Breast cancer genetics in Latin American and Hispanic women
Latin America Genomics of Breast Cancer Risk Study (LAGENO-BCR)
This project uses genetic data from Latin American and Hispanic women to find ancestry-specific DNA differences that can better predict breast cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11400940 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a large combined group of about 28,500 women with breast cancer and 32,600 women without cancer from 11 Latin American countries and the U.S. diaspora. Researchers will analyze DNA across these participants to find genetic variants linked to higher or lower breast cancer risk, paying attention to ancestry and geographic differences. They will build and refine polygenic risk scores that work better for Indigenous American, European, and mixed ancestry backgrounds. The team will compare cases and controls across regions so the risk tools are tailored to Latin American and Hispanic communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Latin American or Hispanic/Latina women, whether they have been diagnosed with breast cancer or are cancer-free, who can provide a DNA sample and health information.
Not a fit: People who are not of Latin American or Hispanic ancestry or those needing immediate treatment for existing cancer may not directly benefit from the risk-prediction advances.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could create more accurate, ancestry-tailored breast cancer risk tools for Latin American and Hispanic women, helping with earlier detection and personalized prevention.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier smaller genetic studies in Hispanic/Latina women have found ancestry-specific variants that improved polygenic risk scores, so this work builds on promising results.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fejerman, Laura — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Fejerman, Laura
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.