Overview
Mid-West Japan Hereditary Tumor Cohort collects clinical information and DNA samples through collaborating medical institutions (51 institutions participating as of September 2024). Clinical information includes individuals with hereditary tumors and their families, including assessments of related tumor incidence rates, survival rates, management, quality of life after risk-reducing surgery, and genomic epidemiologic analyses. Participants will be followed annually for clinical information such as disease incidence and genetic test results. DNA samples are stored, with names and other personal information removed. Sample data will be made available to other researchers who aim to advance genomic medicine and develop new clinical approaches.
Objectives
- Our study is designed to build evidence for optimal care by creating a system that provides detailed and careful support over time.
- This project aims to establish hereditary tumor care as regional medicine.
Background
Approximately 10% of cancers are known to be caused by genetic factors, generally referred to as
hereditary tumors. While research into the causative genes for hereditary tumors may lead to cancer
prevention in some cases, data on the Japanese population is still insufficient. Genetic information
is your valuable data, but it's not yours alone. It's shared with blood relatives and within your
community. Proper testing of genetic information that indicates a predisposition to cancer (variants
of hereditary tumor-related genes) can enable cancer prevention not only for you but also for your
blood relatives. Hereditary tumor care can be considered the ultimate form of regional and family
medicine.
In December 2020, 16 institutions, mainly in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions including Okayama
University Hospital, launched the Mid-West Japan Hereditary Tumor Cohort Study. This initiative aims
to contribute to public health management by providing evidence for cancer prevention in Japan.
The research group will conduct studies in individuals with hereditary tumors and their families,
including assessments of related tumor incidence rates, survival rates, management, quality of life
after risk reducing surgery, and genomic epidemiologic analyses.
Participants will be followed annually for clinical information such as disease incidence and blood
test results. The blood and tissue samples will be stored using the facilities and systems of the OKADAI BIOBANK*3, which will allow long-term preservation and use for future research and development.
By accumulating basic data on hereditary tumors in Japan, this research will make it possible to
clarify strategies for clinical practice.
Glossary
- 1）Cohort study: A cohort refers to a group. In a cohort study, a group of research subjects is observed and followed over time to determine whether the presence or absence of certain factors is associated with the development or prevention of disease.
- 2）Variant: A characteristic of a gene. Genetic testing aims to identify alterations (characteristics) in the DNA nucleotide sequences or structures by comparing the genes of the person being tested with representative genes. These alterations (characteristics) are called variants. Some variants can cause disease, while others fall within the range of individual differences.
- 3）OKADAI BIOBANK: Okayama University Hospital has established the OKADAI BIOBANK (https://biobank.ccsv.okayama-u.ac.jp/) to manage and utilize patients' biological samples and medical information with the aim of providing advanced medical care.
Our group is seeking research collaborators, please contact us at the address below for inquiries.
Contact Information
Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
HIRASAWA Akira (Professor, Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University)
MAIL ／ cgm@okayama-u.ac.jp (Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University)