Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology Program

SCIENTIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Key accomplishments over the past year include the following:

Mutagen sensitivity is a risk factor for lung cancer, and a risk factor breast cancer in black women.
Reduced nicotine cigarettes increase exposure to other toxins and nicotine plays a strong role in affecting cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis (manuscript submitted).
Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is a frequent finding in the breast tissues of women with no history of breast cancer (manuscript submitted).
Extensive role of oxidative stress response pathways in the etiology of liver cancer.
Major discoveries of functional variation in human base excision repair pathways.
Proteomic patterns as promising markers for early liver cancer detection.
Factors associated with breast density shed new light on breast carcinogenesis.
Previously unknown genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus is associated with evidence of liver cancer susceptibility.

Learn more about the key areas of research in the Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology Program.