Copy Number Profiles of Paired Primary and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer to Investigate Clonal Tumour Changes
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ABSTRACT: Background: Liver metastasis is the major cause of death following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and is a major health burden. Most molecular studies of CRC have profiled primary tumor samples and not the metastasis samples. In this study, we compared the copy number profiles of matched primary and liver metastatic CRC to better understand how the genomic structure of primary CRC differs from the metastasis. This has important implications for whether it is justified to base therapeutic approaches solely on data from the primary tumour. Methods: Paired primary and metastatic tumours from 16 patients and their adjacent normal tissue samples were analyzed using Single-Nucleotide-Polymorphism (SNP) arrays to determine copy number alterations. Nine patients had a synchronous liver metastasis at the time of CRC diagnosis and 7 patients developed a liver metastasis metachronously. Genome-wide chromosomal copy number alterations were assessed, with particular attention to 189 genes known to be somatically altered in CRC and 25 genes that are clinically actionable in CRC. These data were analyzed with respect to the timing of primary and metastatic tissue resection and with exposure to chemotherapy. Results: The genomic divergence with the whole genome duplication correction applied the average percent copy number discordance across all pairs of samples was 22.02%. The pairs of tumour samples collected prior to treatment revealed a significantly higher copy number differences compared to previously treated liver metastasis samples (P=0.024). However, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) acquired in metastasis was significantly higher in previously treated liver metastasis samples compared to treatment naïve liver metastasis samples (P= 0.0064) and which included where KRAS mutation was present in the primary cancers but was not detectable in the metastatic sample following chemotherapy. With regard to 25 genes that are clinically actionable in CRC, amplification of the genes ERBB2, FGFR1, CDK8 or PIK3CA was observed in the metastatic tissue of 4 patients but not in the matched primary CRC. In these cases, knowledge of these metastatic specific alterations could have informed therapeutic decision making and may have improved patient outcome. Conclusion: Intra-patient genomic discrepancies observed between primary and metastatic tissue
Project description:Background & Aims: The metastatic process is complex and remains a major obstacle in the management of colorectal cancer (CRC). To gain a better insight into the biologic events driving the metastatic process we investigated genomic aberrations in a large cohort of matched CRC primaries and distant metastases from various sites. Methods: In total, 62 primary colorectal cancers, 62 matched normal specimens, and 68 matched metastases (from liver, lung, ovary, omentum, and distant lymph nodes) were analyzed by high resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) for DNA copy number changes. Findings were validated using a publicly available dataset consisting of 21 primary tumors and matched liver metastases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to confirm some of the DNA copy number changes observed. Results: Overall patterns of DNA copy number aberrations were highly similar between primary tumors and their metastases, confirming clonality. Additional copy number aberrations in metastasis are rare and rather than recurrent they were sporadic for individual patients. The only recurrent differences between primary tumors and their metastases were two chromosomal regions, 6q21 and 8q24.21 encompassing the MYC oncogene, that coamplified in three metastases of two patients (3.2%). FISH analysis confirmed the high level co-amplification in the metastasis, which were not detected in their primary tumors. Conclusions: Primary CRC and their metastases show highly similar patterns of DNA copy number changes, additional copy number aberrations in metastasis are rare and recurrences exceptional. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the metastatic potential is predestined early in the development of the primary tumor. In total, 62 primary colorectal cancers, 62 matched normal specimens, and 68 matched metastases (liver, lung, ovarian, omentum and distant lymph nodes) were analyzed by high resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH).
Project description:We performed whole exome sequencing and copy number analysis for 15 triplets, each comprising normal colorectal tissue, primary colorectal carcinoma, and its synchronous matched liver metastasis. We analyzed the similarities and differences between primary colorectal carcinoma and matched liver metastases in regards to somatic mutations and somatic copy number alterationss (SCNAs). The genomic profiling demonstrated mutations in APC(73%), KRAS (33%), ARID1A and PIK3CA (6.7%) genes between primary colorectal and metastatic liver tumors. TP53 mutation was observed in 47% of the primary samples and 67% in liver metastatic samples. The grouped pairs, in hierarchical clustering showed similar SCNA patterns, in contrast to the ungrouped pairs. Many mutations (including those of known key cancer driver genes) were shared in the grouped pairs. The ungrouped pairs exhibited distinct mutation patterns with no shared mutations in key driver genes. Four ungrouped liver metastasis samples had mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes along with hypermutations and a substantial number of copy number of alterations. Genomically, colorectal and metastatic liver tumors were very similar. However, in a subgroup of patients, there were genetic variations in liver metastases in the loss of DNA mismatch repair genes.
