Implementation of Whole Genome Sequencing as Screening in a Diverse Cohort of Healthy Infants
Genetic Predisposition to DiseaseHereditary DiseasesThis research study is exploring the use of genomic sequencing in the newborn period to screen healthy babies for current and future health risks. The study will enroll a diverse cohort of 500 healthy infants and their parents from Boston, MA; New York City, NY; and Birmingham, AL. A small blood sample will be collected from each infant, and whole genome sequencing will be performed in 1/2 of the cohort following a randomized controlled trial design. 3 months later, the randomization status and sequencing results will be shared with parents and pediatricians. Investigators will study the medical, behavioral, and economic outcomes of genomic sequencing to better understand how this technology can be implemented in outpatient primary care settings.
EXOme Rare Cancers in Children (EXOCARE)
PredispositionGenetic2 moreOther than high-dose radiation and previous chemotherapy, few strong risk factors have been identified as causes of childhood cancer. Geneticists estimate that 5 to 10% of all cancers diagnosed during the paediatric period occur in children born with a genetic mutation, increasing their lifetime risk of neoplasia. Such genetic risk is higher in children with congenital anomalies and specific genetic syndromes. Some germline genetic alterations are well known (e.g. P53 protein (P53), Neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1)), however many children with none of these mutations have clinical presentations that strongly suggest the involvement of a genetic predisposition. Comprehensive genetic testing for all such patients is an important factor for improving disease surveillance. Such opportunities are now available thanks to whole exome sequencing (WES). In oncology, an important clinical application of WES will be to routinely identify mutations associated with inherited cancer predispositions and to guide cancer risk-management decisions. Our project is a national translational multicenter genetics study aimed at identifying genes involved in paediatric cancer predisposition by WES in a very select population of children with both developmental delay and cancer. Our project relies on the TED register (Tumeur Et Développement), an initiative by the French organisation SFCE (Société Française de lutte contre les Cancers et les leucémies de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent) involving 30 child cancer units in France. This database includes the information of more than 500 paediatric cancer patients with congenital abnormalities. The investigators plan to sequence the germline and tumour exome of 100 patients with developmental delay in a trio-design consisting of 300 people and 100 tumours. The investigators believe that the ExoCaRe project will provide answers to the genetic origins of certain particular childhood cancers. The ExoCaRe project relies on a genetic study to identify genetic risk factors for rare forms of childhood cancer and aims to establish more personalised treatment. It is aimed at improving genetic counselling for families and will be fully integrated in the genetic counselling process. The information provided by our study will be used to improve the management approach to an initial cancer by clarifying the risks of other cancers in related families. The investigators hope to identify new germline genes predisposing to cancer that will be of interest in understanding tumour biology.
COsegregation of VARiants in Panel of Genes
Gene Mutation-Related CancerGenetic PredispositionThe aim of the COVAR project is to classify reliably a maximum of VUS of the French database in order to use them for the genetic counseling. The results obtained through this study will have a major impact on clinical management of the patients and their families conducting in some cases to propose a prophylactic surgery.
Genetic Predisposition in Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral PalsyCerebral palsy (CP) is a major neurodevelopmental disorder with an estimated prevalence of approximately one in 500 children. It is characterised by permanent developmental disorders of movement and posture, responsible for activity limitations, caused by non-progressive damage to the brain of the fetus, newborn or infant during development. The neurobiological mechanisms involved in CP remain poorly understood, although the interruption of cerebral oxygen supply during pregnancy or at the time of delivery is classically considered to be the main factor causing neurodevelopmental sequelae. CP also occurs in full-term infants without a clearly identifiable etiology. Data from the literature suggest the existence of other pathophysiological processes than only acquired brain lesions related to pregnancy and delivery, such as genetic or epigenetic factors. According to some research teams, nearly one third of CP could have a genetic cause or could be favoured by genetic variants. Preliminary research has made significant progress in revealing unusual copy number variants and/or mutations in single genes in children with CP. Several of the identified genes are involved in neurodevelopment and neuronal connectivity. Nevertheless, the identification of these abnormalities in CP may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this complex and multifactorial disorder. It could also shed new light on the analysis of medico-legal files and bring encouraging perspectives by targeting new therapeutic interventions. The main hypothesis is that a certain number of cerebral palsies are related to - or favoured by - genetic abnormalities that we will search for with genetic screening tests.
Sequential EHR Based Interventions to Increase Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Predisposition...
Genetic Predisposition to DiseaseBreast Cancer Female5 moreThe goal of this sequential study design is to increase genetic testing in those meeting national clinical guidelines. The main question it aims to answer is: which intervention is most effective in uptake of genetic testing for the target population? Participants will receive genetic testing and counseling that may initiate life-saving screenings.
Impact of the Genetic Background as a Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in...
