5707 results for "canc*"

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• A National Translational Science Network of Precision-Based Immunotherapy for Primary Liver Cancer (PLC)

  The primary objective of the NCI-CLARITY study is to establish a biospecimen repository for genomic, genetic and epigenetic analysis to study the biology of primary liver cancer (PLC) development and progression. Secondary objectives include predicting overall and progression-free survival following immunotherapy. In the retrospective phase, anonymous archival tissue from PLC patients was obtained from five participating sites. Whole exome and transcriptome sequencing was generated and used to predict overall survival in response to immunotherapy.

  Study phs003074

• Retinoblastoma Aqueous Humor Liquid Biopsy Repository

  This study involves the use of the aqueous humor (AH, the clear fluid in the front of the eye) as an organ specific liquid biopsy for retinoblastoma. This relatively new liquid biopsy platform was started at CHLA/USC and was developed to overcome the lack of tumor tissue -- due to contraindication to biopsy -- for this cancer. We have demonstrated that the aqueous humor is an enriched source of tumor DNA. Previously tumoral information was only available after the eye was removed for treatment failure. Due to the AH liquid biopsy, we are now able to assay tumor derived molecular information from these eyes at diagnosis and longitudinally during treatment -- as opposed to only eyes that have failed therapy. We have demonstrated that using the platform we can identify the specific mutations in the RB1 gene that initiate tumorigenesis in this cancer as well as the secondary chromosomal alterations the drive further tumor growth. This database will provide sequencing information as well as associated clinical information and globe salvage outcomes.

  Study phs003077

• Advancing Precision Oncology in a Humanized, Fully Autologous Mouse Model

  Progress in the early detection and treatment of cancer requires accurate model systems to further evaluate new, promising discoveries. Small animal and, in particular, mouse model systems are attractive to researchers for numerous reasons, including their ease of use and well-described platforms. The ability to grow human tumors in immune-deficient mice (so-called patient-derived xenografts, or PDXs) allows researchers to work directly with human cancer tissue in a controlled setting. However, PDX models are limited by their lack of an intact immune system. Immunotherapy has revolutionized clinical oncology, but lacks pre-clinical models of the human immune system and human cancer to investigate new modalities and limitations/toxicities of treatment regimens. The broad objective of this study is to validate an in vivo model to evaluate human tumors in the context of a complete and intact human immune system in a completely personalized and autologous fashion to study cancer immunotherapy. Herein, we will: (1) validate the ability of our humanized system to serve as a model for cancer immunotherapy treatment response and toxicity in patients with melanoma, including immunotherapy checkpoint blockade and vaccine strategies, and (2) extend our current work in melanoma by validating the ability to establish humanized mice and evaluate tumor growth and leukocyte development in autologous human pancreatic and colorectal tumors established in humanized mice. In each of these areas, we will leverage our multi-institutional team's individual expertise along with our institutional infrastructure to maximize the success of the experimental aims. The results from this project will be widely available to the general research community for future, hypothesis-driven research. Taken together, our study will meet multiple goals and address several unmet needs in cancer immunotherapy, thus significantly enhancing the applicability of a fully autologous and immunocompetent precision model system for use in translational oncology research.

  Study phs003090

• The Genomic Landscape of Interval Colorectal Cancers

  Interval colorectal cancers (CRC), cancers diagnosed after a screening/surveillance exam in which no cancer is detected, and before the date of the next recommended exam, reflect an unprecedented challenge in CRC detection and prevention. To better understand this poorly characterized CRC variant, we examined the clinical and mutational characteristics of interval CRCs in comparison to screen-detected CRCs. We used data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer randomized controlled trial (RCT) of flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) screening, which enrolled 154,900 men and women aged 55 to 74 years between 1993 and 2001. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was performed on 323 samples from 168 participants (data available through dbGaP). We found colorectal cancers diagnosed between screening exams (interval cancers) had significantly increased risk of death than screen detected cancers although no significant molecular differences were observed between screen-detected and interval CRC at the whole exome sequencing level.

