1
|
Srivatsa A, Schwartz R. Optimizing Design of Genomics Studies for Clonal Evolution Analysis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.14.585055. [PMID: 38559253 PMCID: PMC10980045 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.14.585055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Genomic biotechnologies have seen rapid development over the past two decades, allowing for both the inference and modification of genetic and epigenetic information at the single cell level. While these tools present enormous potential for basic research, diagnostics, and treatment, they also raise difficult issues of how to design research studies to deploy these tools most effectively. In designing a study at the population or individual level, a researcher might combine several different sequencing modalities and sampling protocols, each with different utility, costs, and other tradeoffs. The central problem this paper attempts to address is then how one might create an optimal study design for a genomic analysis, with particular focus on studies involving somatic variation, typically for applications in cancer genomics. We pose the study design problem as a stochastic constrained nonlinear optimization problem and introduce a simulation-centered optimization procedure that iteratively optimizes the objective function using surrogate modeling combined with pattern and gradient search. Finally, we demonstrate the use of our procedure on diverse test cases to derive resource and study design allocations optimized for various objectives for the study of somatic cell populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Srivatsa
- Ray and Stephanie Lane Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
| | - Russell Schwartz
- Ray and Stephanie Lane Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kiss A, Hariri Akbari F, Marchev A, Papp V, Mirmazloum I. The Cytotoxic Properties of Extreme Fungi's Bioactive Components-An Updated Metabolic and Omics Overview. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1623. [PMID: 37629481 PMCID: PMC10455657 DOI: 10.3390/life13081623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi are the most diverse living organisms on planet Earth, where their ubiquitous presence in various ecosystems offers vast potential for the research and discovery of new, naturally occurring medicinal products. Concerning human health, cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality. While extensive research is being conducted on treatments and their efficacy in various stages of cancer, finding cytotoxic drugs that target tumor cells with no/less toxicity toward normal tissue is a significant challenge. In addition, traditional cancer treatments continue to suffer from chemical resistance. Fortunately, the cytotoxic properties of several natural products derived from various microorganisms, including fungi, are now well-established. The current review aims to extract and consolidate the findings of various scientific studies that identified fungi-derived bioactive metabolites with antitumor (anticancer) properties. The antitumor secondary metabolites identified from extremophilic and extremotolerant fungi are grouped according to their biological activity and type. It became evident that the significance of these compounds, with their medicinal properties and their potential application in cancer treatment, is tremendous. Furthermore, the utilization of omics tools, analysis, and genome mining technology to identify the novel metabolites for targeted treatments is discussed. Through this review, we tried to accentuate the invaluable importance of fungi grown in extreme environments and the necessity of innovative research in discovering naturally occurring bioactive compounds for the development of novel cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Attila Kiss
- Agro-Food Science Techtransfer and Innovation Centre, Faculty for Agro, Food and Environmental Science, Debrecen University, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Farhad Hariri Akbari
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Andrey Marchev
- Laboratory of Metabolomics, Department of Biotechnology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Viktor Papp
- Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1118 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Iman Mirmazloum
- Department of Plant Physiology and Plant Ecology, Institute of Agronomy, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 1118 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Morazán-Fernández D, Mora J, Molina-Mora JA. In Silico Pipeline to Identify Tumor-Specific Antigens for Cancer Immunotherapy Using Exome Sequencing Data. PHENOMICS (CHAM, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 3:130-137. [PMID: 37197645 PMCID: PMC10110822 DOI: 10.1007/s43657-022-00084-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-specific antigens or neoantigens are peptides that are expressed only in cancer cells and not in healthy cells. Some of these molecules can induce an immune response, and therefore, their use in immunotherapeutic strategies based on cancer vaccines has been extensively explored. Studies based on these approaches have been triggered by the current high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies. However, there is no universal nor straightforward bioinformatic protocol to discover neoantigens using DNA sequencing data. Thus, we propose a bioinformatic protocol to detect tumor-specific antigens associated with single nucleotide variants (SNVs) or "mutations" in tumoral tissues. For this purpose, we used publicly available data to build our model, including exome sequencing data from colorectal cancer and healthy cells obtained from a single case, as well as frequent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles in a specific population. HLA data from Costa Rican Central Valley population was selected as an example. The strategy included three main steps: (1) pre-processing of sequencing data; (2) variant calling analysis to detect tumor-specific SNVs in comparison with healthy tissue; and (3) prediction and characterization of peptides (protein fragments, the tumor-specific antigens) derived from the variants, in the context of their affinity with frequent alleles of the selected population. In our model data, we found 28 non-silent SNVs, present in 17 genes in chromosome one. The protocol yielded 23 strong binders peptides derived from the SNVs for frequent HLA class I alleles for the Costa Rican population. Although the analyses were performed as an example to implement the pipeline, to our knowledge, this is the first study of an in silico cancer vaccine using DNA sequencing data in the context of the HLA alleles. It is concluded that the standardized protocol was not only able to identify neoantigens in a specific but also provides a complete pipeline for the eventual design of cancer vaccines using the best bioinformatic practices. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43657-022-00084-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Mora
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales, Centro de Investigación en Cirugía y Cáncer, and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 2060 Costa Rica
| | - Jose Arturo Molina-Mora
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales, Centro de Investigación en Cirugía y Cáncer, and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 2060 Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xi J, Deng Z, Liu Y, Wang Q, Shi W. Integrating multi-type aberrations from DNA and RNA through dynamic mapping gene space for subtype-specific breast cancer driver discovery. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14843. [PMID: 36755866 PMCID: PMC9901305 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Driver event discovery is a crucial demand for breast cancer diagnosis and therapy. In particular, discovering subtype-specificity of drivers can prompt the personalized biomarker discovery and precision treatment of cancer patients. Still, most of the existing computational driver discovery studies mainly exploit the information from DNA aberrations and gene interactions. Notably, cancer driver events would occur due to not only DNA aberrations but also RNA alternations, but integrating multi-type aberrations from both DNA and RNA is still a challenging task for breast cancer drivers. On the one hand, the data formats of different aberration types also differ from each other, known as data format incompatibility. On the other hand, different types of aberrations demonstrate distinct patterns across samples, known as aberration type heterogeneity. To promote the integrated analysis of subtype-specific breast cancer drivers, we design a "splicing-and-fusing" framework to address the issues of data format incompatibility and aberration type heterogeneity simultaneously. To overcome the data format incompatibility, the "splicing-step" employs a knowledge graph structure to connect multi-type aberrations from the DNA and RNA data into a unified formation. To tackle the aberration type heterogeneity, the "fusing-step" adopts a dynamic mapping gene space integration approach to represent the multi-type information by vectorized profiles. The experiments also demonstrate the advantages of our approach in both the integration of multi-type aberrations from DNA and RNA and the discovery of subtype-specific breast cancer drivers. In summary, our "splicing-and-fusing" framework with knowledge graph connection and dynamic mapping gene space fusion of multi-type aberrations data from DNA and RNA can successfully discover potential breast cancer drivers with subtype-specificity indication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Xi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Shi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wani S, Humaira, Farooq I, Ali S, Rehman MU, Arafah A. Proteomic profiling and its applications in cancer research. Proteomics 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-95072-5.00015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
|
6
|
Cancer proteomics: An overview. Proteomics 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-95072-5.00009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
|
7
|
Wang D, Cao W, Yang W, Jin W, Luo H, Niu X, Gong J. Pancan-MNVQTLdb: systematic identification of multi-nucleotide variant quantitative trait loci in 33 cancer types. NAR Cancer 2022; 4:zcac043. [PMID: 36568962 PMCID: PMC9773367 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-nucleotide variants (MNVs) are defined as clusters of two or more nearby variants existing on the same haplotype in an individual. Recent studies have identified millions of MNVs in human populations, but their functions remain largely unknown. Numerous studies have demonstrated that single-nucleotide variants could serve as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) by affecting molecular phenotypes. Therefore, we propose that MNVs can also affect molecular phenotypes by influencing regulatory elements. Using the genotype data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we first identified 223 759 unique MNVs in 33 cancer types. Then, to decipher the functions of these MNVs, we investigated the associations between MNVs and six molecular phenotypes, including coding gene expression, miRNA expression, lncRNA expression, alternative splicing, DNA methylation and alternative polyadenylation. As a result, we identified 1 397 821 cis-MNVQTLs and 402 381 trans-MNVQTLs. We further performed survival analysis and identified 46 173 MNVQTLs associated with patient overall survival. We also linked the MNVQTLs to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data and identified 119 762 MNVQTLs that overlap with existing GWAS loci. Finally, we developed Pancan-MNVQTLdb (http://gong_lab.hzau.edu.cn/mnvQTLdb/) for data retrieval and download. Pancan-MNVQTLdb will help decipher the functions of MNVs in different cancer types and be an important resource for genetic and cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Weiwei Jin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Haohui Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Xiaohui Niu
