6048 results for "canc*"

in 36.04 milliseconds.

• A Pilot Study of Neoadjuvant Nivolumab, Ipilimumab and Intralesional Oncolytic Virotherapy for HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

  This study was a single arm phase 1 trial that assessed the regimen safety and feasibility as well as tumor response in patients with localized HER2-negative breast cancer treated with talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety and adverse event profile of this treatment combination. Six patients were enrolled, four having relapses after prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and two who were previously untreated. One patient had a pathological complete response, three patients had pathological partial responses, one showed no significant response, and one had disease progression. Biopsies demonstrated increased immune cell infiltration in samples from patients who responded to therapy. In this study, the checkpoint blockade immunotherapy combined with T-VEC provided responses in patients with advanced or relapsed HER2-negative breast cancer at the expense of long-term toxicities.

  Study phs003316

• Integrative Age-Related Changes in Genome and Epigenome in Human Lung in Relation to Smoking

  The Integrative Age-Related Changes in Genome and Epigenome in Human Lung in Relation to Smoking study was designed to assess DNA methylation and gene expression profiles in cytologically normal bronchial progenitor "basal" cells. The cells were collected from 54 consented bronchoscopy specimen donors at standard airway locations during clinically indicated bronchoscopy, and then outgrown in primary cultures. DNA methylation profiles were assessed using Enzymatic-Methyl sequencing (EM-seq: 96% genomic coverage, 7.5x depth) in all 54 donors' samples. The gene expression profile was evaluated by bulk RNA-Seq in 39 donors' samples. The study participants were at the ages of 33 - 81 years old at enrollment. Of the 54 donors, 31 were newly diagnosed with lung cancer. As for tobacco smoke exposure, there were 19 current, 18, former, and 17 never smokers. There are 26 subjects whose specimens were used for single cell whole-genome sequencing study phs002758.

  Study phs003317

• RNA Sequencing of ECOG-E1308

  This study reports the RNA sequencing of HPV positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma samples from patients with HPV-associated stage III or stage IV cancer of the oropharynx that was surgically resectible. These patients participated in the ECOG-E1308 trial, a phase II trial that studied paclitaxel, cisplatin, and cetuximab followed by cetuximab and two different doses of intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

  Study phs003320

• BarcUVa-Seq (Biology of Colorectal Cancer Risk Enhancers)

  This study was designed to generate a cohort of normal colon mucosal biopsies from the "average risk" population. Its primary aims included the development of an RNA-seq dataset of normal colon mucosal biopsies across three colon regions (ascending, transverse and descending). Further, we aimed to provide plausible prioritization to genetic components of colorectal cancer risk by employing methods such as expression quantitative trait loci analysis. In doing so, we provide a novel reference dataset for the study of colon cancer risk in the healthy colon epithelium. RNA-seq was performed in batches on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 (batch 1-7) or NovaSeq 6000 (batch 8) on a total of 463 samples. Matched genotyping data was generated on the Illumina OncoArray BeadChip. Phasing was carried out using Minimac 3 and imputation was performed using The Haplotype Reference Consortium panel on the Michigan Imputation Server.Genotype and RNA-seq data will be made available in dbGaP.

  Study phs003338

• Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies of Bladder Cancer Risk

  This meta-analysis consists of genome-wide genotype for 13,447 cases and 342,580 controls of European ancestry to identify novel susceptibility loci for bladder cancer. Cases were defined as histologically confirmed primary carcinoma of the urinary bladder of all stages, including carcinoma in situ (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, C670-C679, 188). All histologic subtypes were included. Summary-level results for the association between genotyped/imputed variants and risk of bladder cancer are included.

