR base-editing screens, targeted DNA sequencing, RNA-seq experiments, and whole-genome sequencing of parental and drug-treated cell populations, including models with spontaneously acquired resistance. These data enable investigation of WRN synthetic lethality, genetic modifiers of WRNi response, and genomic alterations emerging under selective pressure.

  Dataset EGAD00001015822

• Systemic mutagen exposures reported by normal kidney cell genomes - peripheral blood samples (NanoSeq)

  Lifestyle, environmental and other exposures to exogenous mutagens generate somatic mutations in normal human cells in vivo and increase cancer risk. However, the global repertoire of exogenous mutagen exposures is uncertain. Using single-molecule duplex sequencing of normal kidney (n=319) and blood (n=272) samples from 10 countries, we show that kidney proximal tubule cells exhibit higher mutation rates than most normal cell types despite low cell division rates. Compared to cells from kidney glomeruli, medulla, distal tubules, or peripheral blood, proximal tubule cells show marked enrichment of mutational signatures due to the exogenous carcinogenic mutagens, aristolochic acids, and of several signatures of unknown causes. The results suggest the existence of multiple, common, systemically circulated mutagens affecting human populations and indicate that the genomes of kidney proximal tubule cells report such exposures with high sensitivity.

  Dataset EGAD00001015824

• Systemic mutagen exposures reported by normal kidney cell genomes - bulk kidney samples (NanoSeq)

  Lifestyle, environmental and other exposures to exogenous mutagens generate somatic mutations in normal human cells in vivo and increase cancer risk. However, the global repertoire of exogenous mutagen exposures is uncertain. Using single-molecule duplex sequencing of normal kidney (n=319) and blood (n=272) samples from 10 countries, we show that kidney proximal tubule cells exhibit higher mutation rates than most normal cell types despite low cell division rates. Compared to cells from kidney glomeruli, medulla, distal tubules, or peripheral blood, proximal tubule cells show marked enrichment of mutational signatures due to the exogenous carcinogenic mutagens, aristolochic acids, and of several signatures of unknown causes. The results suggest the existence of multiple, common, systemically circulated mutagens affecting human populations and indicate that the genomes of kidney proximal tubule cells report such exposures with high sensitivity.

  Dataset EGAD00001015825

• Systemic mutagen exposures reported by normal kidney cell genomes - kidney cancer samples (whole-genome sequencing)

  Lifestyle, environmental and other exposures to exogenous mutagens generate somatic mutations in normal human cells in vivo and increase cancer risk. However, the global repertoire of exogenous mutagen exposures is uncertain. Using single-molecule duplex sequencing of normal kidney (n=319) and blood (n=272) samples from 10 countries, we show that kidney proximal tubule cells exhibit higher mutation rates than most normal cell types despite low cell division rates. Compared to cells from kidney glomeruli, medulla, distal tubules, or peripheral blood, proximal tubule cells show marked enrichment of mutational signatures due to the exogenous carcinogenic mutagens, aristolochic acids, and of several signatures of unknown causes. The results suggest the existence of multiple, common, systemically circulated mutagens affecting human populations and indicate that the genomes of kidney proximal tubule cells report such exposures with high sensitivity.

  Dataset EGAD00001015826

• Systemic mutagen exposures reported by normal kidney cell genomes - microdissected kidney samples (NanoSeq)

  Lifestyle, environmental and other exposures to exogenous mutagens generate somatic mutations in normal human cells in vivo and increase cancer risk. However, the global repertoire of exogenous mutagen exposures is uncertain. Using single-molecule duplex sequencing of normal kidney (n=319) and blood (n=272) samples from 10 countries, we show that kidney proximal tubule cells exhibit higher mutation rates than most normal cell types despite low cell division rates. Compared to cells from kidney glomeruli, medulla, distal tubules, or peripheral blood, proximal tubule cells show marked enrichment of mutational signatures due to the exogenous carcinogenic mutagens, aristolochic acids, and of several signatures of unknown causes. The results suggest the existence of multiple, common, systemically circulated mutagens affecting human populations and indicate that the genomes of kidney proximal tubule cells report such exposures with high sensitivity.

  Dataset EGAD00001015827

• Systemic mutagen exposures reported by normal kidney cell genomes - matched normal samples (whole-genome sequencing)

  Lifestyle, environmental and other exposures to exogenous mutagens generate somatic mutations in normal human cells in vivo and increase cancer risk. However, the global repertoire of exogenous mutagen exposures is uncertain. Using single-molecule duplex sequencing of normal kidney (n=319) and blood (n=272) samples from 10 countries, we show that kidney proximal tubule cells exhibit higher mutation rates than most normal cell types despite low cell division rates. Compared to cells from kidney glomeruli, medulla, distal tubules, or peripheral blood, proximal tubule cells show marked enrichment of mutational signatures due to the exogenous carcinogenic mutagens, aristolochic acids, and of several signatures of unknown causes. The results suggest the existence of multiple, common, systemically circulated mutagens affecting human populations and indicate that the genomes of kidney proximal tubule cells report such exposures with high sensitivity.

  Dataset EGAD00001015828

• Common early-life exposure of the colorectal epithelium to the microbiome-derived mutagen colibactin

  Colibactin is a mutagen produced by bacterial strains in the colorectal microbiomes of some healthy people. It generates somatic mutations characterised by the mutational signatures SBS88 and ID18 in normal human colorectal epithelial cells in vivo. Increasing prevalence of colibactin mutagenesis during the 20th century is hypothesised to have caused recent international increases in early-onset colorectal cancer incidence. Here, we establish the early-life prevalence, timing, mutation burdens and distribution through the colon of colibactin mutagenesis by sequencing normal colorectal epithelial cell genomes to detect SBS88 and ID18 in children and adolescents from the UK and Denmark biopsied between 2016 and 2024. Colibactin mutagenesis was found in ~40% individuals. It starts soon after birth and often ceases by age five years, although some children show longer exposures. Mutation burdens are higher in the left than right colon and show substantial variation between exposed individuals, in some causing >100-fold increases in total mutation loads compared to unexposed children of the same age. Therefore, colorectal mutagenesis by colibactin is currently common in some populations, occurs during early childhood and can produce markedly elevated somatic mutation burdens. The future public health implications of this widespread mutagen exposure will depend on clarification of its role in colorectal cancer causation.

  Dataset EGAD00001015830

• Whole transcriptome sequencing of the dMMR colorectal cancer cohort

  We leveraged the ImmunoID NeXT platform, an Immune-enhanced multiomics platform to profile a cohort of patients with dMMR CRC. This sub-study includes the whole transriptome sequencing data

  Study EGAS50000001742

• TCR and BCR sequencing of the dMMR colorectal cancer cohort

  We leveraged the ImmunoID NeXT platform, an Immune-enhanced multiomics platform to profile a cohort of patients with dMMR CRC. This sub-study includes the TCR and BCR sequencing data

  Study EGAS50000001743

• Kidney_tumour_DNA

  This is a bulk DNA and RNA sequencing study of human renal tumours

  Study EGAS00001002486

• Genetic landscape of pediatric Infant Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia

  We performed whole genome sequencing of tumor and normal DNA samples obtained from 22 infant ALL cases with MLL rearrangements. In addition, we sequenced 2 paired diagnostic-relapse samples. Using complementary pipelines, somatically acquired genetic changes were analyzed, including single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertion/deletions, structural variations and copy number variations in the cancer genomes. In addition, exome sequencing was performed on paired diagnostic and normal DNA samples obtained from 20 cases of non-infant MLL rearranged leukemias and somatic mutations in the coding regions were identified.