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Xiaohui Niu. Tel: +86 027 87285085;
| | - Jing Gong
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +86 027 87285085;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang W, Yuan T, Ma L, Zhu Y, Bao J, Zhao X, Zhao Y, Zong Y, Zhang Y, Yang S, Qiu X, Shen S, Wu R, Wu T, Wang H, Gao D, Wang P, Chen L. Hepatobiliary Tumor Organoids Reveal HLA Class I Neoantigen Landscape and Antitumoral Activity of Neoantigen Peptide Enhanced with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105810. [PMID: 35665491 PMCID: PMC9353440 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Neoantigen-directed therapy lacks preclinical models recapitulating neoantigen characteristics of original tumors. It is urgent to develop a platform to assess T cell response for neoantigen screening. Here, immunogenic potential of neoantigen-peptides of tumor tissues and matched organoids (n = 27 pairs) are analyzed by Score tools with whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-class-I algorithms. The comparisons between 9203 predicted neoantigen-peptides from 2449 mutations of tumor tissues and 9991 ones from 2637 mutations of matched organoids demonstrate that organoids preserved majority of genetic features, HLA alleles, and similar neoantigen landscape of original tumors. Higher neoantigen load is observed in tumors with early stage. Multiomics analysis combining WGS, RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, mass spectrometry filters out 93 candidate neoantigen-peptides with strong immunogenic potential for functional validation in five organoids. Immunogenic peptides are defined by inducing increased CD107aCD137IFN-γ expressions and IFN-γ secretion of CD8 cells in flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay assays. Nine immunogenic peptides shared by at least two individuals are validated, including peptide from TP53R90S . Organoid killing assay confirms the antitumor activity of validated immunogenic peptide-reactive CD8 cells, which is further enhanced in the presence of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study characterizes HLA-class-I neoantigen landscape in hepatobiliary tumor, providing practical strategy with tumor organoid model for neoantigen-peptide identification in personalized immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Wang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterDepartment of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Tinggan Yuan
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational BiologyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Lili Ma
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational BiologyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yanjing Zhu
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal TransductionEastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200438China
- National Center for Liver CancerShanghai200441China
| | - Jinxia Bao
- School of MedicineNanjing UniversityNanjing210093China
| | - Xiaofang Zhao
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterDepartment of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Institute of Metabolism and Integrative BiologyFudan UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Yali Zong
- Institute of Metabolism and Integrative BiologyFudan UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Yani Zhang
- Institute of Metabolism and Integrative BiologyFudan UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Shuai Yang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterDepartment of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Xinyao Qiu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterDepartment of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Siyun Shen
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal TransductionEastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200438China
- National Center for Liver CancerShanghai200441China
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Biliary Surgery IEastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200438China
| | - Tong Wu
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal TransductionEastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200438China
- National Center for Liver CancerShanghai200441China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterDepartment of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
- The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal TransductionEastern Hepatobiliary Surgery HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200438China
- National Center for Liver CancerShanghai200441China
| | - Dong Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
- State Key Laboratory of Cell BiologyShanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular AndrologyShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- Institute for Stem Cell and RegenerationChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational BiologyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Lei Chen
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterDepartment of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
- National Center for Liver CancerShanghai200441China
- Key Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer (SMMU)Ministry of EducationShanghai200438China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Tumor Biology (EHBH)Shanghai200438China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Distilling biologically meaningful information from cancer genome sequencing data requires comprehensive identification of somatic alterations using rigorous computational methods. As the amount and complexity of sequencing data have increased, so has the number of tools for analysing them. Here, we describe the main steps involved in the bioinformatic analysis of cancer genomes, review key algorithmic developments and highlight popular tools and emerging technologies. These tools include those that identify point mutations, copy number alterations, structural variations and mutational signatures in cancer genomes. We also discuss issues in experimental design, the strengths and limitations of sequencing modalities and methodological challenges for the future.
Collapse
|
10
|
Hussen BM, Abdullah ST, Salihi A, Sabir DK, Sidiq KR, Rasul MF, Hidayat HJ, Ghafouri-Fard S, Taheri M, Jamali E. The emerging roles of NGS in clinical oncology and personalized medicine. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 230:153760. [PMID: 35033746 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been increasingly popular in genomics studies over the last decade, as new sequencing technology has been created and improved. Recently, NGS started to be used in clinical oncology to improve cancer therapy through diverse modalities ranging from finding novel and rare cancer mutations, discovering cancer mutation carriers to reaching specific therapeutic approaches known as personalized medicine (PM). PM has the potential to minimize medical expenses by shifting the current traditional medical approach of treating cancer and other diseases to an individualized preventive and predictive approach. Currently, NGS can speed up in the early diagnosis of diseases and discover pharmacogenetic markers that help in personalizing therapies. Despite the tremendous growth in our understanding of genetics, NGS holds the added advantage of providing more comprehensive picture of cancer landscape and uncovering cancer development pathways. In this review, we provided a complete overview of potential NGS applications in scientific and clinical oncology, with a particular emphasis on pharmacogenomics in the direction of precision medicine treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq; Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Sara Tharwat Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Abbas Salihi
- Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq; Department of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Dana Khdr Sabir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Charmo University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Karzan R Sidiq
- Department of Biology, College of Education, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani 334, Kurdistan, Iraq
| | - Mohammed Fatih Rasul
- Department of Medical Analysis, Faculty of Applied Science, Tishk International University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Hazha Jamal Hidayat
- Department of Biology, College of Education, Salahaddin University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Elena Jamali
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Liu H, Yin H, Li G, Li J, Wang X. Aperture: alignment-free detection of structural variations and viral integrations in circulating tumor DNA. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:6345221. [PMID: 34368852 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of structural variations (SVs) and viral integrations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a key step in precision oncology that may assist clinicians in treatment selection and monitoring. However, due to the short fragment size of ctDNA, it is challenging to accurately detect low-frequency SVs or SVs involving complex junctions in ctDNA sequencing data. Here, we describe Aperture, a new fast SV caller that applies a unique strategy of $k$-mer-based searching, binary label-based breakpoint detection and candidate clustering to detect SVs and viral integrations with high sensitivity, especially when junctions span repetitive regions. Aperture also employs a barcode-based filter to ensure specificity. Compared with existing methods, Aperture exhibits superior sensitivity and specificity in simulated, reference and real data tests, especially at low dilutions. Additionally, Aperture is able to predict sites of viral integration and identify complex SVs involving novel insertions and repetitive sequences in real patient data. Aperture is freely available at https://github.com/liuhc8/Aperture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Center for Bioinformatics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College
| | - Huihui Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Guangyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Center for Bioinformatics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College
| | - Junling Li
- National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiaoyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Center for Bioinformatics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Huang J, Li Z, Fu L, Lin D, Wang C, Wang X, Zhang L. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Comprehensive characterization of tumor mutation burden in clear cell renal cell carcinoma based on the three independent cohorts. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:1745. [PMID: 32617702 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03299-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects and Control for Emerging Contaminants, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas (Putian University) Fujian Provincial University, Key Laboratory of Loquat Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Putian University), Fujian Province University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China.
