Single-cell sequencing defines genetic heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer precursor lesions

Yuko Kuboki, Catherine G. Fischer, Violeta Beleva Guthrie, Wenjie Huang, Jun Yu, Peter Chianchiano, Waki Hosoda, Hao Zhang, Lily Zheng, Xiaoshan Shao, Elizabeth D. Thompson, Kevin Waters, Justin Poling, Jin He, Matthew J. Weiss, Christopher L. Wolfgang, Michael G. Goggins, Ralph H. Hruban, Nicholas J. Roberts, Rachel KarchinLaura D. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are precursors to pancreatic cancer; however, little is known about genetic heterogeneity in these lesions. The objective of this study was to characterize genetic heterogeneity in IPMNs at the single-cell level. We isolated single cells from fresh tissue from ten IPMNs, followed by whole genome amplification and targeted next-generation sequencing of pancreatic driver genes. We then determined single-cell genotypes using a novel multi-sample mutation calling algorithm. Our analyses revealed that different mutations in the same driver gene frequently occur in the same IPMN. Two IPMNs had multiple mutations in the initiating driver gene KRAS that occurred in unique tumor clones, suggesting the possibility of polyclonal origin or an unidentified initiating event preceding this critical mutation. Multiple mutations in later-occurring driver genes were also common and were frequently localized to unique tumor clones, raising the possibility of convergent evolution of these genetic events in pancreatic tumorigenesis. Single-cell sequencing of IPMNs demonstrated genetic heterogeneity with respect to early and late occurring driver gene mutations, suggesting a more complex pattern of tumor evolution than previously appreciated in these lesions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)347-356
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Pathology
Volume247
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019

Keywords

  • genetic heterogeneity
  • intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm
  • pancreatic cancer precursor lesion
  • single-cell sequencing
  • somatic mutation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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