Telomere length (TL) has been associated with aging and mortality, but individual differences are also influenced by genetic factors, with previous studies reporting heritability estimates ranging ...from 34 to 82%. Here we investigate the heritability, mode of inheritance and the influence of parental age at birth on TL in six large, independent cohort studies with a total of 19,713 participants. The meta-analysis estimate of TL heritability was 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.76) and is based on a pattern of results that is highly similar for twins and other family members. We observed a stronger mother-offspring (r=0.42; P-value=3.60 × 10(-61)) than father-offspring correlation (r=0.33; P-value=7.01 × 10(-5)), and a significant positive association with paternal age at offspring birth (β=0.005; P-value=7.01 × 10(-5)). Interestingly, a significant and quite substantial correlation in TL between spouses (r=0.25; P-value=2.82 × 10(-30)) was seen, which appeared stronger in older spouse pairs (mean age ≥55 years; r=0.31; P-value=4.27 × 10(-23)) than in younger pairs (mean age<55 years; r=0.20; P-value=3.24 × 10(-10)). In summary, we find a high and very consistent heritability estimate for TL, evidence for a maternal inheritance component and a positive association with paternal age.
Abstract
Purpose:
Probody therapeutic CX-072 is a protease-activatable antibody that is cross-reactive with murine and human programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). CX-072 can be activated in vivo by ...proteases present in the tumor microenvironment, thereby potentially reducing peripheral, anti–PD-L1-mediated toxicities. To study its targeting of PD-L1–expressing tissues, we radiolabeled CX-072 with the PET isotope zirconium-89 (89Zr).
Experimental Design:
89Zr-labeled CX-072, nonspecific Probody control molecule (PbCtrl) and CX-072 parental antibody (CX-075) were injected in BALB/c nude mice bearing human MDA-MB-231 tumors or C57BL/6J mice bearing syngeneic MC38 tumors. Mice underwent serial PET imaging 1, 3, and 6 days after intravenous injection (pi), followed by ex vivo biodistribution. Intratumoral 89Zr-CX-072 distribution was studied by autoradiography on tumor tissue sections, which were subsequently stained for PD-L1 by IHC. Activated CX-072 species in tissue lysates were detected by Western capillary electrophoresis.
Results:
PET imaging revealed 89Zr-CX-072 accumulation in MDA-MB-231 tumors with 2.1-fold higher tumor-to-blood ratios at 6 days pi compared with 89Zr-PbCtrl. Tumor tissue autoradiography showed high 89Zr-CX-072 uptake in high PD-L1–expressing regions. Activated CX-072 species were detected in these tumors, with 5.3-fold lower levels found in the spleen. Furthermore, 89Zr-CX-072 uptake by lymphoid tissues of immune-competent mice bearing MC38 tumors was low compared with 89Zr-CX-075, which lacks the Probody design.
Conclusions:
89Zr-CX-072 accumulates specifically in PD-L1–expressing tumors with limited uptake in murine peripheral lymphoid tissues. Our data may enable clinical evaluation of 89Zr-CX-072 whole-body distribution as a tool to support CX-072 drug development (NCT03013491).
Monoclonal antibodies are important cancer medicines. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved 48 and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 56 anticancer monoclonal antibody-based therapies. ...Their high prices burden healthcare systems and hamper global drug access. Biosimilars could retain costs and expand the availability of monoclonal antibodies. In Europe, five rituximab biosimilars, six trastuzumab biosimilars, and eight bevacizumab biosimilars are available as anti-cancer drugs. To gain insight into the biosimilar landscape for cancer treatment, we performed a literature search and analysis. In this review, we summarize cancer monoclonal antibodies’ properties crucial for the desired pharmacology and point out sources of variability. The analytical assessment of all EMA-approved bevacizumab biosimilars is highlighted to illustrate this variability. The global landscape of investigational and approved biosimilars is mapped, and the challenges for access to cancer biosimilars are identified.
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Health sciences; Biological sciences; Immunology; Cancer
The few loci associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) are all related to immune function. We report a GWA study identifying a new locus replicated in 2,679 cases and 3,125 controls. An rs10492972C ...variant located in the KIF1B gene was associated with MS with an odds ratio of 1.35 (P = 2.5 × 10−10). KIF1B is a neuronally expressed gene plausibly implicated in the irreversible axonal loss characterizing MS in the long term.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Sequence variations in the myocilin (MYOC) gene account for approximately 2% to 4% of glaucoma cases. One particular MYOC mutation, Gln368Stop (dbSNP accession number: rs74315329), is the most common ...genetic mutation causing glaucoma by increasing intraocular pressure (IOP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this MYOC mutation on IOP using data from large-scale European population panels (directly sequenced and imputation based).