  Study EGAS00001000246

• Integrative genomic analysis reveals cancer-associated mutations at diagnosis of CML in patients with high risk disease

  Genomic events associated with poor outcome in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are poorly understood. We performed whole exome sequencing, copy number variation and/or RNA-Seq for 65 patients to discover mutations at diagnosis and blast crisis (BC). Forty-six chronic phase patients with the extremes of outcome were studied at diagnosis. Cancer gene variants were detected in 15/27 patients (56%) with subsequent BC or poor outcome and in 3/19 optimal responders (16%), P=.007. Frequently mutated genes at diagnosis were ASXL1, IKZF1 and RUNX1. The methyltransferase SETD1B was a novel recurrently mutated gene. A novel class of variant associated with the Philadelphia translocation was detected at diagnosis in 11/46 patients (24%) comprising fusions and/or rearrangement of genes on the translocated chromosomes, with evidence of fragmentation, inversion and imperfect sequence reassembly. These were more frequent at diagnosis in patients with poor outcome: 9/27 (33%) versus 2/19 optimal responders (11%), P=.07. Thirty-nine patients were tested at BC and all had cancer gene variants, including ABL1 kinase domain mutations in 58%. However, ABL1 mutations co-occurred with other mutated cancer genes in 89% of cases, and these predated ABL1 mutations in 62% of evaluable patients. Gene fusions not associated with the Philadelphia translocation occurred in 42% of patients at BC and commonly involved fusion partners that were known cancer genes (78%). Genomic analysis revealed numerous relevant variants at diagnosis in patients with poor outcome and all patients at BC. Future refined biomarker testing of specific variants will likely provide prognostic information to facilitate a risk-adapted therapeutic approach.

  Study EGAS00001003071

• ecDNA copy number heterogeneity

  Neuroblastoma exhibits significant inter- and intra-tumour genetic heterogeneity and varying clinical outcomes. Here, we used DNA and RNA sequencing from the same single cells in cell lines and neuroblastoma patients to investigate these effects. We reveal extensive intercellular ecDNA copy number heterogeneity. We also provide direct evidence of how this heterogeneity influences the expression of cargo genes, including MYCN and its downstream targets, and the overall transcriptional state of neuroblastoma cells.

  Study EGAS50000000509

• Comprehensive genomic profiles of small cell lung cancer

  We have sequenced the genomes of 110 small cell lung cancers (SCLC), one of the deadliest human cancers. We found bi-allelic inactivation of TP53 and RB1 in nearly all the tumors analyzed, sometimes by complex genomic rearrangements. Two tumors with wild-type RB1 had evidence of chromothripsis leading to overexpression of Cyclin D1, revealing an alternative mechanism of Rb1 deregulation. Thus, loss of the tumor suppressors TP53 and RB1 is obligatory in SCLC. We further discovered somatic genomic rearrangements of TP73 that create an oncogenic version of this gene, TP73Δex2/3. In few cases, SCLC tumors exhibited kinase gene mutations, providing a possible therapeutic opportunity for individual patients. Finally, we observed inactivating mutations in NOTCH family genes in 25% of human SCLC. Accordingly, activation of Notch signaling in a pre-clinical SCLC mouse model dramatically reduced the number of tumors and extended the survival of the mutant mice. Furthermore, neuroendocrine gene expression was abrogated by Notch activity in SCLC cells. This first comprehensive study of somatic genome alterations in SCLC uncovers several key biological processes and identifies candidate therapeutic targets in this highly lethal form of cancer.

  Study EGAS00001000925

• Bulk RNAseq gene expression of baseline tumors from metastatic urothelial bladder cancer patients (IMvigor210) and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (IMmotion150)

  We examined tumors from a large cohort of patients with metastatic urothelial bladder cancer (mUC) and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with an anti-PD-L1 agent (atezolizumab) and found that high tumor IL8 gene expression was associated with worse overall survival (OS). We further identified the tumoral immune presence based on Teff signature. We found that high tumor IL8 expression continued to be associated with worse OS even in inflamed tumors in mUC and mRCC.

  Study EGAS00001004386

• Intratumoral plasma cells predict outcomes to PD-L1 blockade in non-small cell lung cancer

  Inhibitors of the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) signaling axis are approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, based on their significant overall survival (OS) benefit. Using transcriptomic analysis of 891 NSCLC tumors from patients treated with either the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab or chemotherapy from two large randomized clinical trials, we found a significant B cell association with extended OS with PD-L1 blockade, independent of CD8+ T cell signals. We then derived gene signatures corresponding to the dominant B cell subsets present in NSCLC from single-cell RNA-seq data. Importantly, we found increased plasma cell signatures to be predictive of OS in patients treated with atezolizumab, but not chemotherapy. B cells were also associated with the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures and organized lymphoid aggregates. Our results suggest an important contribution of B and plasma cells to PD-L1 blockade efficacy in NSCLC.

  Study EGAS00001005013

• Clonal fitness inferred from timeseries modeling of single cell cancer genomes

  Progress in defining genomic fitness landscapes in cancer by copy number alterations (CNA) has been impeded by lack of single cell and timeseries sampling. We generated 42,000 single cell whole genomes (scWGS) from breast epithelium and primary triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient-derived xenografts (PDX) collected during multi-year time series. Using a Wright-Fisher population genetics model, we inferred reproducible CNA-defined clonal fitness dynamics induced by TP53 mutation and cisplatin chemotherapy, with accurate forecasting of experimentally enforced clonal competition dynamics. Drug treatment in three long-term serially passaged TNBC PDX resulted in cisplatin resistant clones that had shown low fitness in the untreated setting. By contrast high fitness clones from treatment naive controls were eradicated reflecting an inversion of the fitness landscape. Upon drug release selective pressure dynamics were reversed indicating a fitness cost of treatment resistance. Taken together, our findings reveal clonal fitness dynamics linked to CNA and therapeutic resistance in polyclonal tumours.

  Study EGAS00001004448

• Parallel sequencing of extrachromosomal circular DNAs and transcriptomes in single cancer cells

  Study EGAS00001007026

• Single-cell multi-omics of relapse/refractory multiple myeloma patients (Hipo K08K/H067/K43R)

  Therapy resistance in cancers is ingrained in complex clonal dynamics. While the major clonal population in a tumour might respond well to the employed intervention, minor clones will eventually mutate, consequently acquiring a selective advantage and drug resistance. Hence, to improve cancer therapy, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms behind clonal evolution. Here, we applied single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics, as well as whole-genome sequencing to 15 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). By profiling longitudinal samples throughout varying treatment regimens, we were able to interrogate patterns of evolution across patients. In particular, by defining clones based on copy number aberrations (CNAs), we found evidence for the majority of clones being diminished but not fully eradicated during treatment.

  Study EGAS00001006538

• Whole Genome Sequence and RNASeq Samples for Lung Cancer

  Short Read Whole Genome Sequence and RNASeq Samples for Lung Cancer

  Study EGAS00001007832

• Multi-omics datasets (WES, RNA-seq) of mesothelioma MIST2 study, a phase II CDK4/6 (abemaciclib) clinical trial

  This study comprises 26 mesothelioma patients with whole exome and RNA sequencing, to to assess potential sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibition in p16ink4A-negative mesothelioma.

  Study EGAS50000001823

• Multi-omics datasets (WES, RNA-seq) of mesothelioma NERO study, a phase II PARP inhibitor clinical trial

  Niraparib Efficacy in Patient With Unresectable Mesothelioma, NERO, this randomised phase II trial is designed to evaluating the efficacy of the PARP inhibitor Niraparib versus active symptom control.

