Search

The comprehensive identification of mutations contributing to the development of cancer is a priority of large cancer sequencing projects. To date, most studies have scrutinized mutations in coding regions of the genome, but several recent discoveries, including the identification of recurrent somatic mutations in the TERT promoter in multiple cancer types, support the idea that mutations in non-coding regions are also important in tumour development. Furthermore, analysis of whole-genome sequencing data from tumours has elucidated novel mutational patterns and processes etched into cancer genomes. Here, we present an overview of insights gleaned from the analysis of mutations from sequenced cancer genomes. We then review the mechanisms by which non-coding mutations can play a role in cancer. Finally, we discuss recent efforts aimed at identifying non-coding driver mutations, as well as the unique challenges that the analysis of non-coding mutations present in contrast to the identification of driver mutations in coding regions.

We used a combination of whole-genome sequencing and in vitro validation to show that mutations that activated at least two pro-growth/survival pathways mediated intrinsic resistance to BRAF inhibition in a melanoma patient. These data demonstrate how in-depth analysis can reveal intrinsic resistance to standard of care, providing an opportunity for alternative therapeutic strategies for patients who are likely to fail first-line treat-575 ment., Background BRAF is mutated in ∼42% of human melanomas (COSMIC. http://www.sanger.ac.uk/genetics/CGP/cosmic/) and pharmacological BRAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib and dabrafenib achieve dramatic responses in patients whose tumours harbour BRAFV600 mutations. Objective responses occur in ∼50% of patients and disease stabilisation in a further ∼30%, but ∼20% of patients present primary or innate resistance and do not respond. Here, we investigated the underlying cause of treatment failure in a patient with BRAF mutant melanoma who presented primary resistance. Methods We carried out whole-genome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis of five metastatic tumours from the patient. We validated mechanisms of resistance in a cell line derived from the patient's tumour. Results We observed that the majority of the single-nucleotide variants identified were shared across all tumour sites, but also saw site-specific copy-number alterations in discrete cell populations at different sites. We found that two ubiquitous mutations mediated resistance to BRAF inhibition in these tumours. A mutation in GNAQ sustained mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling, whereas a mutation in PTEN activated the PI3 K/AKT pathway. Inhibition of both pathways synergised to block the growth of the cells. Conclusions Our analyses show that the five metastases arose from a common progenitor and acquired additional alterations after disease dissemination. We demonstrate that a distinct combination of mutations mediated primary resistance to BRAF inhibition in this patient. These mutations were present in all five tumours and in a tumour sample taken before BRAF inhibitor treatment was administered. Inhibition of both pathways was required to block tumour cell growth, suggesting that combined targeting of these pathways could have been a valid therapeutic approach for this patient.

Background The introduction of anti-HER2 therapies such as trastuzumab for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has led to significant improvements to disease progression. We, and others have reported cases of long-term durable complete response to trastuzumab in HER2+ MBC. However, to-date only clinical and molecular analysis of this “exceptional” cohort exists. We hypothesise that genomic copy number alteration (CNA) burden can act as a prognostic measure of predicting response to trastuzumab in long-term never relapse exceptional responders (ExRs) from rapid non-responders (NR). Methods We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on n = 6 never relapse ExRs (med RFS Results We analysed the DNA chromosome disruption (fraction of the genome amplified/deleted) and present CNA burden. We observed the overall fraction of genome CNA burden was more destructed (P = 0.07); while more significantly pronounced in the amplification of the whole genome (P = 0.03) in NR compared to ExRs. We further delineated the distribution of CNA burden in all genomes and identified chromosome 8 as significantly disrupted in NRs (P = 0.02). Kaplan Meier survival analysis revealed that low total CNA burden at Chr8 and Chr17 conferred a statistically significant benefit in overall survival (P = 0.009 and P = 0.016, log rank). Conclusions CNA burden in HER2+ MBC exceptional responders may represent a novel prognostic predictor to trastuzumab response. Our investigation of genome-wide CNA burden offers the potential to gain insight into the underlying genetic landscape of long-term, never relapse exceptional response to trastuzumab. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Cancer Clinical Research Trust. Disclosure G. Gullo: Honoraria (self): Genomic Health; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche. J. Crown: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eisai; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: OncoMark; Honoraria (self): Amgen; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Puma Technology; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Seattle Genetics; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Boehringer Ingelheim; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Honoraria (self): Vertex; Honoraria (self): Genomic Health; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Roche; Honoraria (self): MSD Oncology. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

An increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) has previously been found to be associated with variants at the MS4A6A locus. We sought to identify which genes and transcripts in this region have altered expression in AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and are influenced by the AD risk variant(s), as a first step to understanding the molecular basis of AD susceptibility at this locus. Common variants located within highly expressed MS4A6A transcripts were significantly associated with AD and MS4A6A expression levels in blood from MCI and AD subjects (p < 0.05, rs610932, rs7232, rs583791). More copies of the protective (minor) allele were associated with lower MS4A6A expression of each transcript (e.g., p = 0.019; rs610932-total MS4A6A). Furthermore, in heterozygous AD subjects, relative expression of the protective allele of V4-MS4A6A transcripts was lower (p < 0.008). Irrespective of genotype, MS4A6A transcripts were increased in blood from people with AD (p < 0.003), whereas lower expression of full length V1-MS4A6A (p = 0.002) and higher expression of V4-MS4A6A (p = 1.8 × 10−4) were observed in MCI, relative to elderly controls. The association between genotype and expression was less consistent in brain, although BA9 did have a similar genotype association with V4-MS4A6A transcripts as in blood. MS4A6A transcripts were widely expressed in tissues and cells, with the exception of V4-MS4A6A, which was not expressed in neuronal cells. Together these results suggest that high levels of MS4A6A in emerging AD pathology are detrimental. Persons with MCI may lower MS4A6A expression to minimize detrimental disease associated MS4A6A activity. However, those with the susceptibility allele appear unable to decrease expression sufficiently, which may explain their increased risk for developing AD. Inhibiting MS4A6A may therefore promote a more neuroprotective phenotype, although further work is needed to establish whether this is the case.