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Search indexed bioRxiv preprints in genomics, neuroscience, cell biology and bioinformatics. Read source abstracts and check manuscript versions; preprints are not peer reviewed.

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bioRxiv2020

Transcriptional analysis of immune modulatory genes in melanoma treated with PD-1 blockade

Abstract/SummaryWe aimed to characterize immunological features of melanoma patients treated with PD-1 blockade using tumor transcriptomic datasets. Response-dependent and response-independent predictors based on biological knowledge were investigated. Domain knowledge-driven regression-based analysis identified CEACAM1, CD40, B7-H3, and CD112 as key genes that determine the melanoma immune status. We devised the transcriptional deviance score (TDS) representing the individual sample-wise contribution to the immune network. The TDS not only showed good predictive power for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) responses but also suggested specific gene interactions that determine ICI responses. Dynamic TDS changes following ICI treatment were related to long survival, indicating immune network modulation by ICIs occurred in responders. A predictive model incorporating B7-H3 and CEACAM1 expression, mutational status, clinical features, and the TDS showed excellent performance for ICI response. Thus, our approaches suggest a novel measure for the tumor immune temperature and provide insight into melanoma immunobiology. HighlightsO_LIWe applied outcome-independent and outcome-dependent methods to investigate melanoma immunobiology. C_LIO_LICEACAM1, CD40, B7-H3, and CD112 expression levels are key determinants of immune status. C_LIO_LIWe devised a TDS that could measure tumor immune network status at the individual level. C_LIO_LIIncorporating regression and correlation approaches greatly improves predictive power. C_LI

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Expression profile of CASSIOPEIA patients refines prognostic value of MRD negativity in multiple myeloma

Long-term follow-up of the CASSIOPEIA trial (NCT02541383) demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) with daratumumab, both in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone during induction and consolidation, and during maintenance therapy, in transplant- eligible patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM). However, outcomes among CASSIOPEIA patients remain heterogeneous across treatment groups. Measurable residual disease (MRD) is a strong indicator of the depth and duration of therapeutic response and is independently associated with both PFS and overall survival (OS), but it does not fully capture the biological diversity of MM. We performed a risk prediction analysis based on transcriptomic subgroups in CASSIOPEIA patients. A subset of 628 patients was characterized using RNA sequencing and consensus clustering identified five transcriptomic subtypes of MM. Long-term follow-up allowed the definition of three transcriptomic risk categories, with estimated 72-month PFS rates of 70%, 51%, and 27% for low, intermediate, and high-risk groups, respectively, among patients who received daratumumab in at least one treatment phase. In these patients, MRD negativity rates after consolidation and six months later were significantly higher in the low and high-risk groups compared with the intermediate-risk group. In the high-risk group, MRD status was not associated with PFS or OS. This suggests that, although daratumumab administered during both the induction/consolidation and maintenance phases improves the clinical outcomes of patients with activation of NSD2 or overexpressing members of the MAF family, highly aggressive minor clones may rapidly expand. These findings emphasize the need for novel therapeutic strategies in this high-risk population.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

CD59 organizes the plasma membrane to sustain oncogenic Ras-MAPK signaling and is a targetable vulnerability in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. Although the genetic abnormalities associated with poor prognosis are well defined, how they drive unfavorable outcomes remains unclear. Using published gene-expression and dependency datasets, we searched for cell-surface protein-coding genes associated with poor survival and required for AML growth, prioritizing this class of proteins for its accessibility to biologics. This search identified CD59, a GPI-anchored protein with a canonical role in complement regulation, whose high mRNA expression correlates with adverse-risk genetics and stemness signatures. CD59 silencing impaired proliferation across genetically diverse AML cell lines, reduced leukemic burden, and extended survival in cell xenograft models. Moreover, CD59 expression was enriched on leukemic stem cells (LSCs), and its depletion impaired LSC self-renewal and primary AML engraftment in vivo while sparing normal hematopoiesis. Mechanistically, these effects reflected a non-canonical role for CD59 in sustaining Ras-MAPK signaling, whereby its loss depleted inner-leaflet phosphatidylserine and impaired Ras and c-Raf membrane recruitment and activation. rILYd4, a recombinant fragment of the bacterial toxin intermedilysin that binds and degrades CD59, recapitulated these effects and sensitized cells to venetoclax in vivo. These findings reveal CD59 as a critical regulator of Ras-MAPK signaling required for AML growth and nominate its rILYd4-mediated degradation as a therapeutic strategy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Menin-MLL Inhibitor MI-503 Blocks Menin Nuclear Export and Suppresses Hypergastrinemia

