DCEG Establishes Integrative Tumor Epidemiology Branch
, by DCEG Staff
Circos plot summarizing genomic data from a study of lung cancer
In December 2016, DCEG established the Integrative Tumor Epidemiology Branch (ITEB) in response to the evolving nature of etiologic cancer research. The mission of ITEB is to advance understanding of cancer etiology and progression through integrative analyses of environmental and germline risk factors with comprehensive data on histological and molecular profiling of tumors and its precursors, including somatic genomic analyses.
Current ITEB investigators Lynn Goldin, Ph.D., Maria Teresa Landi, M.D., Ph.D., and Xiaohong Rose Yang, Ph.D., and their fellows, employ molecular pathology, genomics, and epidemiology to identify risk factors for cancer, with a particular focus on breast, kidney, and lung cancer, chordoma, and melanoma. Recruitments for additional investigators are expected. The branch mission also includes development of methods to support this cutting-edge research.
The new branch will enhance the ability of DCEG to take advantage of new scientific opportunities and technologies to provide insight into cancer etiology, clarify natural history and molecular heterogeneity of disease, understand interactions with genetic susceptibility, and describe mechanisms of action. Montserrat García-Closas, M.D., Dr.P.H., Deputy Director of DCEG, serves as Acting Chief of ITEB.