Answer:
Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) prediction in tumors is a critical aspect of understanding cancer biology and can guide treatment decisions, particularly in the context of therapies like PARP inhibitors. Here are the general steps for HRD prediction using tumor-only mode, along with some software suggestions:
Steps for HRD Prediction in Tumor-Only Mode
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Sample Collection and Preparation:
- Obtain a tumor biopsy sample.
- Extract high-quality DNA from the tumor tissue.
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Sequencing:
- Perform next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the tumor DNA. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) are commonly used.
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Data Preprocessing:
- Quality control (QC) of raw sequencing data to remove low-quality reads.
- Alignment of reads to a reference genome (e.g., human genome GRCh38).
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Variant Calling:
- Identify somatic mutations, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), insertions, deletions (indels), and structural variants (SVs).
- Tools like GATK, Mutect2, or Strelka can be used for variant calling.
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Copy Number Variation (CNV) Analysis:
- Detect CNVs in the tumor genome.
- Tools like CNVkit, Control-FREEC, or FACETS can be used for CNV analysis.
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HRD Score Calculation:
- Calculate HRD scores based on specific genomic features such as:
- Loss of heterozygosity (LOH)
- Telomeric allelic imbalance (TAI)
- Large-scale state transitions (LST)
- Tools like HRDetect or scarHRD can be used to compute these scores.
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Interpretation of Results:
- Integrate the HRD scores to determine the HRD status of the tumor.
- High HRD scores typically indicate a deficiency in homologous recombination repair mechanisms.
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Reporting:
- Generate a comprehensive report summarizing the HRD status and potential therapeutic implications.
- Include details on detected mutations, CNVs, and HRD scores.
Software Suggestions
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HRDetect:
- A tool specifically designed for HRD prediction using mutational signatures.
- Requires WGS data and uses machine learning to predict HRD status.
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scarHRD:
- A tool that calculates HRD scores based on LOH, TAI, and LST.
- Can be used with WES or WGS data.
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GATK (Genome Analysis Toolkit):
- A comprehensive toolkit for variant discovery in high-throughput sequencing data.
- Includes tools for alignment, variant calling, and CNV analysis.
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CNVkit:
- A tool for detecting copy number variations from targeted DNA sequencing data.
- Useful for identifying CNVs in tumor samples.
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Control-FREEC:
- A tool for detecting CNVs and allelic imbalances in tumor samples.
- Can be used with WGS or WES data.
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FACETS:
- A tool for allele-specific copy number analysis of tumor samples.
- Useful for identifying CNVs and LOH regions.
Summary
HRD prediction in tumor-only mode involves several steps, from sample collection and sequencing to data analysis and interpretation. Using specialized software tools like HRDetect, scarHRD, GATK, CNVkit, Control-FREEC, and FACETS can facilitate accurate HRD prediction and guide therapeutic decisions.