Finding genetic causes of lung cancer in African-American families
Identifying germline pathogenic variants in familial lung cancer among African-Americans
This study is looking at the genes of African-American families with a history of lung cancer to find out why they might be at higher risk, hoping to discover new ways to help prevent the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11042728 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic factors contributing to familial lung cancer specifically among African-Americans, who experience higher rates of this disease. By analyzing whole genome sequencing data from African-American families with a history of lung cancer, the study aims to identify rare genetic variants that may increase cancer risk. The research utilizes a family-based approach, comparing affected individuals with their unaffected relatives to uncover hereditary patterns. This could lead to a better understanding of lung cancer risk in this population and inform future prevention strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African-Americans with a family history of lung cancer, particularly those with first-degree relatives affected by the disease.
Not a fit: Patients without a family history of lung cancer or those from non-African-American backgrounds may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved genetic screening and targeted prevention strategies for lung cancer in African-American families.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success in identifying genetic variants associated with lung cancer in other populations, but this research is novel in its focus on African-American families.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Yanhong — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Liu, Yanhong
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.