Menin is the protein product of the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 1 (MEN1) gene locus at 11q13 and is a known tumor suppressor of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Gastrin-expressing NENs (gastrinomas) comprise the most frequent and malignant of the MEN1-dependent endocrine tumors. When gastrinomas are part of the MEN1 syndrome, they exhibit a greater propensity to develop within the submucosal Brunners glands of the duodenum. Therefore, models to analyze the biology of these intestinal gastrin-expressing NENs should consider their submucosal location. AimThe goal of this study was to determine whether the Menin-MLL inhibitor MI-503 suppressed hypergastrinemia. MethodsA murine model of hypergastrinemia generated by omeprazole treatment of mice carrying a conditional deletion of Men1 bred onto a somatostatin null genetic background (OMS) was treated intraperitoneally with MI-503 for 1 month. Primary enteric glial cells were prepared from these OMS mice and were treated with increasing doses of MI-503. Similarly human AGS and mouse STC-1 gastrin producing cell lines were treated with EGF without or with MI-503. >ResultsWe found that the treatment reduced serum and gastro-duodenal tissue expression of gastrin. Ex vivo MI-503 treatment of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)+ enteric cells isolated from the OMS mice or gastrin-expressing cell lines revealed that MI-503 blocked the nuclear export of Menin and suppressed gastrin gene expression. RNA-Seq analysis of gastrin-treated GFAP+ enteric cells revealed that they express EGF receptor ligands and that EGF treatment of GFAP+ cells also induced Menin translocation and concurrent induction of gastrin gene expression. ConclusionWe concluded that MI-503 inhibits gastrin gene expression by blocking Menin translocation.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Evolutionary trajectories of IDH-mutant astrocytoma identify molecular grading markers related to cell cycling

1To study the evolutionary processes that drive malignant progression of IDH-mutant astrocytomas, we performed multi-omics on a large cohort of matched initial and recurrent tumor samples. The overlay of genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic and proteomic data, combined with single-cell analysis, have identified overlapping features associated with malignant progression. These features are derived from three molecular mechanisms and provide a rationale of the underlying biology of tumor malignancy: cell-cycling, tumor cell (de-)differentiation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Specifically, DNA-methylation levels decreased over time, predominantly in tumors with malignant transformation and co-occurred with poor prognostic genetic events. DNA-methylation was lifted from specific loci associated with DNA replication and was associated with an increased RNA and protein expression of cell cycling associated genes. All results were validated on samples of newly diagnosed IDH-mutant astrocytoma patients included the CATNON randomized phase 3 clinical trial. Importantly, malignant progression was hardly affected by radio- or chemotherapy, indicating that treatment does not affect the course of disease. Our results culminate in a DNA-methylation based signature for objective tumor grading.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

NSD2 promotes cell durotaxis and drives the transition from PKD to tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma through integrin/FAK/AKT signaling

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the urinary system. NSD2 is an H3K36-specific di-methyltransferase which has been reported to participate in diverse biological processes and human tumors. However, its role in RCC remains unclear. Here, we found that NSD2 is highly expressed in RCC, which is associated with poor survival in RCC patients. NSD2 facilitates the transition from Myc-induced polycystic kidney disease to tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TCRCC), which is a rare RCC subtype with distinctive clinicopathologic and genetic characterizations. The mice with kidney-specific overexpression of MYC and NSD2 (KMN) display severe cyst burden at only 6 weeks of age, and develop into TCRCC at 12 weeks of age. Mechanistically, NSD2 transcriptionally upregulates the expressions of integrins (Itga4 and Itga11), to further activate the FAK/AKT pathway. In addition, we found that NSD2 enhances the cell proliferation on the stiff matrix of PEGDA hydrogel. Moreover, inhibition of FAK signaling relieves the symptoms of KMN mice, and significantly rescues the enhanced cell proliferation caused by NSD2 overexpression in vitro. Together, our findings highlight an epigenetic mechanism by which NSD2 regulates TCRCC tumorigenesis through the integrin/FAK/AKT pathway. This study may also pave the way for the development of targeted, patient-tailored therapies for TCRCC patients with NSD2 amplification or high expression.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Targeting Monoallelic CREBBP/EP300 Mutations in Germinal Center-Derived B-Cell Lymphoma with a First-in-Class Histone Acetyltransferase Activator