Cross-sectional, cohort study.
For this study, the penetrance of the variant rs74315329 was estimated in 2 population-based cohorts, the TwinsUK (N = 6092) and the Rotterdam Study (RS) (N =11 189).
Carriers of the risk allele for rs74315329 were identified using whole-genome sequencing and imputation data (based on 1000 Genomes Project and Haplotype Reference Consortium panels). The penetrance of this variant was evaluated using IOP measurements and data on visual field testing/a diagnosis of glaucoma (if available).
The penetrance of the variant rs74315329 was estimated from the percentage of the carriers of the risk allele of the variant who had high IOP (ocular hypertension) or glaucoma.
In our study, the observed penetrance of the variant rs74315329 in relation to increased IOP was 12.5% and 19.4% in the TwinsUK and the RS, respectively. Thus, our study suggests a much lower penetrance for rs74315329 for ocular hypertension (and thus glaucoma), in comparison with that reported previously.
The significance of this finding is that higher numbers of healthy individuals in the population are expected to be carriers of this mutation, which in turn reduces the utility of identifying carriers of this mutation as a screening tool for glaucoma.
A recent genome-wide association study by the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) reported association of 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 14 loci with multiple ...sclerosis (MS). Only two loci, HLA-DRA and IL2RA, reached genome-wide significance (P<5E-08). In our study, we determined whether we could replicate the results of the IMSGC and whether more SNPs are genome-wide significantly associated with MS. We assessed the association between the 17 IMSGC SNPs and MS in three cohorts (total number of subjects 3981, among these 1853 cases). We performed a meta-analysis of the results of our study, the original IMSGC results and the results of a recent replication study performed in the Australian population. Of the 17 IMSGC SNPs, five SNPs showed genome-wide significant association with MS: HLA-DRA (P=8E-124), IL7R (P=6E-09), IL2RA (P=1E-11), CD58 (P=4E-09) and CLEC16A (P=3E-12). Therefore, genome-wide significance has now been shown for SNPs in different non-HLA MS risk genes. Several of these risk genes, including CD58 and CLEC16A, are shared by different autoimmune diseases. Fine mapping studies will be needed to determine the functional contributions to distinct autoimmune phenotypes.
Telomeres are important for maintaining genomic stability. Telomere length has been associated with aging, disease, and mortality and is highly heritable (∼82%). In this study, we aimed to identify ...rare genetic variants associated with telomere length using whole-exome sequence data. We studied 1,303 participants of the Erasmus Rucphen Family (ERF) study, 1,259 of the Rotterdam Study (RS), and 674 of the British Heart Foundation Family Heart Study (BHF-FHS). We conducted two analyses, first we analyzed the family-based ERF study and used the RS and BHF-FHS for replication. Second, we combined the summary data of the three studies in a meta-analysis. Telomere length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in blood. We identified nine rare variants significantly associated with telomere length (
-value < 1.42 × 10
, minor allele frequency of 0.2-0.5%) in the ERF study. Eight of these variants (in
,
,
,
,
, and
) were located on chromosome 11q22.3 that contains
, a gene involved in telomere maintenance. Although we were unable to replicate the variants in the RS and BHF-FHS (
-value ≥ 0.21), segregation analysis showed that all variants segregate with shorter telomere length in a family. In the meta-analysis of all studies, a nominally significant association with LTL was observed with a rare variant in
(
-
= 1.48 × 10
), which has previously been associated with age. Additionally, a novel rare variant in the known
locus showed suggestive evidence for association (
-value = 1.18 × 10
) with LTL. To conclude, we identified novel rare variants associated with telomere length. Larger samples size are needed to confirm these findings and to identify additional variants.
To investigate whether the CYP2C9*2 and *3 variants modify benzodiazepine-related fall risk.
Three prospective studies; the Rotterdam Study, B-PROOF, and LASA.
Community-dwelling individuals living ...in or near five Dutch cities.
There were 11,485 participants aged ≥55 years.
Fall incidents were recorded prospectively. Benzodiazepine use was determined using pharmacy dispensing records or interviews. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age and sex were applied to determine the association between benzodiazepine use and fall risk stratified for CYP2C9 genotype and comparing benzodiazepine users to nonusers. The results of the three studies were combined applying meta-analysis. Within benzodiazepine users, the association between genotypes and fall risk was also assessed.