  Study EGAS50000001825

• RAF1 extrachromosomal DNA amplification confers acquired erlotinib resistance in NSCLC cell model

  Despite their clinical significance, EGFR-directed therapies inevitably encounter drug resistance. This study demonstrates that ecDNA-mediated RAF1 amplification reactivates MAPK signaling independently of mutant EGFR, contributing to erlotinib resistance in EGFR-mutant NSCLC cell models. This finding identifies oncogenic amplification by ecDNA as a novel mechanism leading to erlotinib resistance, opening new avenues for therapeutic strategies in NSCLC.

  Study EGAS50000001832

• Liquid-based genomic profiling in high-risk localized prostate cancer.

  In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and performance of tissue and liquid-based genomic profiling in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer. Genomic DNA from 12 FFPE tissue samples and cell-free DNA from 27 plasma samples were analyzed using Illumina TruSight Oncology (TSO) 500 panels.

  Study EGAS50000001712

• Smoking-dependent expression alterations in nasal epithelium reveal immune impairment linked to germline variation and lung cancer risk

  Study EGAS00001006137

• H021-Master Umbrella study2 (not to be released)

  Study EGAS00001005145

• Comprehensive Characterization of Early Relapse and End-Stage Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma (HIPO K08K/H067/H021+nonHIPO)

  Study EGAS00001007469

• Stratifying and Targeting Pediatric Medulloblastoma through Genomics

  In this project, genomic analyses of pediatric medulloblastoma samples, obtained through the international medulloblastoma consortium, will be performed. RNA and miRNA expression profiles of 1000 samples, representing all four subgroups (Wnt, Shh, Group C, and D), will be studied to identify novel subtypes within each subgroup. The resulting subtype-specific expression profiles will support the development of reliable and robust biomarkers to more accurately and reliably classify medulloblastomas for treatment in clinical trials. For that purpose, two assays will be developed: an antibody-based immunohistochemical assay and an orthogonal nucleic acid-based hybridization assay. Additional genomic DNA analysis of the 300 high risk subgroup cases will support the discovery of subgroup specific somatic mutations in order to inform current clinical trials of targeted therapies, and to identify genes and pathways already targeted in other diseases. Such therapies could be rapidly transitioned to Phase II trials in medulloblastoma. Furthermore, the discovery of somatic mutations could be used for developing as well as validating specific biomarkers. The project team will also try to identify risk factors that predispose children to this type of cancer.

  Study EGAS00001000273

• RNA-seq TPMs quantification for baseline tumor samples originating from IMpower150, and relevant clinical metadata

  This dataset includes full tumor transcriptomes from 558 advanced NSCLC tumors. These data originate from pre-treatment samples from a clinical trial for first-line non-small cell lung cancer (IMpower150). The patients in this trial were treated with the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab +bevacizumab + chemotherapy or bevacizumab + chemotherapy or atezolizumab + chemotherapy.

  Dataset EGAD50000001814

• The_Little_Princess_Knowledge_Bank_

  We propose to build a genetic knowledge bank of Wilms tumour that integrates clinical outcome data with a genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic survey of 1,000 Wilms tumours.

  Study EGAS00001004237

• Whole genome sequencing of primary and metastatic Melanoma cases in an Australian cohort.

  Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in Australia and the leading cause of cancer death in young adults. The Australian Melanoma Genome Project (AMGP) is analysing whole genomes from melanomas. We include the results of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for a number of datasets that include cutaneous, acral and mucosal melanoma subtypes.

  Study EGAS00001001552

• Genomic and immune signatures predict clinical outcome in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with immunotherapy regimens

  Study EGAS00001007404

• GBM-Space: Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling of Glioblastoma (10x Genomics - Visium)

  Cancer cells display heterogeneous and dynamic states in glioblastoma, but how these malignant states arise and whether they follow a tractable cellular trajectory across tumours is poorly understood. Here, we generate a deep single cell and spatial multi-region atlas of 12 isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type (IDH-wt) primary glioblastomas that integrates transcriptomic, epigenomic and genomic analysis to comprehensively characterise their tumour heterogeneity. The datasets in this study include sequencing data from Visium spatial transcriptomic (10x Genomics) profiling of these tumours. Note: 2 new samples were added to the dataset on 2026-05-19.

  Dataset EGAD00001015527

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__clear_cell_renal_cell_carcinoma

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001002608

• TCR β-chain repertoire characterization of regulatory and conventional T cells in peripheral blood from breast cancer patients and healthy individuals.

  Identification of tumor-specific effects on peripheral TCRβ repertoire formation in humans, investigation of the clonal origin of regulatory T cells in breast cancer patients and impact analysis of the tumor-specific conversion of conventional T cells into induced regulatory T cells on the peripheral Treg repertoire in humans.

  Study EGAS00001002699

• Preferential infiltration of distinct Vγ9δ2 T cells into Glioblastoma multiforme

  Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most fatal CNS cancer, is highly infiltrative as a result of phenotypic alteration of cancer cells mainly driven by a mutual interaction among cancer cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and other stromal cells. This work aims at characterizing GBM-infiltrating γδ T cells that may regulate the GBM tumor microenvironment and cancer cell gene expression. V(D)J repertoires of tumor-infiltrating and blood circulating γδ T cells from 4 patients were analyzed by NGS-based TCR sequencing. RNA gene expression profiling and immunostaining of cancer tissues were performed as well.

  Study EGAS00001002790

• Sensitive and Frequent Identification of High Avidity Neo-epitope Specific CD8 + T-cells in Immunotherapy-naïve Ovarian Cancer

  Immunotherapy directed against private tumor neo-antigens derived from non-synonymous somatic mutations is a promising strategy of personalized cancer immunotherapy. However, feasibility in low mutational load tumor types remains unknown. Comprehensive and deep analysis of circulating and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for neo-epitope specific CD8 + T cells allowed prompt identification of oligoclonal and polyfunctional such cells from most immunotherapy-naïve patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer studied. Neo-epitope recognition was discordant between circulating T cells and TILs, and was more likely to be found among TILs, which displayed higher functionalavidity and unique TCRs with higher predicted affinity than their blood counterparts. Our results imply that identification of neo-epitope specific CD8 + T cells is achievable even in tumors with relatively low number of somatic mutations, and neo-epitope validation in TILs extends opportunities for mutanome-based personalized immunotherapies to such tumors.

  Study EGAS00001002803

• “Castration-persistence” is a distinct state of tolerance to androgen receptor targeting therapies in prostate cancer

  Androgen receptor (AR) signalling is important in prostate cancer progression, and therapies that specifically target this pathway are the mainstay of treatment for advanced disease. Treatment however is non-curative, and resistance develops inevitably with time. Although the mechanisms that drive progressive ‘castration resistant’ disease are reasonably well characterized, how tumours survive acute pathway inhibition is unclear. We performed a neo-adjuvant study of a novel combination of AR targeting therapies, and noted that the objective response to treatment was highly variable. To determine what was driving tumour persistence in poorly responding patients, we comprehensively characterised pre- and post-treatment samples were using both whole genome and RNA-sequencing. We find that ‘castration-persistence’ is a distinct state from ‘castration-resistance’, and is mediated by global transcriptional reprogramming leading to transitional EMT state, which is shared with benign luminal epithelial cells. This appears to be AP-1 and KLF driven, and represents and integration of multiple signalling pathways, particularly IGF2, offering a number of tractable strategies to improve clinical response to AR targeting therapies.

