Cancer Risk Assessment, Early Detection, and Interception Research Program

CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT, EARLY DETECTION AND INTERCEPTION (REDI): ABSTRACT Cancer Risk Assessment, Early Detection, and Interception (REDI) is a new Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center (MCCCC) Research Program formed in 2023 that aims to integrate extensive institutional strengths to drive pioneering transdisciplinary research in multimodal cancer risk assessment, early detection of cancer and pre-cancers, and development of novel approaches for interception. Along with the Cancer Prevention, Control, and Survivorship (CPCS) Program and collaborations with Community Outreach and Engagement (COE), REDI leverages prior achievements and unites investigators previously dispersed across various Research Programs and is inclusive of the three MCCCC sites. REDI uses novel approaches to prevention and interception, including therapeutics, vaccines, and ablative technologies, to complement the behavioral interventions of CPCS. Co-led by Ajit Goenka (MCR), Shaji Kumar (MCR), and Mark Sherman (MCF), REDI includes 36 members (25 MCR, 6 MCA, 5 MCF) from 11 departments with expertise in epidemiology, radiology, pathology, cancer genomics and precision medicine, data science, predictive modeling and artificial intelligence (AI), and community engagement. REDI members have $8.7M in annual peer-reviewed funding ($6.4M of which is from NCI) and published 1292 publications (24% intra-programmatic, 59% inter-programmatic, 48% external collaborations, and 36% with impact factor ≥10) over the last grant cycle. The goals of the program are informed by priorities identified by COE in our catchment areas. REDI has three aims: Aim 1 seeks to achieve Precision Risk Assessment among individuals and within populations by discovering novel risk factors, integrating them with known risk exposures, developing risk prediction models, and defining targetable mechanisms that mediate risks. This work leverages accomplishments in defining risks of genetic variants, radiological imaging, and the pathobiology of cancers in different populations and clinical contexts. Aim 2 focuses on the Detection of Clinically Significant Cancer Precursors and Early Cancers through discovery and validation of molecular markers and radiological imaging, testing a range of specimen types, employing novel collection methods, integrating techniques in genetics, radiology, and pathology and leveraging industrial partnerships. Aim 3 is devoted to Cancer Interception, focusing on strategies for precise and timely interventions, including chemoprevention, immunoprevention, and ablative therapies, with emphasis on high-risk populations and innovative delivery methods. The REDI Program has robust collaborations internally with other MCCCC Research Programs and Disease Groups, and externally through collaboration and leadership in national and international consortia. REDI will meet its goals through a strong focus on community engagement and meeting the needs of all populations; new recruitment; support of education, training and mentorship; growth of NCI funding; and integration of new biology and technology from risk assessment through interception. REDI is well poised to accelerate the science and clinical impact in cancer prevention and interception.