Expanding genetic and personalized cancer care across diverse veteran communities
Official title: The VA Genomics Learning Health System: Implementing genomic medicine across diverse veteran communities
Funded at Boston VA Research Institute, INC. · NIH-11196181 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will bring genetic testing, tele-genetics, and personalized cancer and medication guidance to veterans in diverse and underserved communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston VA Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,193 |
| NIH project number | 5U01HG013781-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11196181 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans receiving care at participating VA medical centers or partner health systems, particularly those with cancer, a family history of cancer, or medications affected by genetic testing.
✕Less likely to help
Non-veterans and veterans who do not get care from participating VA or partner sites, or whose health issues are unrelated to genetics, are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
As a veteran, this project would expand VA-style genetic services—like tele-genetics, pharmacogenomics, and precision oncology—into other health systems that serve veterans. The team will use electronic health records and learning-health-system methods to track care, share successful approaches, and continuously improve how genomic medicine is delivered. The program focuses on reaching veterans in rural or underserved areas and those with complex physical or mental health needs. Patients may be offered genetic testing or medication-guidance linked to their clinical care through participating VA or partner sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more veterans could get timely genetic testing and personalized treatment plans for cancer and medication choices, especially in underserved areas.
How similar studies have gone: The VA already runs telegenetics and pharmacogenomics programs with positive early results, but applying these methods broadly across multiple health systems is a newer effort.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston VA Research Institute, INC.
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vassy, Jason L — Boston VA Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Vassy, Jason L
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.