Cancer HealthCast: This Unique Network Closes Research Gaps in Cancer Genomics

The Participant Engagement and Cancer Genome Sequencing Network (PECGS) part of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative is a collaboration between the National Cancer Institute and research institutions to engage cancer patients directly and ultimately better understand cancer genomics.

One of six funded projects is with Washington University, which is focusing on rare and understudied cancer populations with health disparities. Dr. Bettina Drake, professor at the university’s School of Medicine, discusses how her team is studying molecular changes in tumors for cancers like cholangiocarcinoma, multiple myeloma in African Americans and colorectal cancer under age 50 in African Americans. NCI Program Director Dr. Leah Mechanic also discusses how the PECGS Network overall is advancing health equity and precision medicine efforts around cancer care and treatment.

This is an in-depth peek into one of many programs within a broader collaborative effort to better understand cancer and accelerate the White House’s Cancer Moonshot’s mission to end cancer as we know it.