11976 results for "cancer rna-seq"

in 22.81 milliseconds.

• Massive parallel RNA sequencing of highly purified mesenchymal cells derived from bone marrow specimens of 45 low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome cases

  Highly purified mesenchymal cells (CD45-/7AAD-/CD235a-/CD31-/CD271+/CD105+) were prospectively FACS-isolated from bone marrow specimens of 45 low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LRMDS) cases. Gene expression profiles (GEPs) of the 45 LRMDS have been compared to GEPs derived from likewise highly purified mesenchymal cells obtained from bone marrow specimens of healthy donors for the identification of inflammatory signatures. Additionally, an overlap in inflammatory signatures has been determined by comparing the GEPs of these 45 LRMDS cases to the GEPs of 4 Shwachman-Diamond syndrome and 3 Diamond-Blackfan anemia cases, both representing different subclasses of congenital pre-leukemia syndromes with a tendency of leukemic progression and perturbed niche compartment. Finally, the GEPs and gene expression signatures have been utilized for prognostication and the prediction of leukemic progression.

  Dataset EGAD00001002658

• Blood neutrophils in COPD derive from activated progenitors in the bone marrow

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major respiratory disease characterized by small airway inflammation, emphysema and severe breathing difficulties. Low-grade systemic inflammation is an established hallmark of severe disease, however, the molecular changes in peripheral immune cells remain far from understood. We combined multi-color flow cytometry with single-cell RNA sequencing and showed that blood neutrophil numbers are significantly increased in COPD and they are a heterogeneous population. A transcriptomic state that expressed interferon response genes correlated with alveolar damage and acute exacerbations. Furthermore, bronchoalveolar neutrophils expressed gene signatures corresponding to certain blood neutrophil states. Last, our data in a murine model of cigarette smoke exposure demonstrated that bone marrow neutrophil progenitors are expanded in smoke-treated animals and display signs of immune activation. Our study provides evidence that COPD systemic inflammation may derive from an activated haematopoietic precursor compartment.

  Dataset EGAD00001008788

• Blood neutrophils in COPD derive from activated progenitors in the bone marrow sc Rhapsody

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major respiratory disease characterized by small airway inflammation, emphysema and severe breathing difficulties. Low-grade systemic inflammation is an established hallmark of severe disease, however, the molecular changes in peripheral immune cells remain far from understood. We combined multi-color flow cytometry with single-cell RNA sequencing and showed that blood neutrophil numbers are significantly increased in COPD and they are a heterogeneous population. A transcriptomic state that expressed interferon response genes correlated with alveolar damage and acute exacerbations. Furthermore, bronchoalveolar neutrophils expressed gene signatures corresponding to certain blood neutrophil states. Last, our data in a murine model of cigarette smoke exposure demonstrated that bone marrow neutrophil progenitors are expanded in smoke-treated animals and display signs of immune activation. Our study provides evidence that COPD systemic inflammation may derive from an activated haematopoietic precursor compartment.

  Dataset EGAD00001009704

• RNAseq data from the study - Molecular patterns of response and treatment failure after frontline venetoclax combinations in older patients with AML

  This study assessed molecular determinants of response in a cohort of patients with AML that were treated with venetoclax in combination with either DNA methyltransferase inhibitors or low dose cytarabine. RNA sequencing was performed on 31 patients from three different response classes [10 Group A - Durable remission (n=10), Group B - Relapsed (n=10) and Group C - Refractory (n=11)]. Library preparation and sequencing was performed at the Australian Genome Research Facility, using the Truseq Stranded mRNA library kit. Technical and batch replicate samples are included. Gene count data are provided with the original publication. The use of the sequencing data is subject to a data transfer agreement and is restricted to ethically approved research into blood cell malignancies and cannot be used to assess germline variants.