  Study phs003093

• Urothelial Cancer - Genomic Analysis to Improve Patient Outcomes and Research (UC-GENOME): a Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN)-Led Collaborative Research Pilot Study - for Samples Collected at Johns Hopkins

  UC-GENOME is a real-world cohort of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). The study consisted of two co-equal aims: 1) to provide targeted DNA sequencing for clinical decision making at no cost to patients; and 2) to create a resource for collaborative translational science including a clinically annotated biobank. The submitted data represents the foundational analysis of 218 patients accrued at 7 academic medical centers. The analysis includes 176 patients with both targeted DNA sequencing and RNA sequencing. The genomic data was combined with clinical variables to model response to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).The larger dataset for this study can be found in dbGaP study phs003066.

  Study phs003094

• Integration of Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Melanoma Survival (Berwick)

  The long-term goal of the InterMEL Program Project: Integration of Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Melanoma Survival is to identify molecular and clinical factors that predict survival of melanoma patients. Our overarching hypothesis is that we can identify factors in the primary melanoma tumor that will lead to more aggressive disease. Melanoma patients diagnosed at American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor, lymph nodes, and metastases (TNM) stages IIA/IIB/IIC/IIIA/IIIB/IIIC/IIID display highly variable clinical outcomes and responses to therapy. We wish to identify robust and reproducible biomarkers or sets of classifiers that distinguish patients likely to have poor prognosis. These biomarkers will help establish targets for adjuvant therapies for this set of patients before the tumors metastasize. Aim 1. Classify actionable somatic mutations, and copy number variations (CNVs) in relationship to melanoma survival. In Project 1, Targeted Sequencing and Clinicopathology to Evaluate Primary Melanoma Molecular Subtypes and Outcomes, we will profile 468 genes using the MSKIMPACT ™ assay and identify somatic mutations and CNVs associated with melanoma-specific survival, as well as their co-occurrence with other mutations, in 1,000 tumors from patients at AJCC TNM stages IIA-IIID: approximately 500 from patients who died with melanoma within five years and approximately 500 from individuals who have lived at least five years. We will also evaluate the joint effects of somatic mutations, CNVs and pathologic characteristics associated with good and poor outcomes. Aim 2. Identify primary melanoma DNA methylation profiles to evaluate subtypes and survival. Although it has been established that melanomas frequently have aberrant DNA methylation, it is unknown if DNA methylation in primary melanomas predicts outcome. In Project 2, Primary Melanoma DNA Methylation Profiling for Evaluating Subtypes and Survival, we will profile the same primary melanomas as in Project 1 with Illumina Infinium 850K methylation arrays. We expect to: identify and characterize DNA methylation-based melanoma subclasses; train, test and validate a CpG signature prognostic for survival from melanoma; determine whether this profile adds information to outcome prediction beyond AJCC TNM staging. This project is based on the hypothesis that DNA methylation in primary melanoma will define subgroups (including a poor-prognosis CIMP – ‘CpG island methylator phenotype' subtype) and that a CpG signature will be prognostic for melanoma survival. Aim 3. Define microRNA expression changes in relation to melanoma survival. MicroRNAs have been associated with poor prognosis in melanoma, as well as in other cancers. In Project 3, Prognostic and Functional Role of a Gene Expression Signature in Melanoma Patients, we hypothesize that altered miRNA expression, captured at the time of diagnosis, may contribute to the aggressive behavior of a subset of early stage primary melanomas. We will profile the same primary melanomas as in Projects 1 and 2 with a Nanostring assay. This project will define and validate a tissue-based microRNA signature in conducted to determine whether the prognostic miRNA signature, as well as other candidate genes emerging from other projects, contribute to melanoma survival. Aim 4. Integrate data from multiple platforms to identify melanoma subtypes and survival. Despite substantial literature on gene tumor mutation-, methylation- and gene expression-based prognostic and predictive signatures for melanoma, few such signatures are used in clinical practice. Project 4, Multiplatform Analysis of Melanoma Molecular Subtypes and Patient Survival Outcome, will use novel integrative clustering methods to identify molecular subtypes of melanoma jointly defined across these platforms.

