Project description:to explore possible treatment targets and reasons for agressive children cacners by comprehensive molecular profiling on several platforms to explore copy number aberrations related to cancers
Project description:to explore possible treatment targets and reasons for agressive children cacners by comprehensive molecular profiling on several platforms to explore copy number aberrations related to cancers
Project description:Purpose: Pediatric cancers are often difficult to classify and can be complex to treat. To ensure precise diagnostics and identify relevant treatment targets, we implemented comprehensive molecular profiling of consecutive pediatric patients with cancer relapse. We evaluated the clinical impact of extensive molecular profiling by assessing the frequency of identified biological onco-drivers, altered diagnosis, and/or identification of new relevant targeted therapies. Patients and Methods: Forty-six tumor samples (44 fresh-frozen; two formalin-fixed paraffin embedded), two bone marrow aspirates, three cerebrospinal fluid samples, and one archived DNA were obtained from 48 children (0-17 years; median 9.5) with relapsed or refractory cancer, where the disease was rapidly progressing in spite of their current treatment or they had exhausted all treatment options. The samples were analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (WES), RNA sequencing (RNAseq), transcriptome arrays, and SNP arrays. Final reports were available within 3-4 weeks after patient inclusion and included mutation status, a description of copy number alterations, differentially expressed genes, and gene fusions, as well as suggestions for targeted treatment. Results: Of the 48 patients, 33 had actionable findings. The most efficient method for the identification of actionable findings was WES (39%), followed by SNP array (37%). Of note, gene fusions were identified by RNAseq in 21% of the samples. Eleven findings led to clinical intervention, i.e., oncogenetic counseling, targeted treatment, and treatment based on changed diagnosis. Four patients received compassionate use targeted therapy. Six patients experienced direct benefits in the form of stable disease or response. Conclusion: The application of comprehensive genetic diagnostics in children with recurrent cancers allowed for discovery and implementation of effective targeted therapies and hereby improvement of outcome in some patients.
Project description:Preschool children with recurrent wheezing are heterogeneous, with differing responses to respiratory viral infections. Although neutrophils are crucial for host defense, their function has not been studied in this population. We performed functional immunophenotyping on isolated blood neutrophils from 52 preschool children with recurrent wheezing (aeroallergen sensitization, n=16; no sensitization, n=36). Blood neutrophils were purified and cultured overnight with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) as a viral analog stimulus. Neutrophils underwent next-generation sequencing with Reactome pathway analysis and were analyzed for cytokine secretion, apoptosis, myeloperoxidase and extracellular DNA release. CD14+ monocytes were also exposed to neutrophil culture supernatant and analyzed for markers of M1 and M2 activation. 495 genes, related largely to the innate immune system and neutrophil degranulation, were differently expressed in children with versus without aeroallergen sensitization. Functional experiments identified more neutrophil degranulation and extracellular trap formation (i.e., more myeloperoxidase and extracellular DNA) and less neutrophil pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in children with aeroallergen sensitization. Neutrophils also shifted CD14+ monocytes to a more anti-inflammatory (i.e., M2) phenotype in sensitized children and a more pro-inflammatory (i.e., M1) phenotype in non-sensitized children. Although both groups experienced viral exacerbations, annualized exacerbation rates prompting unscheduled healthcare were also higher in children without aeroallergen sensitization after enrollment. Systemic neutrophil responses to viral infection differ by allergic phenotype and may be less effective in preschool children without allergic inflammation. Further studies of neutrophil function are needed in this population, which often has less favorable therapeutic responses to inhaled corticosteroids and other therapies directed at T2-high inflammation.