| | - Zhou Li
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Lijun Fu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects and Control for Emerging Contaminants, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas (Putian University) Fujian Provincial University, Key Laboratory of Loquat Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Putian University), Fujian Province University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Dahe Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects and Control for Emerging Contaminants, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas (Putian University) Fujian Provincial University, Key Laboratory of Loquat Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Putian University), Fujian Province University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Chunhua Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects and Control for Emerging Contaminants, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas (Putian University) Fujian Provincial University, Key Laboratory of Loquat Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Putian University), Fujian Province University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Xiumei Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects and Control for Emerging Contaminants, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas (Putian University) Fujian Provincial University, Key Laboratory of Loquat Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Putian University), Fujian Province University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Lifen Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects and Control for Emerging Contaminants, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas (Putian University) Fujian Provincial University, Key Laboratory of Loquat Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Putian University), Fujian Province University, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fusion genes as biomarkers in pediatric cancers: A review of the current state and applicability in diagnostics and personalized therapy. Cancer Lett 2020; 499:24-38. [PMID: 33248210 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of pediatric cancers is rising steadily across the world, along with the challenges in understanding the molecular mechanisms and devising effective therapeutic strategies. Pediatric cancers are presented with diverse molecular characteristics and more distinct subtypes when compared to adult cancers. Recent studies on the genomic landscape of pediatric cancers using next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches have redefined this field by providing better subtype characterization and novel actionable targets. Since early identification and personalized treatment strategies influence therapeutic outcomes, survival, and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients, the quest for actionable biomarkers is of great value in this field. Fusion genes that are prevalent and recurrent in several pediatric cancers are ideally suited in this context due to their disease-specific occurrence. In this review, we explore the current status of fusion genes in pediatric cancer subtypes and their use as biomarkers for diagnosis and personalized therapy. We discuss the technological advancements made in recent years in NGS sequencing and their impact on fusion detection algorithms that have revolutionized this field. Finally, we also discuss the advantages of pairing liquid biopsy protocols for fusion detection and their eventual use in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Collapse
|
14
|
Srinivasan S, Kalinava N, Aldana R, Li Z, van Hagen S, Rodenburg SYA, Wind-Rotolo M, Qian X, Sasson AS, Tang H, Kirov S. Misannotated Multi-Nucleotide Variants in Public Cancer Genomics Datasets Lead to Inaccurate Mutation Calls with Significant Implications. Cancer Res 2020; 81:282-288. [PMID: 33115802 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although next-generation sequencing is widely used in cancer to profile tumors and detect variants, most somatic variant callers used in these pipelines identify variants at the lowest possible granularity, single-nucleotide variants (SNV). As a result, multiple adjacent SNVs are called individually instead of as a multi-nucleotide variants (MNV). With this approach, the amino acid change from the individual SNV within a codon could be different from the amino acid change based on the MNV that results from combining SNV, leading to incorrect conclusions about the downstream effects of the variants. Here, we analyzed 10,383 variant call files (VCF) from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and found 12,141 incorrectly annotated MNVs. Analysis of seven commonly mutated genes from 178 studies in cBioPortal revealed that MNVs were consistently missed in 20 of these studies, whereas they were correctly annotated in 15 more recent studies. At the BRAF V600 locus, the most common example of MNV, several public datasets reported separate BRAF V600E and BRAF V600M variants instead of a single merged V600K variant. VCFs from the TCGA Mutect2 caller were used to develop a solution to merge SNV to MNV. Our custom script used the phasing information from the SNV VCF and determined whether SNVs were at the same codon and needed to be merged into MNV before variant annotation. This study shows that institutions performing NGS sequencing for cancer genomics should incorporate the step of merging MNV as a best practice in their pipelines. SIGNIFICANCE: Identification of incorrect mutation calls in TCGA, including clinically relevant BRAF V600 and KRAS G12, will influence research and potentially clinical decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sujaya Srinivasan
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Natallia Kalinava
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey
| | | | - Zhipan Li
- Sentieon Inc., Mountain View, California
| | | | | | | | - Xiaozhong Qian
- Translational Medicine, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey.,Translational Sciences, Daichi Sankyo, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
| | - Ariella S Sasson
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Hao Tang
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Stefan Kirov
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Leko V, Rosenberg SA. Identifying and Targeting Human Tumor Antigens for T Cell-Based Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors. Cancer Cell 2020; 38:454-472. [PMID: 32822573 PMCID: PMC7737225 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cancer elimination in humans can be achieved with immunotherapy that relies on T lymphocyte-mediated recognition of tumor antigens. Several types of these antigens have been recognized based on their cellular origins and expression patterns, while their detection has been greatly facilitated by recent achievements in next-generation sequencing and immunopeptidomics. Some of them have been targeted in clinical trials with various immunotherapy approaches, while many others remain untested. Here, we discuss molecular identification of different tumor antigen types, and the clinical safety and efficacy of targeting them with immunotherapy. Additionally, we suggest strategies to increase the efficacy and availability of antigen-directed immunotherapies for treatment of patients with metastatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vid Leko
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10-CRC, Room 3-3942, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Steven A Rosenberg
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10-CRC, Room 3-3942, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Alizadeh Savareh B, Asadzadeh Aghdaie H, Behmanesh A, Bashiri A, Sadeghi A, Zali M, Shams R. A machine learning approach identified a diagnostic model for pancreatic cancer through using circulating microRNA signatures. Pancreatology 2020; 20:1195-1204. [PMID: 32800647 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.07.399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Late diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) due to the limited effectiveness of modern testing approaches, causes many patients to miss the chance of surgery and consequently leads to a high mortality rate. Pivotal improvements in circulating microRNA expression levels in PC patients make it possible to diagnose and treat patients at earlier stages. A list of circulating miRNAs was identified in this study using bioinformatics methods in association with pancreatic cancer through analyzing four GEO microarray datasets. The value of top miRNAs was then assessed via using a machine learning method. Taking the advantage of a combinatorial approach consisting of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) + Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Neighborhood Component Analysis (NCA) iterations on a collection of top differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in PC patients, facilitated ranking them by significance. MiRNA's functional analysis in the final index was performed by predicting target genes and constructing PPI networks. Remarkably, the final model consist of miR-663a, miR-1469, miR-92a-2-5p, miR-125b-1-3p and miR-532-5p showed great diagnostic results on investigated cases and the validation set (Accuracy: 0.93, Sensitivity: 0.93, and Specificity: 0.92). Kaplan-Meier survival assessments of the top-ranked miRNAs revealed that three miRNAs, hsa-miR-1469, hsa-miR-663a and hsa-miR-532-5p, had meaningful associations with the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. This miRNA index may serve as a non-invasive and potential PC diagnostic model, although experimental testing is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Behrouz Alizadeh Savareh
- PhD in Medical Informatics, National Agency for Strategic Research in Medical Education, Tehran, Iran; Department of health information management, school of management and medical information sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaie
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Behmanesh
- Student Research Committee, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Azadeh Bashiri
- Department of health information management, school of management and medical information sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Sadeghi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roshanak Shams
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Han XJ, Ma XL, Yang L, Wei YQ, Peng Y, Wei XW. Progress in Neoantigen Targeted Cancer Immunotherapies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:728. [PMID: 32850843 PMCID: PMC7406675 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies that harness the immune system to kill cancer cells have showed significant therapeutic efficacy in many human malignancies. A growing number of studies have highlighted the relevance of neoantigens in recognizing cancer cells by intrinsic T cells. Cancer neoantigens are a direct consequence of somatic mutations presenting on the surface of individual cancer cells. Neoantigens are fully cancer-specific and exempt from central tolerance. In addition, neoantigens are important targets for checkpoint blockade therapy. Recently, technological innovations have made neoantigen discovery possible in a variety of malignancies, thus providing an impetus to develop novel immunotherapies that selectively enhance T cell reactivity for the destruction of cancer cells while leaving normal tissues unharmed. In this review, we aim to introduce the methods of the identification of neoantigens, the mutational patterns of human cancers, related clinical trials, neoantigen burden and sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade. Moreover, we focus on relevant challenges of targeting neoantigens for cancer treatment.