  Study phs003099

• Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI): Clonal Evolution During Metastatic Spread in High-Risk Neuroblastoma

  The goal of this study is to deliver a detailed characterization of the patterns of disease dissemination at diagnosis, during progression and in response to therapy in high-risk neuroblastoma. Longitudinal and spatially distinct tumors were collected from patients. Clinical data includes diagnosis and treatment information. Biospecimen data includes whole genome sequencing (WGS) and whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS).

  Study phs003111

• Multiregional Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Liver Cancer

  In this study, we performed single-cell transcriptomic profiling of human liver tissues collected from hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients. A total of seven primary liver cancer patients enrolled in this study. Samples were collected from multiple regions, including tumor core, tumor border and adjacent non-tumor tissue. The 10x Genomics platform was used to generate single cell 5' libraries. The Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform was employed for sequencing.

  Study phs003117

• Genetic Epidemiology of Ovarian Cancer Histotypes

  Epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly fatal malignancy with known genetic etiology; however, it is estimated that a substantial portion of narrow sense heritability remains to be discovered. The goal of this research was to use genetic information from distantly related ovarian cancer cases to identify regions of the genome that may harbor rare risk variants for epithelial ovarian cancer. The study was conducted in the setting of the Utah Population Database, a statewide data resource in which extensive ancestry data are linked to Utah Cancer Registry records. Focusing on families with a statistically significant excess risk of epithelial ovarian cancer, we used the Infinium Global Screening Array v.3.0 to generate germline genotyping data for distantly related cases. We then applied Shared Genomic Segment Analysis to each set of related cases to identify genomic regions that may harbor ovarian cancer risk variants. Eleven regions were identified. Genotype data are available through dbGaP for one case from each pedigree. Genotype data from other ovarian cancer cases within the high-risk pedigrees as well as the pedigrees' corresponding structures can be requested and made available with approval from the Utah Resource for Genetic and Epidemiologic Research (RGE).

  Study phs003140

• Integrative Somatic and Germline Computational Biology to Redefine Clinical Actionability in Solid Tumors

  Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare cancers that arise in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. The fundamental mechanisms driving gastroenteropancreatic NETs (GEP-NETs) growth remain incompletely elucidated; however, the heterogeneous clinical behavior of GEP-NETs suggests that both cellular lineage dynamics and tumor microenvironment influence tumor pathophysiology. Here, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of fresh resections of GEP-NETs, including four pancreatic NETs, three small intestinal NETs, and one perigastric NET. We used single-cell sequencing to investigate the tumor and immune cellular landscapes of GEP-NET patients. Malignant GEP-NET gene and regulon expression was compared with normal, gastrointestinal endocrine cell differentiation and fate determination stages. We further characterized immune-immune and immune-tumor interaction networks within GEP-NETs, identifying novel therapeutic opportunities in the myeloid compartment of the microenvironment. Our findings highlight the transcriptomic heterogeneity that distinguishes the cellular landscapes of GEP-NET anatomic subtypes and reveal potential avenues for future precision medicine therapeutics.

  Study phs003141

• Tissue Sampling and Biorepository to improve Cancer Cell Therapy

  This study focuses on the elucidation of determinants of response and resistance to anti-CD19 CAR T-cells in large B-cell lymphoma. Plasma samples were collected prior to treatment and serially post CAR T-cell infusion. Pre-treatment and relapse tumor samples were also obtained as available. Germ-line DNA isolated from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) was collected for all patients when available. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and tumor DNA were sequenced using a target hybrid capture oligonucleotide pool. RNA-Seq was also performed on tumor isolated RNA. The authors identified several recurrent genomic alterations associated with relapse, and identified molecular thresholds that were predictive of response.

