@article{thomas_wiley_droste_robertson_inman_breen_2023, title={Whole exome sequencing analysis of canine urothelial carcinomas without BRAF V595E mutation: Short in-frame deletions in BRAF and MAP2K1 suggest alternative mechanisms for MAPK pathway disruption}, volume={19}, ISSN={["1553-7404"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1010575}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pgen.1010575}, abstractNote={Molecular profiling studies have shown that 85% of canine urothelial carcinomas (UC) harbor an activating BRAF V595E mutation, which is orthologous to the V600E variant found in several human cancer subtypes. In dogs, this mutation provides both a powerful diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target; however, due to their relative infrequency, the remaining 15% of cases remain understudied at the molecular level. We performed whole exome sequencing analysis of 28 canine urine sediments exhibiting the characteristic DNA copy number signatures of canine UC, in which the BRAF V595E mutation was undetected (UDV595E specimens). Among these we identified 13 specimens (46%) harboring short in-frame deletions within either BRAF exon 12 (7/28 cases) or MAP2K1 exons 2 or 3 (6/28 cases). Orthologous variants occur in several human cancer subtypes and confer structural changes to the protein product that are predictive of response to different classes of small molecule MAPK pathway inhibitors. DNA damage response and repair genes, and chromatin modifiers were also recurrently mutated in UDV595E specimens, as were genes that are positive predictors of immunotherapy response in human cancers. Our findings suggest that short in-frame deletions within BRAF exon 12 and MAP2K1 exons 2 and 3 in UDV595E cases are alternative MAPK-pathway activating events that may have significant therapeutic implications for selecting first-line treatment for canine UC. We developed a simple, cost-effective capillary electrophoresis genotyping assay for detection of these deletions in parallel with the BRAF V595E mutation. The identification of these deletion events in dogs offers a compelling cross-species platform in which to study the relationship between somatic alteration, protein conformation, and therapeutic sensitivity.}, number={4}, journal={PLOS GENETICS}, author={Thomas, Rachael and Wiley, Claire A. and Droste, Emma L. and Robertson, James and Inman, Brant A. and Breen, Matthew}, editor={Leeb, TossoEditor}, year={2023}, month={Apr} }
 @article{wiley_wise_breen_2019, title={Novel Noninvasive Diagnostics}, volume={49}, ISSN={["1878-1306"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.05.002}, abstractNote={Molecular diagnostics have revolutionized human oncology to allow early detection, targeted therapy, monitoring throughout treatment, and evidence of recurrence. By identifying genetic signatures associated with cancers, liquid biopsy techniques have been developed to diagnose and monitor cancer in noninvasive or minimally invasive ways. These techniques offer new opportunities for improving cancer screening, diagnosis, and monitoring the impact of therapy on the patients over time. Liquid biopsy also drives drug development programs. Similar diagnostics hold promise for comparable results in the veterinary field. Several noninvasive/minimally invasive techniques have been described in veterinary medicine that could be referred to as liquid biopsy.}, number={5}, journal={VETERINARY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA-SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE}, author={Wiley, Claire and Wise, Catherine F. and Breen, Matthew}, year={2019}, month={Sep}, pages={781-+} }