Three thousand seven hundred five participants (32%) encountered a fall during 91,996 follow-up years, and 4% to 15% (depending on the study population) used benzodiazepines. CYP2C9 variants had frequencies of 13% for the *2 allele and 6% for the *3 allele. Compared to nonusers, current benzodiazepine use was associated with an 18% to 36% increased fall risk across studies with a combined hazard ratio (HR) = 1.26 (95% confidence interval CI, 1.13; 1.40). CYP2C9*2 or *3 allele variants modified benzodiazepine-related fall risk. Compared to nonusers, those carrying a CYP2C9*2 or *3 allele and using benzodiazepines had a 45% increased fall risk (HR, 1.45 95% CI, 1.21; 1.73), whereas CYP2C9*1 homozygotes using benzodiazepines had no increased fall risk (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.90; 1.45). Within benzodiazepine users, having a CYP2C9*2 or *3 allele was associated with an increased fall risk (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06; 1.72). Additionally, we observed an allele dose effect; heterozygous allele carriers had a fall risk of (HR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05; 1.61), and homozygous allele carriers of (HR = 1.91 95% CI, 1.23; 2.96).
CYP2C9*2 and *3 allele variants modify benzodiazepine-related fall risk. Those using benzodiazepines and having reduced CYP2C9 enzyme activity based on their genotype are at increased fall risk. In clinical practice, genotyping might be considered for elderly patients with an indication for benzodiazepine use. However, because the exact role of CYP2C9 in benzodiazepine metabolism is still unclear, additional research is warranted.
A recent collaborative genome-wide association study replicated a large number of susceptibility loci and identified novel loci. This increase in known multiple sclerosis (MS) risk genes raises ...questions about clinical applicability of genotyping. In an empirical set we assessed the predictive power of typing multiple genes. Next, in a modelling study we explored current and potential predictive performance of genetic MS risk models.
Genotype data on 6 MS risk genes in 591 MS patients and 600 controls were used to investigate the predictive value of combining risk alleles. Next, the replicated and novel MS risk loci from the recent and largest international genome-wide association study were used to construct genetic risk models simulating a population of 100,000 individuals. Finally, we assessed the required numbers, frequencies, and ORs of risk SNPs for higher discriminative accuracy in the future.
Individuals with 10 to 12 risk alleles had a significantly increased risk compared to individuals with the average population risk for developing MS (OR 2.76 (95% CI 2.02-3.77)). In the simulation study we showed that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for a risk score based on the 6 SNPs was 0.64. The AUC increases to 0.66 using the well replicated 24 SNPs and to 0.69 when including all replicated and novel SNPs (n = 53) in the risk model. An additional 20 SNPs with allele frequency 0.30 and ORs 1.1 would be needed to increase the AUC to a slightly higher level of 0.70, and at least 50 novel variants with allele frequency 0.30 and ORs 1.4 would be needed to obtain an AUC of 0.85.
Although new MS risk SNPs emerge rapidly, the discriminatory ability in a clinical setting will be limited.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Most loci identified by GWASs have been found in populations of European ancestry (EUR). In trans-ethnic meta-analyses for 15 hematological traits in 746,667 participants, including 184,535 non-EUR ...individuals, we identified 5,552 trait-variant associations at p < 5 × 10−9, including 71 novel associations not found in EUR populations. We also identified 28 additional novel variants in ancestry-specific, non-EUR meta-analyses, including an IL7 missense variant in South Asians associated with lymphocyte count in vivo and IL-7 secretion levels in vitro. Fine-mapping prioritized variants annotated as functional and generated 95% credible sets that were 30% smaller when using the trans-ethnic as opposed to the EUR-only results. We explored the clinical significance and predictive value of trans-ethnic variants in multiple populations and compared genetic architecture and the effect of natural selection on these blood phenotypes between populations. Altogether, our results for hematological traits highlight the value of a more global representation of populations in genetic studies.
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•Blood cell traits differ by ancestry and are subject to selective pressure•We assessed 15 blood cell traits in 746,667 participants from 5 global populations•We identified more than 5,500 associations, including ∼100 associations not found in Europeans•These analyses improved risk prediction and identified potential causal variants
Delineation of the genetic architecture of hematological traits in a multi-ethnic dataset allows identification of rare variants with strong effects specific to non-European populations and improved fine mapping of GWAS variants using the trans-ethnic approach.
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