Biomedical subjects

Jun Wei

Publications and source records attributed to Jun Wei.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

GenProb-PCSM: A Simplified Weighted Germline Score for Prostate Cancer-Specific Mortality.

BACKGROUND: We previously developed a tier-based germline classification using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-recommended DNA damage repair (DDR) genes and KLK3 I179T to predict prostate cancer (PCa)-specific mortality (PCSM). To provide an easier-to-use single inherited risk score while preserving gene-specific effects, we developed GenProb-PCSM. METHODS: We analyzed 14,644 men with incident PCa from the UK Biobank. The cohort was randomly divided into training (60%) and independent testing (40%) datasets. GenProb-PCSM was developed in the training cohort by integrating pathogenic variants in ten NCCN-recommended DDR genes and the KLK3 I179T variant using gene-specific weights derived from Fine-Gray competing-risk models. Performance was evaluated in the independent testing cohort by discrimination, calibration, and risk stratification. Secondary analyzes evaluated metastatic progression and the composite endpoint of metastatic progression and/or PCSM. RESULTS: Among 14,644 men with incident PCa, 1,581 died from PCa. GenProb-PCSM remained significantly associated with PCSM in the independent testing cohort (HR per SD, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.12-1.24; p < 0.001). Using predefined risk thresholds derived from the training cohort, patients in the intermediate- and high-risk groups had significantly increased risks of PCSM compared with the low-risk group (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.22-1.84; and HR 4.04, 95% CI 2.58-6.33, respectively). GenProb-PCSM also predicted independent metastatic progression and the composite endpoint of metastatic progression and/or PCSM. CONCLUSIONS: GenProb-PCSM transforms complex germline findings into a single inherited risk score for PCSM and metastatic progression. Its simplicity and preservation of gene-specific effects may facilitate clinical implementation of germline prognostic assessment in PCa.

DNA damage repair genes↗

PubMed2026

Genetic risk stratification of common diseases in breast cancer survivors: a population-based cohort study.

IMPORTANCE: Patients diagnosed with breast cancer (BCa) are at increased risk of multiple common diseases; however, the spectrum of these diseases and the contribution of inherited genetic susceptibility remain incompletely characterized. METHODS: We evaluated 15 common diseases and tested their associations with BCa exposure and disease-specific polygenic risk scores (PRS) in the UK Biobank (UKB; N = 254,736). Analyses were performed using cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models within a full-cohort framework, with time-updated BCa status, delayed entry at study recruitment, and age as the underlying time scale. RESULTS: After recruitment, incident BCa was diagnosed in 11,386 women (4.47%), including 2,742 (24.08%) with metastatic BCa. Patients with BCa had an increased risk of nine diseases spanning cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric domains (P<0.003, Bonferroni-corrected). Elevated risks were generally observed among patients with both early staged and advanced BCa. Inherited susceptibility further stratified disease risk, with the highest risks observed among patients with BCa with elevated disease-specific PRS. For example, compared with women without BCa, the hazard ratio (HR; 95% CI) for osteoporosis was 2.33 (2.15-2.52) among women with any BCa, 2.38 (2.18-2.59) among those with non-metastatic BCa, and 2.12 (1.78-2.54) among those with metastatic BCa; the HR was 4.48 (3.99-5.02) among patients with BCa in the highest quartile of osteoporosis-specific PRS (all P<0.001). In contrast, BCa was not significantly associated with risk of coronary artery disease. CONCLUSION: BCa and inherited genetic susceptibility jointly contribute to increased risk of multiple common diseases, supporting the integration of genetic risk stratification into survivorship care.

Complications↗

PubMed2026

Detection of Residual Pluripotent Stem Cells in Differentiated Cells-General Requirements for Probe-Based Quantitative PCR Assay.

Residual PSC detection follows ultra‑trace‑analysis principles. LOD supports qualitative assessment. Assays employ PSC‑specific markers and proper references, with adaptation to differentiated cell populations from diverse PSC sources.

Editorial↗

PubMed2026

Testing for Bacteria and Fungi in Cells and Ancillary Reagents-Probe-Based Quantitative PCR Assays.

This document specifies the technical elements for bacteria and fungi detection by PCR assay which enables rapid, broad-spectrum detection of bacteria and fungi with high sensitivity. Qualitative judgement is based on LOD. Key detection points include efficient nucleic acid extraction, broad-spectrum primer-probe design, high amplification efficiency and minimised background interference.

Editorial↗

PubMed2026

Prostate Cancer, Genetic Susceptibility, and Risk of Chronic Non-Urological Complications.

