Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Program

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Abstract: Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention (CEP) The overarching goal of the Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention (CEP) Program is to reduce cancer burden and mortality in our catchment area and beyond through three interactive themes on the continuum from cancer initiations to cancer prevention and early detection. Theme 1 is Discovery of Risk and Causative Factors for Cancer Development and Progression with a specific aim to discover and characterize novel modifiable and unmodifiable risk and causal factors for cancer development. Theme 2 is Cancer Prevention with a specific aim to discover and evaluate novel anti-cancer natural compounds and vaccines for reduction of cancer incidence. Theme 3 is Cancer Screening and Early Detection with a specific aim to develop and validate novel biomarkers and modern imaging technologies for early diagnosis of cancer, for improvement of cancer outcomes and reduction of cancer death. These themes reflect major working groups and initiatives that coalesce program members with other cancer center investigators, through inter-programmatic collaborations to achieve these specific aims. Under the leadership of James Herman, MD (co-leader) and Jian-Min Yuan, MD, PhD (co-leader), the CEP has 26 members representing 11 departments in 2 schools of the University of Pittsburgh. These Program members have been awarded $5.4M (annual total direct) research grant funding, of which $3.6M is from the NCI and $1.8M from other sources. All CEP members are engaged in cancer-relevant research focusing on the discovery of novel risk/causative factors for the development of cancer, the efficacy of primary cancer prevention strategies and effectiveness of cancer screening and early detection methods. CEP members collaborate with and compliment the efforts of the BCC program, which focuses on implementation of risk behavioral change programs such as smoking cessation and weight control and reduction. Between 2015 and August 2019, CEP members published 639 cancer-relevant papers that resulted from 10% intra-programmatic, 27% inter-programmatic, and 81% inter-institutional collaborations and included high-impact publications in Science, Nature, JAMA, Lancet, JNCI, and JCO. The program members bring their scientific vigor and population-based research expertise to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (HCC) and provide unique education and training experience to the next generation of scientists to conduct cutting-edge translational research on cancer etiology and prevention. With the outstanding support of HCC, this highly effective CEP has successfully created synergy among the Program members with members of HCC other programs as well as other cancer centers, which have resulted in many team science projects that advance the program’s research agenda. Guided by the HCC strategic plan, the CEP members will develop and build large initiatives and implement research projects that have significant impact on cancer burden in the HCC catchment area.