  Study phs003145

• A Phase II Neoadjuvant Study of Palbociclib in Combination with Letrozole and Trastuzumab as Neoadjuvant Treatment of Stage II-III ER+ HER2+ Breast Cancer (PALTAN)

  Women with early stage ER+/HER2+ breast cancer (BC) are less likely to achieve pathological complete response (pCR) after chemotherapy with standard of care dual HER2 blockade than patients with ER-/HER2+ BC. Additionally, the toxicity burden of standard systemic therapy is high. Thus, this single arm phase 2 clinical trial investigated a novel de-escalation regimen with trastuzumab, letrozole, and palbociclib in those with early stage ER+/HER2+ BC. The aim was to determine if this treatment regimen will achieve similar pCR rates as conventional treatment and spare women the toxicity burden of regular treatments. The primary endpoint was pCR after 16 weeks of treatment with trastuzumab, letrozole, and palbociclib. Patients with newly diagnosed ER+ HER2+ invasive BC with clinical stages II and III were eligible for this protocol. Research biopsies were performed during the treatment course for whole exome and RNA sequencing, PAM50 molecular subtyping, and Ki67 assessment using immunohistochemistry for complete cell cycle arrest (CCCA: Ki67 ≤2.7%). Results showed a pCR of 7.7% and a rate of residual cancer burden at 0 or I of 38.5%. CCCA was observed in 85% at Cycle 1 day 15 post palbociclib, trastuzumab, and letrozole treatment (C1D15), compared to 27% at surgery after palbociclib was discontinued. PAM50 subtyping identified 31.2% HER2-E, 43.8% Luminal B, 25% Luminal A. 161 genes were differentially expressed comparing C1D15 to baseline. Whole exome and RNA sequencing data will be available through dbGaP.

  Study phs003147

• Bladder Cancer Organoids as a Functional System to Model Different Disease Stages and Therapy Response

  The study 'Bladder Cancer Organoids as a Functional System to Model Different Disease Stages and Therapy Response' reports the genomic characterization at the single allele level upon Whole Exome Sequencing of Bladder Cancer (BLCa) Patient Tumor (PT) samples obtained from 18 patients and corresponding Patient Derived Organoids (PDOs), implementing the SPICE pipeline (Ciani Y et al). Our cohort included 21 PTs and 22 PDOs. In this study, we generated a unique biobank resource of BLCa organoids that encompasses a broad spectrum of disease stages. We demonstrated that PDOs retain cancer heterogeneity and mutational burden. Furthermore, we observed that BLCa PDO can have different morphologies which may reflect tumor-specific features. Indeed, a solid morphology may be associated with more advanced tumors, as supported by the high PDO genomic burden and high primary tumor stage. Moreover, with our drug screening pipeline, we demonstrated the clinical relevance and feasibility of using a BLCa PDO-based drug assay for comparing the standard of care (SOC) drugs with compounds not currently in use for BLCa. Response to SOC was highly heterogeneous with approximately 50% of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and 33% of muscle invasive bladder cancer PDOs showing no or minimal response. The most effective targeted therapy was lapatinib. We used an integrative analysis of drug response profiles with matched PDO genomic analysis to determine enrichment thresholds for candidate markers of therapy resistance and sensitivity. Importantly, by assessing the clinical history of longitudinally sampled cases, the clonal evolution of the disease could be determined and matched with PDO drug response profiles.