  Study phs003342

• Targeted Linked-Read DNA-seq Analysis of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancers

  Androgen receptor (AR) inhibition is standard of care for advanced prostate cancer (PC). However, its efficacy is limited by progression to castration-resistant PC (CRPC), usually due to AR re-activation via mechanisms that include AR amplification and structural rearrangement. These two classes of AR alterations often co-occur in CRPC tumors, but it is unclear whether this reflects intercellular or intracellular heterogeneity of AR. It is important to resolve the mechanisms of AR genomic rearrangements to develop new therapies and predictive biomarkers for PC. We developed a targeted linked-read DNA sequencing assay to interrogate alterations in AR and a panel of genes known to be amplified or mutated in CRPC. Linked-read DNA-sequencing libraries were generated using the 10X Genomics Chromium platform and subjected to hybridization enrichment using a custom-designed Agilent SureSelect bait panel. Post-capture DNA-seq libraries were pooled and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 using 2x150 bp settings. This targeted linked-read DNA-seq assay was used to interrogate a set of 6 benchmarking samples harboring known AR gene rearrangements and other alterations in AR, as well a panel of 6 patient-derived xenograft CRPC tumors and 23 clinical CRPC tumors. In this cohort, we identified a subset of samples that developed complex, multiply-rearranged AR gene structures in conjunction with very high AR copy number. The data that will be made available through dbGaP are raw FASTQ files.

  Study phs003343

• Cryptic Splice Mutation in the Fumarate Hydratase Gene in Patients With Clinical Manifestations of Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC)

  Four patients with hysterectomy were evaluated for biochemical and molecular evidence of autosomal dominant Fumarate Hydratase (FH) alterations causing Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC). HLRCC is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by the development of cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas, and risk for development of an aggressive form of papillary renal cell cancer. Enzyme assay, western blot analyses, direct nanopore RNA sequencing, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were utilized. The study identified a cryptic splice mutation in intron 9 of the FH gene that results in retention of 57 base pairs of intronic sequence in the affected allele of the mature FH mRNA.

  Study phs003381

• Adipose Tissue Omics In Obesity

  This project used a multi-omics approach to study the adipose tissue transcriptome in humans with and without obesity. Our human cohort included males and females between the ages of 18-80 who underwent elective abdominal surgery at the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.Patients with advanced cancer or immuncompromised status were excluded. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT/omental) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT/abdominal wall) were collected from subjects with obesity (BMI>=35) at the beginning of elective surgical procedures, placed on ice, and transported back to the laboratory for immediate processing. For adipose tissue stromal cells (ASC) isolation, adipose tissue was digested with Type II collagenase (2 mg/mL in PBS/2% BSA) at 37oC, 60min, centrifuged at 250 rcf, and the stromal-vascular cell pellet was retrieved, plated overnight, and the adherent cells passaged three times to enrich for ASC, which were then frozen in DMEM/F12, 15% fetal calf serum, and 10% DMSO in liquid nitrogen until use. Single nuclear sequencing was performed on preparations from intact adipose tissue. Bulk RNA sequencing and single cell sequencing were performed on ASC isolated from intact adipose tissue and cultured in 2D and 3D culture systems. We currently apply bulk, single cell, and single nuclear sequencing analyses to these tissues. One component of this project studies single nuclear sequencing in nuclei isolated from intact adipose tissues from human subjects with obesity, focusing on depot comparisons (VAT vs. SAT). This cohort also permits comparisons of adipose tissue transcriptomes between male and female subjects, controlling for age and BMI. Primary findings to date include identification of multiple ASC, adipocyte, and endothelial cell (EC) subpopulations, T-cell, and macrophage (MAC) populations that are in concordance with and expand upon other published datasets. Of two dominant ASC subpopulations, one (inflammatory-mesothelial, IM- ASC) is present in VAT, but absent in SAT, while the other (fibroadipogenic, FA-ASC) is present in both VAT and SAT. We identified multiple EC subtypes with features of lymphatic, venous, and arterial EC, and a PRDM16 expressing population with features of an EC progenitor. Immune cell populations match recent experimental validation of lipid-activated macrophage (LAM) phenotypes, TIM4 macrophages, and a prominent population of MRC1/CD206+ resident AT macrophages with expression signatures related to glucocorticoid activation. These data support depot-specific differences in ASC subpopulations and previously unrecognized EC heterogeneity within human AT, with the potential to shed light on functional differences in AT depot and disease state. Planned future studies include ATAC-Seq and other omics analyses. Another component of this project studies transcriptional responses of ASC in vitro to various stimuli, including different matrix environments. Current data includes bulk RNA Sequencing of human ASC from VAT and SAT differentiated into mature adipocytes in hydrogels of differing stiffness (3%, 5%, 10%) to define transcriptional responses to matrix environments of different stiffness. Primary findings to date include enrichment of adipogenesis and lipid and oxidative metabolic gene pathways in adipocytes in 5% relative to 3% hydrogels, while fibrotic gene pathways have been enriched in 3% hydrogels. These data demonstrate that intermediate density matrix promotes a more adipogenic, less fibrotic adipocyte phenotype geared towards increased lipid and aerobic metabolism. Planned future studies include expansion of intact tissues from our cohort studied with single nuclear sequencing, as well as further study of ASC responses in vitro to different biologic stimuli, including different matrix environments.