Germinal center B-cell lymphomas frequently exhibit monoallelic loss-of-function mutations in the histone acetyltransferases CREBBP and p300, which contribute to lymphoma development, disrupt normal germinal center biology, and promote immune evasion. This study evaluates YF2, a histone acetyltransferase activator that increases CREBBP/p300 activity, as a potential therapeutic approach for B-cell lymphoma. YF2 binds the bromodomain of CREBBP/p300, increasing their auto-acetylation and enzymatic activity. It also induces cytotoxicity in B-cell lymphoma cell lines, with a stronger response in those carrying CREBBP/EP300 mutations. Additionally, YF2 increases the acetylation of key CREBBP/p300 substrates, including H3K27, p53, and BCL6, leading to enhanced apoptosis and altered B-cell diTerentiation. YF2 is well tolerated in vivo and extends survival in both cell line- and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Moreover, YF2 exposure upregulates antigen-presentation markers and reshapes the immune microenvironment, strengthening responses to immune checkpoint blockade. Taken together, these findings support pharmacologic activation of CREBBP/p300 with YF2 as a compelling therapeutic strategy for B-cell lymphoma. SignificanceYF2 stimulates CREBBP/p300 activity to normalize B-cell diTerentiation and enhance immune recognition, oTering a potential approach to limit lymphoma progression and strengthen immunotherapy responses.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Mapping of the hSOX10 protein interactome in human melanoma

The transcription factor SOX10 is a central regulator of melanoma biology, influencing tumor initiation, progression, phenotypic plasticity, and therapeutic resistance. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these diverse functions remain incompletely understood. To elucidate the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that mediate SOX10 activity in melanoma, we mapped the human SOX10 (hSOX10) interactome for the first time in human melanoma cells (A375 line). Given the challenges of capturing transient and weak transcription factor interactions, we employed miniTurbo (mT) proximity-dependent biotinylation coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). Stable A375 cell lines expressing N- and C-terminal mT-tagged hSOX10 fusion proteins at physiologically relevant levels were generated, enabling unbiased biotinylation and MS-based identification of candidate interacting proteins. This approach revealed 847 melanoma-enriched candidate interactors, including 213 high-confidence hits. These included both known hSOX10 partners and previously unidentified putative interactors. Functional annotation of our hSOX10 interactome highlighted associations with chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, SUMOylation, and DNA damage response pathways. Western blot validation of select interactors supported the robustness of our dataset. This first comprehensive map of the hSOX10 interactome in melanoma provides a critical foundation for future investigations into SOX10-driven transcriptional networks and their potential as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in melanoma.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Mutant mice lacking alternatively spliced p53 isoforms unveil Ackr4 as a male-specific prognostic factor in Myc-driven B-cell lymphomas

The Trp53 gene encodes several isoforms of elusive biological significance. Here we show that mice lacking the Trp53 Alternatively Spliced (AS) exon, thereby expressing the canonical p53 protein but not isoforms with the AS C-terminus, have unexpectedly lost a male-specific protection against Myc-induced B-cell lymphomas. Lymphomagenesis was delayed in p53+/+ E-Myc males compared to p53{Delta}AS/{Delta}AS E-Myc males, but also compared to p53+/+ E-Myc and p53{Delta}AS/{Delta}AS E-Myc females. Pre-tumoral splenic cells from p53+/+ E-Myc males exhibited a higher expression of Ackr4, encoding an atypical chemokine receptor with tumor suppressive effects. We identified Ackr4 as a p53 target gene whose p53-mediated transactivation is inhibited by estrogens, and as a male-specific factor of good prognosis relevant for murine E-Myc-induced and human Burkitt lymphomas. Furthermore, the knockout of ACKR4 increased the chemokine-guided migration of Burkitt lymphoma cells. These data demonstrate the functional relevance of alternatively spliced p53 isoforms and reveal sex disparities in Myc-driven lymphomagenesis.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Developmental Plasticity and Stromal Co-option Shape a Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Transcriptional Continuum