  Study phs003149

• International Cancer Proteogenomics Consortium (ICPC): Proteogenomics of East-Asian Breast Cancer

  The incidence of invasive breast cancer is rapidly increasing in East Asia, enriching in younger patients and luminal disease. We presented a deep proteogenomic landscape of a prospectively enrolled early-stage cohort in Taiwan to uncover the etiology, age-related subtype and oncogenic vulnerabilities underlying the heterogeneous disease. Multilayer proteogenomic architecture revealed distinct endogenous and environmental carcinogen-associated mutagenesis, linking APOBEC (apolipoprotein-B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like) cytidine deaminase and DBAC (dibenz[a,j] acridine) signatures to significantly elevated hormone biosynthesis and chemical carcinogenesis in younger patients, and identifying a novel subset of high mutation burden and immune escape potentially beneficial from combined epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy. A proteomics-informed classification resolves luminal heterogeneity, defines high-risk recurrent luminal disease and nominates biomarkers and actionable druggable pathways. Furthermore, proteogenomics profile distinguished a young luminal population susceptible to exogenous carcinogen and having DNA repair deficiency. This study illuminates the age-related molecular subtypes and oncogenic vulnerabilities, providing a proteogenomics-transformative guide for patient stratification and precision therapeutics beyond clinical staging.

  Study phs003150

• CPTAC: Proteogenomic Studies of Ovarian Tumor Responses to Agents Targeting the DNA Damage Response

  There is a critical unmet need for predictors of chemo-refractory High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Despite over 3 decades of research on platinum responses in cancer, no predictive biomarker has been translated into clinical use. Predictors of refractory disease could spare these patients the unnecessary toxicity of a platinum-based regimen and provide a means to triage these patients to clinical trials to identify effective therapies for refractory disease. This study has approached the development of a predictor in a novel way enabling detection of a multi-analyte panel biomarker capable of detecting a subset of refractory HGSOCs with high specificity and implicating potential treatment vulnerabilities for refractory disease. We reported the first proteogenomic analysis of platinum refractoriness in HGSOC and made the novel dataset available as a resource to the community, including a ProTrack portal: http://ptrc.cptac-data-view.org/. Detailed proteogenomic profiles were generated for this study from a retrospective cohort of 242 treatment-naive HGSOCs with enriched representation of "exceptional non-responders" (i.e., patients with chemo-refractory disease). Whole genome sequence (WGS) and RNA seq FASTQ files are available through dbGaP. Proteomic data are available through the NCI Proteomic Data Commons (PDC): https://pdc.cancer.gov/pdc/.

  Study phs003152

• Neoantigen-Targeted CD8+ T-Cell Responses 1 With PD-1 Blockade Therapy

  Background: The primary target of T-cell responses induced against cancer cells are peptides derived from non-synonymous mutations presented by HLA (neoantigens). However, the large diversity of HLA alleles and restricted availability of clinical samples have limited the study of the specificity and the evolution over time of the neoantigen-specific T cell responses induced after treatment with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy. Methods: We applied a newly developed neoepitope-specific T cell isolation technology to perform a longitudinal landscape analysis of the neoepitope-specific T cells in peripheral blood and tumor from 11 patients with metastatic melanoma; 7 with response and 4 with no response to ICB. Briefly, first using computational prediction, the putative neoantigens in each patient were ranked based on affinity for the patient's HLA and expression levels. Then hundreds of barcoded capture reagents consisting of the patient HLA class I subtypes loaded with the corresponding predicted neoantigen were made and used to isolate neoepitope-specific T cells. Once isolated, the TCRs and the barcodes were sequenced. Finally, the tumor reactivity of the isolated neoepitope-specific TCRs (neoTCRs) was assessed upon co-culture of autologous melanoma cell lines from each patient with primary human T cells expressing the neoTCRs generated using a CRISPR-based non-viral gene editing to replace the endogenous TCRs. Results: The tumor mutation burden ranged between 3507 and 177 for patients with response to therapy and 977 to 31 for patients without response to therapy. We screened a median of 172 predicted neoantigen-HLA per patient across their 6 HLA molecules and isolated neoTCRs in all 11 patients. The number of mutations targeted ranged between 13 and 1. We assessed the neoTCR-tumor reactivity in samples from 3 patients with response and 3 patients without response. 39 of the 62 neoTCRs demonstrated specific recognition and cytotoxicity to patient-matched melanoma cell lines. Multiple T cell clonotypes recognized a limited number of mutations in 7 patients with response (median of 41 different neoTCR clonotypes per patient), and the T cell specificities were recurrently detected in the blood and the tumor over time. Samples from 4 patients without response to therapy also demonstrated neoepitope-specific T cell responses in blood and tumor to a similarly restricted number of mutations, but lacked TCR polyclonality (median 6.5 neoTCR clonotypes per patient) and were not recurrently detected in sequential samples. Conclusion: Effective ICB therapy is associated with polyclonal neoepitope-specific T-cell responses in the tumor and blood that recognize a limited number of immunodominant mutations and are recurrently detected over time.

