Citations

Objective Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OA) incidence has risen sharply in Western countries over recent decades. Local and systemic inflammation is considered an important contributor to OA pathogenesis. Established risk factors for OA and its precursor, Barrett's oesophagus (BE), include symptomatic reflux, obesity and smoking. The role of inherited genetic susceptibility remains an area of active investigation. Here, we explore whether germline variation related to inflammatory processes influences susceptibility to BE/OA. Design We used data from a genomewide association study of 2515 OA cases, 3295 BE cases and 3207 controls. Our analysis included 7863 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 449 genes assigned to five pathways: cyclooxygenase (COX), cytokine signalling, oxidative stress, human leucocyte antigen and nuclear factor-κB. A principal components-based analytic framework was employed to evaluate pathway-level and gene-level associations with disease risk. Results We identified a significant signal for the COX pathway in relation to BE risk (p=0.0059, false discovery rate q=0.03), and in gene-level analyses found an association with microsomal glutathione-S-transferase 1 (MGST1); (p=0.0005, q=0.005). Assessment of 36 MGST1 SNPs identified 14 variants associated with elevated BE risk (q<0.05). Four of these were subsequently confirmed (p<5.5×10−5) in a meta-analysis encompassing an independent set of 1851 BE cases and 3496 controls, and are known strong expression quantitative trait loci for MGST1. Three such variants were associated with similar elevations in OA risk. Conclusions This study provides the most comprehensive evaluation of inflammation-related germline variation in relation to risk of BE/OA and suggests that variants in MGST1 influence disease susceptibility.

Abstract The completion of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project for colorectal cancer (CRC) has enabled a new, focused phase of sequencing tumor samples for which genome-wide genetic, epidemiological, clinical and lifestyle data have been collected. By combining somatic mutational profiles with these aforementioned data, we may identify and report effective prevention and treatment approaches for a broader population of individuals. The advent of targeted deep sequencing approaches using DNA obtained from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues has made possible the genetic characterization of the large numbers of patients needed to make such an effort relevant. As a first step, we describe a custom gene panel designed from large-scale studies for targeted deep sequencing, and its application to over 4,200 CR tumors, collected by the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO). This study is designed to identify recurrent somatic mutations and copy number alterations (CNAs) for association testing with germline genetic and lifestyle and environmental risk factors for CRC, and thereby identify relevant approaches to impact cancer prevention. The targeted CRC panel includes 205 genes. Genes were primarily selected as significantly mutated genes identified from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professional's Follow-up Study (n = 700), and TCGA (n = 525). We also included 15 genes associated with high penetrance germline mutations and augmented the list to include genes in pathways of somatically altered genes, identified by literature review, from public databases and known to be associated with loss of heterozygosity. For these 205 genes, amplification primers were designed to include all coding regions of transcripts that are listed in the UCSC Genome Browser. For regions with CNAs, the TCGA dataset was analyzed to include regions with greater than or equal to 2 copy focal gains or losses that were found in more than 4 or 3 tumors, respectively. Candidate genes in regions with significant CNAs from the TCGA CRC publication (Nature 2012) were also included. For CNAs, 6 to 12 amplicons were designed for each of the 56 selected regions (32 gains and 24 losses). Additional target regions include: 1) 25 microsatellite loci previously used to identify defective DNA mismatch repair and 212 homoploymer repeats. These include microsatellite loci recommended by the NCI Consensus Panel for identifying MSI; 2) amelogenin (for gender); and 3) Fusobacterium to detect a putative CRC-associated pathogen in tumor biopsies. At the AACR annual meeting, we expect to present results for deep sequencing (∼1,000X) of the first 1,000 CR tumors, including any preliminarily identified pathways and subtypes that may provide the basis for association testing with germline genetic and lifestyle and environmental risk factors needed for inferring better approaches to prevention and treatment of CRC. Citation Format: Syed H. Zaidi, Catie Grasso, Jasmine Mu, Eve Shinbrot, Marios Giannakis, Charles Connolly, Ivan Borozan, Hermann Brenner, Peter Campbell, Andrew Chan, Jenny Chang-Claude, Mengmeng Du, Vincent Ferretti, Amy French, Charles Fuchs, Steven Gallinger, Levi Garraway, Andrea Gsur, Marc Gunter, Tabitha Harrison, Michael Hoffmeister, Li Hsu, Wen-Yi Huang, Jeroen Huyghe, Mathieu Lemire, Elaine Mardis, John McPherson, Polly Newcomb, Lincoln Stein, Wei Sun, Lee Timms, Quang Trinh, David Wheeler, Christina Yung, Niha Zubair, Shuji Ogino, Stephen Thibodeau, Ulrike Peters, Thomas Hudson. Linking the molecular profile of colorectal tumors to germline genetic and environmental risk factors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 5221.

Background Intracranial aneurysms ( IAs ), abdominal aortic aneurysms ( AAAs ), and thoracic aortic aneurysms ( TAAs ) all have a familial predisposition. Given that aneurysm types are known to co‐occur, we hypothesized that there may be shared genetic risk factors for IAs , AAAs, and TAAs . Methods and Results We performed a mega‐analysis of 1000 Genomes Project‐imputed genome‐wide association study ( GWAS ) data of 4 previously published aneurysm cohorts: 2 IA cohorts (in total 1516 cases, 4305 controls), 1 AAA cohort (818 cases, 3004 controls), and 1 TAA cohort (760 cases, 2212 controls), and observed associations of 4 known IA , AAA , and/or TAA risk loci (9p21, 18q11, 15q21, and 2q33) with consistent effect directions in all 4 cohorts. We calculated polygenic scores based on IA ‐, AAA ‐, and TAA ‐associated SNP s and tested these scores for association to case‐control status in the other aneurysm cohorts; this revealed no shared polygenic effects. Similarly, linkage disequilibrium–score regression analyses did not show significant correlations between any pair of aneurysm subtypes. Last, we evaluated the evidence for 14 previously published aneurysm risk single‐nucleotide polymorphisms through collaboration in extended aneurysm cohorts, with a total of 6548 cases and 16 843 controls ( IA ) and 4391 cases and 37 904 controls ( AAA ), and found nominally significant associations for IA risk locus 18q11 near RBBP 8 to AAA (odds ratio [ OR ]=1.11; P =4.1×10 −5 ) and for TAA risk locus 15q21 near FBN 1 to AAA ( OR =1.07; P =1.1×10 −3 ). Conclusions Although there was no evidence for polygenic overlap between IAs , AAAs , and TAAs , we found nominally significant effects of two established risk loci for IAs and TAAs in AAAs . These two loci will require further replication.

