Genetic Susceptibility to Cancer
Overview
The Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP) is a strong supporter of epidemiology studies investigating genetic susceptibility to cancer across all populations, including family studies, candidate gene studies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and use of next generation sequencing techniques to identify variants associated with specific cancers. Such studies have identified many genetic variants that may be associated with cancer.
To further our understanding of cancer etiology and outcomes, the Program also supports studies to determine the function of identified cancer risk variants associated with specific cancers, especially in high risk or under-served populations. EGRP is also interested in research investigating gene-gene and gene-environment interactions and the integration of germline and somatic information as it contributes to understanding of cancer etiology and outcomes.
Funded Projects
In addition to supporting investigator-initiated grants, EGRP staff manage and provide technical assistance for several ongoing grant-supported initiatives and research resource contracts in the area of genomic epidemiology, including:
- Genetic Association Mechanisms in Oncology (GAME-ON): A Post-Genome Wide Association Initiative
- Methods and Approaches for Detection of Gene-Environment Interactions (PAR-11-032)
Funding Opportunities
EGRP encourages investigator-initiated grant applications on genetic susceptibility to cancer. It also joins with other NCI Divisions, and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund grant applications submitted in response to Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs).
View the full list of EGRP FOAs.
Research Resources
- Genomic Resources
Includes links to collaborative initiatives, datasets, and NIH policy information related to population-based genetics research. - Genetic Simulation Resources (GSR)
A searchable catalogue of genetic simulation programs (coming soon). - Risk Prediction Models
Information about various types of cancer risk prediction models, including compilation of existing risk prediction models by cancer type. Some are gene carrier risk status prediction models. - Biospecimen Resources for Cancer Epidemiologists
This list provides links to biospecimen resources that may be of interest to cancer epidemiologists. - Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts
Cohorts are powerful tools with the potential to address scientific questions not amenable, or unlikely to be addressed, by other study designs like prevention or clinical trials. Evidence generated has also been useful in providing the basis for the design and testing of many preventive, therapeutic, and health policy interventions. - Cancer Research Consortia
EGRP supports a growing number of national and international research consortia focusing on intradisciplinary and translational research on common and rare cancers, many of which are investigating genetic variants associated with cancer. The sharing of data and other resources by consortia members enables rapid replication of research results from individual studies and increases the statistical power of analyses.
Workshops
EGRP co-sponsors meetings and workshops to convene experts in the fields of cancer epidemiology and genetics research to review the state of the science, identify research gaps, and establish scientific agendas and priorities for the future, such as:
- Think Tank on Use of Metabolomics in Population-Based Research, September 2012
- NCI Think-Tank on Identifiability of Genomic Data and Biospecimens, June 2012
- Sessions at 2012 AACR Annual Meeting
- The Cancer Genome Atlas - A Rapidly Expanding Community Resource
- Beyond GWAS: Leveraging Large Scale Genomic Datasets for Germline Discovery
- Gene - Environment Think Tank, January 2012
- Prostate Cancer in Men of African Descent: Opportunities for Global Research Collaboration, October 2011
- Advancing Scientific Progress Through Genomic Data Sharing and Access, January 2011
- Next Generation Analytic Tools for Large-Scale Genetic Epidemiology Studies of Complex Diseases, September 2010
Contacts
Danielle Carrick, Ph.D., M.H.S. - Immunology and infectious diseases affecting cancer risk; pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacogenomics; biospecimen research; translational genomics
Elizabeth M. Gillanders, Ph.D. - Genetic epidemiology of cancer
Carolyn Hutter, Ph.D. - Genetic epidemiology, statistical methods, and post-GWAS research
Damali N. Martin, Ph.D., M.P.H. - Cancer health disparities research, molecular epidemiology of breast and prostate cancer in populations of African descent
Leah E. Mechanic, Ph.D., M.P.H. - Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, biospecimen science, molecular epidemiology of lung cancer, hematological malignancies, and endometrial cancer
Stefanie A. Nelson, Ph.D. - Genetic differences affecting cancer risk and response to treatment, understanding the function of cancer risk variants, and interactions between the germline and somatic cancer genomes
Sheri D. Schully, Ph.D. - Public health genomics, translational genomics, biospecimens, family registry studies, hormonal related cancers
Krista A. Zanetti, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D. - Molecular epidemiology of lung and colon cancer, genome-wide association studies, use of emerging technologies in epidemiology studies, biological determinants of health disparities associated with cancer