BACKGROUND: Chronic nonurological complications are common among prostate cancer (PCa) survivors; however, their spectrum, magnitude, and genetic contribution remain poorly characterized. METHODS: We evaluated 15 commonly reported nonurological complications and tested their associations with exposure to PCa and disease-specific polygenic risk scores (PRS) in the UK Biobank (UKB; N = 219,133). Analyses were conducted using cause-specific Cox proportional-hazards models within a full-cohort framework with time-updated PCa status, delayed entry at study recruitment, and age as the underlying time scale. RESULTS: After recruitment, incident PCa was diagnosed in 13,780 men, of which 1,656 (12.02%) had metastatic PCa (mPCa). Risks for seven complications were higher among men with PCa, adjusting for genetic background (all p < 0.05), including osteoporosis, venous thromboembolism, depression, and four primary cancers (bladder, kidney, colorectal, and pancreatic). Risks were consistently stronger among men exposed to mPCa than non-mPCa; for example, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) for osteoporosis was 1.88 (1.63-2.18) for any PCa, 4.67 (3.11-7.01) for mPCa, and 1.75 (1.50-2.04) for non-mPCa. Elevated risks for three additional complications (coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were observed only among men with mPCa. The risks for these ten complications were further increased among men with higher disease-specific PRS; for example, the HR for osteoperosis in mPCa patients in the top PRS quartile was 13.57 (8.24-22.34) compared with men without PCa (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PCa diagnosis and inherited genetic susceptibility jointly contribute to increased risks of multiple chronic non-urological complications among survivors.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Established Cancer Predisposition Genes in Single and Multiple Cancer Diagnoses.

IMPORTANCE: Much of the understanding of cancer risk associated with rare pathogenic variants (RPVs) is derived from family-based studies or clinically ascertained samples, which may be limited by ascertainment and selection bias. OBJECTIVE: To quantify associations between RPVs in previously implicated cancer predisposition genes and single and multiple cancer diagnoses in a large population-based study. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this genetic association study, whole-exome sequencing data were used from the UK Biobank, a UK population-based cohort that enrolled participants aged 40 to 69 years between 2006 and 2010. Participants who were involved in the whole-exome sequencing release of 200 000 genomes in 2020 were included in this study. This analysis included White participants only, as findings in other racial and ethnic groups had small sample sizes. Participants were diagnosed before or after biobank enrollment until March 2024. EXPOSURES: The sequencing data of a set of 96 previously implicated cancer predisposition genes were analyzed and compared using 2 methods. To determine the statistical significance of an association, a robust optimal sequence kernel association test was used, while odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were obtained through Firth logistic regression. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary study outcome was the diagnosis of 1 of 11 cancers (bladder, breast, central nervous system, colorectal, lung, melanoma, ovary, pancreatic, prostate, renal, thyroid) defined by relevant diagnosis codes in inpatient hospital diagnosis, cancer registry, and/or death registry data. RESULTS: Data from 183 627 participants (101 414 [55.2%] female) were analyzed, including 25 824 participants with at least 1 cancer diagnosis, of whom 23 704 (91.8%) had a single cancer diagnosis and 2130 (8.2%) had 2 or more cancer diagnoses. A total of 157 793 controls had no cancer diagnosis. The median (IQR) age was 62 (56-65) years in participants with at least 1 cancer diagnosis, compared to 57 (50-63) years in those without a cancer diagnosis. Genetic variation in 16 genes was significantly associated with at least 1 cancer of interest (ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDKN2A, CHEK2, HOXB13, MITF, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NF1, PALB2, RAD51C, and RAD51D). The presence of an RPV in 1 of these 16 genes was associated with increased odds of at least 1 cancer (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.76-1.98) and multiple primary cancers (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 2.18-2.99). Carrier frequency was 6.28% and 8.36%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This genetic association study demonstrates several established associations between cancer predisposition genes and cancer diagnoses in an unselected population-based study. These results also demonstrate that RPVs in cancer predisposition genes are associated with multiple primary cancer diagnoses, suggesting that multigene panel testing may be warranted in these individuals.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Genome-wide association study reveals that TaODORANT1 negatively contributes to thousand grain weight by affecting starch synthesis in wheat.

Thousand grain weight (TGW) is one of the most important factors that control grain weight and crop yield. To date, dozens of wheat genes related to TGW have been isolated; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms governing grain development in wheat (Triticum aestivum) remain largely unknown. Benefiting from whole-genome resequencing and genome-wide association study, we identified an R2R3-type myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor, TaODORANT1, which was tightly associated with TGW. TaODORANT1 was specifically and highly expressed during the wheat grain developing stage. Knockout of TaODORANT1 led to an increase in TGW and starch content, as well as affected the expression of starch synthesis-related genes. Loss of function of TaODORANT1 altered the molecular structure and physiochemical properties of grain starch. Haplotype analysis showed that favorable Hap IV of TaODORANT1-A and favorable Hap I of TaODORANT1-B were significantly associated with the production of larger grains and higher TGW, respectively. Moreover, TaODORANT1 was a crucial targeted gene continuously selected in wheat domestication and breeding, and its orthologous genes might have retained similar functions in response to grain development. Our results highlight the importance of TaODORANT1 in affecting TGW, presenting potential targets for improving yield in wheat.

Triticum↗