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. 2015 Mar;24(3):484-9.
doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-14-1086.

Opportunities for translational epidemiology: the important role of observational studies to advance precision oncology

Michael Marrone  1 , Richard L Schilsky  2 , Geoff Liu  3 , Muin J Khoury  4 , Andrew N Freedman  5
Affiliations

Opportunities for translational epidemiology: the important role of observational studies to advance precision oncology

Michael Marrone et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Within current oncology practice, several genomic applications are being used to inform treatment decisions with molecularly targeted therapies in breast, lung, colorectal, melanoma, and other cancers. This commentary introduces a conceptual framework connecting the full spectrum of biomedical research disciplines, including fundamental laboratory research, clinical trials, and observational studies in the translation of genomic applications into clinical practice. The conceptual framework illustrates the contribution that well-designed observational epidemiologic studies provide to the successful translation of these applications, and characterizes the role observational epidemiology plays in driving the dynamic and iterative bench-to-bedside, and bedside-to-bench translation continuum. We also discuss how the principles of this conceptual model, emphasizing integration of multidisciplinary research, can be applied to the evolving paradigm in "precision oncology" focusing on multiplex tumor sequencing, and we identify opportunities for observational studies to contribute to the successful and efficient translation of this paradigm.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(3); 484-9. ©2015 AACR.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: none

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Conceptual model connecting laboratory science, clinical trials, and observational epidemiologic research to advance precision oncology
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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