2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Posters)-EP02.02. Genomic Correlates with Ancestry in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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A recent study analyzed genomic data from lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tumor samples to investigate the correlation between ancestry and clinical outcomes in this type of cancer. The researchers focused on tumors from patients of European (EUR) or African (AFR) ancestry and identified significant differences in genomic factors between the two groups.<br /><br />The analysis revealed that tumors from AFR patients had a higher frequency of gain on chromosome arm 8q and/or the chr8q24 locus, where the oncogene MYC and its enhancers are located. This gain was associated with both global AFR ancestry and local AFR ancestry. Additionally, the expression of MYC targets was significantly increased in AFR samples compared to EUR samples, suggesting a role for the MYC pathway in differential cancer progression.<br /><br />Furthermore, the study found that MYC activity correlated with decreased immune infiltration and gene signaling. Patients with AFR ancestry were more likely to have decreased immune infiltrate and pathway activity, which may contribute to the worse clinical outcomes observed in this group.<br /><br />The findings of this study are consistent with previous observations in prostate cancer, highlighting the role of MYC enhancer amplification in cancers with African ancestry. However, more studies and a more diverse sampling of cancer patient populations are needed to validate these differences and further explore personalized treatment approaches.<br /><br />The study was conducted using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and involved the collaboration of researchers from various institutions, including Columbia University, University of South Florida, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah.<br /><br />In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the genomic and clinical correlates with ancestry in lung SCC. The identification of MYC enhancer amplification in tumors from patients with African ancestry highlights the importance of considering ancestry-specific factors in cancer research and treatment.

Asset Subtitle

Alison Taylor

Meta Tag

Speaker Alison Taylor

Topic Tumor Biology: Preclinical Biology - Omics Approaches

Keywords

genomic data

lung squamous cell carcinoma

ancestry

clinical outcomes

European ancestry

African ancestry

MYC enhancers

cancer progression

immune infiltration

MYC enhancer amplification