NCI Office of Cancer Genomics: Leveraging genomics for precision oncology

Authors

• NL Jaber
• JM Guidry Auvil
• M Ferguson
• N Griner
• S Jagu
• JN Mazerik
• DS Gerhard

Abstract

The National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Genomics (OCG) supports cutting-edge genomics and translational research to advance the molecular understanding of cancer, with the ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes through precision oncology. OCG currently supports four collaborative and innovative initiatives which collectively generate, analyze, and translate genomic and other datasets into clinically-relevant information. The Cancer Genome Characterization Initiative (CGCI) and the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) initiative collect matched tumor and normal tissue and use genomic approaches to analyze samples with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets and biomarkers. CGCI focuses on adult and pediatric cancers, including those prevalent in HIV-positive individuals, while TARGET focuses on high-risk pediatric cancers. The Cancer Target Discovery and Development initiative combines computational approaches, high-throughput functional assays, and small molecule screens to accelerate the translation of genomic data into discoveries that will inform patient-specific cancer treatments. The Human Cancer Models Initiative will generate patient-derived cancer models that are representative of the biology and complexity of human tumors, and are annotated with genomic and clinical data. All data, analytical tools, and resources generated by OCG initiatives are available through the OCG website (https://ocg.cancer.gov/). OCG initiatives, and the use of OCG datasets and resources by the research community, will enhance understanding of the elaborate biology of cancer, and accelerate the discovery of viable treatments. In this way OCG-supported research collaboratively contributes to the goal of enabling precision oncology.

Scientific Focus Area: Genetics and Genomics

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021