  Study phs003153

• An Advanced Molecular Medicine Case Report of a Rare Human Tumor Using Genomics, Pathomics, and Radiomics

  The associated data of this study is derived from a single female patient with pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma (PSP). The aim of this study is to provide the most comprehensive, multi-modality sequencing study of a single case of PSP to-date. To this end, the following sequencing experiments were performed: i) RNA-Seq of the primary tumor and adjacent normal tissues (6 replicates for each tissue type), which was intended to analyze RNA-Seq fusions, gene expression, expression mutations, ii) low-pass DNA whole genome sequencing (WGS) from primary tumor tissue and germline, which was intended to analyze copy number aberrations, and iii) DNA targeted panel sequencing of lung cancer associated genes, using primary tumor tissue and germline from white blood cells, which was intended to analyze somatic mutations. Principal findings: i) the PSP hallmark mutation AKT1 (p.E17K) was detected within both the DNA and RNA, and ii) the TP53 signaling pathway was found to be statistically significant by three different pathway analysis tools of analyzing gene expression and pathway ramifications. Among proteins within the TP53 signaling pathway, the p53 inhibitor encoded by MDM2 was found to be overexpressed (by differential gene expression analysis). The original sequencing data (i.e., FastQ files) from each of the aforementioned samples will be accessible through dbGaP.

  Study phs003154

• TCGA WGS Variants Across 18 Cancer Types

  Even though whole genome sequence (WGS) data has been generated and published in many studies, much of this information is not yet processed for use in down-stream analysis. This study's aim is to provide 1342 WGS normal-tumor paired single nucleotide variations (SNP) over 18 different cancer types provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. Individual level data for TCGA can be accessed by requesting access for phs000178. This data includes variations within self-reported white and African-American populations. Variations that exist within the tumor tissue but are absent in associated normal organ tissue (as compared to the human reference genome) are reported. Data published includes SNP and small insertions and deletions, which were generated through a pipeline including the VarScan2 variant calling software.

  Study phs003155

• Targeted Long-Read Sequencing of the Ewing Sarcoma 6p25.1 Susceptibility Locus

  Ewing Sarcoma (EwS) is rare but the second most common cancer in children, adolescents and young adults. Recent studies suggest germline variation in or around GGAA microsatellites may interact with fusion oncoprotein binding causing changes in binding affinity and potentially impacting enhancer activity on nearby target genes. This study aims to better understand germline variation around EwS susceptibility regions by performing long-range haplotype sequencing of these regions using PacBio sequencing. Our analysis focused on characterizing variation in GGAA microsatellite length as well as germline variants in or around the microsatellite and their association with EwS risk.

