Whole-genome characterization of lung adenocarcinomas lacking the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway

Cell Rep. 2021 Feb 2;34(5):108707. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108707.

Abstract

RTK/RAS/RAF pathway alterations (RPAs) are a hallmark of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, we use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 85 cases found to be RPA(-) by previous studies from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to characterize the minority of LUADs lacking apparent alterations in this pathway. We show that WGS analysis uncovers RPA(+) in 28 (33%) of the 85 samples. Among the remaining 57 cases, we observe focal deletions targeting the promoter or transcription start site of STK11 (n = 7) or KEAP1 (n = 3), and promoter mutations associated with the increased expression of ILF2 (n = 6). We also identify complex structural variations associated with high-level copy number amplifications. Moreover, an enrichment of focal deletions is found in TP53 mutant cases. Our results indicate that RPA(-) cases demonstrate tumor suppressor deletions and genome instability, but lack unique or recurrent genetic lesions compensating for the lack of RPAs. Larger WGS studies of RPA(-) cases are required to understand this important LUAD subset.

Keywords: TCGA; driver; genome analysis; lung adenocarcinoma; noncoding; oncogene; precision oncology; structural variation; tumor suppressor; whole genome sequencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Tachykinins / metabolism*
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / methods*

Substances

  • KEAP1 protein, human
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • Tachykinins
  • ranatachykinin A