Collapse
|
18
|
Liu P, Tan F, Liu H, Li B, Lei T, Zhao X. The Use of Molecular Subtypes for Precision Therapy of Recurrent and Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:2433-2447. [PMID: 32273716 PMCID: PMC7102917 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s241331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumor in the digestive tract. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), represented by imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib, have become the main treatment for recurrent and metastatic GISTs. With the wide application of mutation analysis and the precision medicine, molecular characteristics have been determined that not only predict the prognosis of patients with recurrent and metastatic GISTs, but also are closely related to the efficacy of first-, second- and third-line TKIs for GISTs, as well as other TKIs. Despite the significant effects of TKIs, the emergence of primary and secondary resistance ultimately leads to treatment failure and tumor progression. Currently, due to the signal transmission of KIT/PDGFRA during onset and tumor progression, strategies to counteract drug resistance include the replacement of TKIs and the development of new drugs that are directed towards carcinogenic mutations. In addition, it is also the embodiment of precision medicine for GISTs to explore new carcinogenic mechanisms and develop new drugs relying on new biotechnology. Surgery can benefit specific patients but its major purpose is to diminish the resistant clones. However, the prognosis of recurrent and metastatic patients is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to how to maximize the benefits for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengbo Tan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Heli Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianxiang Lei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianhui Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bokhari Y, Alhareeri A, Arodz T. QuaDMutNetEx: a method for detecting cancer driver genes with low mutation frequency. BMC Bioinformatics 2020; 21:122. [PMID: 32293263 PMCID: PMC7092414 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-3449-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is caused by genetic mutations, but not all somatic mutations in human DNA drive the emergence or growth of cancers. While many frequently-mutated cancer driver genes have already been identified and are being utilized for diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic purposes, identifying driver genes that harbor mutations occurring with low frequency in human cancers is an ongoing endeavor. Typically, mutations that do not confer growth advantage to tumors - passenger mutations - dominate the mutation landscape of tumor cell genome, making identification of low-frequency driver mutations a challenge. The leading approach for discovering new putative driver genes involves analyzing patterns of mutations in large cohorts of patients and using statistical methods to discriminate driver from passenger mutations. RESULTS We propose a novel cancer driver gene detection method, QuaDMutNetEx. QuaDMutNetEx discovers cancer drivers with low mutation frequency by giving preference to genes encoding proteins that are connected in human protein-protein interaction networks, and that at the same time show low deviation from the mutual exclusivity pattern that characterizes driver mutations occurring in the same pathway or functional gene group across a cohort of cancer samples. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of QuaDMutNetEx on four different tumor sample datasets show that the proposed method finds biologically-connected sets of low-frequency driver genes, including many genes that are not found if the network connectivity information is not considered. Improved quality and interpretability of the discovered putative driver gene sets compared to existing methods shows that QuaDMutNetEx is a valuable new tool for detecting driver genes. QuaDMutNetEx is available for download from https://github.com/bokhariy/QuaDMutNetExunder the GNU GPLv3 license.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yahya Bokhari
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23284, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Areej Alhareeri
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tomasz Arodz
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Xi J, Li A, Wang M. HetRCNA: A Novel Method to Identify Recurrent Copy Number Alternations from Heterogeneous Tumor Samples Based on Matrix Decomposition Framework. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2020; 17:422-434. [PMID: 29994262 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2018.2846599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A common strategy to discovering cancer associated copy number aberrations (CNAs) from a cohort of cancer samples is to detect recurrent CNAs (RCNAs). Although the previous methods can successfully identify communal RCNAs shared by nearly all tumor samples, detecting subgroup-specific RCNAs and their related subgroup samples from cancer samples with heterogeneity is still invalid for these existing approaches. In this paper, we introduce a novel integrated method called HetRCNA, which can identify statistically significant subgroup-specific RCNAs and their related subgroup samples. Based on matrix decomposition framework with weight constraint, HetRCNA can successfully measure the subgroup samples by coefficients of left vectors with weight constraint and subgroup-specific RCNAs by coefficients of the right vectors and significance test. When we evaluate HetRCNA on simulated dataset, the results show that HetRCNA gives the best performances among the competing methods and is robust to the noise factors of the simulated data. When HetRCNA is applied on a real breast cancer dataset, our approach successfully identifies a bunch of RCNA regions and the result is highly correlated with the results of the other two investigated approaches. Notably, the genomic regions identified by HetRCNA harbor many breast cancer related genes reported by previous researches.
Collapse
|
21
|
DNA and RNA sequencing identified a novel oncogene VPS35 in liver hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncogene 2020; 39:3229-3244. [PMID: 32071398 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1215-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Although cancer driver genes identified so far have been considered to be saturated or nearly saturated, challenges remain in discovering novel genes underlying carcinogenesis due to significant tumor heterogeneity. Here, in a small cohort of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated LIHC, we investigated the transcriptional patterns of tumor-mutated alleles using both whole-exome and RNA sequencing data. A graph clustering of the transcribed tumor-mutated alleles characterized overlapped functional clusters, and thus prioritized potentially novel oncogenes. We validated the function of the potentially novel oncogenes in vitro and in vivo. We showed that a component of the retromer complex-the vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 35 (VPS35)-promoted the proliferation of hepatoma cell through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In VPS35-knockout hepatoma cells, a significantly reduced distribution of membrane fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) demonstrated the effects of VPS35 on sorting and trafficking of transmembrane receptor. This study provides insight into the roles of the retromer complex on carcinogenesis and has important implications for the development of personalized therapeutic strategies for LIHC.
Collapse
|
22
|
Liu Y, Guo J, Huang L. Modulation of tumor microenvironment for immunotherapy: focus on nanomaterial-based strategies. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:3099-3117. [PMID: 32194857 PMCID: PMC7053194 DOI: 10.7150/thno.42998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in the field of immunotherapy have profoundly opened up the potential for improved cancer therapy and reduced side effects. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly immunosuppressive, therefore, clinical outcomes of currently available cancer immunotherapy are still poor. Recently, nanomaterial-based strategies have been developed to modulate the TME for robust immunotherapeutic responses. In this review, the immunoregulatory cell types (cells relating to the regulation of immune responses) inside the TME in terms of stimulatory and suppressive roles are described, and the technologies used to identify and quantify these cells are provided. In addition, recent examples of nanomaterial-based cancer immunotherapy are discussed, with particular emphasis on those designed to overcome barriers caused by the complexity and diversity of TME.
Collapse
|
23
|
Lancaster EM, Jablons D, Kratz JR. Applications of Next-Generation Sequencing in Neoantigen Prediction and Cancer Vaccine Development. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2020; 24:59-66. [DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2018.0211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Lancaster
- Thoracic Oncology Program, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - David Jablons
- Thoracic Oncology Program, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Johannes R. Kratz
- Thoracic Oncology Program, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Schürch CM, Rasche L, Frauenfeld L, Weinhold N, Fend F. A review on tumor heterogeneity and evolution in multiple myeloma: pathological, radiological, molecular genetics, and clinical integration. Virchows Arch 2019; 476:337-351. [PMID: 31848687 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-019-02725-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Recent research has dramatically advanced our understanding of the genetic basis of multiple myeloma (MM). MM displays enormous inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity, and underlies a clonal evolutionary process driven and shaped by diverse factors such as clonal competition, tumor microenvironment, host immunity, and therapy. Two main cytogenetic groups are distinguished: MM with recurrent translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus and MM with hyperdiploidy involving the odd chromosomes. The disease virtually always starts with a preneoplastic prodromal phase-monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance-that variably progresses to symptomatic MM within a few months or many years. Tumor heterogeneity and its evolution in space and time have important consequences for the clinical management and outcome of MM patients. At diagnosis, spatial intratumoral heterogeneity poses a challenge for classification and risk stratification. During maintenance therapy, clonal evolution may complicate disease monitoring and promote drug resistance. Upon progression or transformation, identifying the dominant disease-driving neoplastic clones and elucidating their properties are key to tailor personalized therapy. In this review, we discuss tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution in MM, integrating pathological, radiological, molecular genetics, and clinical data. Current and prospective classification schemes and prognostic parameters, incorporating new genetic and proteomic discoveries and advances in imaging, are highlighted. In addition, the roles of the tumor microenvironment, host immunity, and resistance mutations, and their effects on therapy, are discussed. An improved understanding of high-risk disease, tumor heterogeneity, and clonal evolution will guide future therapies and may ultimately lead towards a cure for MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Schürch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Leo Rasche
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Frauenfeld
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Niels Weinhold
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Falko Fend
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Benvenuto M, Focaccetti C, Izzi V, Masuelli L, Modesti A, Bei R. Tumor antigens heterogeneity and immune response-targeting neoantigens in breast cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 72:65-75. [PMID: 31698088 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is both the most common type of cancer and the most frequent cause of cancer mortality in women, mainly because of its heterogeneity and limited immunogenicity. The aim of specific active cancer immunotherapy is to stimulate the host's immune response against cancer cells directly using a vaccine platform carrying one or more tumor antigens. In particular, the ideal tumor antigen should be able to elicit T cell and B cell responses, be specific for the tumor and be expressed at high levels on cancer cells. Neoantigens are ideal targets for immunotherapy because they are exclusive to individual patient's tumors, are absent in healthy tissues and are not subject to immune tolerance mechanisms. Thus, neoantigens should generate a specific reaction towards tumors since they constitute the largest fraction of targets of tumor-infiltrating T cells. In this review, we describe the technologies used for neoantigen discovery, the heterogeneity of neoantigens in breast cancer and recent studies of breast cancer immunotherapy targeting neoantigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, via di Sant'Alessandro 8, 00131, Rome, Italy.
| | - Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Human Science and Promotion of the Quality of Life, University San Raffaele Rome, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166, Rome, Italy.
| | - Valerio Izzi
- Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Aapistie 7C, FI-90230, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Andrea Modesti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Khan W, Varma Saripella G, Ludwig T, Cuppens T, Thibord F, Génin E, Deleuze JF, Trégouët DA. MACARON: a python framework to identify and re-annotate multi-base affected codons in whole genome/exome sequence data. Bioinformatics 2019; 34:3396-3398. [PMID: 29726922 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Summary Predicted deleteriousness of coding variants is a frequently used criterion to filter out variants detected in next-generation sequencing projects and to select candidates impacting on the risk of human diseases. Most available dedicated tools implement a base-to-base annotation approach that could be biased in presence of several variants in the same genetic codon. We here proposed the MACARON program that, from a standard VCF file, identifies, re-annotates and predicts the amino acid change resulting from multiple single nucleotide variants (SNVs) within the same genetic codon. Applied to the whole exome dataset of 573 individuals, MACARON identifies 114 situations where multiple SNVs within a genetic codon induce an amino acid change that is different from those predicted by standard single SNV annotation tool. Such events are not uncommon and deserve to be studied in sequencing projects with inconclusive findings. Availability and implementation MACARON is written in python with codes available on the GENMED website (www.genmed.fr). Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Waqasuddin Khan
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S 1166, Paris, France.,ICAN Institute for Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Ganapathi Varma Saripella
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S 1166, Paris, France.,ICAN Institute for Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Ludwig
- INSERM U1078, Génétique, Génomique Fonctionnelle et Biotechnologies, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CHU Brest, Brest, France
| | - Tania Cuppens
- INSERM U1078, Génétique, Génomique Fonctionnelle et Biotechnologies, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CHU Brest, Brest, France
| | - Florian Thibord
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S 1166, Paris, France.,ICAN Institute for Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Génin
- INSERM U1078, Génétique, Génomique Fonctionnelle et Biotechnologies, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CHU Brest, Brest, France
| | - Jean-Francois Deleuze
- Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine (CNRGH), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, CEA, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Evry, France
| | - David-Alexandre Trégouët
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, INSERM UMR_S 1166, Paris, France.,ICAN Institute for Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Liu CC, Steen CB, Newman AM. Computational approaches for characterizing the tumor immune microenvironment. Immunology 2019; 158:70-84. [PMID: 31347163 PMCID: PMC6742767 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in high-throughput molecular profiling technologies and multiplexed imaging platforms have revolutionized our ability to characterize the tumor immune microenvironment. As a result, studies of tumor-associated immune cells increasingly involve complex data sets that require sophisticated methods of computational analysis. In this review, we present an overview of key assays and related bioinformatics tools for analyzing the tumor-associated immune system in bulk tissues and at the single-cell level. In parallel, we describe how data science strategies and novel technologies have advanced tumor immunology and opened the door for new opportunities to exploit host immunity to improve cancer clinical outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candace C. Liu
- Immunology Graduate ProgramSchool of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Chloé B. Steen
- Division of OncologyDepartment of MedicineStanford Cancer InstituteStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Aaron M. Newman
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
- Department of Biomedical Data ScienceStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Intragenomic variability and extended sequence patterns in the mutational signature of ultraviolet light. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:20411-20417. [PMID: 31548379 PMCID: PMC6789905 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1909021116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutational signatures have emerged as essential tools in cancer genomics, providing clinically relevant insights as well as accurate background models needed when assessing signals of selection in cancer. Here, we observe that the mutational signature of ultraviolet (UV) light varies across chromatin states, highlighting a previously unappreciated aspect of mutational signatures. Our results imply that locally derived, rather than genome-wide or exome-wide, signatures are more accurate, which is of relevance in situations such as cancer driver gene detection, where correct modelling of signatures and expected mutation rates is critical. We also show that incorporation of longer contextual patterns into the signature further improves modeling of UV mutations. Mutational signatures can reveal properties of underlying mutational processes and are important when assessing signals of selection in cancer. Here, we describe the sequence characteristics of mutations induced by ultraviolet (UV) light, a major mutagen in several human cancers, in terms of extended (longer than trinucleotide) patterns as well as variability of the signature across chromatin states. Promoter regions display a distinct UV signature with reduced TCG > TTG transitions, and genome-wide mapping of UVB-induced DNA photoproducts (pyrimidine dimers) showed that this may be explained by decreased damage formation at hypomethylated promoter CpG sites. Further, an extended signature model encompassing additional information from longer contextual patterns improves modeling of UV mutations, which may enhance discrimination between drivers and passenger events. Our study presents a refined picture of the UV signature and underscores that the characteristics of a single mutational process may vary across the genome.
Collapse
|
29
|
Finotello F, Rieder D, Hackl H, Trajanoski Z. Next-generation computational tools for interrogating cancer immunity. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 20:724-746. [PMID: 31515541 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0166-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable success of cancer therapies with immune checkpoint blockers is revolutionizing oncology and has sparked intensive basic and translational research into the mechanisms of cancer-immune cell interactions. In parallel, numerous novel cutting-edge technologies for comprehensive molecular and cellular characterization of cancer immunity have been developed, including single-cell sequencing, mass cytometry and multiplexed spatial cellular phenotyping. In order to process, analyse and visualize multidimensional data sets generated by these technologies, computational methods and software tools are required. Here, we review computational tools for interrogating cancer immunity, discuss advantages and limitations of the various methods and provide guidelines to assist in method selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Finotello
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Rieder
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubert Hackl
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kamdar MR, Fernández JD, Polleres A, Tudorache T, Musen MA. Enabling Web-scale data integration in biomedicine through Linked Open Data. NPJ Digit Med 2019; 2:90. [PMID: 31531395 PMCID: PMC6736878 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-019-0162-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The biomedical data landscape is fragmented with several isolated, heterogeneous data and knowledge sources, which use varying formats, syntaxes, schemas, and entity notations, existing on the Web. Biomedical researchers face severe logistical and technical challenges to query, integrate, analyze, and visualize data from multiple diverse sources in the context of available biomedical knowledge. Semantic Web technologies and Linked Data principles may aid toward Web-scale semantic processing and data integration in biomedicine. The biomedical research community has been one of the earliest adopters of these technologies and principles to publish data and knowledge on the Web as linked graphs and ontologies, hence creating the Life Sciences Linked Open Data (LSLOD) cloud. In this paper, we provide our perspective on some opportunities proffered by the use of LSLOD to integrate biomedical data and knowledge in three domains: (1) pharmacology, (2) cancer research, and (3) infectious diseases. We will discuss some of the major challenges that hinder the wide-spread use and consumption of LSLOD by the biomedical research community. Finally, we provide a few technical solutions and insights that can address these challenges. Eventually, LSLOD can enable the development of scalable, intelligent infrastructures that support artificial intelligence methods for augmenting human intelligence to achieve better clinical outcomes for patients, to enhance the quality of biomedical research, and to improve our understanding of living systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maulik R. Kamdar
- Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Javier D. Fernández
- Vienna University of Economics & Business, Vienna, Austria
- Complexity Science Hub Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Polleres
- Vienna University of Economics & Business, Vienna, Austria
- Complexity Science Hub Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tania Tudorache
- Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Mark A. Musen
- Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Leveraging protein dynamics to identify cancer mutational hotspots using 3D structures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:18962-18970. [PMID: 31462496 PMCID: PMC6754584 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1901156116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale exome sequencing of tumors has enabled the identification of cancer drivers using recurrence-based approaches. Some of these methods also employ 3D protein structures to identify mutational hotspots in cancer-associated genes. In determining such mutational clusters in structures, existing approaches overlook protein dynamics, despite its essential role in protein function. We present a framework to identify cancer driver genes using a dynamics-based search of mutational hotspot communities. Mutations are mapped to protein structures, which are partitioned into distinct residue communities. These communities are identified in a framework where residue-residue contact edges are weighted by correlated motions (as inferred by dynamics-based models). We then search for signals of positive selection among these residue communities to identify putative driver genes, while applying our method to the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) PanCancer Atlas missense mutation catalog. Overall, we predict 1 or more mutational hotspots within the resolved structures of proteins encoded by 434 genes. These genes were enriched among biological processes associated with tumor progression. Additionally, a comparison between our approach and existing cancer hotspot detection methods using structural data suggests that including protein dynamics significantly increases the sensitivity of driver detection.