  Study phs003159

• Phase I Study and Cell-Free DNA Analysis of T-DM1 and Metronomic Temozolomide for Secondary Prevention of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

  This study is a phase I trial combining ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) with Temozolomide (TMZ) for the prevention of additional brain metastases after previous occurrence and local treatment in HER2+ breast cancer patients. Twelve patients were enrolled in this study. Data includes whole exome sequencing (WES) from patients' cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples. The CSF was collected from each patient at trial entry and after the initial two treatment cycles of TMZ and T-DM1 treatment. Blood was collected through a standard peripheral venipuncture at the following four time points: 1) upon trial entry, 2) after two treatment cycles, 3) the treatment cycle prior to the last follow-up, and 4) most recent follow-up. Whole exome libraries were captured by the SureSelect Human All Exon V8 Kit (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and sequenced by NovaSeq 6000 S2 Sequencer in paired-end sequencing mode (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). Gene mutations in DNMT3A, ELP1, NOTCH4, KMT2B, CRLF2, and KCNJ18 were observed in patients' CSF.

  Study phs003165

• Genome-Wide Analysis of Aberrant Position and Sequence of Plasma DNA Fragment Ends in Patients With Cancer

  This study investigated fragmentation characteristics in plasma cell-free DNA and evaluated the relevance of such analysis for cancer diagnostics. Specifically, we performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) of healthy individuals and cancer patients, and evaluated genome-wide coverage and sequences surrounding fragment ends. This was a retrospective study of archived plasma samples. The WGS data are available through this submission. Detailed study design and findings were published in Budhraja et al. Science Translational Medicine 2023.

  Study phs003170

• Molecular Subtyping Reveals Immune Alterations Associated with Progression of Bronchial Premalignant Lesions

  Exposure to cigarette smoke creates a field of injury throughout the entire respiratory tract inducing genomic alterations that lead to an "at-risk" airway where lung cancers develop. Lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arises in the epithelial layer of the bronchial airways and is often preceded by the development of premalignant lesions (PMLs). Effective tools to identify and treat premalignant lesions at highest risk of progression to invasive carcinoma are not available. Endobronchial biopsies and brushings were obtained from high-risk subjects undergoing lung cancer screening at approximately 1-year intervals by white light and auto-fluorescence bronchoscopy and computed tomography at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Subjects were selected that had biopsies collected in repeat locations via serial bronchoscopies. mRNA sequencing was performed on a discovery cohort (DC) of samples comprising endobronchial biopsies and brushes collected between 2010 and 2012 (n=30 subjects, n=197 biopsies, and n=91 brushings). mRNA sequencing was subsequently performed on a validation cohort (VC) of samples comprising endobronchial biopsies and brushes collected between 2010 and 2015 (n=20 subjects, n=111 biopsies, and n=49 brushings). Data analysis identified four distinct molecular subtypes (Proliferative, Inflammatory, Secretory, and Normal) in the bronchial biopsies that correspond to a spectrum of biological and morphological alterations. The Proliferative subtype was enriched with dysplastic PMLs from current smokers that exhibit up-regulation of metabolic and cell cycle pathways and down-regulation of cilium-associated processes. Molecular subtype classification in the validation cohort biopsies replicated these significant clinical and biological associations. Airway brushes from normal fluorescing areas of the large airway classified as the Proliferative subtype specifically predict the presence of biopsies of this same subtype. Within the Proliferative subtype, genes associated with interferon signaling and antigen processing and presentation were observed to be down-regulated among dysplastic biopsies that persist or progress in the future. Innate and adaptive immune cells were computationally predicted to be depleted in these biopsies and this was confirmed via immunofluorescence staining of adjacent biopsies. These findings provide a proof of concept that molecular biomarkers of endobronchial biopsies can enhance histopathological grading and that immunoprevention strategies are an important future direction in intercepting the progression of PMLs to lung cancer.FASTQ files from the RNA sequencing of these biopsies and brushings will be available via dbGaP.