  Dataset EGAD00001005949

• Single-cell RNA sequencing data of human lymph node samples generated with BD Rhapsody

  The single cell data were generated based on four cartridges. The samples are multiplexed: 0. Sample Run Id Hash Gender Age 1. FL-6 Run1_C1 4 f 71 2. rLN-3 Run1_C1 6 f 72 3. DLBCL-4 Run1_C1 7 f 68 4. DLBCL-1 Run1_C1 8 m 66 5. FL-4 Run1_C1 9 m 41 6. DLBCL-3 Run1_C2 10 f 60 7. rLN-4 Run1_C2 11 f 58 8. rLN-5 Run1_C2 12 m 61 9. FL-1 Run2_C1 1 f 81 10. DLBCL-2 Run2_C1 2 m 80 11. rLN-2 Run2_C1 3 f 42 12. FL-5 Run2_C1 4 m 66 13. DLBCL-8 Run2_C1 5 m 64 14. DLBCL-6 Run2_C2 6 m 76 15. rLN-1 Run2_C2 7 m 39 16. FL-3 Run2_C2 8 f 76 17. DLBCL-5 Run2_C2 9 m 66 18. FL-2 Run2_C2 10 f 58 19. DLBCL-7 Run2_C2 11 f 71

  Dataset EGAD00001010044

• DNA whole-exome sequencing data from patients with metastatic basal cell carcinoma

  Whole-exome sequencing data in fastq format of matched tumour and germline DNA from 8 patients with metastatic basal cell carcinoma. Samples are labeled as Primary, Local or Metastasis: Primary: Sample was obtained from primary tumour. Local: Sample was obtained from local recurrence of primary tumour. Metastasis: Sample was obtained from a metastatic site. Germline: Sample was obtained from normal adjacent tissue. DNA was isolated from FFPE tissue sections of the tumor biopsies using the AllPrep DNA/RNA FFPE Kit (Qiagen) and quality controls conducted using the Qubit fluorometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Library preparation was performed using the Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon v7 XTHS2 probes and sequenced on a NovaSeq 6000 S2 2x100bp

  Dataset EGAD00001008675

• RNA sequencing of 499 Greenlanders

  The data contain whole transcriptome sequencing of 499 Greenlanders.

  Dataset EGAD00001007717

• Blood neutrophils in COPD derive from activated progenitors in the bone marrow sc Seqwell

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major respiratory disease characterized by small airway inflammation, emphysema and severe breathing difficulties. Low-grade systemic inflammation is an established hallmark of severe disease, however, the molecular changes in peripheral immune cells remain far from understood. We combined multi-color flow cytometry with single-cell RNA sequencing and showed that blood neutrophil numbers are significantly increased in COPD and they are a heterogeneous population. A transcriptomic state that expressed interferon response genes correlated with alveolar damage and acute exacerbations. Furthermore, bronchoalveolar neutrophils expressed gene signatures corresponding to certain blood neutrophil states. Last, our data in a murine model of cigarette smoke exposure demonstrated that bone marrow neutrophil progenitors are expanded in smoke-treated animals and display signs of immune activation. Our study provides evidence that COPD systemic inflammation may derive from an activated haematopoietic precursor compartment.

  Dataset EGAD00001008908

• Genetics of gene expression in human macrophage response to Salmonella

  Understanding how cells sense and respond to their environment, and how these responses are modulated by genetic variation, are fundamental biological problems, particularly for understanding how pathogenic organisms invade and manipulate the cells of the human immune system. Macrophages recognize and respond to many important human pathogens including HIV-1, Mycobacteria tuberculosis and Salmonella. This study will focus on the cellular response of human macrophages to Salmonella infection and how this response is modulated by the genetic bacground of the individual as well as additional pro-inflammatory stimulus (interferon-gamma priming). We will acquire 100 human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from the HipSci project, differentiate the cells in vitro into macrophages and expose them to four environmental conditions: (i) no stimulation, (ii) interferon-gamma (18h), (iii) Salmonella typhimurium SL1344 (5h), (iv) interferon-gamma (18h) + Salmonella (5h).Subsequently, we will isolate RNA from the samples for sequencing.

