Abstract
The discovery of cancer-associated alterations has primarily focused on genetic variants. Nonetheless, altered epigenomes contribute to deregulate transcription and promote oncogenic pathways. Here, we designed an algorithmic approach (RESET) to identify aberrant DNA methylation and associated cis-transcriptional changes across >6,000 human tumors. Tumors exhibiting mutations of chromatin remodeling factors and Wnt signaling displayed DNA methylation instability, characterized by numerous hyper- and hypo-methylated loci. Most silenced and enhanced genes coalesced in specific pathways including apoptosis, DNA repair, and cell metabolism. Cancer-germline antigens (CG) were frequently epigenomically enhanced and their expression correlated with response to anti-PD-1, but not anti-CTLA4, in skin melanoma. Finally, we demonstrated the potential of our approach to explore DNA methylation changes in pediatric tumors, which frequently lack genetic drivers and exhibit epigenomic modifications. Our results provide a pan-cancer map of aberrant DNA methylation to inform functional and therapeutic studies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