  Study phs003390

• A Phase III Randomized Study of Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Versus Nivolumab in Stage IV Squamous Cell Lung Cancer

  Lung-MAP (S1400, NCT02785952) was a multicenter, open-label, phase III randomized clinical trial. The Lung-MAP-I substudy (S1400I) was conducted from December 2015 to April 2018, through the National Clinical Trials Network and led by the SWOG Cancer Research Network. The trial compared nivolumab plus ipilimumab (nivo+ipi) with nivolumab monotherapy (nivo) in patients with chemotherapy-pretreated, immunotherapy-naïve, advanced squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (sqNSCLC). Two hundred fifty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive nivo+ipi (n = 125) or nivo (n = 127). The clinical efficacy endpoints were overall survival, progression free survival, duration of response, and best objective response by RECIST 1.1. Multi-omic translational analysis was performed in collaboration with the the CIMAC–Cancer Immunologic Data Commons (CIDC) Network using available tumor tissue samples and blood samples (n = 160) submitted for Lung-MAP screening and provided by the SWOG tissue bank.

  Study phs003412

• Transcriptomic and Epigenetic Profiling of SCLC Patient Samples

  Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with poor outcomes and limited treatment options. Recent studies have identified transcriptionally defined subsets of SCLC that may allow for the personalization of treatment. Here we use transcriptomic sequencing and methylation profiling (RRBS) of biopsy and cfDNA to develop a highly accurate DNA methylation-based classifier to distinguish SCLC subtypes. These results demonstrate the clinical feasibility of molecular subtyping of SCLC.

  Study phs003416

• Hereditary Gastric Cancer Syndromes: An Integrated Genomic and Clinicopathologic Study of the Predisposition to Gastric Cancer

  Gastric cancers are cancers of the stomach. Hereditary cancers are passed from parent to child. Researchers want to gather data about hereditary gastric cancers. Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of signet ring cells (SRCs) and adjacent non-SRC epithelium (NEP) was performed on laser-capture microdissected (LCM) regions of interest found in risk-reducing total gastrectomy specimens from hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) patients (Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03030404). Twenty patients (6 male, 14 female) with confirmed HDGC were identified. Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) demonstrated upregulation of certain individual epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proliferation genes. SRC regions had significant enrichment in pathways involved in T cell signaling. CIBERSORTx predicted significant increases in the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) specific to SRC regions.

  Study phs003422

• CALGB/SWOG 80405: Genome-Wide Association Study of Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with First-Line Chemotherapy Combined with Cetuximab and/or Bevacizumab

  CALGB/SWOG 80405 (NCT00265850) was a randomized phase III study of bevacizumab, cetuximab, or the combination of these two monoclonal antibodies, in addition to systemic chemotherapy for patients with untreated metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum. We prospectively collected germline DNA and conducted genome-wide association studies using clinical outcomes and molecular features.