  Dataset EGAD00001003204

• Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) are comprised of three epigenetic subgroups with distinct enhancer landscapes

  Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is one of the most common brain tumors in infants and young children. Although the prognosis of ATRT patients is poor, some patients respond very well to current treatments, suggesting inter-tumor molecular heterogeneity. To investigate this further, we genetically and epigenetically analyzed a large cohort of ATRTs (n = 170). Three distinct molecular subgroups of ATRTs, associated with differences in demographics, tumor location and type of SMARCB1 alterations, were identified using DNA-methylation or gene expression analyses. Whole genome DNA- and RNA-sequencing found no other recurrent mutations explaining the differences between subgroups. However, whole genome bisulfite-sequencing and H3K27Ac ChIP-sequencing of primary tumors revealed clear differences in methylation patterns and enhancer landscapes, leading to the identification of subgroup-specific regulatory networks.

  Dataset EGAD00001001444

• Conserved interferon-gamma signaling and decreased immune exclusion programs in responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy_CM38-RNA

  We analyzed baseline and on-therapy tumor biopsies from 101 patients with advanced melanoma treated with nivolumab (anti-PD-1) alone or combined with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4). Analysis of whole transcriptome data showed that T cell infiltration and interferon-gamma signaling signatures corresponded most highly with clinical response to therapy, with a reciprocal decrease in cell cycle and WNT signaling pathways in responding biopsies. Clinical outcome differences were likely not due to differential melanoma cell responses to interferon-gamma, as 57 human melanoma cell lines exposed in vitro to this cytokine showed a conserved interferon-gamma transcriptome response unless they had mutations that precluded signaling from the interferon-gamma receptor. Therefore, the magnitude of the antitumor T cell response and the corresponding downstream interferon-gamma signaling are the main drivers of clinical response or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

  Dataset EGAD00001006282

• Single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing of nivolumab-treated glioblastoma

  Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive type of brain tumour for which there is no curative treatment available. Immunotherapies have shown limited responses in unselected glioblastoma patients, and it is currently not well understood what separates the few responders from the non-responders at the cellular and molecular level. Here we investigate the phenotypic and transcriptional evolutionary dynamics at single-cell resolution during nivolumab immune checkpoint treatment of eight glioblastoma patients enrolled in a translational phase I/II clinical trial.

  Study EGAS00001007110

• Inherited Genetic Variation and Predisposition to Testicular Germ Cell Tumor: UPenn Local TGCT Study

  Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most common cancer in men ages 20-40. The incidence of TGCT has more than doubled over the past forty years, without clear etiology. Both genetic effects and environmental exposures, specifically during the pre-natal period, are likely to play an important role in determining TGCT susceptibility. TGCT is known to develop from primordial germ cells (PGCs). We hypothesize that variation in genes that impact upon the differentiation and maturation of PGCs will be important determinants of TGCT susceptibility and based on this hypothesis have selected three important pathways for study, i) male germ cell development, ii) androgen and estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism, and iii) IGF signaling. The proteins involved in early male germ cell development, normally only expressed in PGCs, are markers of and are overexpressed in TGCT. Markers of increased exposure to estrogen (or relatively decreased exposure to androgen) in utero and exogenous estrogen exposures, such as endocrine disruptors, have been associated with TGCT case status in multiple studies. IGF signaling is necessary for testis differentiation and maturation in mice and interacts synergistically with the estrogen signaling pathway. Additionally, we are interested in examining genetic factors predisposing to TGCT in an unbiased fashion, and thus will conduct a Genome Wide Association Study. As well disease susceptiblity, genetics are likely to play a role in disease progression, disease outcomes and response to treatement. We will also assess association of inherited genetics with these outcomes. We will analyze the contribution of genetic variants in these pathways to TGCT risk using a population-based case-control study in the Philadelphia metropolitian area. Our goal is the collection of 550 TGCT cases and 1100 age, race and cell phone use matched controls without a history of TGCT, which will yield 500 and 1000 white cases and controls, respectively, available for final analyses. All cases will be enumerated through the New Jersey and Pennsylvania state cancer registries. We will use a two-tiered approach for case recruitment: hospital clinic-based followed by registry-based. Hospital based cases will be identified within the Univeristy of Pennsylvania Health System and the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network. All cases identified through this mechanism will be recruited irregardless of diagnosis date. The remaining cases will be identified through the New Jersey and Pennsylvania cancer registries and contacted following their protocols. Controls will be identified through random digit dialing and address based sampling. Both cases and controls will complete a questionnaire addressing known, presumed, and hypothesized risk factors for TGCT and provide a biospecimen. Pathological slides will be reviewed to cases to confirm diagnostic sub-type of TGCT. Haplotypes and functional SNPs will be typed in the genes of interest, as well as throughout the genome. Analyses will be conducted for specific variants, common haplotypes, alone and in conjunction with each other and exposure data after appropriate adjustment for potential confounders. The findings from this study will greatly contribute to our understanding of determinants of TGCT susceptibility.

