The Translational Research Program in Cancer Differences across Populations

Cancer incidence and mortality vary substantially across populations. The Translational Research Program in Cancer Differences across Populations (TRPCDP) was established in 2020 to address differences in cancer incidence and mortality rates within the United States, with a particular focus on colorectal cancer.

The TRPCDP centralized data acquisition and harmonization across three sites in the United States to create a well-annotated resource of colorectal cancer tumors across four populations: African American/Black, Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latino/Latina, and non-Hispanic White. Using a case-control framework, patients with lethal colorectal cancer were matched to two controls with nonlethal colorectal cancer. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor and normal tissue were retrieved and sent for centralized pathology review, followed by DNA and RNA extraction and tissue microarray development. Multiomics and spatial profiling are underway to evaluate the transcriptome, proteome, and microbiome. Patient demographic and clinical data were obtained by medical record review, patient self-report, or linkage to cancer registries. Additional health-related factors were assessed using geospatial linkage.

The virtual biorepository includes 7,181 patients [African American (n = 1,345), Alaska Native (n = 1,640), Hispanic (n = 1,659), and non-Hispanic White (n = 2,537)]. Tissue blocks (1,594 tumor and 728 normal colon samples) were selected for 938 patients. To date, DNA and RNA have been extracted (n = 831), and tissue microarrays have been constructed (n = 414). Transcriptomic analysis, spatial tumor profiling (multiplex immunofluorescence, PhenoCycler, and GeoMx), and microbiome data (16S rRNA sequencing and digital droplet PCR) are available.

The TRPCDP has developed a clinically annotated biorepository for future molecular epidemiology studies.

The TRPCDP is a unique program that supports collaborative research, community engagement, and pipeline development for the next generation of scientists.