Cancer Epidemiology

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PROJECT SUMMARY – Cancer Epidemiology (CE) Program The mission of the Cancer Epidemiology (CE) Program is to investigate the determinants of cancer risk and progression through epidemiological studies strongly grounded in the relevant biology. The program also includes the development of novel biostatistical approaches that incorporate complex biological measures from population-based studies to elucidate mechanisms and pathways. The CE program is led by Christopher Haiman ScD, a cancer and genetic epidemiologist whose research is focused on genetic risk of prostate and breast cancer, and V. Wendy Setiawan PhD, an expert on cancer risk factors, disparities, and big data linkages whose research focuses on liver, pancreas and endometrial cancer. The program has 25 members who collaborate within CE and throughout NCCC to accomplish three Specific Aims: 1) Elucidate the role of genetic factors in cancer etiology and outcomes with emphasis on different racial/ethnic populations; 2) Elucidate the role of environmental and lifestyle factors in cancer etiology; and 3) Develop and apply methods for integrative statistical analysis of ‘omics’ data in environmental and genetic epidemiology research in cancer. During this funding cycle, CE members made major novel discoveries including: 1) identification of potentially carcinogenic molecular signatures in e-cigarette users; 2) elevated risk of pancreatic cancer among individuals with late-onset diabetes in African Americans and Latinos; 3) cytomegalovirus as a novel risk factor for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and multiple myeloma (MM); 4) demonstration that exposure to air pollution is a risk factor for breast and brain cancer and is associated with decreased survival; 5) development of a multiethnic polygenic risk score for prostate cancer that is being translated to a clinical study with collaborators in the TACS Program; and 6) identification of disparities in prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its role as risk factor for liver cancer among minority populations. Through effective evaluation and planning, CE established new Program goals, catalyzed intra- and inter-programmatic collaborations, and fostered effective junior faculty mentorship. During the current grant period, CE investigators published 607 papers, of which 33% are intra- programmatic, 20% are inter-programmatic, 76% are multi-institutional, and 26% are high impact (IF >9). Members hold $13.5M in cancer-relevant funding, of which $12.2M is peer reviewed and $6.4M is NCI funding (directs). The CE Program contributes critically to NCCC’s mission of decreasing the cancer burden in the catchment area through knowledge of etiologic risk factors underlying cancer disparities.