  Study phs001307

• The BC Cancer Agency's Personalized Onco-Genomics Project

  The BC Cancer Agency's Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG) Project involves molecular and clinical characterization of individual cancer patients to guide their treatment. The project aims to use whole genome and transcriptome data together with patient information to match treatments to cancer driver alterations and support clinical decision-making. Incorporating genomic data into decision-making should enable more rational development of treatment plans, facilitate enrollment into appropriate clinical trials and potentially identify less toxic and more effective therapeutic options.

  Study EGAS00001001159

• CRCbiome: Gut metagenome of Norwegian screening participants using FIT sampling

  The study aims to characterize the gut metagenome of Norwegian screening participants and assess the ability of the gut metagenome to identify those at need for colonoscopy. Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces CRC incidence and mortality. However, current screening methods are either hampered by invasiveness or suboptimal performance, limiting their effectiveness as primary screening methods. To aid in the development of a non-invasive screening test with improved sensitivity and specificity, we have initiated a prospective biomarker study (CRCbiome), nested within a large randomized CRC screening trial in Norway. We aim to develop a microbiome-based classification algorithm to identify advanced colorectal lesions in screening participants testing positive for an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (FIT). We will also examine interactions with host factors, diet, lifestyle and prescription drugs. The prospective nature of the study also enables the analysis of changes in the gut microbiome following the removal of precancerous lesions. Methods: The CRCbiome study recruits participants enrolled in the Bowel Cancer Screening in Norway (BCSN) study, a randomized trial initiated in 2012 comparing once-only sigmoidoscopy to repeated biennial FIT, where women and men aged 50–74 years at study entry are invited to participate. Since 2017, participants randomized to FIT screening with a positive test result have been invited to join the CRCbiome study. Self-reported diet, lifestyle and demographic data are collected prior to colonoscopy after the positive FIT-test (baseline). Screening data, including colonoscopy findings are obtained from the BCSN database. Fecal samples for gut microbiome analyses are collected both before and 2 and 12 months after colonoscopy. Samples are analyzed using metagenome sequencing, with taxonomy profiles, and gene and pathway content as primary measures. CRCbiome data will also be linked to national registries to obtain information on prescription histories and cancer relevant outcomes occurring during the 10 year follow-up period. Discussion: The CRCbiome study will increase our understanding of how the gut microbiome, in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors, influences the early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. This knowledge will be crucial to develop microbiome-based screening tools for CRC. By evaluating biomarker performance in a screening setting, using samples from the target population, the generalizability of the findings to future screening cohorts is likely to be high.

  Study EGAS50000000170

• Prediction of Trastuzumab Benefit in Adjuvant Breast Cancer: Gene Expression Profiling in NSABP B31

