Download Title: Up For A Challenge (U4C) – Stimulating Innovation in Breast

Title: Up For A Challenge (U4C) – Stimulating Innovation in Breast Cancer Genetic
Epidemiology
Leah E. Mechanic1, Sara Lindström2, Huann-Sheng Chen1, Kenneth Daily3, Eric J. Feuer1,
Tiffany Green1, Jay Hodgson3, Christine M. Kaefer1, Anna Kern1, Kevin McTigue1, Thea
Norman3, Solly Sieberts3, Audrey Wellons1, Elizabeth M. Gillanders1
1
National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
3
Sage Bionetworks
2
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer, and the second most common cause of
cancer deaths in women in the United States. Epidemiologic studies suggest that genetic factors
play a key role in determining who is at increased risk of developing breast cancer’ To date,
genome-wide association studies (GWAS) helped researchers identify more than 90 common
genetic variations. Although GWAS greatly increased our understanding of the genetic
components of breast cancer risk, results to date explain only a small proportion of the estimated
genetic contribution to the risk of breast cancer. Shifting the focus of analysis from individual
single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to pathways, could lead to the identification of novel
gene sets involved in breast cancer risk’ Therefore, in June 2015, the National Cancer Institute
(NCI), in collaboration with Sage Bionetworks, launched “Up For A Challenge (U4C) –
Stimulating Innovation in Breast Cancer Genetic Epidemiology” to encourage unique approaches
to more fully decipher the genomic basis of breast cancer. Utilizing innovative approaches, the
goal of this Challenge is to identify new genes or combinations of genes, genetic variants, or sets
of genomic features involved in breast cancer risk. In addition, NCI aims to advance innovation
in the field of genetic epidemiology by making data more widely available, increasing the
amount and diversity of minds approaching a difficult scientific problem, and promoting broader
collaborations’ NCI will award up to $50,000 in prizes based on identification of novel findings,
replication of findings, innovation of approach, evidence of novel biological hypotheses, and
collaboration. Updates and current status of the U4C will be presented.