Precision medicine integrating whole-genome sequencing, comprehensive metabolomics, and advanced imaging

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Feb 11;117(6):3053-3062. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1909378117. Epub 2020 Jan 24.

Abstract

Genome sequencing has established clinical utility for rare disease diagnosis. While increasing numbers of individuals have undergone elective genome sequencing, a comprehensive study surveying genome-wide disease-associated genes in adults with deep phenotyping has not been reported. Here we report the results of a 3-y precision medicine study with a goal to integrate whole-genome sequencing with deep phenotyping. A cohort of 1,190 adult participants (402 female [33.8%]; mean age, 54 y [range 20 to 89+]; 70.6% European) had whole-genome sequencing, and were deeply phenotyped using metabolomics, advanced imaging, and clinical laboratory tests in addition to family/medical history. Of 1,190 adults, 206 (17.3%) had at least 1 genetic variant with pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) assessment that suggests a predisposition of genetic risk. A multidisciplinary clinical team reviewed all reportable findings for the assessment of genotype and phenotype associations, and 137 (11.5%) had genotype and phenotype associations. A high percentage of genotype and phenotype associations (>75%) was observed for dyslipidemia (n = 24), cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, and other cardiac diseases (n = 42), and diabetes and endocrine diseases (n = 17). A lack of genotype and phenotype associations, a potential burden for patient care, was observed in 69 (5.8%) individuals with P/LP variants. Genomics and metabolomics associations identified 61 (5.1%) heterozygotes with phenotype manifestations affecting serum metabolite levels in amino acid, lipid and cofactor, and vitamin pathways. Our descriptive analysis provides results on the integration of whole-genome sequencing and deep phenotyping for clinical assessments in adults.

Keywords: advanced imaging; deep phenotyping; genomics; metabolomics; precision medicine.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Heart Diseases / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolomics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Precision Medicine / methods*
  • Whole Genome Sequencing*
  • Young Adult