  Background National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) trial B-31 suggested the efficacy of adjuvant trastuzumab, even in HER2-negative breast cancer. This finding prompted us to develop a predictive model for degree of benefit from trastuzumab using archived tumor blocks from B-31. Methods Case subjects with tumor blocks were randomly divided into discovery (n = 588) and confirmation cohorts (n = 991). A predictive model was built from the discovery cohort through gene expression profiling of 462 genes with nCounter assay. A predefined cut point for the predictive model was tested in the confirmation cohort. Gene-by-treatment interaction was tested with Cox models, and correlations between variables were assessed with Spearman correlation. Principal component analysis was performed on the final set of selected genes. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Eight predictive genes associated with HER2 (ERBB2, c17orf37, GRB7) or ER (ESR1, NAT1, GATA3, CA12, IGF1R) were selected for model building. Three-dimensional subset treatment effect pattern plot using two principal components of these genes was used to identify a subset with no benefit from trastuzumab, characterized by intermediate-level ERBB2 and high-level ESR1 mRNA expression. In the confirmation set, the predefined cut points for this model classified patients into three subsets with differential benefit from trastuzumab with hazard ratios of 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.67 to 3.69; P = .29; n = 100), 0.60 (95% CI = 0.41 to 0.89; P = .01; n = 449), and 0.28 (95% CI = 0.20 to 0.41; P < .001; n = 442; P interaction between the model and trastuzumab < .001). Conclusions We developed a gene expression-based predictive model for degree of benefit from trastuzumab and demostrated that HER2-negative tumors belong to the moderate benefit group, thus providing justification for testing trastuzumab in HER2-negative patients (NSABP B-47). ** Reprinted from J Natl Cancer Inst;2013;105:1782-1788 with permission from Oxford University Press.

  Study phs000826

• Immune induction strategies to enhance the sensitivity to PD-1 blockade in metastatic triple negative breast cancer: the TONIC-trial

  The response rate in metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) to PD-1 blockade is low, highlighting an urgent clinical need for strategies that render the TNBC tumor microenvironment (TME) more sensitive to PD-1 blockade. Immunomodulatory mechanisms have been proposed for both chemotherapy and irradiation, but it has not been established whether these therapies may improve efficacy of PD-1 blockade by favorably changing the TME. In the first stage of this adaptive, non-comparative phase II trial (TONIC-trial; NCT02499367), 67 patients with metastatic TNBC were randomized to nivolumab without induction or to one of four induction treatments, consisting of irradiation of one metastatic lesion (3x8 Gy) or a two- week low-dose regimen of cyclophosphamide, cisplatin or doxorubicin, all followed by nivolumab. In the overall cohort of 66 evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR; iRECIST16) was 20% (95% CI: 11%-31%), with two complete responses and 11 partial responses. The majority of clinical responses were observed on nivolumab in the cisplatin (ORR 23%; 3/13) and doxorubicin (ORR 35%; 6/17) cohorts. After doxorubicin and cisplatin induction, we detected an upregulation of immune-related genes, involved in PD-1/PD-L1, and T-cell cytotoxicity pathways. This was further supported by enrichment among upregulated genes related to inflammation, JAK-STAT and TNFα-signaling after doxorubicin. In addition, we observed a trend towards increased T-cell infiltration, measured using T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, after doxorubicin. Together, the clinical and translational data of this study testing different immune induction strategies prior to nivolumab suggest that short-term doxorubicin and cisplatin may induce a more favorable TME and increase the likelihood of response to PD-1 blockade in TNBC. These data warrant further confirmation in TNBC and exploration of induction treatments prior to PD-1 blockade in other cancer types.

