Since 2007, approximately 30 low-penetrance genetic susceptibility loci have been identified for colorectal cancer (CRC) in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). These genetic factors, along with rare, high-penetrance germline mutations in known CRC susceptibility genes, explain only a small fraction of CRC heritability. We propose to expand, in a very cost-efficient way, our ongoing GWAS of CRC conducted in East Asians to identify new genetic susceptibility loci for CRC. We propose further to fine-map and functionally characterize GWAS-identified risk loci for CRC to discover functional variants and genes that drive the associations. Specifically, we propose to accomplish the following aims: 1) Expand the GWAS to include approximately 10,100 cases and 22,700 controls in the discovery stage and 8,000 cases and 8,000 controls in replication stages. Genome-wide scan data will be imputed using the 1000 Genomes Project data as the reference. Promising SNPs will be selected, functionally annotated, and de novo genotyped for replication to identify new risk loci for CRC. 2) Use densely genotyped data from 5,000 cases and 5,000 controls, along with genome-wide scanned and imputed data from 30,400 cases and 44,700 controls of East Asian, African, and European-ancestry to fine-map 30 to 50 newly identified CRC loci to identify independent and potentially functional variants. 3) Perform in vitro experiments to identify functional variants inup to 15 newly identified CRC loci. 4) Utilize a novel stem-cell-driven mouse model of colonic neoplasia to further determine specific CRC genes and susceptibility alleles in selected loci identified in GWAS. This proposed GWAS expansion will be the first large study in East Asians to comprehensively search for genetic risk factors for CRC. This study, by capitalizing on GWAS data generated from existing studies and functional genomic data, will be extremely cost-efficient. Through functional characterization using experimental approaches, we anticipate identifying functional variants and novel genes/pathways for CRC to improve the understanding of biological mechanisms through which GWAS-identified loci contribute to CRC risk. This information will help accelerate the translation of GWAS findings into disease prevention and treatment.

Public Health Relevance

Using cost-efficient research design and novel technologies, this proposed study will systematically search for novel genetic susceptibility loci for colorectal cancer (CRC). We also will fine-map and functionally characterize all newly identified CRC risk loci to search for functional variants and genes for this cancer. Results from this study will significantly expand our understanding of the genetic landscape and biology of this common cancer and offer new opportunities to translate into disease prevention and treatment strategies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA188214-06
Application #
9551543
Study Section
Epidemiology of Cancer Study Section (EPIC)
Program Officer
Mechanic, Leah E
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2019-08-31
Budget Start
2018-09-01
Budget End
2019-08-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
079917897
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37232
Schmit, Stephanie L; Edlund, Christopher K; Schumacher, Fredrick R et al. (2018) Novel Common Genetic Susceptibility Loci for Colorectal Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst :
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Song, Nan; Shin, Aesun; Park, Ji Won et al. (2017) Common risk variants for colorectal cancer: an evaluation of associations with age at cancer onset. Sci Rep 7:40644
Wang, Nan; Lu, Yingchang; Khankari, Nikhil K et al. (2017) Evaluation of genetic variants in association with colorectal cancer risk and survival in Asians. Int J Cancer 141:1130-1139
Zeng, Chenjie; Matsuda, Koichi; Jia, Wei-Hua et al. (2016) Identification of Susceptibility Loci and Genes for Colorectal Cancer Risk. Gastroenterology 150:1633-1645
Zhang, Ben; Jia, Wei-Hua; Matsuda, Koichi et al. (2014) Large-scale genetic study in East Asians identifies six new loci associated with colorectal cancer risk. Nat Genet 46:533-42