NEW YORK – 23andMe announced Thursday that it launched a study of the genetics underlying lung cancer in order to improve detection, risk reduction, and patient care.
With the support of 21 lung cancer advocacy organizations, Sunnyvale, California-based 23andMe aims to build a database of heritable lung cancer genetics, which it will make available to approved researchers and at no cost to nonprofits and academic institutions.
The Lung Cancer Genetics Study seeks 10,000 participants of at least 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with any type of lung cancer at any stage, regardless of gender, smoking status, biomarker, or other variables. Participants will be sent a kit, with which they will provide saliva for a DNA sample, enabling them to participate in the study from their homes.
In addition to genetic information, participants will be asked to provide medical records, tumor biomarker information, and other self-reported information through online surveys.
Study collaborators include ALK Positive, the Biomarker Collaborative, BRAF Bombers, EGFR Resisters, Exon 20 Group, Free ME from Lung Cancer, GO2 for Lung Cancer, The Happy Lungs Project, the International Cancer Advocacy Network, KRAS Kickers, the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, LUNGevity, MET Crusaders, NTRKers, Oncogene Cancer Research, PDL1 Amplifieds, RET Positive, RET Renegades, The ROS1ders, and the Young Lung Cancer Initiative.