  Study EGAS00001003535

• The University of Hong Kong Colon Cancer GCV Study

  Background: Ganciclovir (GCV) is widely used in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients for prophylaxis and treatment of cytomegalovirus. It has long been considered a mutagen and carcinogen. However, the contribution of GCV to cancer incidence and other factors that influence its mutagenicity remains unknown. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analysed genomics data for 121,771 patients who had undergone targeted sequencing compiled by the Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) or Foundation Medicine (FM). A statistical approach was developed to identify patients with GCV-associated mutational signature (GCVsig) from targeted sequenced data of tumour samples. Cell line exposure models were further used to quantify mutation burden and DNA damage caused by GCV and other antiviral and immunosuppressive drugs. Results: Mutational profiles from 22 of 121,771 patient samples in the GENIE and FM cohorts showed evidence of GCVsig. A diverse range of cancers was represented. All patients with detailed clinical history available had previously undergone solid organ transplantation and received GCV and mycophenolate treatment. RAS hotspot mutations associated with GCVsig¬¬ were present in 9 of the 22 samples, with all samples harbouring multiple GCV-associated protein-altering mutations in cancer driver genes. In vitro testing in cell lines showed that elevated DNA damage response and GCV¬sig are uniquely associated with GCV but not acyclovir, a structurally similar antiviral. Combination treatment of GCV with the immunosuppressant, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), increased the misincorporation of GCV in genomic DNA and mutations attributed to GCVsig in cell lines and organoids. Conclusions: In summary, GCV can cause a diverse range of cancers. Its mutagenicity may be potentiated by other therapies, such as mycophenolate, commonly co-prescribed with GCV for post-transplant patients. Further investigation of the optimal use of these drugs could help reduce GCV-associated mutagenesis in post-transplant patients.

  Study EGAS00001006707

• Molecular features of adenomas predicting metachronous colorectal cancer: a nested-case control study

  "Background & Aims: Current morphological features defining advanced adenomas (size ≥10 mm, high grade dysplasia or >25% villous component) cannot optimally distinguish individuals at high-risk or low-risk of metachronous colorectal cancer (me-CRC), which may result in suboptimal surveillance. Certain DNA copy number alterations are associated with adenoma-to-carcinoma progression (cancer-associated events; CAEs). We aimed to evaluate whether CAEs can better predict an individual’s risk of me-CRC than the morphological advanced adenoma features. Methods: In this nested case-control study, 529 individuals with a single adenoma at their first colonoscopy were selected from a Norwegian adenoma cohort. DNA copy number profiles were determined, by means of low-coverage whole genome sequencing. We assessed the prevalence of CAEs in advanced and non-advanced adenomas and its association with me-CRC. For the latter, cases (with CRC) were matched to controls (without CRC), with the same follow-up period as cases, as well as age and sex. Subsequently, odds ratios (OR) for the association of the presence of an advanced adenoma or a molecularly-defined high-risk adenoma with me-CRC were calculated. Results: Molecular high-risk features were observed in 85/267 (32%) of advanced adenomas and in 27/262 (10%) of non-advanced adenomas. Me-CRC was more strongly associated with advanced adenomas (OR 3.58; 95% CI 2.27-5.72) than with molecular high-risk adenomas (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.14–3.16). After adjusting for other variables, only advanced adenoma remained significantly associated with me-CRC (OR 3.39; 95% CI 2.10–5.55). Conclusion: Molecularly-defined high-risk adenomas were associated with me-CRC, but the association of advanced adenoma with me-CRC was stronger. " Project goal: Evaluate the value of DNA copy numbers alterations detected in a baseline adenoma, in the prediction of risk of metachronous CRC

  Study EGAS00001007039

• CTSP: Clinical Trial Sequencing Project

  For the Clinical Trials Sequencing Project (CTSP), National Cancer Institute (NCI) will utilize whole genome sequencing and/or whole exome sequencing in conjunction with transcriptome sequencing to try to identify recurrent genetic alterations (mutations, deletions, amplifications, rearrangements) and/or gene expression signatures that would be important to the hypothesis(es) submitted by the investigators. The samples will be processed and submitted for genomic characterization using pipelines and procedures established within The Cancer Genome Analysis (TCGA) project. Data analysis will be performed as a collaboration between the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Group and its investigators submitting the proposal. The investigators at the NCI-sponsored Genomic Data Analysis Center (GDAC) will characterize the samples. The NCTN Group will be responsible for providing the clinical data needed for the proposal to the open clinical system maintained by NCI CCG's Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The project team (Network Group/investigators and GDAC) will analyze the data together. Additionally, clinical and genomic data related to the analyses will also need to be registered by NCI and will be made available to qualified researchers via a controlled-access database (e.g., dbGaP) upon publication of the primary analysis described in the study proposal. A substudy description and its molecular data information are provided under its own page: phs001184 CTSP Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) CALGB 50303

  Study phs001175

• Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade in women with mismatch repair deficient endometrial cancer

  Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has shown unprecedented activity in mismatch repair deficient (MMRd) colorectal cancers, but its effectiveness in MMRd endometrial cancer (EC) remains unknown. In this investigator-driven, phase I, feasibility study (NCT04262089), 10 women with MMRd EC of any grade, planned for primary surgery, received two cycles of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (200 mg IV) every three weeks. A pathologic response (primary objective) was observed in 5/10 patients, with 2 patients showing a major pathologic response. No patient achieved a complete pathologic response. A partial radiologic response (secondary objective) was observed in 3/10 patients, 5/10 patients had stable disease and 2/10 patients were non-evaluable on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). All patients completed treatment without severe toxicity (exploratory objective). At median duration of follow-up of 22.5 months, two non-responders experienced disease recurrence. In-depth analysis of the loco-regional and systemic immune response (predefined exploratory objective) showed that monoclonal T cell expansion significantly correlated with treatment response. Tumour-draining lymph nodes displayed clonal overlap with intra-tumoural T cell expansion. All pre-specified endpoints, efficacy in terms of pathologic response as primary endpoint, radiologic response as secondary outcome and safety and tolerability as exploratory endpoint, were reached. Neoadjuvant ICB with pembrolizumab proved safe and induced pathologic, radiologic, and immunologic responses in MMRd EC, warranting further exploration of extended neoadjuvant treatment.

  Study EGAS50000000483

• UCSF Database for the Advancement of JMML - Integration of Metadata with Omic Data

  Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare and frequently fatal myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic disorder of early childhood with an estimated incidence of 1.2 cases per million. It is associated with a spectrum of diverse outcomes ranging from spontaneous resolution in rare patients to transformation to acute myeloid leukemia in others. The overwhelming majority of JMML patients (~95%) will harbor mutations in canonical Ras pathway genes, including NF1, NRAS, KRAS, PTPN11, and CBL. As Ras proteins are mutated in more than 30% of human cancers, the information gleaned from the study of JMML has provided insights into Ras signaling in cancer as well as a group of congenital diseases with tumor predispositions known as the “Rasopathies”. While oncogenic Ras is one of the most common mutations in human cancer, it remains one of the most vexing targets for efficacious therapy. To better understand this disease, a JMML tissue bank was established at UCSF that allows for consenting of subjects, biobanking of tissue and collection of follow up data from patients both locally and at other institutions. Through the collection and analysis of specimens, knowledge about the genetic, epigenetic, and biochemical basis of JMML has been gained. This integrated database will enable future JMML research, and importantly, additional Ras/MAPK pathway research by depositing linked, processed data to well annotated anonymized patients in an easily accessible online database

  Study phs002504

• The Dynamic Immune Behavior of Primary and Metastatic Ovarian Carcinoma

  Patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and often develop resistance to conventional therapy. Epithelial ovarian tumors have been shown to be rich in CD8+ lymphocytes, which infiltrate both primary and omental sites. In recent years, several prominent studies have highlighted a positive association between the presence of these immune cells and a good prognosis; however, clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors have so far shown unsatisfactory results in ovarian cancer. In this study, we used an innovative combination of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to identify the molecular mechanisms that lead to immunosuppression in primary and metastatic HGSC. Primary tumors consistently showed a more active immune microenvironment than did omental tumors. In addition, while several immune cell subtypes were present in all samples, their relative abundance differed between primary and omental tumors. Finally, we found that primary tumors were mostly populated by dysfunctional CD4 and CD8 T cells in later stages of differentiation, while omental tumors were mostly populated by naïve immune cells; this, in turn, was correlated with expression changes in the interferon α and γ pathways in epithelial cells, showing that cross-communication between the epithelial and immune compartments is important for immune suppression in ovarian cancer. These findings can impact the timing and choice of immune-modulating drugs and should be considered when planning treatment for patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

  Study EGAS50000000038

• RB1 Gene Inactivation by Chromothripsis in Human Retinoblastoma

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

  Study EGAS00001000598

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

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

  Study EGAS00001001682