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are common intracranial neoplasms with complex biology underpinned by unresolved cellular origins, molecular heterogeneity, and microenvironment interactions. Here, we employ single-nuclei RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) of 419,874 cells from human normal pituitaries and PitNETs with spatial transcriptomics to resolve these challenges. We identify multi-hormonal neuroendocrine cells in both normal and tumor tissues, originating as early pseudotime intermediates from pituitary stem cells, revealing an inherent plasticity that blurs traditional lineage boundaries. PitNETs exhibit a transcriptional continuum across subtypes, challenging their classification into discrete categories. Trajectory analysis uncovers divergent cellular origins: silent gonadotroph adenomas (SGAs), prolactinomas, silent corticotroph adenomas (SCAs), and Cushings adenomas are closely linked to differentiated neuroendocrine cells, while somatotroph and null cell adenomas (NCAs) appear to derive more directly from adult stem cells. Tumor cells co-opt robust cell-cell communication networks found in normal adult neuroendocrine cells. Spatial profiling further demonstrates that perivascular niches enhance tumorigenicity through angiogenic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition programs. Our work redefines PitNETs as ecosystems shaped by developmental plasticity and microenvironmental crosstalk, offering a roadmap for future therapies targeting lineage fluidity and stromal dependencies.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

The Growth Inhibitory study of Methanol Extract and Fractions of Seeds of Chrysobalanus icaco (Chrysobalanceae)

BackgroundChrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) is a spice commonly used by the Ijaws, Itsekiris, and Urhobos in Delta State. In ethnomedicine, it helps treat conditions such as diarrhoea, diabetes, high cholesterol, infections, and inflammation. ObjectiveThe study evaluated the growth inhibitory effect of C. icaco seed and its chromatographic fractions. MethodThe powdered seed sample of C. icaco was extracted with 70% ethanol by cold maceration, and the extract was screened for the presence of secondary metabolites. The extract was subjected to a vacuum liquid chromatographic technique, and the extract and fractions were subjected to bench-top biological assay using the growth inhibitory radicle of Sorghum bicolor at a concentration (1-30 mg/mL) for duration of 96 h. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in data analysis and was represented as Mean Standard Error of Mean (SEM). ResultsSecondary metabolites present in the extract were alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, reducing sugar, terpenoids, proteins and amino acids, and phytosterols. The results revealed that the length of seed radicles progressively increased over time. The results showed that the length of seed radicles progressively increased over time. The extract reduced the length of the seed radicle by 14.51-58.39% and 66.44-84.74% at 20 and 30 mg/mL. The bulked vlc fractions BAF, BBF, and BDF significantly reduced the length of the radicle at 5 and 10 mg/mL, and bulked vlc BCF was effective at 10 mg/mL only. ConclusionThe study showed that the extract of C. icaco and its vlc fractions possess an anti-proliferative effect with medical relevance in the development of anticancer therapy. The growth inhibitory effects of the extract of C. icaco and its vlc fraction on Sorghum bicolor could be linked to the phytochemicals present, associated with potential anticancer activity.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Transcriptome dynamics describe and predict state transition from health to leukemia

