Project description:High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is frequently characterized by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair deficiency, and while most such tumors are sensitive to initial treatment, acquired resistance is common. We undertook a multi-omics approach to interrogate the molecular diversity in end-stage disease, using multiple autopsy samples collected from 15 women with HR-deficient HGSC. Patients had polyclonal disease, and several resistance mechanisms were identified within most patients, including reversion mutations and HR restoration by other means. We also observed frequent whole genome duplication, and global changes in immune composition with evidence of immune escape. This analysis highlights diverse evolutionary changes within HGSC that conspire to evade therapy and ultimately overwhelm individual patients.
Project description:High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is frequently characterized by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair deficiency, and while most such tumors are sensitive to initial treatment, acquired resistance is common. We undertook a multi-omics approach to interrogate the molecular diversity in end-stage disease, using multiple autopsy samples collected from 15 women with HR-deficient HGSC. Patients had polyclonal disease, and several resistance mechanisms were identified within most patients, including reversion mutations and HR restoration by other means. We also observed frequent whole genome duplication, and global changes in immune composition with evidence of immune escape. This analysis highlights diverse evolutionary changes within HGSC that conspire to evade therapy and ultimately overwhelm individual patients. Methylation profiling was done on 29 end stage high grade serous ovarian cancer samples. 38 primary tumours, 6 autopsy tumours and 7 fallopian tube normals from GSE65820 were also used as part of the cohort.
Project description:High grade serous cancer (HGSC) is frequently characterizsed by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair deficiency, and while most such tumours are sensitive to initial treatment, acquired resistance is common. We undertook a multi-omics approach to interrogating mechanisms of resistance, using multiple autopsy samples collected from 15 women with HR-deficient HGSC. We observed frequent reversion mutations, resistance mechanisms restoring HR by other means, a high frequency of whole-genome duplication (WGD) suggestive of an evolutionary advantage, and global changes in immune composition with evidence of immune escape. Collectively these findings have implications for therapeutic intervention for HR-deficient HGSC.
Project description:High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is frequently characterized by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair deficiency, and while most such tumors are sensitive to initial treatment, acquired resistance is common. We undertook a multi-omics approach to interrogating mechanisms of resistance, using multiple autopsy samples collected from 15 women with HR-deficient HGSC.
Project description:53BP1 activity drives genome instability and embryonic lethality in BRCA1-deficient cells by inhibiting homologous recombination (HR).53BP1’s anti-recombinogenic functions require phosphorylation-dependent interactions with two effector complexes, PTIP and RIF1/Shieldin. While RIF1/Shieldin is thought to block 5’-3’ nucleolytic processing of DNA ends, it remains unclear how PTIP antagonizes HR. Here we show that mutation of the PTIP interaction site in 53BP1 (S25A) increases Shieldin association with DNA damage. Despite excessive Shieldin “end-blocking” activity, the mutant protein allows end resection sufficient to rescue the lethality of BRCA1D11 mice. End resection in BRCA1D1153BP1S25A mice is rewired in a manner driven by DNA2 since Shieldin blocks EXO1-mediated nucleolytic processing. Despite ample resection, mutant cells fail to complete HR, as 53BP1/Shieldin also inhibits RNF168-mediated loading of PALB2/RAD51 onto ssDNA post-resection. As a result, BRCA1D1153BP1S25A mice exhibit hallmark features of HR insufficiency, including increased developmental neuronal apoptosis, premature aging and hypersensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Disruption of Shieldin or forced targeting of PALB2 to ssDNA in BRCA1D1153BP1S25A cells restores RNF168 recruitment, RAD51 nucleofilament formation, and PARPi resistance. Our study supports a model in which RIF1/Shieldin and PTIP associate independently with 53BP1 to regulate distinct end-resection pathways, and reveals a critical function of 53BP1/Shieldin post-resection that limits RNF168-mediated loading of RAD51.