The Potential Contribution of Cancer Genomics Information to Community Investigations of Unusual Patterns of Cancer: Proceedings of a Workshop (2023)
Chapter: Appendix A: Statement of Task
Appendix A
Statement of Task
At the request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will plan and host a virtual, 1-day public workshop to explore the state of the science with regard to the identification of genomic and epigenomic biomarkers of environmental exposures associated with cancers, with emphasis on pediatric cancers. The workshop would provide background information to assist the CDC in revising their Cancer Cluster Guidelines. The workshop will feature invited presentations and panel discussion on topics that may include:
- Technologies and methodologies for the identification and validation of genomic and epigenomic biomarkers of environmental exposures and tumorigenesis;
- Statistical, epidemiological, and geospatial methodologies to assess the association of these biomarkers with unusual cancer clusters;
- The potential use of these biomarkers to identify groupings of pediatric cancers with common genetic aberrations due to environmental exposures, in addition to the index cancer identified in a cluster;
- Strategies for communication about environmental exposures and cancer risk;
- Research gaps in the genomics and epigenomics of cancers and environmental exposures and how they could be addressed.
The planning committee will develop the agenda for the workshop sessions, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. A pro-
ceedings of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.
