0000000000799260

AUTHOR

Roland Penzel

Validating comprehensive next-generation sequencing results for precision oncology : The NCT/DKTK molecularly aided stratification for tumor eradication research experience

Purpose Rapidly evolving genomics technologies, in particular comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS), have led to exponential growth in the understanding of cancer biology, shifting oncology toward personalized treatment strategies. However, comprehensive NGS approaches, such as whole-exome sequencing, have limitations that are related to the technology itself as well as to the input source. Hence, clinical implementation of comprehensive NGS in a quality-controlled diagnostic workflow requires both the standardization of sequencing procedures and continuous validation of sequencing results by orthogonal methods in an ongoing program to enable the determination of key test parameter…

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Comprehensive Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis for Guiding Therapeutic Decisions in Patients with Rare Cancers

Abstract The clinical relevance of comprehensive molecular analysis in rare cancers is not established. We analyzed the molecular profiles and clinical outcomes of 1,310 patients (rare cancers, 75.5%) enrolled in a prospective observational study by the German Cancer Consortium that applies whole-genome/exome and RNA sequencing to inform the care of adults with incurable cancers. On the basis of 472 single and six composite biomarkers, a cross-institutional molecular tumor board provided evidence-based management recommendations, including diagnostic reevaluation, genetic counseling, and experimental treatment, in 88% of cases. Recommended therapies were administered in 362 of 1,138 patient…

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The HMGB1 protein induces a metabolic type of tumour cell death by blocking aerobic respiration

The high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein has a central role in immunological antitumour defense. Here we show that natural killer cell-derived HMGB1 directly eliminates cancer cells by triggering metabolic cell death. HMGB1 allosterically inhibits the tetrameric pyruvate kinase isoform M2, thus blocking glucose-driven aerobic respiration. This results in a rapid metabolic shift forcing cells to rely solely on glycolysis for the maintenance of energy production. Cancer cells can acquire resistance to HMGB1 by increasing glycolysis using the dimeric form of PKM2, and employing glutaminolysis. Consistently, we observe an increase in the expression of a key enzyme of glutaminolysis, malic …

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Splice donor site mutation in the lysosomal neuraminidase gene causing exon skipping and complete loss of enzyme activity in a sialidosis patient.

Sialidosis is a lysosomal storage disease caused by the deficiency of K K-N-acetylneuraminidase (NEU1; sialidase), the key enzyme for the intralysosomal catabolism of sialylated glycoconjugates. We have identified a homozygous transversion in the last intron (IVSE +1 Gs C) in neu1 of a sialidosis patient. Sequencing of the truncated cDNA revealed an alternatively spliced neu1 transcript which lacks the complete sequence of exon 5. Skipping of exon 5 leads to a frameshift and results in a premature termination codon. This is the first description of an intronic point mutation causing a complete deficiency of the lysosomal neuraminidase activity. fl 2001 Federation of Euro- pean Biochemical S…

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