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Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Targeted RNA Sequencing Assay to Characterize Gene Expression and Genomic Alterations
Published on: August 4, 2016
OncoRep: an n-of-1 reporting tool to support genome-guided treatment for breast cancer patients using RNA-sequencing
Tobias Meißner1, Kathleen M Fisch2, Louis Gioia3
1Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037, CA, USA. meissner.t@googlemail.com.
Background:
Breast cancer comprises multiple tumor entities associated with different biological features and clinical behaviors, making individualized medicine a powerful tool to bring the right drug to the right patient. Next generation sequencing of RNA (RNA-Seq) is a suitable method to detect targets for individualized treatment. Challenges that arise are i) preprocessing and analyzing RNA-Seq data in the n-of-1 setting, ii) extracting clinically relevant and actionable targets from complex data, iii) integrating drug databases, and iv) reporting results to clinicians in a timely and understandable manner.
Results:
To address these challenges, we present OncoRep, an RNA-Seq based n-of-1 reporting tool for breast cancer patients. It reports molecular classification, altered genes and pathways, gene fusions, clinically actionable mutations and drug recommendations. It visualizes the data in an approachable html-based interactive report and a PDF clinical report, providing the clinician and tumor board with a tool to guide the treatment decision making process.
Conclusions:
OncoRep is free and open-source ( https://bitbucket.org/sulab/oncorep/ ), thereby offering a platform for future development and innovation by the community.
Insights
OncoRep is a new tool that analyzes RNA sequencing data for individual breast cancer patients. It identifies actionable targets and recommends drugs, aiding personalized treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Oncology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Breast cancer exhibits diverse biological features and clinical behaviors, necessitating individualized medicine.
- Next-generation sequencing of RNA (RNA-Seq) is crucial for identifying therapeutic targets in precision oncology.
- Challenges include n-of-1 RNA-Seq data analysis, extracting actionable targets, integrating drug databases, and timely reporting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present OncoRep, an RNA-Seq based n-of-1 reporting tool for breast cancer.
- To address the challenges in analyzing individual patient RNA-Seq data for clinical decision-making.
Main Methods:
- OncoRep utilizes RNA-Seq data for n-of-1 analysis in breast cancer.
- The tool preprocesses and analyzes complex RNA-Seq data to identify clinically relevant targets.
- It integrates drug databases and generates interactive reports for clinicians.
Main Results:
- OncoRep provides molecular classification, identifies altered genes and pathways, and detects gene fusions.
- The tool reports clinically actionable mutations and suggests drug recommendations.
- Results are presented in an interactive HTML report and a PDF clinical report.
Conclusions:
- OncoRep offers a comprehensive solution for RNA-Seq based n-of-1 reporting in breast cancer.
- The tool supports clinicians and tumor boards in treatment decision-making.
- OncoRep is freely available as an open-source platform for community development.
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