ApplyPolygenicScore: An R package for applying polygenic risk score models.
Abstract
A polygenic score (PGS) predicts an individual's genetic predisposition to a complex trait. A PGS is created by estimating the relative contributions of multiple common variants to the overall trait, creating a polygenic risk model (PGM). The PGM is then applied by combining its weights with the genotypes of a specific individual to estimate individual-specific genetic predisposition. Genome-wide association studies have served as the basis for thousands of PGMs, leading to many studies associating PGSs with a range of outcomes.
To simplify, improve, and automate this task, we developed <i>ApplyPolygenicScore,</i> an open-source R package for applying standardized PGMs to new genetic data. We demonstrate its capabilities in a case study, applying a PGM for body mass index (BMI) in 1071 patients diagnosed with bladder, liver, and endometrial cancer.
<i>ApplyPolygenicScore</i> includes functions for input validation, allele matching, and PGS computation and visualization and is extensively documented. The computed PGS for BMI predicted BMI in patients with cancer, but its low accuracy indicates a larger role for nongenetic factors in BMI-influenced cancer outcomes.
<i>ApplyPolygenicScore</i> encourages the wider research community to extend the findings of the statistical genetics niche, facilitating broader use of PGSs and subsequent novel discovery.
EDRN PI Authors
- (None specified)
Medline Author List
- Arbet J
- Boutros PC
- Dang RMA
- Hugh-White R
- Knight D
- Zeltser N