Project description:Background & Aims: The metastatic process is complex and remains a major obstacle in the management of colorectal cancer (CRC). To gain a better insight into the biologic events driving the metastatic process we investigated genomic aberrations in a large cohort of matched CRC primaries and distant metastases from various sites. Methods: In total, 62 primary colorectal cancers, 62 matched normal specimens, and 68 matched metastases (from liver, lung, ovary, omentum, and distant lymph nodes) were analyzed by high resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) for DNA copy number changes. Findings were validated using a publicly available dataset consisting of 21 primary tumors and matched liver metastases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to confirm some of the DNA copy number changes observed. Results: Overall patterns of DNA copy number aberrations were highly similar between primary tumors and their metastases, confirming clonality. Additional copy number aberrations in metastasis are rare and rather than recurrent they were sporadic for individual patients. The only recurrent differences between primary tumors and their metastases were two chromosomal regions, 6q21 and 8q24.21 encompassing the MYC oncogene, that coamplified in three metastases of two patients (3.2%). FISH analysis confirmed the high level co-amplification in the metastasis, which were not detected in their primary tumors. Conclusions: Primary CRC and their metastases show highly similar patterns of DNA copy number changes, additional copy number aberrations in metastasis are rare and recurrences exceptional. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the metastatic potential is predestined early in the development of the primary tumor.
Project description:We performed whole exome sequencing and copy number analysis for 15 triplets, each comprising normal colorectal tissue, primary colorectal carcinoma, and its synchronous matched liver metastasis. We analyzed the similarities and differences between primary colorectal carcinoma and matched liver metastases in regards to somatic mutations and somatic copy number alterationss (SCNAs). The genomic profiling demonstrated mutations in APC(73%), KRAS (33%), ARID1A and PIK3CA (6.7%) genes between primary colorectal and metastatic liver tumors. TP53 mutation was observed in 47% of the primary samples and 67% in liver metastatic samples. The grouped pairs, in hierarchical clustering showed similar SCNA patterns, in contrast to the ungrouped pairs. Many mutations (including those of known key cancer driver genes) were shared in the grouped pairs. The ungrouped pairs exhibited distinct mutation patterns with no shared mutations in key driver genes. Four ungrouped liver metastasis samples had mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes along with hypermutations and a substantial number of copy number of alterations. Genomically, colorectal and metastatic liver tumors were very similar. However, in a subgroup of patients, there were genetic variations in liver metastases in the loss of DNA mismatch repair genes. Copy number analysis of Affymetrix CytoScanHD arrays was performed for 15 primary colorectal carcinoma and 15 samples of their matched liver metastases. 15 normal samples prepared from each of the patient was used as the reference for the study. Nexus Copy number 6.1 software was used for somatic copy number alteration analysis.
Project description:In this study, we comprehensively charted the cellular landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) and well-matched liver metastatic CRC using single-cell and spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing. We generated 41892 CD45- non-immune cells and 196473 CD45+ immune cells from 27 samples of 6 CRC patients, and found that CD8_CXCL13 and CD4_CXCL13 subsets increased significantly in liver metastatic samples that exhibited high proliferation ability and tumor-activating characterization, contributing to better prognosis of patients. Distinct fibroblast profiles were observed in primary and liver metastatic tumors. The F3+ fibroblasts enriched in primary tumors contributed to worse overall survival by expressing pro-tumor factors. However, the MCAM+ fibroblasts enriched in liver metastatic tumors might promote generation of CD8_CXCL13 cells through Notch signaling. In summary, we extensively analyzed the transcriptional differences of cell atlas between primary and liver metastatic tumors of CRC by single-cell and spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing, providing different dimensions of the development of liver metastasis in CRC
Project description:Metastasis is the cause of death for 90% of cancer patients, but little is known about how cancer cells adapt to and colonize new tissue environments. Using clinical samples and primary/metastatic cell lines, we found metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) cells lose their colon-specific gene transcription program and gain a liver-specific gene transcription program as they metastasize in the liver. We revealed this transcription reprogramming is driven by a reshaped epigenetic landscape of both typical and super-enhancers. Further, we identified FOXA2, a liver-specific transcription factor, plays a key role in this transcription reprogramming and the colonization of metastatic CRC cells in the liver. Notably, this transcription reprogramming is also observed in multiple cancer types. Our data demonstrate that epigenetically reprogrammed tissue-specific transcription promotes metastasis and should be targeted therapeutically.
