Laura Rios

Ms. Laura Rios

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 December 2025 in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JLJuan Javier Lopez-Rivera
Juan Javier Lopez-Rivera
NHNatalia Hernández-Bocanegra
Natalia Hernández-Bocanegra
KGKatherine Natalia Natalia Aguirre Guataqui
Katherine Natalia Natalia Aguirre Guataqui
MCMaría Paula Rodríguez Calderón
María Paula Rodríguez Calderón
LRLaura Rios
Laura Rios
MIMario Isaza-Ruget
Mario Isaza-Ruget
Considerable fraction of global cancer cases stem from hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes (HCSs). The identification of genetic variants linked to HCSs is crucial for prompt treatment of both patients and their families. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of multigene panels in detecting variants linked to hereditary cancer predisposition in a cohort of 8165 individuals from Colombia. We analyzed 8165 individuals in Colombia (2018–2024), with and without personal or family cancer history, using NGS hereditary cancer panels. Variant interpretation (P, LP, VUS) was performed with SOPHiA DDM and Varsome Clinical, following ACMG guidelines and ClinGen Hereditary Cancer Group criteria. 61.8% (n = 5049) of patients were referred from Bogotá and 38.10% (n = 3116) from other cities in Colombia. It was not possible to distinguish between ethnic groups. The age range of patients was 0–97 (mean = 55 years; SD = 12.1), 86% (n = 7024) were female and 14% (n = 1142) male. 409 P/LP variants were identified in high-penetrance genes such as BRCA1/2, in 946 individuals, resulting in an overall diagnostic yield of 9.82%. Among the most important findings were increased diagnostic yields in ovarian and colorectal cancer, as well as in unaffected individuals with a family history of cancer. Finally, 38 novel variants and recurrent alterations in 27 HCS-related genes reinforce the need to prioritize these biomarkers in diagnostic evaluations. This study provides insights into the performance of genetic panels for detecting HCS-associated variants in the largest Latin American cohort evaluated to date. These findings demonstrate that robust panel-based testing strategies enable the systematic detection of clinically relevant signs that would not be captured through phenotype-driven approaches alone. BRCA1 and BRCA2 were the most frequently altered high-penetrance genes, with higher diagnostic yields in breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers, as well as in unaffected individuals with a family history. Fundación Universitaria Sanitas.

5 February 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JLJulian Lamilla
Julian Lamilla
TCTaryn A. Castro-Cuesta
Taryn A. Castro-Cuesta
PRPaula Rueda-Gaitán
Paula Rueda-Gaitán
LRLaura Rios
Laura Rios
DGDiego Alejandro Rodríguez Gutiérrez
Diego Alejandro Rodríguez Gutiérrez
JLJuan Javier Lopez-Rivera
Juan Javier Lopez-Rivera
Background and Objectives: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including developmental delay (DD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and specific learning disorders, affect 15% of children and adolescents worldwide. Advances in next-generation sequencing, particularly whole exome sequencing (WES), have improved the understanding of NDD genetics. Methodology: This study analyzed 3244 patients undergoing WES (single, duo, trio analyses), with 1028 meeting inclusion criteria (67% male; aged 0–50 years). Results: Pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) variants were identified in 190 patients, achieving a diagnostic yield of 13.4% (singleton), 14% (duo), and 21.2% (trio). A total of 207 P/LP variants were identified in NDD-associated genes: 38% were missense (48 de novo), 29% frameshift (26 de novo), 21% nonsense (14 de novo), 11% splicing site (14 de novo), and 1% inframe (1 de novo). De novo variants accounted for 49.8% of cases, with 86 novels de novo variants and 27 novel non de novo variants unreported in databases like ClinVar or scientific literature. Conclusions: This is the largest study on WES in Colombian children with NDDs and one of the largest in Latino populations. It highlights WES as a cost-effective first-tier diagnostic tool in low-income settings, reducing diagnostic timelines and improving clinical care. These findings underscore the feasibility of implementing WES in underserved populations and contribute significantly to understanding NDD genetics, identifying novel variants with potential for further research and clinical applications.

14 September 2024 in Journal of Personalized Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JLJuan Javier Lopez-Rivera
Juan Javier Lopez-Rivera
PRPaula Rueda-Gaitán
Paula Rueda-Gaitán
LRLaura Rios
Laura Rios
DGDiego Alejandro Rodríguez Gutiérrez
Diego Alejandro Rodríguez Gutiérrez
NLNatalia Gomez Lopera
Natalia Gomez Lopera
MIMario Arturo Isaza-Ruget
Mario Arturo Isaza-Ruget
Background: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) identifies genetic alterations and patterns that are crucial for therapy selection and precise treatment development. In Colombia, limited access to CGP tests underscores the necessity of documenting the prevalence of treatable genetic alterations. This study aimed to describe the somatic genetic profile of specific cancer types in Colombian patients and assess its impact on treatment selection. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Clínica Colsanitas S.A. from March 2023 to June 2024. Sequencing was performed on the NextSeq2000 platform with the TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500) assay, which simultaneously evaluates 523 genes for DNA analysis and 55 for RNA; additionally, analyses were performed with the SOPHiA DDM software. The tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) were assessed. Results: Among 111 patients, 103 were evaluated, with gastrointestinal (27.93%), respiratory (13.51%), and central nervous system cancers (10.81%) being the most prevalent. TP53 (37%), KMT2C (28%), and KRAS (21%) were frequent mutations. Actionable findings were detected in 76.7% of cases, notably in digestive (20 patients) and lung cancers (8 patients). MSI was stable at 82.52% and high at 2.91%, whilst TMB was predominantly low (91.26%). Conclusions: The test has facilitated access to targeted therapies, improving clinical outcomes in Colombian patients. This profiling test is expected to increase opportunities for personalized medicine in Colombia.

4 December 2024 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
JLJulian Lamilla
Julian Lamilla
TCTaryn A Castro-Cuesta
Taryn A Castro-Cuesta
PRPaula Rueda-Gaitán
Paula Rueda-Gaitán
LRLaura Rios
Laura Rios
DGDiego Alejandro Rodríguez Gutiérrez
Diego Alejandro Rodríguez Gutiérrez
JLJuan Javier Lopez-Rivera
Juan Javier Lopez-Rivera
Background and Objectives: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including developmental delay (DD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and specific learning disorders, affect 15% of children and adolescents worldwide. Advances in next-generation sequencing, particularly whole exome sequencing (WES), have improved the understanding of NDD genetics. Methodology: This study analyzed 3244 patients undergoing WES (single, duo, trio analyses), with 1028 meeting inclusion criteria (67% male; age 0–50 years). Results: Pathogenic (P) or likely pathogenic (LP) variants were identified in 190 patients, achieving a diagnostic yield of 13.4% (singleton), 14% (duo), and 21.2% (trio). A total of 207 P/LP variants were identified in NDD-associated genes: 38% were missense (48 de novo), 29% frameshift (26 de novo), 21% nonsense (14 de novo), 11% splicing site (14 de novo), and 1% inframe (1 de novo). De novo variants accounted for 49.8% of cases, with 87 novel de novo variants and 27 novel non-de novo variants unreported in databases like ClinVar or scientific literature. Conclusions: This is the largest study on WES in Colombian children with NDDs and one of the largest in Latino populations. It highlights WES as a cost-effective first-tier diagnostic tool in low-income settings, reducing diagnostic timelines and improving clinical care. These findings underscore the feasibility of implementing WES in underserved populations and contribute significantly to understanding NDD genetics, identifying novel variants with potential for further research and clinical applications.