  Study phs003428

• Circulating Genomic Determinants of Treatment Failure in Hodgkin Lymphoma

  In this study, we show that the plasma representation of mutations exceeds the bulk tumor representation in most cases, making classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) particularly amenable to noninvasive profiling. Leveraging single-cell transcriptional profiles of cHL tumors, we demonstrate hazard ratios (HRs) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shedding to be shaped by DNASE1L3, whose increased tumor microenvironment-derived expression drives high ctDNA concentrations. Using this insight, we comprehensively profile 366 patients, revealing two distinct cHL genomic subtypes with characteristic clinical and prognostic correlates, as well as distinct transcriptional and immunological profiles. Furthermore, we identify a novel class of truncating IL4R-mutations that are dependent on IL13 signaling and therapeutically targetable with IL4R blocking antibodies. Finally, we demonstrate the clinical value of pre- and on-treatment ctDNA levels for longitudinally refining cHL risk prediction, and for detection of radiographically occult minimal residual disease. Collectively, these results support the utility of noninvasive strategies for genotyping and dynamic monitoring of cHL as well as capturing molecularly distinct subtypes with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential.Methods utilized include a) targeted genotyping of baseline plasma samples, b) whole exome sequencing (WES) of baseline plasma samples, c) epigenetic expression inference from cell-free DNA-sequencing (EPIC-Seq) to infer gene expression from cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentation profiles, d) ctDNA tracking in on-treatment samples, e) RNA-Sequencing, and f) Phased variant Enrichment and Detection Sequencing (PhasED-Seq).All patients were treated at cancer centers across Europe and North America between 2011 and 2020. The following 3 cancer centers, Stanford (CA, USA), Bellinzona [Confoederatio Helvetica (CH) or Switzerland], and Leuven (Belgium), were included. The 6 clinical trial collectives included in this study are the Phase III trial AHOD1331 trial (NCT02166463) and the Phase II cHOD17 study (NCT03755804) for enrolled pediatric patients, the Phase III AHL2011 (NCT01358747), the Phase II BREACH trial (NCT02292979), a pilot study evaluating concurrent Pembrolizumab with AVD (Doxorubicin, also known as Adriamycin, Vinblastine, and Dacarbazine; NCT03331341), and a Phase II study evaluating PVAB (Prednisone, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin and Bendamustine; NCT02414568) in older patients (61 years and older). In addition, lymph node specimens from a biorepository at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (TN, USA) were included.

  Study phs003435

• KRT17High/CXCL8+ Tumor Cells Display Both Classical and Basal Features and Regulate Myeloid Infiltration in the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment

  Recent studies have uncovered the co-existence of basal and classical subtypes within pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We sought to characterize these intermediary cells using single-cell RNA sequencing of PDAC. We performed subtyping on 18 single-cell RNA sequencing human PDAC samples to identify multiple intermediary subtypes. We compared single-cell profiling of patient-matched blood and tumor samples to measure changes in the local and systemic immune microenvironments in CXCL8-high tumors vs. CXCL8-low tumors. Finally, we leveraged longitudinally patient-matched blood over the course of chemotherapy. In our studies we identified a cluster of KRT17high intermediary cancer cells that uniquely express high levels of CXCL8 and other cytokines which in turn influence the myeloid compartment both locally and systemically. We utilized sequencing data from dbGaP study accession phs002070. In addition to that, we included sequencing from new specimens which are deposited to this submission, consisting of one additional tumor specimen and 5 PBMC samples, sequenced after chemotherapy (longitudinally matched to PBMC samples in phs002071.v1.p1). FASTQ files of these sequencing runs are available through this dbGaP submission.

  Study phs003436

• Profiling RNA Translation in Pediatric Medulloblastoma

  This study provides RNA-sequencing and ribosome profiling data for patient-derived cell lines and patient tissue samples for children with medulloblastoma. Ribosome profiling is a variant protocol of RNA-sequencing that directly sequences ribosome-bound RNA fragments only. Associated RNA-seq and Ribo-seq data obtained separately for some cancer cell lines can be found on the NCBI SRA as PRJNA957428. Samples were processed for poly-A mRNA sequencing using the Roche Kapa Kit. Ribosome profiling was performed as described in the manuscript referenced below (Hofman et al.) and based on the article by McGlincy et al., Methods (2017). Ribo-seq data were analyzed for sample quality using RiboseQC (Calviello, Nat Struct Mol Biol, 2020). These data were used to quantify P-sites of open reading frames. RNAseq and ribo-seq data were integrated and compared to determine translational efficiency values using TPM (Ribo-seq) over TPM (RNA-seq) as the metric. Ribo-seq data on 14 samples and RNAseq data on 21 samples derived from 16 fresh-frozen surgical samples for medulloblastoma and 5 autopsy samples are available through dbGaP. A second cohort of 4 medulloblastoma samples (RNAseq, Ribo-seq) related to this study can be found on the EGA at EGAS00001007426.