Collapse
|
32
|
Hu X, Wang Q, Tang M, Barthel F, Amin S, Yoshihara K, Lang FM, Martinez-Ledesma E, Lee SH, Zheng S, Verhaak RGW. TumorFusions: an integrative resource for cancer-associated transcript fusions. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:D1144-D1149. [PMID: 29099951 PMCID: PMC5753333 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene fusion represents a class of molecular aberrations in cancer and has been exploited for therapeutic purposes. In this paper we describe TumorFusions, a data portal that catalogues 20 731 gene fusions detected in 9966 well characterized cancer samples and 648 normal specimens from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The portal spans 33 cancer types in TCGA. Fusion transcripts were identified via a uniform pipeline, including filtering against a list of 3838 transcript fusions detected in a panel of 648 non-neoplastic samples. Fusions were mapped to somatic DNA rearrangements identified using whole genome sequencing data from 561 cancer samples as a means of validation. We observed that 65% of transcript fusions were associated with a chromosomal alteration, which is annotated in the portal. Other features of the portal include links to SNP array-based copy number levels and mutational patterns, exon and transcript level expressions of the partner genes, and a network-based centrality score for prioritizing functional fusions. Our portal aims to be a broadly applicable and user friendly resource for cancer gene annotation and is publicly available at http://www.tumorfusions.org.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Program in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Qianghu Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ming Tang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Floris Barthel
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Samirkumar Amin
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Kosuke Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan
| | - Frederick M Lang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Emmanuel Martinez-Ledesma
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Soo Hyun Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Siyuan Zheng
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Roel G W Verhaak
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Garcia-Garijo A, Fajardo CA, Gros A. Determinants for Neoantigen Identification. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1392. [PMID: 31293573 PMCID: PMC6601353 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
All tumors accumulate genetic alterations, some of which can give rise to mutated, non-self peptides presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules and elicit T-cell responses. These immunogenic mutated peptides, or neoantigens, are foreign in nature and display exquisite tumor specificity. The correlative evidence suggesting they play an important role in the effectiveness of various cancer immunotherapies has triggered the development of vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapies targeting them. However, the systematic identification of personalized neoantigens in cancer patients, a critical requisite for the success of these therapies, remains challenging. A growing amount of evidence supports that only a small fraction of all tumor somatic non-synonymous mutations (NSM) identified represent bona fide neoantigens; mutated peptides that are processed, presented on the cell surface HLA molecules of cancer cells and are capable of triggering immune responses in patients. Here, we provide an overview of the existing strategies to identify candidate neoantigens and to evaluate their immunogenicity, two factors that impact on neoantigen identification. We will focus on their strengths and limitations to allow readers to rationally select and apply the most suitable method for their specific laboratory setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alena Gros
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Schulze S, Stengel R, Jaekel N, Wang SY, Franke GN, Roskos M, Schneider M, Niederwieser D, Al-Ali HK. Concomitant and noncanonical JAK2 and MPL mutations in JAK2V617F- and MPLW515 L-positive myelofibrosis. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:747-755. [PMID: 31135094 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequential genotyping for phenotype-driver mutations in JAK2 (exon 14), CALR (exon 9), and MPL (exon 10) is recommended in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Yet, atypical JAK2- and MPL-mutations were described in some triple-negative patients. Whether noncanonical and/or concomitant JAK2- and MPL-mutations exist in myelofibrosis (MF) regardless of phenotype-driver mutations is not yet elucidated. For this, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed using blood genomic DNA from 128 MF patients (primary MF, n = 93; post-ET-MF, n = 18; post-PV-MF, n = 17). While no atypical JAK2- or MPL-mutations were seen in 24 CALR-positive samples, two JAK2-mutations [c.3323A > G, p.N1108S; c.3188G > A, p.R1063H] were detected in two of the 21 (9.5%) triple-negative patients. Twelve of the 82 (14.6%) JAK2V617F-positive cases had coexisting germline JAK2-mutations [JAK2R1063H, n = 6; JAK2R893T, n = 1; JAK2T525A, n = 1] or at least one somatic MPL-mutation [MPLY591D, n = 3; MPLW515 L, n = 2; MPLE335K, n = 1]. Overall, MPL-mutations always coexisted with JAK2V617F and/or other MPL-mutations. None of the JAK2V617F plus a second JAK2-mutation carried a TET2-mutation but all patients with JAK2V617F plus an MPL-mutation harbored a somatic TET2-mutation. Four genomic clusters could be identified in the JAK2V617F-positive cohort. Cluster-I (10%) (noncanonical JAK2mutated (mut) + TET2wildtype (wt) ) were younger and had less proliferative disease compared with cluster-IV (5%) (TET2mut + MPLmut ). In conclusion, recurrent concomitant classical and/or noncanonical JAK2- and MPL-mutations could be detected by NGS in 15.7% of JAK2V617F- and MPLW515-positive MF patients with genotype-phenotype associations. Many of the germline and/or somatic mutations might act as "Significantly Mutated Genes" contributing to the pathogenesis and phenotypic heterogeneity. A cost-effective NGS-based approach might be an important step towards patient-tailored medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susann Schulze
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Nadja Jaekel
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Song-Yau Wang
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Dietger Niederwieser
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Agajanian S, Oluyemi O, Verkhivker GM. Integration of Random Forest Classifiers and Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Classification and Biomolecular Modeling of Cancer Driver Mutations. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:44. [PMID: 31245384 PMCID: PMC6579812 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of machine learning solutions for prediction of functional and clinical significance of cancer driver genes and mutations are paramount in modern biomedical research and have gained a significant momentum in a recent decade. In this work, we integrate different machine learning approaches, including tree based methods, random forest and gradient boosted tree (GBT) classifiers along with deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) for prediction of cancer driver mutations in the genomic datasets. The feasibility of CNN in using raw nucleotide sequences for classification of cancer driver mutations was initially explored by employing label encoding, one hot encoding, and embedding to preprocess the DNA information. These classifiers were benchmarked against their tree-based alternatives in order to evaluate the performance on a relative scale. We then integrated DNA-based scores generated by CNN with various categories of conservational, evolutionary and functional features into a generalized random forest classifier. The results of this study have demonstrated that CNN can learn high level features from genomic information that are complementary to the ensemble-based predictors often employed for classification of cancer mutations. By combining deep learning-generated score with only two main ensemble-based functional features, we can achieve a superior performance of various machine learning classifiers. Our findings have also suggested that synergy of nucleotide-based deep learning scores and integrated metrics derived from protein sequence conservation scores can allow for robust classification of cancer driver mutations with a limited number of highly informative features. Machine learning predictions are leveraged in molecular simulations, protein stability, and network-based analysis of cancer mutations in the protein kinase genes to obtain insights about molecular signatures of driver mutations and enhance the interpretability of cancer-specific classification models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steve Agajanian
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, United States
| | - Odeyemi Oluyemi
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, United States
| | - Gennady M Verkhivker
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, United States.,Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Singer J, Irmisch A, Ruscheweyh HJ, Singer F, Toussaint NC, Levesque MP, Stekhoven DJ, Beerenwinkel N. Bioinformatics for precision oncology. Brief Bioinform 2019; 20:778-788. [PMID: 29272324 PMCID: PMC6585151 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbx143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular profiling of tumor biopsies plays an increasingly important role not only in cancer research, but also in the clinical management of cancer patients. Multi-omics approaches hold the promise of improving diagnostics, prognostics and personalized treatment. To deliver on this promise of precision oncology, appropriate bioinformatics methods for managing, integrating and analyzing large and complex data are necessary. Here, we discuss the specific requirements of bioinformatics methods and software that arise in the setting of clinical oncology, owing to a stricter regulatory environment and the need for rapid, highly reproducible and robust procedures. We describe the workflow of a molecular tumor board and the specific bioinformatics support that it requires, from the primary analysis of raw molecular profiling data to the automatic generation of a clinical report and its delivery to decision-making clinical oncologists. Such workflows have to various degrees been implemented in many clinical trials, as well as in molecular tumor boards at specialized cancer centers and university hospitals worldwide. We review these and more recent efforts to include other high-dimensional multi-omics patient profiles into the tumor board, as well as the state of clinical decision support software to translate molecular findings into treatment recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Singer
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich in Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anja Irmisch
- Department of Dermatology at the University of Zurich Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Niko Beerenwinkel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich in Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ramón Y Cajal S, Hümmer S, Peg V, Guiu XM, De Torres I, Castellvi J, Martinez-Saez E, Hernandez-Losa J. Integrating clinical, molecular, proteomic and histopathological data within the tissue context: tissunomics. Histopathology 2019; 75:4-19. [PMID: 30667539 PMCID: PMC6851567 DOI: 10.1111/his.13828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malignant tumours show a marked degree of morphological, molecular and proteomic heterogeneity. This variability is closely related to microenvironmental factors and the location of the tumour. The activation of genetic alterations is very tissue‐dependent and only few tumours have distinct genetic alterations. Importantly, the activation state of proteins and signaling factors is heterogeneous in the primary tumour and in metastases and recurrences. The molecular diagnosis based only on genetic alterations can lead to treatments with unpredictable responses, depending on the tumour location, such as the tumour response in melanomas versus colon carcinomas with BRAF mutations. Therefore, we understand that the correct evaluation of tumours requires a system that integrates both morphological, molecular and protein information in a clinical and pathological context, where intratumoral heterogeneity can be assessed. Thus, we propose the term ‘tissunomics’, where the diagnosis will be contextualised in each tumour based on the complementation of the pathological, molecular, protein expression, environmental cells and clinical data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Ramón Y Cajal
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefan Hümmer
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicente Peg
- Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier M Guiu
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inés De Torres
- Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Castellvi
- Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Martinez-Saez
- Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Hernandez-Losa
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Review: Precision medicine and driver mutations: Computational methods, functional assays and conformational principles for interpreting cancer drivers. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006658. [PMID: 30921324 PMCID: PMC6438456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
At the root of the so-called precision medicine or precision oncology, which is our focus here, is the hypothesis that cancer treatment would be considerably better if therapies were guided by a tumor’s genomic alterations. This hypothesis has sparked major initiatives focusing on whole-genome and/or exome sequencing, creation of large databases, and developing tools for their statistical analyses—all aspiring to identify actionable alterations, and thus molecular targets, in a patient. At the center of the massive amount of collected sequence data is their interpretations that largely rest on statistical analysis and phenotypic observations. Statistics is vital, because it guides identification of cancer-driving alterations. However, statistics of mutations do not identify a change in protein conformation; therefore, it may not define sufficiently accurate actionable mutations, neglecting those that are rare. Among the many thematic overviews of precision oncology, this review innovates by further comprehensively including precision pharmacology, and within this framework, articulating its protein structural landscape and consequences to cellular signaling pathways. It provides the underlying physicochemical basis, thereby also opening the door to a broader community.
