Applying an Exposome-wide Association Study (ExWAS) Approach to Latino Cancer Disparities

Abstract

AbstractLatinos have higher incidence rates of cervical, gall bladder, liver, and gastric cancer, and higher mortality rates for six cancer sites than US Whites. This review chapter focuses on Latino cancer disparities, how the exposome can be applied to understanding Latino cancer disparities, and how environmental exposures lead to alterations in key biological pathways at the cellular, molecular, and system level, helping to explain the increased risk for population level cancer disparities among Latinos. An exposome-wide association study (ExWAS) approach is proposed as a novel conceptual framework to assess the role of multiple chemical and non-chemical exposures in the cause and progression of cancer among Latinos across the life course. Also discussed is how this strategy could be exploited by using biomarkers of susceptibility, exposure, and effect; and how a trans-omics approach, using recent advances in genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and lipidomics, could be used to deploy new biomarkers that serve both prognostic and diagnostic purposes. Also outlined are the knowledge gaps and scope for future studies in this area with implications for public health and policy interventions.