  Study phs003446

• BPH Tissues for Cell Culture and Analysis - Spatial Transcriptomics Identifies Candidate Stromal Drivers of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

  The study goal was to apply spatial transcriptomics to identify candidate stromal drivers of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Laser microdissection (LCM) with RNA-seq of the stroma adjacent to hyperplastic and budding BPH ducts identified secreted factors including IGF1 and CXCL13. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) revealed their co-expression from BPH fibroblasts. Additional studies sought to define similarities to embryonic prostate development, as well as therapeutic applications. Subjects were those who underwent prostatectomy for prostate or bladder cancer, with concurrent BPH, and who consented to use of surplus tissue for research studies. LCM/RNA-seq studies included 5 patients, and scRNA-seq studies included 1 patient. Phenotypic data submitted to this study include patient age, sex, prostate size, and international prostate symptom score (IPSS). Sequencing was done on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (LCM/RNAseq) and Illumina HiSeq X-Ten (scRNA-seq). The data processing pipeline utilized Kallisto (LCM/RNA-seq) and Cell Ranger (scRNA-seq). Data submitted are raw sequencing (Fastq) files.

  Study phs003477

• Breast Cancer in Blacks: Impact of Genomics, Healthcare Use and Lifestyle on Outcomes (BRIGHT)

  Young Black females bear a disproportionate burden of breast cancer (BC) mortality compared to White females and are underrepresented in clinical studies. It remains critical to understand factors that contribute to the high mortality from BC among young Black females in order to improve outcomes. The higher BC mortality rate among young Black females with breast cancer is partially attributed to the disproportionately higher proportions who develop the aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In addition to biologic factors, timely access to care, and lifestyle factors contribute to this disparity. Consequently, we sought to evaluate the interplay between biologic and non-biologic contributors to BC outcomes (i.e., BC disease-free survival (DFS)), and to better characterize the highly aggressive TNBC among young Black females based on distinct molecular subtypes. Ultimately, it is critical to assess both biologic and non-biologic factors to fully understand and address existing health disparities in this population. Through prior and subsequent recruitment of a population-based study of young Black females diagnosed with invasive breast cancer spanning 2009-2016, we: 1) assessed the contribution of biologic and non-biologic factors on BC-DFS observed among young Black females with BC, and 2) investigated molecular features of the subgroup with TNBC. Through this study, consented participants were asked to provide a saliva sample from which DNA was extracted for germline analyses, including germline inherited cancer genetic testing and Infinium Expanded Multi-Ethnic Genotyping Array. Breast cancer tumor specimens were also collected, and tumor RNA was extracted from viable FFPE tumor samples. Tumor RNA analyses included gene expression profiling through NanoString PAM50.Data that will be available through dbGaP for this study include SNP array data and PAM50 data.

  Study phs003466

• A Missense SNP in the Tumor Suppressor SETD2 Reduces H3K36me3 and Mitotic Spindle Integrity in Drosophila

  While examining DNA from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients we observed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs58906143,chr3:47163422 C→G (hg19); E902Q*) within SETD2 that was overrepresented in kidney cancer patients compared to control patients. This original study utilized directed sequencing of 14 genes. In an expanded study using a Taqman assay to study the specific SNP, a G allele was found in 72/493 cases (14.6%) and 24/356 (6.7%) controls. Analysis by ancestry revealed that there was there was a G allele in 50/119 (42.0%) cases and 21/71 (29.6%) controls in patients with African Ancestry while there was a G allele in 19/335 cases (5.7%) and 3/269 (1.1%) controls in patients with European Ancestry. These differences did not reach statistical significance. Concurrently, we studied the functional effect of this SNP in a Drosophila model. The homologous amino acid substitution at E741Q reduces H3K36me3 levels which could be rescued by wild type Set2. Additionally, the mutation resulted in significant defects in spindle morphogenesis, consistent with a role for SETD2 in alpha-tubulin methylation during mitosis. Data available through dbGAP include the 14 gene sequence files of 52 control and 128 RCC patients, the results of Taqman SNP (rs58906143) analysis in text files for 221 controls and 357 RCC patients, and compiled phenotype data including age and assigned race. Due to data use limitations, genotyping data for 8 RCC patients and 83 controls as well as GWAS data for ancestry determination will not be available on dbGaP, but will be made available on request.