Collapse
|
39
|
Qu Z, Lau CW, Nguyen QV, Zhou Y, Catchpoole DR. Visual Analytics of Genomic and Cancer Data: A Systematic Review. Cancer Inform 2019; 18:1176935119835546. [PMID: 30890859 PMCID: PMC6416684 DOI: 10.1177/1176935119835546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual analytics and visualisation can leverage the human perceptual system to
interpret and uncover hidden patterns in big data. The advent of next-generation
sequencing technologies has allowed the rapid production of massive amounts of
genomic data and created a corresponding need for new tools and methods for
visualising and interpreting these data. Visualising genomic data requires not
only simply plotting of data but should also offer a decision or a choice about
what the message should be conveyed in the particular plot; which methodologies
should be used to represent the results must provide an easy, clear, and
accurate way to the clinicians, experts, or researchers to interact with the
data. Genomic data visual analytics is rapidly evolving in parallel with
advances in high-throughput technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)
and virtual reality (VR). Personalised medicine requires new genomic
visualisation tools, which can efficiently extract knowledge from the genomic
data and speed up expert decisions about the best treatment of individual
patient’s needs. However, meaningful visual analytics of such large genomic data
remains a serious challenge. This article provides a comprehensive systematic
review and discussion on the tools, methods, and trends for visual analytics of
cancer-related genomic data. We reviewed methods for genomic data visualisation
including traditional approaches such as scatter plots, heatmaps, coordinates,
and networks, as well as emerging technologies using AI and VR. We also
demonstrate the development of genomic data visualisation tools over time and
analyse the evolution of visualising genomic data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Qu
- School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Chng Wei Lau
- School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Quang Vinh Nguyen
- School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.,The MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Yi Zhou
- School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel R Catchpoole
- The Tumour Bank, Children's Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Information Technology, The University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
An Integrative Data Mining and Omics-Based Translational Model for the Identification and Validation of Oncogenic Biomarkers of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020155. [PMID: 30700038 PMCID: PMC6407035 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Substantial alterations at the multi-omics level of pancreatic cancer (PC) impede the possibility to diagnose and treat patients in early stages. Herein, we conducted an integrative omics-based translational analysis, utilizing next-generation sequencing, transcriptome meta-analysis, and immunohistochemistry, combined with statistical learning, to validate multiplex biomarker candidates for the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of PC. Experiment-based validation was conducted and supportive evidence for the essentiality of the candidates in PC were found at gene expression or protein level by practical biochemical methods. Remarkably, the random forests (RF) model exhibited an excellent diagnostic performance and LAMC2, ANXA2, ADAM9, and APLP2 greatly influenced its decisions. An explanation approach for the RF model was successfully constructed. Moreover, protein expression of LAMC2, ANXA2, ADAM9, and APLP2 was found correlated and significantly higher in PC patients in independent cohorts. Survival analysis revealed that patients with high expression of ADAM9 (Hazard ratio (HR)OS = 2.2, p-value < 0.001), ANXA2 (HROS = 2.1, p-value < 0.001), and LAMC2 (HRDFS = 1.8, p-value = 0.012) exhibited poorer survival rates. In conclusion, we successfully explore hidden biological insights from large-scale omics data and suggest that LAMC2, ANXA2, ADAM9, and APLP2 are robust biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and management for PC.
Collapse
|
41
|
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS): A Revolutionary Technology in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine in Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1168:9-30. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-24100-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
42
|
Sapna G, Gokul S. Next generation sequencing in oral disease diagnostics. World J Stomatol 2018; 6:6-10. [DOI: 10.5321/wjs.v6.i2.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA sequencing is the method of identifying the precise order of DNA nucleotides within a molecule. The information of DNA sequencing is of prime requisite for basic biological research as well as in various clinical specialties. They can be used to determine the individual genetic sequence, larger genetic regions, chromosomes as well as to sequence RNA and proteins. Since the first DNA sequencing in 1970s, there has been tremendous advancements in the technologies aimed to determine the entire human genome. The need for rapid and accurate sequencing of human genome has resulted in the introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. NGS refers to the second-generation DNA sequencing technologies where millions of DNA can be sequenced simultaneously. Some of the next gen sequencing methods employed are Roche/454 life science, Illumina/Solexa, SOLiD system and HeliScope. Application of NGS in decoding the genomic database of various oral diseases may possess therapeutic and prognostic value. This presentation provides an overview of the basics of NGS and their potential applications in oral disease diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gokul Sapna
- Department of periodontics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai 400008, India
| | - Sridharan Gokul
- Oral Pathology and Microbiology, YMT Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai 410210, India
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Complexity of genome sequencing and reporting: Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and implementation of precision medicine in real life. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 133:171-182. [PMID: 30661654 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The finalization of the Human Genome Project in 2003 paved the way for a deeper understanding of cancer, favouring a faster progression towards "personalized" medicine. Research in oncology has progressively focused on the sequencing of cancer genomes, to better understand the genetic basis of tumorigenesis and identify actionable alterations to guide cancer therapy. Thanks to the development of next-generation-sequencing (NGS) techniques, sequencing of tumoral DNA is today technically easier, faster and cheaper. Commercially available NGS panels enable the detection of single or global genomic alterations, namely gene mutation and mutagenic burden, both on germline and somatic DNA, potentially predicting the response or resistance to cancer treatments. Profiling of tumor DNA is nowadays a standard in cancer research and treatment. In this review we discuss the history, techniques and applications of NGS in cancer care, under a "personalized tailored therapy" perspective.