Cardiovascular DiseasesAcute MI3 moreThe main objective of this project is to evaluate the genomic information previously associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and its importance as an independent risk predictor (expressed in Odds Ratio) when adjusted for traditional risk factors (smoking, diabetes, arterial hypertension, obesity , anxiety and depression, inadequate diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio (ApoB/ApoA1). An unpaired case-control study of individuals over 18 years of age will be carried out. Cases (N = 1867) will be enrolled right after the occurrence of the first atherosclerotic cardiovascular event (Acute Myocardial Infarction, Stroke and Peripheral Artery Thrombotic-Ischemic Events). The ratio between cases and controls will be 1:1. The controls (N = 1867) will be adult individuals over 18 years of age who sought medical care at the same locations for other clinical reasons (no CVD) or individuals without any overt disease. The genetic evaluation will be performed through the association of Low-covering Whole Genome Sequencing (coverage 0.5-5x) and Whole Exome Sequencing (average coverage 30x).
GLUCOSE-MGH: Genetic Links Understood Through Challenge With Oral Semaglutide Exposure at MGH
Genetic PredispositionMetabolic Diseases1 moreThe goal of this research study is to evaluate the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which genetic variation impacts response to an FDA-approved medication commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity called oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) and to characterize the physiological response to a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) before and after a 14-day treatment with Rybelsus. The effect of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) on human beings is similar regardless of whether the person taking them has diabetes or not. The investigators will do this by measuring factors in the blood, such as sugars, fats, metabolites, and proteins, after eating a standardized breakfast meal at the first visit and after taking 14 doses of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) over two weeks before the second study visit. The food (mixed meal breakfast) we will be studying is specially prepared to contain a set amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The investigators hypothesize that understanding how the acute biochemical response to oral semaglutide differs by genetic variation will generate insight into drug mechanisms and Type 2 Diabetes pathophysiology.
The New LC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Unbound Tacrolimus in Plasma
ImmunosuppressionKidney Transplant Rejection5 moreTacrolimus (TAC) is characterized by a narrow therapeutic window, as well as high inter- and intra-individual variability in pharmacokinetics. Both under- and overexposure may lead to severe adverse effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is an essential element of post-transplant patient care. Most transplantation centers use C0 to adjust TAC dosage. Some controversies remain about relationship between C0 and clinical outcome. It is generally accepted that only protein-unbound drug molecules can cross cellular membranes, which imply that TDM of free tacrolimus fraction may be of paramount importance and improve clinical management of organ recipients. Whole blood TAC concentrations and dose requirements are strongly associated with CYP3A5 polymorphism. Routine CYP3A5 genotyping on the waiting lists might be useful to guide tacrolimus dosing. This interdisciplinary project tackles the research problem from three angles - biochemistry, genetics and clinical observation. The primary goal of the study is to evaluate clinical usefulness of different TDM protocols in patients after kidney and liver transplantation.
Study of Neurobiological Predictors of Response to Non-invasive Neurostimulation and Genetic Susceptibility...
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentTranscranial Direct Current Stimulation is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that results in the clinical improvement of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment, a prodromal condition for the onset of dementia. The responses to treatment depend on the characteristics of the patients and the parameters adjusted in the equipment, which makes the modeling of electric fields imperative to maximize the safety profile and therapeutic potential of the technique. The study of neurobiological predictors of response to non-invasive neurostimulation and genetic susceptibility can elucidate current effects according to the individual's profile. The objectives of this study are to observe the effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with optimized/customized parameters in patients with amnestic CCL, considering the subjects' genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer's Disease and neurobiological markers. This is a randomized, triple-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Neuropsychological tests and a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire will be used to assess and characterize the subjects. Participants captured by the Laboratory of Studies in Aging and Neuroscience at the Federal University of Paraíba will be divided into 02 groups, each with 25 patients, totaling 50 volunteers: Active - participants who will receive real current; Sham - participants who will receive simulated stimulation. Participants entered through the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated in a simple way, at a rate of 1:1. Payment parameters will be customized by Computational Modeling with the aid of the SimNIBS Program and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The electroencephalogram and evaluation of polymorphisms of the gene encoding Apolipoprotein E examined as predictors of response. Data will be processed from the Statistical Package for Social Sciences® (20.0) Software, applying the Student test for continuous variables or chi-square for categorical variables. Predictive analysis will be conducted from Machine Learning. It is expected to find improvements in the scores of memory and general cognition tests after the intervention protocol with tDCS with individualized dose in the group that will receive an intervention, compared to the simulated neurostimulation group. These obtained results optimize the practice, elucidating issues still present due to the different applications of the technique produced in the literature on the subject.
Genetic Susceptibility to Listeriosis
ListeriosisListeriosis is a rare, severe foodborne infection, responsible for severe invasive infections. It occurs in the great majority of cases in elderly patients and / or patients with comorbidities, with a deficit of innate or cellular immunity. Pregnancy is also a risk factor. The Multicentric Observational NAtional Analysis of Listeriosis and Listeria (MONALISA) is an ongoing national case-control prospective study on listeriosis implemented since 2009 to study risk and prognosis factors for listeriosis. In this cohort, which enrolled 902 patients on 1 August 2014, 7% of patients with neurolisteriosis are under 40 years of age and have no identified risk factor. Genetic susceptibility is suspected in these patients. Genetic susceptibility could also explain the inconstant development of a neurolisteriosis or fetal infection, as well as the particular severity of some infections (death, foetal loss, neurological sequelae). The aim of the study is to identify genetic susceptibility to Listeriosis.