Clearer genetic test answers for African American people at risk for breast cancer
Project 1
This project uses genetic data, family histories, and lab tests to clarify uncertain genetic test results for African American people with or at risk for hereditary breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11287872 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are an African American person with breast cancer or a family history of cancer, this project will gather your genetic test results, family history, and clinical information. Researchers will combine that information with lab experiments that test how uncertain gene changes affect cells and with larger databases to reclassify those uncertain results. The team aims to identify previously unrecognized pathogenic mutations and reduce the number of 'variants of uncertain significance' that leave patients without clear guidance. The work is centered at Wayne State University and partners, and may involve providing a blood or saliva sample and family history details.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are African American individuals with a personal or family history of breast cancer (or other hereditary cancers) who have had genetic testing yielding uncertain results or who can provide samples and family information.
Not a fit: People without germline genetic testing, without a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary cancer, or those not able to provide samples or clinical/family information may not receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive clearer genetic diagnoses and better access to gene-specific prevention measures or treatments, helping reduce disparities for African American patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior reclassification efforts using family data and functional lab assays have successfully clarified some variants, but most prior work focused on European-ancestry populations, so this focus on African Americans is comparatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Purrington, Kristen S. — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Purrington, Kristen S.
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.