What Researchers Need to Know for the Week of May 23, 2022

We have been aware for some time that cancer research, from careers to clinical trials, is not as inclusive as it should be. This past week, researchers at National Cancer Institute found that whether it is screening for cancer, timely diagnosis, or the receipt of proven treatments, black individuals continue to receive poor care as compared to their white counterparts. How can health inequities and structural racism in cancer research be addressed?

With the rising incidences of cancer and the development of cancer genome sequencing, it is important that cancer research incorporates diversity to drive greater innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Other breaking stories in the research community on our list include NIH’s announcement to establish nine Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers and recommendations by the Committee on Improving Representation of Women and Underrepresented Minorities in Clinical Trials and Research.

National Institutes of Health

NIH announces antiviral drug development awards

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded approximately $577 million to establish nine Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern. The awards are a part of the Antiviral Program for Pandemics (APP), an intensive research program designed to speed the development of therapeutics for COVID-19. The AViDD centers will conduct research on the early-stage identification and validation of novel viral targets, with an eye to identifying small molecules and biotherapeutics that directly block viral targets.

Cancer death rates among Black people declined over time, but remain higher than other racial and ethnic groups

A large epidemiologic study led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute recently found that Black men and women had higher rates of cancer death, both overall and for most cancer types, than white, Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino men and women. The study finding also highlighted the glaring disparities that exist for black individuals in getting quality care. Black individuals continue to have a delay in care or receive poorer care than their white counterparts.

All of Us  

NIH All of Us Research Program puts focus on precision nutrition

In early 2022 All of Us announced launched the Nutrition for Precision Health ancillary study. It seeks to better understand the role of nutrition and health. This ambitious study would not be possible without collecting data from a variety of sources from electronic surveys to EHR. This interview covers how these data sources come together to drive health research.

Diversity in Research

We just don’t have the studies: New report details critical diversity shortcomings in US clinical research

While diversity has become an increasingly important priority in clinical research, racial and ethnic minority populations continue to be left out, says Committee on Improving Representation of Women and Underrepresented Minorities in Clinical Trials and Research. The committee also slated down several recommendations including a new Department of Health and Human Services task force, incentive structures by the FDA, CMS coverage decisions for drugs, and others to improve representation and inclusion in clinical research.

Nature journals raise the bar on sex and gender reporting in research

From 1997 to 2001 there were ten different prescription drug trials that failed to account for the differences in side effects for men and women. To stop future oversights with negative consequences, Nature is now requiring that all research published in its journals completes analysis and reports on differences in gender.

Genomics Research

Cancer Genome Sequencing Market: Rising Incidences of Cancer across the Globe to Drive the Market

The rising incidences of cancer across the globe have led to the development of cancer genome sequencing for detecting copy number alterations, exome-wide base substitutions, and translocations in all cancer cells easily. Taking all these aspects into consideration, it is anticipated that the cancer genome sequencing market may witness exponential growth during the forecast period of 2021-2031 due to the emergence of next-gen sequencing technology that is offering exclusive sensitivity and resolution.