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Beirne JP, Gilmore A, McInerney CE, Roddy A, Glenn McCluggage W, Harley IJ, Abdullah Alvi M, Prise KM, McArt DG, Mullan PB. A bespoke target selection tool to guide biomarker discovery in tubo-ovarian cancer. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3359-3371. [PMID: 35832628 PMCID: PMC9260242 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cancers presenting at advanced stages inherently have poor prognosis. High grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common and aggressive form of tubo-ovarian cancer. Clinical tests to accurately diagnose and monitor this condition are lacking. Hence, development of disease-specific tests are urgently required. Methods The molecular profile of HGSC during disease progression was investigated in a unique patient cohort. A bespoke data browser was developed to analyse gene expression and DNA methylation datasets for biomarker discovery. The Ovarian Cancer Data Browser (OCDB) is built in C# with a.NET framework using an integrated development environment of Microsoft Visual Studio and fast access files (.faf). The graphical user interface is easy to navigate between four analytical modes (gene expression; methylation; combined gene expression and methylation data; methylation clusters), with a rapid query response time. A user should first define a disease progression trend for prioritising results. Single or multiomics data are then mined to identify probes, genes and methylation clusters that exhibit the desired trend. A unique scoring system based on the percentage change in expression/methylation between disease stages is used. Results are filtered and ranked using weighting and penalties. Results The OCDB’s utility for biomarker discovery is demonstrated with the identified target OSR2. Trends in OSR2 repression and hypermethylation with HGSC disease progression were confirmed in the browser samples and an independent cohort using bioassays. The OSR2 methylation biomarker could discriminate HGSC with high specificity (95%) and sensitivity (93.18%). Conclusions The OCDB has been refined and validated to be an integral part of a unique biomarker discovery pipeline. It may also be used independently to aid identification of novel targets. It carries the potential to identify further biomarker assays that can reduce type I and II errors within clinical diagnostics.
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Feeney L, Harley IJG, McCluggage WG, Mullan PB, Beirne JP. Liquid biopsy in ovarian cancer: Catching the silent killer before it strikes. World J Clin Oncol 2020; 11:868-889. [PMID: 33312883 PMCID: PMC7701910 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v11.i11.868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy in the western world. The majority of women presenting with the disease are asymptomatic and it has been dubbed the "silent killer". To date there is no effective minimally invasive method of stratifying those with the disease or screening for the disease in the general population. Recent molecular and pathological discoveries, along with the advancement of scientific technology, means there is a real possibility of having disease-specific liquid biopsies available within the clinical environment in the near future. In this review we discuss these discoveries, particularly in relation to the most common and aggressive form of EOC, and their role in making this possibility a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Feeney
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queens University, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
| | - Ian JG Harley
- Northern Ireland Gynaecological Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast BT9 7AB, United Kingdom
| | - W Glenn McCluggage
- Department of Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast BT12 6BL, United Kingdom
| | - Paul B Mullan
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queens University, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
| | - James P Beirne
- Trinity St James Cancer Institute, St. James’ Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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Beirne JP, McArt DG, Roddy A, McDermott C, Ferris J, Buckley NE, Coulter P, McCabe N, Eddie SL, Dunne PD, O'Reilly P, Gilmore A, Feeney L, Ewing DL, Drapkin RI, Salto-Tellez M, Kennedy RD, Harley IJG, McCluggage WG, Mullan PB. Defining the molecular evolution of extrauterine high grade serous carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol 2019; 155:305-317. [PMID: 31493898 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2019.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common and most aggressive, subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer. It presents as advanced stage disease with poor prognosis. Recent pathological evidence strongly suggests HGSC arises from the fallopian tube via the precursor lesion; serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). However, further definition of the molecular evolution of HGSC has major implications for both clinical management and research. This study aims to more clearly define the molecular pathogenesis of HGSC. METHODS Six cases of HGSC were identified at the Northern Ireland Gynaecological Cancer Centre (NIGCC) that each contained ovarian HGSC (HGSC), omental HGSC (OMT), STIC, normal fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) and normal ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The relevant formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were retrieved from the pathology archive via the Northern Ireland Biobank following attaining ethical approval (NIB11:005). Full microarray-based gene expression profiling was performed on the cohort. The resulting data was analysed bioinformatically and the results were validated in a HGSC-specific in-vitro model. RESULTS The carcinogenesis of HGSC was investigated and showed the molecular profile of HGSC to be more closely related to normal FTE than OSE. STIC lesions also clustered closely with HGSC, indicating a common molecular origin. CONCLUSION This study provides strong evidence suggesting that extrauterine HGSC arises from the fimbria of the distal fallopian tube. Furthermore, several potential pathways were identified which could be targeted by novel therapies for HGSC. These findings have significant translational relevance for both primary prevention and clinical management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Beirne
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Darragh G McArt
- Department of Cancer Bioinformatics, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Aideen Roddy
- Department of Cancer Bioinformatics, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Clara McDermott
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Jennifer Ferris
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Niamh E Buckley
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Paula Coulter
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Nuala McCabe
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Sharon L Eddie
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Philip D Dunne
- Department of Translational Cancer Genomics, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Paul O'Reilly
- Department of Cancer Bioinformatics, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Alan Gilmore
- Department of Cancer Bioinformatics, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Laura Feeney
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - David Lyons Ewing
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ronny I Drapkin
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Manuel Salto-Tellez
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queens University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Richard D Kennedy
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ian J G Harley
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - W Glenn McCluggage
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Department of Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Paul B Mullan
- Ovarian Cancer Research Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Pokharel HP, Hacker NF, Andrews L. Genetic testing in a gynaecological oncology care in developing countries-knowledge, attitudes and perception of Nepalese clinicians. GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2016; 3:12. [PMID: 27980798 PMCID: PMC5137212 DOI: 10.1186/s40661-016-0034-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Genetic testing for an inherited susceptibility to cancer is an emerging technology in medical practice. Little information is currently available about physicians’ attitudes towards these tests in developing countries. Methods We conducted an email survey of Nepalese physicians practicing in academic and non-academic settings in Nepal, regarding knowledge, attitudes and perception towards genetic testing for gynaecologic cancer. Results Responses were received from 251 of 387 practitioners (65%). Only 46% of all respondents felt prepared to answer patients’ questions about genetic testing for gynaecologic cancer, despite 80% reporting that patients had asked questions about genetic testing, and 55% being asked more than 5 times in the past year. 42% reported more than 10 of their patients having had genetic testing for cancer, the majority for BRCA1/2. Access (40%), cost (37%) and lack of physicians’ information (24%) were cited as the main barriers to testing. The most commonly identified concerns regarding genetic testing were the potential for increased patient anxiety, misinterpretation of results by patients, and maintaining confidentiality of results (64%, 47% and 38% of respondents respectively). Conclusion This study shows the gap among the health care providers in developing countries and the available modern scientific tools and skills in regard to the benefits of genetic testing for gynaecological cancers in a developing nation. These findings indicate the need for the introduction of further genetic counselling education and support into gynaecological care in Nepal. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40661-016-0034-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanoon P Pokharel
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Neville F Hacker
- Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, Australia ; School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lesley Andrews
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia ; Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia
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