Background Family history is a risk factor of many diseases. Genome-wide sequencing efforts have identified naturally occurring genetic variations such as copy number variations (CNV) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the human genome that could account for the risk associated with family history (1). In fact, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have linked numerous SNPs with an increased risk of developing specific diseases, such as breast and prostate cancer (2-13). Interestingly, most risk-associated SNPs (raSNPs) map to non-coding genomic regions, which excludes their role in protein sequence/structure alterations (2-13). This has significantly complicated the understanding of how SNPs can contribute to cancer development and has hindered the development of therapeutic strategies based on SNP profiling. Genome-wide assays revealed the preferential recruitment of transcription factors to non-coding regions surrounding actively transcribed genes in breast and prostate cancer cells (14-17). In addition, changes to the genomic distribution of these transcription factors directly impacts transcriptional programs (18, 19). Hypothesis We hypothesize that raSNPs associate with cancer development by promoting transcriptional programs favorable to oncogenesis by altering transcription factor recruitment. Approach Combining multiple genomics datasets from different cancer types, we will determine the role of breast and prostate cancer raSNPs on transcription factor activity by 1) determining the cancer type- specificity of raSNPs and transcription factor recruitment, 2) defining the role of raSNPs on transcription factor recruitment and by 3) determining how raSNPs modulating transcription factor recruitment affects transcriptional programs. Relevance to the mission While breast and prostate cancer raSNPs serve important diagnostic and prognostic purposes, they lack therapeutic value. Defining the function of these raSNPs, as we currently propose, will reveal the therapeutic applicability of SNP profiling in breast and prostate cancer. Hence, our research will be of direct and rapid benefit to the clinic.

Public Health Relevance

While single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiling has identified specific genetic variations as risk factors for cancer development, the mechanisms responsible for the increased risk are ill defined. This hinders the therapeutic value of SNP profiling. Therefore, by defining the mechanism driving the risk associated with SNPs in breast and prostate cancer, as we currently propose, we will identify the therapeutic benefit of SNP profiling.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA155004-02
Application #
8212188
Study Section
Cancer Genetics Study Section (CG)
Program Officer
Mietz, Judy
Project Start
2011-01-12
Project End
2012-02-29
Budget Start
2012-01-01
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$63,324
Indirect Cost
$23,246
Name
Dartmouth College
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041027822
City
Hanover
State
NH
Country
United States
Zip Code
03755
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Ghoussaini, Maya; Edwards, Stacey L; Michailidou, Kyriaki et al. (2014) Evidence that breast cancer risk at the 2q35 locus is mediated through IGFBP5 regulation. Nat Commun 4:4999
Magnani, Luca; Stoeck, Alexander; Zhang, Xiaoyang et al. (2013) Genome-wide reprogramming of the chromatin landscape underlies endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:E1490-9

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