Molecular differences and racial disparities in endometrial cancer
Comprehensive molecular characterization of endometrial cancer, etiologic heterogeneity, and racial disparities
This project compares tumor DNA and other molecular features in women with endometrial cancer—especially African American versus non‑African American patients—to find biological reasons for worse outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11287865 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze tumor tissue and medical records from more than 3,000 women with endometrial cancer, including over 1,000 African American participants. They will sequence tumor DNA and use bioinformatics to identify molecular subtypes and mutations that are more common in specific groups. The team will link these molecular patterns to patients' risk factors and outcomes to see which features relate to aggressive disease. Results will be used to explain survival differences and point toward biology‑based screening or treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women diagnosed with endometrial cancer—particularly African American women—who can allow use of their tumor tissue and medical records for research.
Not a fit: People without available tumor tissue or clinical data, those with unrelated health conditions, or healthy volunteers would not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain why African American women have higher death rates from endometrial cancer and point to better tests or treatments tailored to tumor biology.
How similar studies have performed: The Cancer Genome Atlas previously defined endometrial tumor subtypes and advanced understanding, but it included few African American patients, so this larger, more diverse effort builds on proven methods while addressing a key gap.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Vivo, Immaculata — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: De Vivo, Immaculata
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.