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
Somatic structural variants undoubtedly play important roles in driving tumourigenesis. This is evident despite the substantial technical challenges that remain in accurately detecting structural variants and their breakpoints in tumours and in spite of our incomplete understanding of the impact of structural variants on cellular function. Developments in these areas of research contribute to the ongoing discovery of structural variation with a clear impact on the evolution of the tumour and on the clinical importance to the patient. Recent large whole genome sequencing studies have reinforced our impression of each tumour as a unique combination of mutations but paradoxically have also discovered similar genome-wide patterns of single-nucleotide and structural variation between tumours. Statistical methods have been developed to deconvolute mutation patterns, or signatures, that recur across samples, providing information about the mutagens and repair processes that may be active in a given tumour. These signatures can guide treatment by, for example, highlighting vulnerabilities in a particular tumour to a particular chemotherapy. Thus, although the complete reconstruction of the full evolutionary trajectory of a tumour genome remains currently out of reach, valuable data are already emerging to improve the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ailith Ewing
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| | - Colin Semple
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Yi M, Qin S, Zhao W, Yu S, Chu Q, Wu K. The role of neoantigen in immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2018; 7:28. [PMID: 30473928 PMCID: PMC6240277 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-018-0120-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor induces tumor rejection by activated host immune system. The anti-tumor immune response consists of capture, presentation, recognition of neoantigen, as well as subsequent killing of tumor cell. Due to the interdependence among this series of stepwise events, neoantigen profoundly influences the efficacy of anti-immune checkpoint therapy. Moreover, the neoantigen-specific T cell reactivity is the cornerstone of multiple immunotherapies. In fact, several strategies targeting neoantigen have been attempted for synergetic effect with immune checkpoint inhibitor. Increasing neoantigen presentation to immune system by oncolytic virus, radiotherapy, or cancer vaccine is feasible to enhance neoantigen-specific T cell reactivity in theory. However, some obstacles have not been overcome in practice such as dynamic variation of neoantigen landscape, identification of potential neoantigen, maintenance of high T cell titer post vaccination. In addition, adoptive T cell transfer is another approach to enhance neoantigen-specific T cell reactivity, especially for patients with severe immunosuppression. In this review, we highlighted the advancements of neoantigen and innovative explorations of utilization of neoantigen repertoire in immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Shuang Qin
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Weiheng Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Shengnan Yu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Mayakonda A, Lin DC, Assenov Y, Plass C, Koeffler HP. Maftools: efficient and comprehensive analysis of somatic variants in cancer. Genome Res 2018; 28:1747-1756. [PMID: 30341162 PMCID: PMC6211645 DOI: 10.1101/gr.239244.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2388] [Impact Index Per Article: 398.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Numerous large-scale genomic studies of matched tumor-normal samples have established the somatic landscapes of most cancer types. However, the downstream analysis of data from somatic mutations entails a number of computational and statistical approaches, requiring usage of independent software and numerous tools. Here, we describe an R Bioconductor package, Maftools, which offers a multitude of analysis and visualization modules that are commonly used in cancer genomic studies, including driver gene identification, pathway, signature, enrichment, and association analyses. Maftools only requires somatic variants in Mutation Annotation Format (MAF) and is independent of larger alignment files. With the implementation of well-established statistical and computational methods, Maftools facilitates data-driven research and comparative analysis to discover novel results from publicly available data sets. In the present study, using three of the well-annotated cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we describe the application of Maftools to reproduce known results. More importantly, we show that Maftools can also be used to uncover novel findings through integrative analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anand Mayakonda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore.,Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Yassen Assenov
- Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Plass
- Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore.,Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA.,National University Cancer Institute, National University Hospital, 119074, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Agajanian S, Odeyemi O, Bischoff N, Ratra S, Verkhivker GM. Machine Learning Classification and Structure–Functional Analysis of Cancer Mutations Reveal Unique Dynamic and Network Signatures of Driver Sites in Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes. J Chem Inf Model 2018; 58:2131-2150. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.8b00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steve Agajanian
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Department of Computational Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University
Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Oluyemi Odeyemi
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Department of Computational Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University
Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Nathaniel Bischoff
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Department of Computational Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University
Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Simrath Ratra
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Department of Computational Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University
Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Gennady M. Verkhivker
- Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Department of Computational Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University
Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
- Chapman University, School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhang M, Liu D, Tang J, Feng Y, Wang T, Dobbin KK, Schliekelman P, Zhao S. SEG - A Software Program for Finding Somatic Copy Number Alterations in Whole Genome Sequencing Data of Cancer. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2018; 16:335-341. [PMID: 30258547 PMCID: PMC6154469 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As next-generation sequencing technology advances and the cost decreases, whole genome sequencing (WGS) has become the preferred platform for the identification of somatic copy number alteration (CNA) events in cancer genomes. To more effectively decipher these massive sequencing data, we developed a software program named SEG, shortened from the word “segment”. SEG utilizes mapped read or fragment density for CNA discovery. To reduce CNA artifacts arisen from sequencing and mapping biases, SEG first normalizes the data by taking the log2-ratio of each tumor density against its matching normal density. SEG then uses dynamic programming to find change-points among a contiguous log2-ratio data series along a chromosome, dividing the chromosome into different segments. SEG finally identifies those segments having CNA. Our analyses with both simulated and real sequencing data indicate that SEG finds more small CNAs than other published software tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mucheng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| | - Deli Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| | - Yuan Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| | - Kevin K Dobbin
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| | - Paul Schliekelman
- Department of Statistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| | - Shaying Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602-7229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Barros L, Pretti MA, Chicaybam L, Abdo L, Boroni M, Bonamino MH. Immunological-based approaches for cancer therapy. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2018; 73:e429s. [PMID: 30133560 PMCID: PMC6097086 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e429s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immunologic landscape of tumors has been continuously unveiled, providing a new look at the interactions between cancer cells and the immune system. Emerging tumor cells are constantly eliminated by the immune system, but some cells establish a long-term equilibrium phase leading to tumor immunoediting and, eventually, evasion. During this process, tumor cells tend to acquire more mutations. Bearing a high mutation burden leads to a greater number of neoantigens with the potential to initiate an immune response. Although many tumors evoke an immune response, tumor clearance by the immune system does not occur due to a suppressive tumor microenvironment. The mechanisms by which tumors achieve the ability to evade immunologic control vary. Understanding these differences is crucial for the improvement and application of new immune-based therapies. Much effort has been placed in developing in silico algorithms to predict tumor immunogenicity and to characterize the microenvironment via high-throughput sequencing and gene expression techniques. Each sequencing source, transcriptomics, and genomics yields a distinct level of data, helping to elucidate the tumor-based immune responses and guiding the fine-tuning of current and upcoming immune-based therapies. In this review, we explore some of the immunological concepts behind the new immunotherapies and the bioinformatic tools to study the immunological aspects of tumors, focusing on neoantigen determination and microenvironment deconvolution. We further discuss the immune-based therapies already in clinical use, those underway for future clinical application, the next steps in immunotherapy, and how the characterization of the tumor immune contexture can impact therapies aiming to promote or unleash immune-based tumor elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Barros
- Programa de Carcinogenese Molecular, Coordenacao de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional de Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Marco Antonio Pretti
- Programa de Carcinogenese Molecular, Coordenacao de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional de Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | | | - Luiza Abdo
- Programa de Carcinogenese Molecular, Coordenacao de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional de Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Mariana Boroni
- Laboratorio de Bioinformatica e Biologia Computacional, Coordenacao de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional de Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Martin Hernán Bonamino
- Laboratorio de Bioinformatica e Biologia Computacional, Coordenacao de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional de Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
- *Corresponding author. E-mail: /
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Xi J, Wang M, Li A. Discovering mutated driver genes through a robust and sparse co-regularized matrix factorization framework with prior information from mRNA expression patterns and interaction network. BMC Bioinformatics 2018; 19:214. [PMID: 29871594 PMCID: PMC5989443 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-018-2218-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discovery of mutated driver genes is one of the primary objective for studying tumorigenesis. To discover some relatively low frequently mutated driver genes from somatic mutation data, many existing methods incorporate interaction network as prior information. However, the prior information of mRNA expression patterns are not exploited by these existing network-based methods, which is also proven to be highly informative of cancer progressions. RESULTS To incorporate prior information from both interaction network and mRNA expressions, we propose a robust and sparse co-regularized nonnegative matrix factorization to discover driver genes from mutation data. Furthermore, our framework also conducts Frobenius norm regularization to overcome overfitting issue. Sparsity-inducing penalty is employed to obtain sparse scores in gene representations, of which the top scored genes are selected as driver candidates. Evaluation experiments by known benchmarking genes indicate that the performance of our method benefits from the two type of prior information. Our method also outperforms the existing network-based methods, and detect some driver genes that are not predicted by the competing methods. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our proposed method can improve the performance of driver gene discovery by effectively incorporating prior information from interaction network and mRNA expression patterns into a robust and sparse co-regularized matrix factorization framework.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Xi
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Minghui Wang
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027 China
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Ao Li
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027 China
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Huangshan Road, Hefei, 230027 China
| |
Collapse
|