The <a href="https://www.commonfund.nih.gov/KidsFirst">Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program</a> (Kids First) is a trans-NIH effort initiated in response to the <a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2019">2014 Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act</a> and supported by the NIH Common Fund. This program focuses on gene discovery in pediatric cancers and structural birth defects and the development of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Data Resource (Kids First Data Resource). All of the genomic and phenotypic data from this study are accessible through dbGaP. The data is also available at the <a href="https://kidsfirstdrc.org/">Kids First Portal</a>, where other Kids First datasets can also be accessed in the cloud for data analysis, data visualization, collaboration and interoperability, open to all researchers and developers.Pediatric malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent approximately 6% of childhood cancers, including 3% of tumors in children aged 0-14 years and 15% of tumors in adolescents. GCTs are heterogeneous and grouped together due to the presumed common cell of origin, the primordial germ cell (PGC). GCTs typically occur in the testes or ovaries; however, extragonadal GCTs can occur and are likely a result of abnormal germ cell migration during development. Evidence suggests that GCTs, including those diagnosed in adults, are initiated in utero. Thus, alterations in normal embryonic development are likely to be especially relevant to GCT etiology. Germline susceptibility has not been evaluated in an agnostic fashion in pediatric GCT, mainly due to a lack of an adequate number of samples; however, emerging evidence supports a genetic etiology.In the two Kids First GCT projects, we will evaluate genetic susceptibility to intracranial and extracranial GCT by sequencing probands and their unaffected parents. The goals of the project are to: 1) evaluate the contribution of rare genetic variants in GCT through the use of aggregate burden tests, focusing on genes and established regulatory regions; 2) identify de novo SNVs and CNVs in pediatric GCT using a case-parent triad design; and 3) identify molecular signatures in GCT tumor specimens, overall and by age group and tumor characteristics. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data generated through the <a href="https://commonfund.nih.gov/kidsfirst">Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program</a> will provide an opportunity to investigate the genetic origins of GCT in a diverse set of samples. Given the limited knowledge of GCT etiology and biology, the results of the proposed analyses are likely to have a big impact on the field.

Kids First: Genetics of Pediatric Germ Cell Tumors