Temporal dynamics of gene expression are informative of changes associated with disease development and evolution. Given the complexity of high-dimensional temporal datasets, an analytical framework guided by a robust theory is needed to interpret time-sequential changes and to predict system dynamics. Herein, we use acute myeloid leukemia as a proof-of-principle to model gene expression dynamics in a transcriptome state-space constructed based on time-sequential RNA-sequencing data. We describe the construction of a state-transition model to identify state-transition critical points which accurately predicts leukemia development. We show an analytical approach based on state-transition critical points identified step-wise transcriptomic perturbations driving leukemia progression. Furthermore, the gene(s) trajectory and geometry of the transcriptome state-space provides biologically-relevant gene expression signals that are not synchronized in time, and allows quantification of gene(s) contribution to leukemia development. Therefore, our state-transition model can synthesize information, identify critical points to guide interpretation of transcriptome trajectories and predict disease development.\n\nGraphical Abstract\n\nO_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=193 HEIGHT=200 SRC=\"FIGDIR/small/238923v2_ufig1.gif\" ALT=\"Figure 1\">\nView larger version (55K):\norg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12eeaccorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1392af9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@34786dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ce78bb_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG In briefThe theory of state-transition is applied to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to model transcriptome dynamics and trajectories in a state-space, and is used to identify critical points corresponding to critical transcriptomic perturbations that predict leukemia development.\n\nHighlightsO_LILeukemia transcriptome dynamics are modeled as movement in transcriptome state-space\nC_LIO_LIState-transition model and critical points accurately predicts leukemia development\nC_LIO_LICritical point-based approach identifies step-wise transcriptome events in leukemia\nC_LIO_LIState-based geometric analysis provides quantification of leukemogenic contribution\nC_LI

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Adversary of DNA integrity: a long non-coding RNA stimulates driver oncogenic chromosomal rearrangement in human thyroid cells

The flurry of publications devoted to the functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) published in the last decade leaves no doubt about the exceptional importance of lncRNAs in various areas including tumor biology. Contribution of lncRNAs to the early stages of oncogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study we explored a new role for lncRNAs: stimulation of driver oncogenic mutations that result from specific chromosomal rearrangements. We demonstrated that lncRNA CASTL1 (ENSG00000269945) stimulates the formation of the CCDC6-RET inversion (RET/PTC1) in human thyroid cells subjected to radiation or chemical DNA damage. Facilitation of chromosomal rearrangement requires lncRNA to contain regions complementary to the introns of both CCDC6 and RET genes as deletion of these regions deprives CASTL1 of the ability to stimulate the gene fusion. We found that CASTL1 expression is elevated in tumors with CCDC6-RET fusion which is the most frequent rearrangement in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Our results open a new venue for the studies of early oncogenesis in various tumor types, especially those associated with physical or chemical DNA damage. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=157 SRC="FIGDIR/small/485761v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (29K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bb217corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1936eeforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@58430forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9ab5f8_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

CLONAL LYMPHOCYTE EXPANSIONS AND JAK-STAT PATHWAY MUTATIONS DEFINE A PATHOGENIC CONTINUUM DRIVING RESISTANCE TO GLUTEN-FREE DIET IN CELIAC DISEASE

Background&AimsDespite recent advances, refractory celiac disease (RCD) poses challenging questions. In type 2 RCD (RCD2), the lack of response to the gluten-free diet is attributed to an intestinal intraepithelial lymphoma carrying driver JAK1 or STAT3 mutations. However, it remains unclear whether these can be safely targeted for therapy. In RCD1, pathogenic insights are still lacking. MethodsDuodenal biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with RCD1, RCD2, active CeD, CeD in remission, and controls were analyzed. Lymphocyte populations were characterized using single-cell transcriptomic, genomic, and TCR repertoire profiling. Functional and exome sequencing analyses were performed on patient-derived RCD2 cell lines exposed to JAK inhibitors. ResultsWe show that clonal malignant RCD2 lymphocytes exhibit interpatient similarities but substantial intratumoral heterogeneity, and provide in vitro evidence that JAK inhibitors can select drug-resistant tumor cells, arguing against their use as monotherapy. In RCD1, we identified clonal T-cell expansions harboring mutations that enhance the JAK-STAT pathway. The detection of both RCD2 and a CD4 lymphoproliferation in a patient initially diagnosed with RCD1 further illustrates the diversity of lymphoproliferative outcomes in celiac disease. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that RCD subtypes may share underlying mechanisms driven by clonal evolution and JAK-STAT dysregulation. They also highlight the potential limitations of JAK inhibitor monotherapy and the importance of molecularly informed therapeutic strategies. What You Need to KnowO_ST_ABSBACKGROUND AND CONTEXTC_ST_ABSRefractory celiac disease (RCD) can lead to intestinal lymphoma, but the biological processes driving immune cell transformation and therapy resistance remain incompletely understood. NEW FINDINGSSingle-cell analyses reveal clonal evolution, JAK-STAT pathway dysregulation, and shared molecular features between RCD subtypes, with implications for disease progression and treatment response. LIMITATIONSSample size and reliance on ex vivo models limit generalizability; further in vivo validation of resistance mechanisms is needed to confirm therapeutic implications. CLINICAL RESEARCH RELEVANCEThese findings suggest that RCD subtypes may share underlying mechanisms driven by clonal evolution and JAK-STAT dysregulation. They also highlight the potential limitations of JAK inhibitor monotherapy and the importance of molecularly informed therapeutic strategies. BASIC RESEARCH RELEVANCEThis work uncovers mechanisms of immune cell transformation in chronic intestinal inflammation and provides insight into how tumor heterogeneity and somatic mutations drive disease progression and therapeutic resistance. Lay summaryThis study reveals shared mechanisms in refractory celiac disease subtypes driven by clonal evolution and JAK-STAT activation, highlighting limits of JAK inhibitor monotherapy and the need for personalized treatments.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Interrogation of SLFN11 in pediatric sarcomas uncovers an unexpected biological role and a novel therapeutic approach to overcoming resistance to replicative stress

