Research
Cutting-edge precision health research
The goal of the Aldrich Lab is to conduct cutting-edge precision health research to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer for all populations.
We are a nationally and internationally recognized lung cancer research program conducting broad multi-disciplinary and translational research.
Our Lab's Top Priorities
Improve the early detection of lung cancer with lung cancer screening for all populations.
Understand genetics, ancestry, and environmental and social determinants of health influencing lung cancer risk and health outcomes in underrepresented populations to identify precision health strategies.
Develop clinical models using real-world data for precision treatment optimization for lung cancer patients.
1) Improve the early detection of lung cancer with lung cancer screening for all populations
Screening promotes the early detection of cancer to decrease mortality. Unfortunately, significant racial disparities exist in lung cancer screening. Published findings by our team demonstrated that the 2013 national lung screening guidelines were inequitable with African American persons having a reduced eligibility for lung cancer screening compared to white persons.
Our research led to key U.S. health policy modifications to eligibility guidelines for lung cancer screening issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). These screening guidelines are based on a combination of age and smoking history. Importantly, smoking behaviors and baseline risks for lung cancer may differ greatly across populations. Because of this, a risk-based screening strategy may provide a more equitable assessment of eligibility than current screening guidelines.
Collaborative efforts with national and international investigators are underway to address inequities in lung cancer screening and identify barriers and facilitators to lung cancer screening uptake among underrepresented populations.
2) Understand genetics, ancestry, environmental, and social determinants of health influencing lung cancer risk and health outcomes in underrepresented populations to identify precision health strategies
Lung cancer is a complex trait with both genetic and non-genetic contributors. The vast majority of lung cancer genetic studies are conducted in populations of European descent and thus our understanding of the genetic architecture of lung cancer is limited. To address this limitation, we lead multi-institutional studies to identify genetic, environmental, neighborhood, and social determinants of health contributing to lung cancer among populations with diverse ancestry.
Major sources of data include large-scale population-based cohorts (e.g. Southern Community Cohort Study, Multiethnic Cohort, Black Women’s Health Study), biobanks (e.g., BioVU), electronic health records, and primary data collection from patients and healthy individuals.
We also maintain active research collaborations with the International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO) and Lung Cancer Consortium (LC3).
Genetic ancestry and treatment influences on lung cancer survival
3) Develop clinical models using real-world data for precision treatment optimization for lung cancer patients
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a remarkable advancement in lung cancer therapies; however, patients may experience immune-related adverse events.
Using biobanks and data linked to electronic health records, we develop polygenic predictors to identify patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors at high risk of developing adverse events to ultimately improve patient outcomes.
We also conduct qualitative research to identify patient and provider-level factors to improve precision medicine and clinical trial diversity among underrepresented populations.
Polygenic risk score for ulcerative colitis predicts immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated colitis
Conceptual framework for patient-level knowledge of precision medicine in community health center setting
