Grant Details
Grant Number: |
5R01CA218668-03 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
Khurana, Ekta |
Organization: |
Weill Medical Coll Of Cornell Univ |
Project Title: |
Computational Methods for Identifying Non-Coding Cancer Drivers |
Fiscal Year: |
2020 |
Abstract
Most variants obtained from tumor whole-genome sequences (WGS) occur in non-
coding regions of the genome. Although variants in protein-coding regions have received
the majority of attention, numerous studies have now noted the importance of non-
coding variants in cancer. Identification of functional non-coding variants that drive tumor
growth remains a challenge and a bottleneck for the use of whole-genome sequencing in
the clinic. Cancer drivers are generally identified by the high frequency at which their
mutations occur across patients. However, mutation rate is highly heterogeneous in non-
coding regions and many non-driver elements show higher mutation frequency than
others, such as regions bound by transcription factors in melanoma or regions
replicating late during cell division in colon cancer. In this proposal, we will use high-
throughput pooled CRISPR screen and novel computational methods to predict non-
coding cancer drivers. We will quantitatively measure the impact of thousands of non-
coding mutations using our innovative high-throughput CRISPR screen that directly ties
modifications in the native context of the non-coding genome (i.e. not a reporter assay)
to a cancer relevant phenotype (cell growth). The results of the screen will be used as
training data for the development of NC_Driver, a computational cancer driver prediction
tool. NC_Driver will integrate the signals of high functional impact with the recurrence of
variants across multiple tumor samples to identify the non-coding mutations under
positive selection in cancer. We will identify drivers in promoters, enhancers and CTCF
insulators. CTCF insulators are the most mutated yet least studied regulatory elements
in the cancer genome. Using this integrative experimental and computational approach,
we will identify high-confidence candidate drivers. Finally, we will perform functional
evaluation of prioritized non-coding drivers in colorectal and prostate cancers. We will
use CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in patient-derived cell cultures to test 20 high-ranking
candidate driver promoter/enhancer/insulator mutations. Overall, this proposal
addresses the critical need to identify drivers in the non-coding genome and over long-
term enable the maximal benefit of genome sequencing for each patient.
Publications
None