  Study EGAS00001003172

• FOXM1 is a biomarker of resistance to PI3Kα inhibition in ER+ breast cancer that is detectable using metabolic imaging (RNA-seq data)

  PIK3CA, encoding the PI3Kα isoform, is the most frequently mutated oncogene in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Isoform-selective PI3K inhibitors are used clinically but intrinsic and acquired resistance limits their utility. Improved selection of patients that will benefit from these drugs requires novel predictive biomarkers. We show here that persistent FOXM1 expression following drug treatment is a biomarker of resistance to PI3Kα inhibition in ER+ breast cancer. Since the transcription factor drives expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) but not hexokinase 2 (HK-II), changes in FOXM1 expression can be detected using magnetic resonance imaging of LDH-catalyzed hyperpolarized 13C label exchange between pyruvate and lactate but not by PET measurements of HK-II-mediated trapping of the glucose analog 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose.

  Study EGAS00001004452

• Lindsey E. Jones et al. Patient-derived cells from recurrent tumors that model the evolution of IDH-mutant glioma. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 2020. We established robust, versatile, and well-characterized Patient Derived Cells (PDC) of an IDH1-mutant astrocytoma and an IDH1-mutant oligodendroglioma that represents defined evolutionary stages of chemotherapy-induced hypermutation. The PDCs retain tumor subtype defining features over time as well as classic hallmarks of cancer, including anchorage independent growth and cell immortality. The integrated phylogenies composed of PDCs,single-cell-derived PDCs, patient-derived xenografts, and corresponding spatiotemporal tumor tissue samples also provide new insight into the clonality, evolutionary pattern, and immense mutational load of hypermutated IDH mutant gliomas.

  IDH-mutant lower-grade gliomas can undergo malignant progression via temozolomide-driven hypermutation. Patient-derived cells (PDC) that model the genetically distinct hypermutated (HM) tumor subgroup are generally lacking, and few if any human brain tumor cell models are from defined evolutionary time points. Here, we characterize multiple PDC derived from independent surgical specimens of IDH1-mutant recurrences, including an ATRX and TP53-mutant astrocytoma and a 1p/19q co-deleted and TERT promoter-mutant oligodendroglioma. We determined the evolutionary time points represented by each PDC using exome sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction, comparing the PDC and single cell clones of the PDC (scPDC) to multiple spatiotemporal tumor tissue samples, PDC-derived xenografts (PDX) and patient-matched blood. The tumor samples exhibited TMZ-induced mutagenesis and a branching pattern of evolution. We found clear evidence of two fully independent founder HM clones in the tumor tissue that are faithfully represented by independent PDC. The PDC, scPDC and PDX also shared the mutagenesis signature and represent the mid and later evolutionary time points of their corresponding tumors. The PDC maintained the tumor subtype-defining features over many passages, including heterozygosity of the IDH1 R132H mutation, production of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), and subtype-specific telomere maintenance mechanisms. The PDC from both tumors exhibited anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. The oligodendroglioma PDC formed infiltrative intracranial tumors with characteristic oligodendroglioma histology, initially with a long period to tumor formation. We conclude that the PDC, scPDC and PDX faithfully model the heterogeneous clonal origins of the corresponding tumor tissue. The multilevel analysis also provides new insight into the intratumoral heterogeneity and vast mutational load of HM glioma. The PDC from multiple evolutionary time points presented in the context of full clinical timelines may be useful to model evolution and intratumoral heterogeneity, important sources of therapeutic failure.

  Study EGAS00001003992

• Chemotherapy induces canalization of cell state in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  Comparison of intratumor genetic heterogeneity in cancer at diagnosis and relapse suggests that chemotherapy induces bottleneck selection of subclonal genotypes. However, evolutionary events subsequent to chemotherapy could also explain changes in clonal dominance seen at relapse. We therefore investigated the mechanisms of selection in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) during induction chemotherapy where maximal cytoreduction occurs. To distinguish stochastic versus deterministic events, individual leukemias were transplanted into multiple xenografts and chemotherapy administered. Analyses of the immediate post-treatment leukemic residuum at single-cell resolution revealed that chemotherapy has little impact on genetic heterogeneity. Rather, it acts on extensive, previously unappreciated, transcriptional and epigenetic heterogeneity in BCP-ALL, dramatically reducing the spectrum of cell states represented, leaving a genetically polyclonal but phenotypically uniform population, with hallmark signatures relating to developmental stage, cell cycle and metabolism. Hence, canalization of the cell state accounts for a significant component of bottleneck selection during induction chemotherapy.

  Study EGAS00001004407

• Clinical relevance of somatic copy-number alterations in plasma circulating tumor DNA from advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients treated with osimertinib

  Background: Somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs) are associated with drug resistance in patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical relevance and development of genome-wide SCNAs in plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) under osimertinib therapy.Methods: We included 43 patients with advanced EGFR T790M-positive lung adenocarcinoma who were treated with osimertinib after progression under previous EGFR-TKI therapy. We performed genomic profiling of ctDNA in plasma samples from each patient obtained pre-osimertinib and after patients developed resistance to osimertinib. SCNAs were detected by shallow whole-genome plasma sequencing and EGFR mutations were assessed by droplet digital PCR.Results: SCNAs in resistance-related genes (rrSCNAs) were detected in 10 out of 39 (25.6%) evaluable patients before start of osimertinib. The presence of rrSCNAs in plasma before initiation of osimertinib therapy was associated with a lower response rate to osimertinib (50% versus 86%, p=0.02) and was an independent predictor for shorter progression-free survival (adjusted HR 3.26, 95% CI 1.37-7.75, p=0.008) and overall survival (adjusted HR 2.41, 95% CI 1.09-5.34, p=0.03).Conclusions: Genomic profiling of plasma ctDNA is clinically relevant and affects the efficacy and clinical outcome of osimertinib. Our approach allows comprehensive assessment of SCNAs in plasma samples of lung adenocarcinoma patients and may help to guide genotype-specific therapeutic strategies in the future.

  Study EGAS00001004539

• TCR β-chain repertoire characterization of regulatory and conventional T cells in breast tumors from breast cancer patients.

  Identification of tumor-specific effects on peripheral TCRβ repertoire formation in humans, investigation of the clonal origin of regulatory T cells in breast cancer patients and impact analysis of the tumor-specific conversion of conventional T cells into induced regulatory T cells on the peripheral Treg repertoire in humans.

  Study EGAS00001004671

• Assessment of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiol in mouse models of medulloblastoma

  Phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been demonstrated to exhibit anti-cancer activity in preclinical models of brain cancer leading to new clinical trials for adults with glioblastoma. We describe here the first report that has investigated a role for THC and CBD in paediatric brain cancer. Cannabinoids had cytotoxic activity against medulloblastoma and ependymoma cells in vitro, functioning in part through the inhibition of cell cycle progression and the induction of autophagy. Despite these effects in vitro, when tested in orthotopic mouse models of medulloblastoma or ependymoma, no impact on animal survival was observed. Furthermore, cannabinoids neither enhanced nor impaired conventional chemotherapy in a medulloblastoma mouse model. These data show that while THC and CBD do have some effects on medulloblastoma and ependymoma cells, are well tolerated and have minimal adverse effects, they do not appear to elicit any survival benefit in preclinical models of paediatric brain cancer.