Pediatric sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of malignancies that exhibit variable response to DNA damaging chemotherapy. Schlafen family member 11 protein (SLFN11) increases sensitivity to replicative stress, and SLFN11 gene silencing has been implicated as a common mechanism of drug resistance in tumors in adults. We found SLFN11 to be widely expressed in our cohort of pediatric sarcomas. In sarcoma cell lines, protein expression strongly correlated with response to the PARP inhibitor talazoparib (TAL) and the topoisomerase I inhibitor irinotecan (IRN), with SLFN11 knockout resulting in significant loss of sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. However, SLFN11 expression was not associated with favorable outcomes in a retrospective analysis of our patient cohort; instead, the protein was retained and promoted tumor growth and evasion. Furthermore, we show that pediatric sarcomas develop resistance to TAL and IRN through impaired intrinsic apoptosis, and that resistance can be reversed by selective inhibition of BCL-XL. Statement of SignificanceThe role of SLFN11 in pediatric sarcomas has not been thoroughly explored. In contrast to its activity in adult tumors, SLFN11 did not predict favorable outcomes in pediatric patients, was not silenced, and promoted tumor growth. Resistance to replicative stress in SLFN11-expressing sarcomas was reversed by selective inhibition of BCL-XL.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Integrated coding-noncoding genome annotation expands single-cell transcriptomic discovery and identifies clinically relevant noncoding RNAs in multiple myeloma

Although the human genome encodes a vast repertoire of noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, the noncoding genome remains underexplored due to technical challenges. Specifically, during transcriptomic sequencing data alignment, the overlap between noncoding and coding loci can create ambiguous read alignments that are subsequently discarded from downstream analysis. For this reason, most of the noncoding genome is excluded from standard genomic annotations used for sequencing alignment. To address this challenge and enable concurrent profiling of the coding and noncoding transcriptome, we systematically integrated standard coding (GENCODE) and noncoding (LncBook) genome annotations, preserving coding gene annotations and removing overlapping noncoding regions. The resulting integrated genome annotation expanded the number of annotated noncoding genes from 40,785 to 138,296 while preserving all coding genes and reducing ambiguous read assignment. To evaluate the utility of our integrated genome annotation for uncovering novel, biologically relevant noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), we realigned CD138-positive bulk RNA-seq (N = 942) and CD138-negative single-cell RNA-seq (N = 478) data from the MMRF CoMMpass study, generating a comprehensive coding-noncoding atlas of the myeloma bone marrow microenvironment with noncoding genes representing 51% of highly variable genes and displaying significant cell type specificity. Tumor expression profiling based on this integrated profiling identified 15 clusters, including two enriched for amp(1q21) or t(4;14) and associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS). Differential expression and systematic filtering yielded 19 candidate high-risk ncRNAs, including previously uncharacterized ENSG00000310209, which was associated with poor PFS (HR = 1.141, P = 0.0025), increased IRF4 activity, Wnt pathway activation, CCL5 signaling, and the accumulation of anergic-like CD8+ T cells. These findings establish integrated coding-noncoding analysis as a strategic approach for discovering functional ncRNAs from transcriptomic sequencing data.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

