Cancer Risk, Detection & Interception

Duke University, Durham NC

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The Cancer Risk, Detection, and Interception Research Program (CRDI) at the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI) is a new multidisciplinary program, launched in 2021, that combines a strong translational science approach with population health science by emphasizing the pre-malignant and early-cancer space as an important time for active intervention. The CRDI Program, led by Meira Epplein, PhD and Katherine Garman, MD, centers around three Specific Aims: 1) To identify novel environmental and biological markers for cancer risk assessment; 2) To improve detection of pre-malignant and early-stage disease; and 3) To advance cancer interception through development of interventions in pre-malignant and early-stage disease. Across all aims, CRDI focuses on the importance of social elements of health, access to health care, and health disparities, and prioritizes community engagement and representation in our research projects. CRDI’s research is also highly relevant to DCI’s Catchment Area (CA) priorities, including lung, prostate, breast, colorectal and gastric cancer. As our new program developed, we identified several focus areas highly relevant to our aims including: Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Environmental Exposures and Cancer Risk; the Pre-Cancer Microenvironment; Cancer Epidemiology and Cancer Disparities; and Aging and Cancer (including senescence). CRDI Program accomplishments since its inception include: 1) research across all three aims targeting CA priorities, including five R01/R01 equivalents in breast cancer, three R01s in prostate cancer, and five R01s (including an R37 Merit Award) in gastrointestinal cancers; 2) strong focus on cancer disparities, including six NCI-funded grants; 3) ground-breaking work in cancer interception with leadership of the Prevention of Progression to Pancreatic Cancer Trial and the Breast Pre-Cancer Atlas Center; 4) significant outreach and educational activities with community partners focused on gastrointestinal cancer interception and early detection; and 5) novel work evaluating local firefighters’ exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. CRDI is comprised of 33 full members from 11 departments and 4 schools within Duke University. Total direct funding for full program members is $8.2M, of which $6.4M is peer reviewed, including $4.3M from the NCI. Since the inception of the program in 2021 through 2023, program members published 636 cancer focused papers, 93 (15%) are intra-programmatic, 276 (43%) are inter-programmatic collaborations and 147 (23%) are impact factor over 10. Since the inception of the program in 2021 through 2023, the program enrolled 1,724 participants to all trials and 444 to interventional trials. CRDI is a novel, paradigm-shifting program that focuses on fostering collaborations and translating basic and population health science; CRDI is positioned to positively impact clinical practice and health policy by emphasizing the critical time period of pre-malignant disease and early cancer when active intervention can improve outcomes.