  Study EGAS00001004963

• RNA-sequencing of tumors from 45 patients with recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

  Genomic profiling can provide prognostic and predictive information to guide clinical care. Biomarkers that reliably predict patient response to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition in gastric cancer are lacking. In this work, we used our machine learning algorithm NTriPath to identify a gastric-cancer specific 32-gene signature. Using unsupervised clustering on expression levels of these 32 genes in tumors from 567 patients, we identified four molecular subtypes that were prognostic for survival. We then built a support vector machine with linear kernel and the binary classifier to generate a risk score that is prognostic for 5-year overall survival and validated the risk score using three independent datasets. We also found that the molecular subtypes predicted response to adjuvant 5-fluorouracil and platinum after gastrectomy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with metastatic or recurrent disease. The 32-gene signature is a promising prognostic and predictive biomarker to guide the clinical care of gastric cancer patients and should be validated in a prospective manner. This EGA archive includes both St.Mary hospital cohort samples (n=28) and Yonsei immunotherapy patient samples (n=17).

  Study EGAS00001005588

• Single-cell profiling of neoantigen-specific T cells in lung cancers treated with neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade

  We study the expression profile of MANA-specific T cells, we used the MANA functional expansion of specific T cells (MANAFEST) assay in neoadjuvant anti-PD-1-treated lung cancers and applied their T cell receptor’s (TCR) complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) as a “barcode” to track and analyze their transcriptional programs in the tumor microenvironment using single cell TCR sequencing coupled with single cell RNA sequencing. We revealed distinct phenotype for MANA- and virus-specific clones in TIL and adjacent normal lung, regardless of response. MANA-specific T cells show features that drive the differences between responders and non-responders.

  Study EGAS00001005343

• Identification of biomarkers of response to preoperative talazoparib monotherapy in treatment naïve gBRCA+ breast cancers

  Germline mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 exist in ~2-7% of breast cancer patients, which has led to the approval of PARP inhibitors in the advanced setting. We have previously reported a phase II neoadjuvant trial of single agent talazoparib for patients with germline BRCA pathogenic variants with a pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 53%. As nearly half of the patients treated did not have pCR, better strategies are needed to overcome treatment resistance. To this end, we conducted multi-omic analysis of 13 treatment naïve breast cancer tumors from patients that went on to receive single-agent neoadjuvant talazoparib. We looked for biomarkers that were predictive of response (assessed by residual cancer burden) after 6 months of therapy. We found that all resistant tumors exhibited either the loss of SHLD2, expression of a hypoxia signature, or expression of a stem cell signature. These results indicate that the deep analysis of pre-treatment tumors can identify biomarkers that are predictive of response to talazoparib and potentially other PARP inhibitors, and provides a framework that will allow for better selection of patients for treatment, as well as a roadmap for the development of novel combination therapies to prevent emergence of resistance.

  Study EGAS00001005676

• Mult-omics Palbociclib Resistance Study in HR+/HER2– Metastatic Breast Cancer

  Resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy (ET) are common and poorly understood since they have been real game changer in patients with HR-positive and HER2-negative MBC. A comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analysis of pre-treatment and post-treatment tumors from patients treated with palbociclib plus ET identified novel markers associated with poor prognosis such as genomic scar features caused by homologous repair deficiency (HRD), estrogen response signatures, and four unique prognostic clusters with distinct molecular features. Tumors with TP53 mutations co-occurring with a unique HRD-high cluster responded poorly. By comparing genomic and transciptomic profiles of paired samples, tumors were found to be further enriched in HRD genomic scars and many had switched to aggressive molecular subtypes. Furthermore, we identified high frequencies of acquired genomic alterations upon disease progression in RB1, ESR1, PTEN, and KMT2C. Our findings provide new insight into potential predictive biomarkers that could be targeted to overcome resistance. (NCT03401359)

  Study EGAS00001005736

• Genome-wide cell-free DNA termini in patients with cancer

  The structure, fragmentation pattern, length and terminal sequence of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is under the influence of nucleases present in the blood. We hypothesized that differences in the diversity of bases at the end of cfDNA fragments can be leveraged on a genome-wide scale to enhance the sensitivity for detecting the presence of tumor signals in plasma. We surveyed the cfDNA termini in 72 plasma samples from 319 patients with 18 different cancer types using low-coverage whole genome sequencing. The fragment-end sequence and diversity were altered in all cancer types in comparison to 76 healthy controls. We converted the fragment end sequences into a quantitative metric and observed that this correlates with circulating tumor DNA tumor fraction (R = 0.58, p < 0.001, Spearman). Using these metrics, we were able to classify cancer samples from control at a low tumor content (AUROC of 91% at 1% tumor fraction) and shallow sequencing coverage (mean AUROC = 0.99 at >1M fragments). Combining fragment-end sequences and diversity using machine learning, we classified cancer from healthy controls (mean AUROC = 0.99, SD = 0.01). Using unsupervised clustering we showed that early-stage lung cancer can be classified from control or later stages based on fragment-end sequences. We observed that fragment-end sequences can be used for prognostication (hazard ratio: 0.49) and residual disease detection inresectable esophageal adenocarcinoma patients, moving fragmentomics toward a greater clinical implementation.

  Study EGAS00001005738

• Genome-wide cell-free DNA termini in patients with cancer

  The structure, fragmentation pattern, length and terminal sequence of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is under the influence of nucleases present in the blood. We hypothesized that differences in the diversity of bases at the end of cfDNA fragments can be leveraged on a genome-wide scale to enhance the sensitivity for detecting the presence of tumor signals in plasma. We surveyed the cfDNA termini in 72 plasma samples from 319 patients with 18 different cancer types using low-coverage whole genome sequencing. The fragment-end sequence and diversity were altered in all cancer types in comparison to 76 healthy controls. We converted the fragment end sequences into a quantitative metric and observed that this correlates with circulating tumor DNA tumor fraction (R = 0.58, p < 0.001, Spearman). Using these metrics, we were able to classify cancer samples from control at a low tumor content (AUROC of 91% at 1% tumor fraction) and shallow sequencing coverage (mean AUROC = 0.99 at >1M fragments). Combining fragment-end sequences and diversity using machine learning, we classified cancer from healthy controls (mean AUROC = 0.99, SD = 0.01). Using unsupervised clustering we showed that early-stage lung cancer can be classified from control or later stages based on fragment-end sequences. We observed that fragment-end sequences can be used for prognostication (hazard ratio: 0.49) and residual disease detection inresectable esophageal adenocarcinoma patients, moving fragmentomics toward a greater clinical implementation.

  Study EGAS00001005747

• Accumulation of copy number alterations and clinical progression across advanced prostate cancer

  The burden of copy number alterations positively associated with radiologically-evident distant metastases at diagnosis (P=0.00006) and showed a non-linear relationship with clinical outcome on univariable and multivariable analysis, characterised by a sharp increase in the relative risk of progression (P=0.003) and death (P=0.045) for each unit increase, stabilising into more modest increases with higher burdens. This association between copy number burden and outcome was similar in each of the four metastatic states. Copy number loss occurred significantly more frequently than gain at the lowest copy number burden quartile (q=4.1X10-6). Loss of segments in chromosome 5q21-22 and gains at 8q21-24, respectively including CHD1 and cMYC, occurred more frequently in cases with higher copy number alteration (for either region: Kolmogorov–Smirnov distance, 0.5; adjusted P<0.0001). Copy number alterations showed variability across tumor regions in the same prostate. This variance associated with increased risk of distant metastases (Kruskal-Wallis test P=0.037).

