Understanding the genetic basis of radiosensitivity
An international consortium of researchers linking genetic variants with response to radiation therapy, supported by the Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
What is radiogenomics?
The term radiogenomics is used in two contexts: either to refer to the study of genetic variation associated with response to radiation (radiation genomics) or to refer to the correlation between cancer imaging features and gene expression (imaging genomics).
Genetic variation and radiotherapy response
In radiation genomics, radiogenomics refers to the study of genetic variation associated with response to radiation therapy. Genetic variation, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, is studied in relation to a cancer patient's risk of developing toxicity following radiation therapy. It is also used in the context of studying the genomics of tumor response to radiation therapy.
The term was coined in 2002 by Andreassen et al. as an analogy to pharmacogenomics, which studies the genetic variation associated with drug responses. See also West et al. (2005) and Bentzen (2006).
The Radiogenomics Consortium
In 2009, the Radiogenomics Consortium (RGC) was established to facilitate and promote multi-centre collaboration of researchers linking genetic variants with response to radiation therapy.
The RGC is a Cancer Epidemiology Consortium supported by the Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. RGC researchers have completed numerous clinical studies that identified genetic variants associated with radiation toxicities in patients with prostate, breast, lung, head and neck, and other cancers.
Objectives
The objectives of the Radiogenomics Consortium are to expand knowledge of the genetic basis for differences in radiosensitivity and to develop assays to help predict the susceptibility of cancer patients for the development of adverse effects resulting from radiotherapy, through:
- Fostering international collaborative research projects in radiogenomics through sharing of biospecimens and data;
- Developing guidelines to improve the standardization of radiogenomics research;
- Providing a framework for the efficient conduct and publication of original data meta-analyses of relevant studies;
- Providing a forum and framework for discussion, development and pursuit of new research directions; and
- Supporting the development of early career researchers.
Join the RGC →
Open to all investigators studying genetic variation and radiotherapy toxicity.
Collaborate →
Share biospecimens and data through RGC collaborative projects.
Publications →
Browse RGC research output from 2010 to today.