BACKGROUND. Variable response to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents a major treatment challenge. Clinical and genetic features incompletely predict outcome. The value of clinical epigenetic assays for risk classification has not been extensively explored. We assess the prognostic implications of a clinical assay for multilocus DNA methylation on adult patients with de novo AML. METHODS. We performed multilocus DNA methylation assessment using xMELP on samples and calculated a methylation statistic (M-score) for 166 patients from UPENN with de novo AML who received induction chemotherapy. The association of M-score with complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. The optimal M-score cut-point for identifying groups with differing survival was used to define a binary M-score classifier. This classifier was validated in an independent cohort of 383 patients from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial 1900 (E1900; NCT00049517). RESULTS. A higher mean M-score was associated with death and failure to achieve CR. Multivariable analysis confirmed that a higher M-score was associated with death ( P = 0.011) and failure to achieve CR ( P = 0.034). Median survival was 26.6 months versus 10.6 months for low and high M-score groups. The ability of the M-score to perform as a classifier was confirmed in patients ≤ 60 years with intermediate cytogenetics and patients who achieved CR, as well as in the E1900 validation cohort. CONCLUSION. The M-score represents a valid binary prognostic classifier for patients with de novo AML. The xMELP assay and associated M-score can be used for prognosis and should be further investigated for clinical decision making in AML patients.

BACKGROUNDPatients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, are faced with oppressive symptom profiles that compromise daily functioning and quality of life. Among these symptoms, sexuality‐related symptoms have emerged as particularly prominent and largely unaddressed. In the current study, the authors evaluated how sexuality symptoms from MPN relate to other patient characteristics, disease features, treatments, and symptoms.METHODSA total of 1971 patients with MPN (827 with essential thrombocythemia, 682 with polycythemia vera, 456 with myelofibrosis, and 6 classified as other) were prospectively evaluated and patient responses to the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (MPN‐SAF) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC‐QLQ C30) were collected, along with information regarding individual disease characteristics and laboratory data. Sexuality scores were compared with an age‐matched, healthy control population.RESULTSOverall, patients with MPN were found to have greater sexual dysfunction compared with the healthy population (MPN‐SAF score of 3.6 vs 2.0; P<.001), with 64% of patients with MPN describing some degree of sexual dysfunction and 43% experiencing severe symptoms. The presence of sexual symptoms correlated closely with all domains of patient functionality (physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and role functioning) and were associated with a reduced quality of life. Sexual problems also were found to be associated with other MPN symptoms, particularly depression and nocturnal and microvascular‐related symptoms. Sexual dysfunction was more severe in patients aged >65 years and in those with cytopenias and transfusion requirements, and those receiving certain therapies such as immunomodulators or steroids.ConclusionsThe results of the current study identify the topic of sexuality as a prominent issue for the MPN population, and this area would appear to benefit from additional investigation and management. Cancer 2016;122:1888–96. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Significant functional impairment and psychological distress have been observed in adolescent patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain in adults and adolescents. Only preliminary data have examined interdisciplinary rehabilitation efforts in patients with POTS. This study evaluated the impact of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program on the functional impairment and psychological distress in 33 adolescents diagnosed with POTS. Patients included in the study were adolescents ages 11 to 18 diagnosed with POTS. Measures completed at admission and discharge from the program included the Functional Disability Index, Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression–Child scale, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children. After participation in the 3-week program, adolescents with POTS demonstrated a significant increase in overall functional ability and significant reductions in depression and catastrophizing.

Background Prompt, complete, and accurate information transfer at the time of discharge between hospital-based and primary care providers (PCPs) is needed for the provision of safe and effective care. Purpose of the Study To evaluate timeliness, quality, and interventions to improve timeliness and quality of hospital discharge summaries. Data Sources PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus database published in English between January 2007 and February 2014 were searched. We also hand-searched bibliographies of relevant articles. Study Selection Observational studies investigating transfer of information at hospital discharge (n = 7) and controlled studies evaluating interventions to improve timeliness and quality of discharge information (n = 12) were included. Data Extraction We extracted data on availability, timeliness, and content of hospital discharge summaries and on the effectiveness of interventions targeting discharge summaries. Results of studies are presented narratively and using descriptive statistics. Data Synthesis Across the studies, discharge summaries were completed within 48 hours in a median of 67% and were available to PCPs within 48 hours only 55% of the time. Most of the time, discharge summaries included demographics, primary diagnosis, hospital course, and discharge instructions. However, information was limited to pending test results (25%), diagnostic tests performed (60%), and postdischarge medications (78%). In 6 interventional studies, implementation of electronic discharge summaries was associated with improvement in timeliness but not quality. Conclusions Delayed or insufficient transfer of discharge information between hospital-based providers and PCPs remains common. Creation of electronic discharge summaries seems to improve timeliness and availability but does not consistently improve quality.