  Study EGAS00001006251

• early-stage ESCC sequencing study

  We performed a comprehensive multi-omics analysis of 786 trace-tumor-samples from 154 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma phase (ESCC) patients, covering 9 histopathological stages in 3 phases as nontumor phase (NT phase), intraepithelial neoplasia phase (IEN phase), and ESCC phase. Proteogenomics elucidated the stage-specific molecular characterization and defined the cancer-driving waves along with the mutation accumulation in EC progression. The integrated multi-omics uncovered the chromosome 3q gain was the key event in the transmit from the NT to IEN phase, disclosed the top mutation of TP53 enhanced cell cycle and DNA replication in the IEN phase, and revealed the ESCC phase mutations of AKAP9 and MCAF1 elevated glycolysis and Wnt signaling, respectively. Furthermore, the trajectory analysis identified 6 major tracks related to different clinical features during ESCC progression. Growingly enhanced and hyperphosphorylated phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1, S203) was detected and considered as a drug target in ESCC progression. Collectively, this study provides insight into the understanding of ESCC molecular mechanism and a valuable resource for the development of therapeutic targets.

  Study EGAS00001006126

• Genome-wide cell-free DNA termini in patients with cancer

  The structure, fragmentation patterns and terminal sequences of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are altered by nucleases and biological mechanisms in the blood of cancer patients. The cfDNA fragment-end composition recovered from low coverage WGS (<1 fold coverage) using a bespoke software (FrEIA) is aberrant in the plasma from cancer patient (n = 418, 655 samples) compared to controls (n = 117). As a standalone test FrEIA allows detection down to ~0.2% tumor fraction in vitro and in silico at 95% specificity, leading to a sensitivity of ~71% for detecting lung cancer (14/22 stage I-II, 27/38 stage III, 92/127 stage IV) and ~68% for detecting esophageal adenocarcinoma (26/44 stage II, 46/62 stage III). Additional cfDNA biological patterns can be combined with FrEIA increasing the diagnostic potential of low coverage WGS at minimal cost (mean AUROC = 0.96). Integrating multiple cfDNA biological signal augments the diagnostic performance of liquid biopsy.

  Study EGAS00001006142

• Intratumoral Heterogeneity and Clonal Evolution Induced by HPV Integration.

  The human papillomavirus (HPV) genome is integrated into host DNA in most HPV-positive cancers, but the consequences for chromosomal integrity are unknown. Continuous long-read sequencing of oropharyngeal cancers and cancer cell lines revealed a unique form of structural variation, termed heterocateny here, characterized by heterogeneous, interrelated, and repetative patterns of concatemerized virus and host DNA segments. Evidence of heterocateny was detected in extrachromosomal and/or intrachromosomal DNA in all cases. Unique breakpoint sequences shared across structurally heterogeneous virus-host concatemers within each cancer facilitated stepwise reconstruction of their evolution from a common molecular ancestor. This analysis revealed that unstable virus and virus-host concatemers in ecDNA or integrated form mediate insertion into and excision from chromosomes, capture, rearrangement, and rolling-circle amplification of host DNA, and chromosomal rearrangements. The data indicate that heterocatena is driven by the dynamic, aberrant replication and recombination of an oncogenic DNA virus, thereby extending known consequences of HPV integration to include promotion of intra-tumoral heterogeneity and clonal evolution.

  Study EGAS00001006652

• RNA-seq of DF149 cells – a patient-derived xenograft model of ascites-derived, homologous recombination repair-proficient, high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma – cultured in vitro and isolated after 8 hours treatment with DMSO control (3 x biological replicates) and 2.5 µM CBL0137 (3 x biological replicates)

  Background: High-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSCs) are a heterogeneous subtype of epithelial ovarian cancers and include serous cancers arising in the fallopian tube and peritoneum. These cancers are now subdivided into homologous recombination repair (HR)-deficient and proficient subgroups as this classification impacts on management and prognosis. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have shown significant clinical efficacy, particularly as maintenance therapy following response to platinum based chemotherapy in BRCA-mutant or homologous recombination (HR)-deficient HGSCs in both the 1st and 2nd line settings. However, PARPi have limited clinical benefit in HR-proficient HGSCs which make up almost 50% of HGSC and improving outcomes in these patients is now a high priority due to the poor prognosis with current standard of care. There are a number of potential lines of investigation including efforts in sensitizing HR-proficient tumors to PARPi. Herein, we aimed to develop a novel combination therapy by targeting SSRP1 using a small molecule inhibitor CBL0137 with PARPi in HR-proficient HGSOCs. Experimental design: We tested anti-cancer activity of CBL0137 monotherapy using a panel of HGSOC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells in vitro. RNA sequencing was used to map global transcriptomic changes in CBL0137-treated patient-derived HR-proficient HGSOC cells. We tested efficacy of CBL0137 in combination with PARPi using HGSOC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Results: We show that SSRP1 inhibition using a small molecule, CBL0137, that traps SSRP1 onto chromatin, exerts a significant anti-growth activity in vitro against HGSC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells, and also reduces tumor burden in vivo. CBL0137 induced DNA repair deficiency via inhibition of the HR repair pathway and sensitized SSRP1-high HR-proficient HGSC cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells/xenografts to the PARPi, Olaparib in vitro and in vivo. CBL0137 also enhanced the efficacy of DNA damaging platinum-based chemotherapy in HGSC patient-derived xenografts. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest that combination of CBL0137 and PARP inhibition represents a novel therapeutic strategy for HR-proficient HGSCs that express high levels of SSRP1 and should be investigated in the clinic.

  Study EGAS00001006662

• Proteogenomic analysis reveals RNA as a source for tumor-agnostic neoantigen identification (H021)

  Systemic pan-tumor analyses may reveal the significance of common features implicated in cancer immunogenicity and patient survival. Here, we provide a comprehensive multi-omics data set for 32 patients across 25 tumor types for proteogenomic-based discovery of neoantigens. By using an optimized computational approach, we discover a large number of tumor-specific and tumor-associated antigens. To create a pipeline for the identification of neoantigens in our cohort, we combine DNA and RNA sequencing with MS-based immunopeptidomics of tumor specimens, followed by the assessment of their immunogenicity and an in-depth validation process. We detect a broad variety of non-canonical HLA-binding peptides in the majority of patients demonstrating partially immunogenicity. Our validation process allows for the selection of 32 potential neoantigen candidates. The majority of neoantigen candidates originates from variants identified in the RNA data set, illustrating the relevance of RNA as a still understudied source of cancer antigens. This study underlines the importance of RNA-centered variant detection for the identification of shared biomarkers and potentially relevant neoantigen candidates.

  Study EGAS00001006706

• Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Molecular Subtypes Predict Differential Response to Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin

  The recommended treatment for patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) is tumor resection followed by adjuvant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) bladder instillations. However, only 50% of patients benefit from this therapy. In case of progression to advanced disease, patients must undergo a radical cystectomy with significant morbidity and have a poor clinical outcome. Identifying tumors least likely to respond to BCG can translate into alternative treatments, such as early radical cystectomy or novel targeted or immunotherapies. Here we present molecular profiling of 132 BCG-naive, HR-NMIBC patients, and 44 post-BCG recurrences (34 matched), which uncovered three distinct BCG Response Subtypes (BRS1-3). Patients with BRS3 tumors have reduced recurrence and progression-free survival compared to BRS1-2. BRS3 tumors expressed high EMT-basal markers and had an immunosuppresive profile, which was confirmed with spatial proteomics. Tumors which recurred post-BCG were enriched for BRS3. BRS stratification was validated in a second cohort of 151 BCG-naive HR-NMIBC patients and the molecular subtypes outperformed guideline recommended risk stratification based on clinicopathological variables. For clinical application, we validated that a commercially approved assay was able to accurately predict BRS3 tumors (AUROC 0.86). Our findings provide a potential clinical tool for improved identification of HR-NMIBC patients at the highest risk of progression, which can be used to select patients for early radical cystectomy or novel subtype-directed therapies.

