A new collaboration between the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the 
Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) aims to enhance diversity of cancer patients included in proteogenomic studies.
Facilitated by the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), the groups intend to actively seek biospecimens and data from underrepresented racial minority populations, with a specific focus on improving the representation of Black patients.
As part of this collaboration, interagency working groups comprising clinicians, oncologists, scientists, and informaticians will contribute to the integrative analysis of proteogenomic and clinical data and its public release.
Dr. James Lillard from MSM highlighted the initiative's potential to address racial disparities in outcomes across cancer types and offer insights into unique genetic and molecular patterns associated with different patient demographics.
Referring to unmet needs in prostate cancer, Dr. Lillard said, "[we] will be able to examine the differences in protein expression between Black men and men of other races with similar cancer… ultimately driving progress toward more equitable and effective healthcare solutions.”
Importantly, diverse cohorts representative of the US population will enable the development of more universally applicable diagnostic and treatment strategies.
To learn more, click here to read Frederick National Laboratory’s press release.