  Study phs003185

• Temporal Evolution Reveals Bifurcated Lineages in Aggressive Neuroendocrine Small Cell Prostate Cancer Trans-Differentiation

  Trans-differentiation from adenocarcinoma to small cell neuroendocrine (SCN) cancer is an adverse consequence of treatment escape in various cancers, including prostate, lung, and bladder cancers (Balanis and Sheu et al., 2019 Cancer Cell). Expression of dominant negative p53 (TP53DN), myrAkt1, RB1-shRNA, c-Myc, and Bcl2(PARCB forward transformation) using human naïve prostate basal epithelial cells recapitulated both transcriptional and histological characteristics of small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) (Park et al., 2018 Science). To study the temporal transcriptional landscape during this trans-differentiation process, we conducted a time course study using a PARCB model by integrating multi-omics sequencing, including bulk RNA-sequencing and ATAC-sequencing on samples taken at different time point, as well as single cell RNA sequencing on serial xenograft tumors. We found a common SCN pathway that resulted in two distinct end states defined by mutually exclusive expression of ASCL1 and ASCL2. Further investigation using CUT&RUN sequencing identified TFAP4 as a potential epigenetic regulator of both proteins. Our study reveals temporal and transcriptional changes from prostate adenocarcinoma to NEPC trans-differentiation.

  Study phs003230

• Tamoxifen Response at Single Cell Resolution in Estrogen Receptor Positive Primary Human Breast Tumors

  Primary breast tissue, normal and cancerous, was collected immediately after resection. The tissue was dissociated and treated with 10uM tamoxifen or control media for 12 hours in suspension. Single cell libraries were then created using a 10x Genomics gel bead droplet-based kit and sequenced via Illumina sequencing platforms. Differences in cell response to tamoxifen was observed between cell types and distinct responsive and unresponsive cell populations were determined.

  Study phs003186

• Overcoming Clinical Resistance to EZH2 Inhibition Using Rational Epigenetic Combination Therapy

  Essential epigenetic dependencies have become evident in many cancers. Based on functional antagonism between BAF/SWI/SNF and PRC2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas, we and colleagues recently completed the clinical trial of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat, leading to its FDA approval. However, the principles of tumor response to epigenetic therapy in general and tazemetostat in particular remain unknown. Using functional genomics of patient tumors and diverse experimental models, we defined molecular mechanisms of tazemetostat resistance. We found distinct classes of acquired mutations that converge on the RB1/E2F axis, decoupling EZH2-dependent differentiation and cell cycle control. This allows tumor cells to escape tazemetostat-induced G1 arrest despite EZH2 inhibition and suggests a general mechanism for effective EZH2 therapy. Using RNA-sequencing of patient tumor specimens, we identified specific genes as markers of a deficient RB1/E2F axis, which we propose as prospective biomarkers for therapy stratification. This offers a paradigm for rational epigenetic combination therapy suitable for immediate translation to clinical trials.This study was performed on archived tumor tissue collected as part of the above clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Patient tumors were classified into "Response" or "Progression" groups based on RECIST 1.1 criteria. "Response" included tumors exhibiting a complete response, partial response, or stable disease. All other tumors were classified under the "Progression" group. Archived frozen tumor samples were weighed and up to 20-30mg were homogenized in RLT buffer, followed by extraction using the AllPrep DNA/RNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN catalog 80204) according to the manufacturer's instructions. RNA was eluted in 13 μL nuclease-free water. After RiboGreen quantification and quality control by Agilent BioAnalyzer, 1 μg of total RNA with DV200 percentages varying from 78% to 100% underwent ribosomal depletion and library preparation using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA LT Kit (Illumina catalog RS-122-1202) according to instructions provided by the manufacturer with 8 cycles of PCR. Samples were barcoded and sequenced using NovaSeq 6000 in a PE150 mode, with the NovaSeq 6000 S4 Reagent Kit (Illumina). On average, 84 million paired reads were generated per sample and 70% of the data mapped to mRNA. For analysis, read adaptors were trimmed and quality filtered using 'trim_galore' and mapped to GRCh38/hg19 reference genome using STAR v2.7.9 with default parameters.

  Study phs003188