  Study EGAS00001006879

• Multi-omic and functional analysis for classification and treatment of sarcomas with FUS-TFCP2 or EWSR1-TFCP2 fusions(H021/INF)

  Many rare cancers are not well understood, and pathogenesis-directed therapies are often lacking, resulting in poor patient outcomes. Leveraging two (inter)national precision oncology trials that enroll large numbers of rare cancers, we investigated the clinical, histopathologic, molecular, and functional characteristics of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with fusions of FUS or EWSR1 to the TFCP2 transcription factor, a recently discovered ultra-rare entity whose classification, pathogenesis, and optimal treatment are unclear. Unusually for fusion-driven sarcomas, most cases had highly rearranged genomes, including chromothripsis, and signs of defective homologous recombination DNA repair. All tumors showed extreme expression of a truncated TERT variant and the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase, which was additionally affected by intragenic deletions and aberrant splicing, resulting in the expression of shortened variants in 58% of cases. Three ALK variants were oncogenic in immortalized cells, and patient-derived tumor cells expressing two variants responded to certain ALK inhibitors. Other recurrent alterations included CDKN2A/MTAP co-deletions and mutations in PAPPA2, encoding an IGFBP5-specific proteinase, in 67% and 25% of cases, respectively. DNA methylation analysis, along with 19 other soft-tissue sarcoma classes, revealed a close relationship with undifferentiated sarcoma but not other RMS subtypes, suggesting that TFCP2-rearranged RMS is a separate entity, possibly arising from a distinct cell of origin. Expression of TFCP2 fusions in immortalized human cells blocked late myogenic differentiation and significantly induced genes that were also highly expressed in patient tumors, including ALK, TERT, and two known regulators of skeletal muscle cells, IGFBP5 and PTH1R. Genome-wide chromatin profiling demonstrated direct binding of FUS-TFCP2 to the ALK and TERT loci outside their regular promoters, which correlated with the expression of alternative transcript variants. Finally, FUS-TFCP2 inhibited the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in immortalized cells, rendering them sensitive to treatment with cisplatin. This study provides insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutic vulnerabilities of a new RMS subtype and illustrates the value of linking comprehensive molecular diagnostics and functional annotation within multicenter consortia to improve the understanding and clinical management of rare cancers.

  Study EGAS00001006939

• ACT-Discover: identifying karyotype heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer evolution using ctDNA

  Background Liquid biopsies, and the dynamic tracking of somatic mutations within circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can provide insight into the dynamics of cancer evolution and the intra-tumour heterogeneity that fuels treatment resistance. However, identifying and tracking dynamic changes in somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs), which have been associated with poor outcome and metastasis, using ctDNA is challenging. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a disease which has been considered to harbour early punctuated events in its evolution, leading to an early fitness peak, with minimal further subclonal evolution. Methods To interrogate the role of SCNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer evolution, we applied whole-exome sequencing of 55 longitudinal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples taken from 24 patients (including 8 from whom a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) was derived) with metastatic disease prospectively recruited into a clinical trial. We developed a method, Aneuploidy in Circulating Tumour DNA (ACT-Discover), that leverages haplotype phasing of paired tumour biopsies or PDXs to identify SCNAs in cfDNA with greater sensitivity. Results SCNAs were observed within 28 of 47 evaluable cfDNA samples. Of these events, 30% could only be identified by harnessing the haplotype-aware approach leveraged in ACT-Discover. The exceptional purity of PDX tumours enabled near-complete phasing of genomic regions in allelic imbalance, highlighting an important auxiliary function of PDXs. Finally, although the classical model of pancreatic cancer evolution emphasises the importance of early, homogenous somatic events as a key requirement for cancer development, ACT-Discover identified substantial heterogeneity of SCNAs, including parallel focal and arm-level events, affecting different parental alleles within individual tumours. Indeed, ongoing acquisition of SCNAs was identified within tumours throughout the disease course, including within an untreated metastatic tumour. Conclusions This work demonstrates the power of haplotype phasing to study genomic variation in cfDNA samples and reveals undiscovered intra-tumour heterogeneity with important scientific and clinical implications. Implementation of ACT-Discover could lead to important insights from existing cohorts, or underpin future prospective studies seeking to characterise the landscape of tumour evolution through liquid biopsy.

  Study EGAS00001007077

• Implementation of pediatric precision oncology into clinical practice: The individualized Therapies for Children with cancer program “iTHER”

  iTHER is a prospective national precision oncology program aiming to define tumor molecular profiles in children and adolescents with primary very high-risk, relapsed, or refractory pediatric tumors in order to identify relevant aberrations to inform treatment. From April 2017 to April 2021, 302 samples of 253 patients were included. Comprehensive molecular profiling utilizing lcWGS, WES, RNAseq, Affymetrix, and/or 850k methylation profiling was performed for 226 samples. Germline pathogenic variants were identified in 16% of patients. At least one somatic alteration was detected in 204 (90.3%), and 185 (81.9%) were considered druggable, with priority levels very high (6.1%), high (21.3%), moderate (26.0%), intermediate (36.1%), and borderline (10.5%). Diagnosis was revised or refined in 8 patients (3.5%). Spatial and temporal heterogeneity was observed in paired samples of 15 patients, indicating the value of sequential analysis. Of 137 patients with follow-up beyond 12 months, 21 molecularly matched treatments were applied in 19 patients (13.9%) with modest response. Most relevant barriers to not applying targeted therapies included poor performance status, as well as limited access to drugs within clinical trial. iTHER demonstrates feasibility of comprehensive molecular profiling across all ages, tumor types and stages in pediatric cancers, informing of diagnostic, prognostic, and targetable alterations as well as reportable germline variants within a clinically relevant timeframe. Therefore, WES and RNAseq is implemented into standard clinical care at the Princess Máxima Center for all children. Improved access to targeted treatments within biology-driven combination trials is required to eventually improve survival.

  Study EGAS00001007099

• Single-cell decoding of drug induced transcriptomic reprogramming in triple negative breast cancers

  Background The encoding of cell intrinsic drug resistance states in breast cancer reflects the contributions of genomic and non-genomic variations and requires accurate estimation of clonal fitness from co-measurement of transcriptomic and genomic data. Somatic copy number (CN) variation is the dominant mutational mechanism leading to transcriptional variation and notably contributes to platinum chemotherapy resistance cell states. Here, we deploy time series measurements of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) single-cell transcriptomes, along with co-measured single-cell CN fitness, identifying genomic and transcriptomic mechanisms in drug associated transcriptional cell states. Results We present scRNA-seq data (53,641 filtered cells) from serial passaging TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) experiments spanning 2.5 years, matched with genomic single-cell CN data from the same samples. Our findings reveal distinct clonal responses within TNBC tumors exposed to platinum. Clones with high drug fitness undergo clonal sweeps and show subtle transcriptional reversion, while those with weak fitness exhibit dynamic transcription upon drug withdrawal. Pathway analysis highlights convergence on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cytokine signaling, associated with resistance. Furthermore, pseudotime analysis demonstrates hysteresis in transcriptional reversion, indicating generation of new intermediate transcriptional states upon platinum exposure. Conclusions Within a polyclonal tumor, clones with strong genotype-associated fitness under platinum remained fixed, minimizing transcriptional reversion upon drug withdrawal. Conversely, clones with weaker fitness display non-genomic transcriptional plasticity. This suggests CN-associated and CN-independent transcriptional states could both contribute to platinum resistance. The dominance of genomic or non-genomic mechanisms within polyclonal tumors has implications for drug sensitivity, restoration and re-treatment strategies.