Project description:Metastasis is the cause of death for 90% of cancer patients, but little is known about how cancer cells adapt to and colonize new tissue environments. Using clinical samples and primary/metastatic cell lines, we found metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) cells lose their colon-specific gene transcription program and gain a liver-specific gene transcription program as they metastasize in the liver. We revealed this transcription reprogramming is driven by a reshaped epigenetic landscape of both typical and super-enhancers. Further, we identified FOXA2, a liver-specific transcription factor, plays a key role in this transcription reprogramming and the colonization of metastatic CRC cells in the liver. Notably, this transcription reprogramming is also observed in multiple cancer types. Our data demonstrate that epigenetically reprogrammed tissue-specific transcription promotes metastasis and should be targeted therapeutically.
Project description:<p>Molecular profiling for somatic mutations that predict response to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) has become standard practice. However, abundant tissue from metastatic lesions is not always available from patients with metastatic CRC. Concerns involving genetic heterogeneity between primary and metastatic lesions have called into question the suitability of profiling primary tumors in patients with metastatic disease. Further, the identification of discordant mutations between matched primary and metastatic tumors would be of biological interest for the delineation of biomarkers of tumor progression and metastasis.</p> <p>To explore the degree of genetic heterogeneity between matched primary and metastatic tumors in CRC, we performed whole genome sequencing of four patient "trios" comprised of a primary colon tumor, a liver metastasis, and matched normal (non-cancerous) tissue. Somatic mutations and indels were called in each tumor and compared between primary and metastatic lesions.</p>
Project description:The aim of our study was to identify a microRNA signature for metastatic CRC that could predict and differentiate metastatic target organ localization. Normal and cancer tissues of three different groups of CRC patients were analyzed. RNA microarray and TaqMan Array analysis were performed on 66 italian patients with or without lymph nodes and/or liver recurrences. Data obtained with the two assays, were analyzed separately and then intersected to identify a primary CRC metastatic signature. Five differentially expressed microRNAs (hsa-miR-21, -103, -93, -31 and -566) were validated by qRT-PCR on a second group of 16 american metastatic patients. In situ hybridization was performed on the 16 american patients as well as on three distinct commercial tissues microarray (TMA), containing normal adjacent colon, the primary adenocarcinoma, normal and metastatic lymph nodes and liver. Hsa-microRNA-31,-21,-93, and-103 upregulation together with hsa-miR-566 downregulation defined the CRC metastatic signature, while in situ hybridization data identified a lymphonodal invasion profile. 33 patients had colon cancer with lymph nodes metastasis only (Any T, Any N, M0) and 15 were diagnosed with colon cancer, lymph nodes and liver metastases (Any T, Any N, M1). Separate tumor samples from the primary tumor, the metastatic lymph nodes and the liver metastasis were collected.
Project description:Liver, lung and lymph nodes are the most common metatastic sites of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Here, we aimed to analyze by quantitative spatial proteomics the isogenic KM12 cell system (non-metastatic KM12C cells, liver metastatic KM12SM cells and liver and lung metastatic KM12L4a cells), and the isogenic non-metastatic SW480 and lymph nodes metastatic SW620 cells to study CRC metastasis. Cells were fractionated to study by proteomics five subcellular fractions corresponding to cytoplasm (CEB), membrane (MEB), nucleus (NEB), chromatin-bound proteins (NEB-CBP), and cytoskeletal proteins (PEB), and the secretome. Protein extracts were trypsin digested, labeled with TMT 11-plex and fractionated prior to proteomics analysis on a Q Exactive. We provide data on protein abundance and localization of 4031 proteins in their different subcellular fractions, depicting dysregulation of proteins in abundance and/or localization in the most common sites of CRC metastasis. Alterations in abundance and localization for selected proteins were validated via WB, IF, IHC and ELISA using CRC cells and patients’ tissue and plasma samples. These results supported the relevance of the proteomics results in a real-life scenario of CRC metastasis.