  Study phs003474

• Germline Genome Sequencing from Patients with Early-Onset Merkel Cell Carcinoma

  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer associated with advanced age. Approximately 5% of cases are early-onset MCC, occurring in individuals younger than 50 years. This study used genome sequencing to identify germline risk factors among patients with early-onset MCC. The available data in the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) includes genome sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA from 37 patients with early-onset MCC (age ATM = 2, BRCA1 = 2, BRCA2 = 1, TP53 = 1, and MAGT1 = 1).

  Study phs003485

• Acquired Cross-Resistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts

  Here we present whole genome sequencing and RNA sequencing of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). These models were derived at a variety of clinical time points from either biopsy/resection samples, malignant effusions, or circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and grown in the subcutaneous flank of NSG (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl /SzJ) mice. The first analysis published with these data was to determine the genomic and transcriptomic features of PDX models derived after relapse that demonstrated in vivo resistance to multiple chemotherapy regimens (cross-resistance).

  Study phs003486

• Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Discrete Tumor Microenvironments and Autocrine Loops Within Ovarian Cancer Subclones

  Ovarian masses from patients with high grade serous ovarian carcinoma undergoing debulking surgery were subjected to spatial transcriptomics profiling using the 10x Genomics Visium (fresh frozen) platform. Copy number inference using inferCNV predicted the presence of subclones with mutually exclusive copy number alterations (CNAs) in 5 of the 8 patient samples studied. In one patient, 3 subclones were predicted. For this patient sample, a serial section of the same tumor was used to microdissect regions corresponding to each of these subclones, and a 'normal' region predicted to contain only fibroblasts and no tumor cells. These microdissected regions were processed for low pass whole genome sequencing (WGS) and CNAs recorded using ichorCNA. An oral biopsy lacking tumor cells from an unrelated donor was used as a negative control for CNA inference. The CNAs predicted by inferCNV for the three subclones were validated by the low pass WGS and no CNAs were observed in the normal region containing fibroblasts.

  Study phs003561

• Submission 5 - study_title 1

  Submission 5 - description 1

  Study EGAS50000000284

• The tissue origin of highly elevated cell-free DNA in patients with and without cancer

  Forty years ago, the first measurements of cell free DNA (cfDNA) from cancer patients revealed that its total concentration was often elevated compared to healthy controls. The basis for this increase, and in particular the source of the extra cfDNA in such patients, has never been determined. To address this issue, we assessed methylation patterns of cfDNA from 57 individuals, 34 of whom had unequivocally elevated cfDNA concentrations (i.e., >15 ng/mL of plasma). We found that the excess cfDNA in cancer patients did not come from either neoplastic cells or surrounding cells from the tumor's tissue of origin. Instead, 80% of the cfDNA was derived from neutrophils, B cells or T cells, with neutrophils accounting for ~2/3. B cells contributed more than T cells despite the great excess of T cells over B cells in the blood. To see if this result was generalizable to other clinical situations in which elevated cfDNA concentrations have been described, we evaluated nine patients before and one day following surgery. After surgical resection, cfDNA concentration increased by an average of 16.1-fold, as expected. The majority of this increase (55%) was contributed by leukocytes, though damaged hepatocytes contributed a substantial minority (31% of increase). These data suggest that the elevated concentrations of cfDNA in cancer patients, as with patients after surgery, arises largely from dying leukocytes—not from the neoplastic cells or the tissue of origin of the cancer.

  Study EGAS00001005400

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

  Study EGAS00001006137

• DAC for Castleman. National Cancer Centre Singapore.

  Dac EGAC00001003328