Abstract CN06-01: Molecular pathological epidemiology (MPE): Overview of its paradigm and wide applicability even without tumor tissue Free

This lecture illustrates “Molecular Pathological Epidemiology (MPE)” (= Molecular Pathology + Epidemiology)” (Ogino et al. J Natl Cancer Inst 2010; Chia et al. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2012; Spitz et al. Cancer Discovery 2012, etc.) as simply as possible. In conventional epidemiology, disease is nominally regarded as a homogeneous entity, even when “omics” technologies are used for exposure assessment. However, carcinogenesis represents fundamentally heterogeneous process, differing from person to person. As implicated by the “Unique Tumor (Disease) Principle” (Ogino et al. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2012; Ogino et al. Mod Pathol 2013; many TCGA papers), the inherent nature of disease heterogeneity has necessitated a paradigm shift in epidemiology, leading to the emergence of MPE, which is defined as “epidemiology of molecular heterogeneity of disease” (Ogino et al. Oncogene 2013). In MPE, we dissect complex interplay between environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors, molecular alterations, and disease occurrence and progression. MPE research can be conducted in any epidemiology cohort, even without tumor tissue, as heterogeneity of disease biology can be taken into analysis. MPE is a logical next step of genome-wide association studies [“GWAS-MPE Approach” (Ogino et al. Gut 2011)]. Although MPE is a promising approach (Chan et al. NEJM 2007; Chan et al. JAMA 2009; Morikawa et al. JAMA 2011; Liao et al. NEJM 2012; Nishihara et al. JAMA 2013; Nishihara et al. NEJM 2013, etc.), challenges include lack of international guidelines and standardized statistical methods to assess etiologic heterogeneity, as well as paucity of interdisciplinary expertise and training programs (Ogino et al. Am J Epidemiol 2012). Because disease heterogeneity is a ubiquitous phenomenon, the MPE paradigm should become routine to advance epidemiology in the 21st century, and move us towards personalized prevention and treatment.

Citation Format: Shuji Ogino. Molecular pathological epidemiology (MPE): Overview of its paradigm and wide applicability even without tumor tissue. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr CN06-01.