Identification and Validation of Novel Germline DNA Variants Associated to Increased Risk of Malignant Mesothelioma
Abstract
This research project addresses two Fiscal Year 2015 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Topic Areas: "Mesothelioma" and "Genetic Cancer Research," as well as two Military Relevance Focus Areas: a military relevant environmental carcinogen (asbestos) associated with cancer, and gaps in prevention and screening of cancer that will result in a particularly profound impact on the health and well-being of military members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with mortality close to 100% within 1 year from diagnosis that arises in individuals exposed to asbestos fibers. However, only 5% of asbestos workers develop this cancer, suggesting that other factors, such as hereditary genetic predisposition, play an important role. The objective of our research is to identify which are the genetic modifications that confer higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Identifying, among the millions of individuals exposed to asbestos (many belonging to the military), those at higher risk of mesothelioma will allow us to implement personalized programs of screening and early detection and treatment of mesothelioma for these individuals. Early detection of mesothelioma is associated with a significantly longer survival and a better quality of life. Our research will also positively impact the costs of health care in this particular setting: identifying a population of individuals at high risk can allow a redistribution of medical and economical resources to this particular population, with overall savings for the healthcare providers as well. Once validated, our results could achieve this clinically relevant outcome in a very short time period (3 to 5 years). Moreover, the contributions of this study to advancing the field of cancer research will also be significant, as discovering which genetic modifications predispose to mesothelioma will help in understanding how this pathology develops. This could result in the development of novel ways to prevent it, diagnose it, and especially treat it. Molecular therapies are indeed based on specific genetic alterations, and identifying those mutations is therefore the fundamental first step. Our research is particularly relevant to active duty Service members and Veterans. Both these populations are and have been exposed to asbestos fibers and have therefore higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Our research will result in identification of military professionals at high risk and could therefore significantly impact their overall survival, as well as their quality of life.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610344
Entities
People
- Haining Yang
Organizations
- Mauna Kea Observatories
- United States Army