  Study EGAS00001007242

• Clinical outcomes and immune correlates of response to nivolumab plus chemoradiotherapy in women with locally-advanced cervical cancer – NiCOL study

  Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with blockade of the PD-1 pathway may enhance immune-mediated tumor control through increased phagocytosis, cell death, and antigen presentation. The NiCOL phase 1 trial was designed to determine safety, tolerance, and immune correlates of response to the PD-1 blocking antibody, nivolumab, with and following concurrent CRT in 16 women with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Three patients experienced grade 3 dose-limiting toxicities. The overall response rate was 93.8% [95%CI: 69.8%-99.8%] with a 2-year PFS of 75% [95% CI: 56.5%-99.5%]. Compared to patients with progressive disease (PD), progression-free (PF) subjects showed a brisker stromal immune infiltrate, higher proximity of tumor-infiltrating CD3+ T cells to PD-L1+ tumor cells and of Foxp3+ T cells to proliferating CD11c+ myeloid cells. PF had higher baseline levels of PD-1 on EMRA CD4+ T cells and ICOS-L on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) vs PD, which instead displayed enhanced PD-L1 expression on TAMs and higher, circulating frequencies of proliferating Tregs at baseline. Concomitant nivolumab plus definitive CRT is safe and associated with encouraging PFS rates. Further validation in the subset of LACC displaying pre-existing, adaptive immune activation is warranted.

  Study EGAS00001007297

• Pediatric Patient-Derived-Xenograft development in MAPPYACTS – international pediatric cancer precision medicine trial in relapsed and refractory tumors

  Pediatric patients with recurrent and refractory cancers are in most need for new treatments. This study developed patient-derived-xenograft (PDX) models within the European MAPPYACTS cancer precision medicine trial (NCT02613962). To date, 131 PDX models were established following heterotopical and/or orthotopical implantation in immunocompromised mice: 76 sarcomas, 25 other solid tumors, 12 central nervous system tumors, 15 acute leukemias, and 3 lymphomas. PDX establishment rate was 43%. Histology, whole exome and RNA sequencing revealed a high concordance with the primary patient’s tumor profile, human leukocyte-antigen characteristics and specific metabolic pathway signatures. A detailed patient molecular characterization, including specific mutations prioritized in the clinical molecular tumor boards are provided. Ninety models were shared with the IMI2 ITCC Paediatric Preclinical Proof-of-concept Platform (IMI2 ITCC-P4) for further exploitation. This new PDX biobank of unique recurrent childhood cancers provides an essential support for basic and translational research and new treatments development in advanced pediatric malignancies.

  Study EGAS00001007327

• 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

• Pharmacogenomic landscape of patient-derived cells informs precision oncology therapy

  Outcomes of anticancer therapy vary dramatically among patients, which may be caused by the specific molecular alterations in each patient’s tumor. Precision oncology aims to apply optimal therapies for each tumor based on its molecular characteristics. We have established a resource reporting the genomic and transcriptomic profiles of 462 patient tumor-derived cells (PDCs) across 14 cancer types, together with responses to 60 targeted agents. Compared with long-term cultured cancer cell lines, PDCs better recapitulate the molecular profiles of the original tumors. Among other unreported associations, we identify molecular factors inducing resistance to EGFR inhibitors in glioblastoma, and we suggest repurposing ibrutinib (currently used in hematological malignancies) for EGFR-specific therapy in gliomas. Lastly, using a retrospective clinical study, we find that PDC-derived sensitivities can be used to predict patient responses.

  Study EGAS00001002515

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__Oesophageal_adenocarcinoma

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (40X and 20X depth respectively). Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001003702

• Deep whole genome ctDNA chronology of treatment-resistant prostate cancer

  Study EGAS00001005783

• Hi-C analysis of metastatic prostate tumors

  DNA strands have a complex and highly structured three-dimensional shape within the nucleus that has profound but poorly characterized impacts on transcriptional activity. Herein, we performed the first integrated deep Hi-C sequencing on 80 metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer biopsy samples from the West Coast Dream Team consortium.

  Study EGAS00001006604

• cell-free DNA Target sequencing from primary and recurrent/metastatic breast cancer patients

  Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring worldwide in women. Even after curative treatment based on clinical subtypes according to molecular features, the risk of relapse still remains. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is an emerging tool for clinical cancer detection to monitor the risk of recurrence, therapeutic efficacy and tumor progression. In occurrence of relapse, genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic profiles are altered, and reflected in cfDNA fragmentation patterns. In this study, we focus on the transcriptionally dynamic loci associated with therapy resistance in breast cancer, and develop the target sequencing approach using cfDNAs to detect individuals with recurrent/metastatic breast cancer.

  Study JGAS000812

• Development of actionable molecular targets and/or biomarkers for prognostication and patient stratification in gynecological cancer based on whole-exome sequencing and epigenomic analysis

  We collected 157 oral MPA-treatment samples from 66 cases (53 endometrial hyperplasia from 31 cases, 19 atypical polypoid adenomyoma from 14 cases, 1 normal endometrium from 1 case, and 84 endometrial carcinoma from 53 cases) and matched normal tissues/whole blood. The purpose of this study is to develop actionable molecular targets and/or biomarkers for prognostication and patient stratification.

  Study JGAS000813

• Whole exome sequencing of the dMMR colorectal cancer cohort

  We leveraged the ImmunoID NeXT platform, an Immune-enhanced multiomics platform to profile a cohort of patients with dMMR CRC. This sub-study includes the whole exome sequencing data

  Study EGAS50000001744

• Smoking-dependent expression alterations in nasal epithelium reveal immune impairment linked to germline variation and lung cancer risk.

  Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. In contrast to many other cancers, a direct connection to lifestyle risk in the form of cigarette smoke has long been established. More than 50% of all smoking-related lung cancers occur in former smokers, often many years after smoking cessation. Despite extensive research, the molecular processes for persistent lung cancer risk are unclear. CT screening of current and former smokers has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by up to 26%. To examine whether clinical risk stratification can be improved upon by the addition of genetic data, and to explore the mechanisms of the persisting risk in former smokers, we have analyzed transcriptomic data from accessible airway tissues of 487 subjects. We developed a model to assess smoking associated gene expression changes and their reversibility after smoking is stopped, in both healthy subjects and clinic patients. We find persistent smoking associated immune alterations to be a hallmark of the clinic patients. Integrating previous GWAS data using a transcriptional network approach, we demonstrate that the same immune and interferon related pathways are strongly enriched for genes linked to known genetic risk factors, demonstrating a causal relationship between immune alteration and lung cancer risk. Finally, we used accessible airway transcriptomic data to derive a non-invasive lung cancer risk classifier. Our results provide initial evidence for germline-mediated personalised smoke injury response and risk in the general population, with potential implications for managing long-term lung cancer incidence and mortality.

  Dac EGAC50000000169

• RNA-sequencing data from metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)

  The goal of this study is to characterize the transcriptional landscape of advanced prostate cancer

  Study EGAS00001005954

• Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of a National Cohort of Pediatric Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Hungary

  Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a rare childhood malignancy with increasing incidence and distinct clinicopathological features, including high rate of locoregional metastases and different molecular background compared to adult cases. Traditional treatments (surgery, radioactive iodine) are effective but pose long-term risks, prompting the exploration of targeted therapies. We performed comprehensive genomic profiling on 21 pediatric PTC patients utilising the Illumina TruSight Oncology 500 platform and detected mutations, gene fusions, copy number variations and revealed tumor mutational burden.

  Study EGAS50000001833