A long-term organotypic slice culture model of patient high-grade glioma preserving tumor heterogeneity and architecture, and specificity of CAR T cell targeting

ABSTRACT Background: High grade glioma (HGG), encompassing IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (CNS WHO grade 4), diffuse midline glioma (CNS WHO grade 4), oligodendroglioma (IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted) CNS WHO grade 3, together with IDH-mutant astrocytoma of CNS grade 3 and grade 4, represents the most lethal group of adult diffuse gliomas. Despite significant efforts, obtaining improvements in patient survival has been limited, in part, by difficulties in comprehensive ex vivo modeling of the complexities of HGG. Although organotypic slice cultures and other platforms have shown promise, existing models often fail to capture the intrinsic cellular heterogeneity, microenvironment, and architecture of HGG, restricting investigations into their fundamental biology as well as design of novel therapeutics. Methods: We developed a patient-derived HGG organotypic slice culture (GOSC) platform demonstrating long-term preservation of intrinsic tumor characteristics. Vibratome-sectioned slices were cultured in defined medium under conditions approximating those in situ: reduced oxygen (4%), low glucose (2.5 mM), and no added growth factors. The characteristics of GOSCs after 28 days in culture, including expression of immunotherapy targets, were compared to parental tumors using histological staining, immunofluorescence, multiplexed PhenoCycler (CODEX) imaging, bulk RNA-seq expression profiling, and CAR T cell killing assays. Results: GOSCs preserved the histopathology, cell heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment, and tissue architecture of their parental tumors throughout at least 28 days in culture. Importantly, GOSCs retained parental patterns of immunotherapy target expression, and CAR T cells co-cultured with GOSCs demonstrated target-specific killing consistent with parental tumors. Conclusions: This ex vivo GOSC platform offers long-term preservation of the cellular and structural properties of parental HGG tumors, thereby providing a robust tool for extended preclinical studies, and facilitating development and evaluation of advanced tumor-targeting strategies.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

The Copy-Number Events in Skull Base Chordoma Stratify Tumours into Four Biologically Coherent Groups

Chordoma, a rare sarcoma of notochordal origin, exhibits slow growth and local aggressiveness. While copy-number (CN) events are recognized as key chordoma drivers, no comprehensive classification, based on CN, has yet been developed. Here, we establish a robust, reproducible genomic subtyping of chordoma, based on CN events. Two independent skull base chordoma cohorts (N=32,N=71) were analyzed, utilizing distinct analytical platforms, DNA methylation microarrays and whole-genome sequencing, both controlled for B-allele frequencies. Samples were clustered using unsupervised hierarchical methods. The CN events defined four consistent molecular clusters across both cohorts: C1 (CN-stable), C9 (chromosomal losses, especially of chr9/CDKN2A), C7 (chr7 gain), and C2 (gains of chr2 and chr7). The findings were validated in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with concordance of 84-89%. The CN clusters explain 31-33% of the RNA-sequencing transcriptional variance. Moreover, the C2 cluster showed up-regulation of Sonic Hedgehog signaling and clusters C2 and C9 were enriched in cell-cycle-related genes. The proposed CN clusters correlate with existing chordoma classificators e.g. chromosomal instability (CIN), mutation burden, immune score, and methylation clusters. Furthermore, comparison with over 2,000 sarcomas highlighted CN patterns more common in chordoma (i.e. chr1q, chr2, chr7 gains and chr1p, chr3, chr9, chr10, chr13, chr14, chr18 losses) but also revealed shared aberrations, e.g. chr22 loss shared with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GISTs). This study provides a unifying classification for skull base chordoma, linking distinct genomic architectures to specific transcriptional programs and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.

cancer biology↗