Dr. Paulo Pinheiro and Team Recognized for Groundbreaking Cancer Research at IACR Scientific Conference

Competing among more than 200 submissions from around the globe, Dr. Pinheiro’s recognition demonstrates the international significance of his work.

Dr. Pinheiro also delivered a plenary session on hepatocellular carcinoma and presented collaborative research conducted with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). 

Addressing Cancer Disparities Across Black Populations 

The award-winning poster, titled “Prostate, TNBC, and Uterine Cancer Differences Between U.S.-Born, Caribbean-Born, and Africa-Born (West-East) U.S. Black Populations,” is the result of a collaborative effort led by Dr. Paulo Pinheiro, with significant contributions from Hannah Cranford, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Epidemiology, research assistant, and a team from the National Cancer Institute (SEER Program), who played a pivotal role in data analysis and interpretation. 

This groundbreaking research leverages data from the SEER Program, a national cancer registry managed by NCI, and the Social Security Administration’s Numerical Identification System (NUMIDENT) database. Together, these datasets provided unique insights into how ancestry and birthplace influence cancer incidence in U.S. Black populations. 

Focusing on prostate cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and uterine cancer, the research sheds light on critical disparities and provides valuable insights to inform targeted prevention and treatment strategies. 

Key findings 

Prostate Cancer: Incidence rates were highest among men of African ancestry, with West Africa-born Black men experiencing the greatest burden compared to U.S.-born Black men. 

TNBC: U.S.-born Black women experienced the highest rates of TNBC, reflecting the combined impact of genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors.

Uterine Cancer: Caribbean-born Black women showed elevated rates of aggressive, non-endometrioid uterine cancers, highlighting the need for tailored interventions. 

“This research leverages novel data linkages to address critical disparities in cancer burden among African-descended populations,” said Dr. Pinheiro. “Our findings offer actionable insights for targeted prevention, treatment, and policy efforts in the U.S. and globally.” 

Global Collaboration in Action

Dr. Pinheiro’s plenary session at the IACR conference emphasized disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma outcomes and collaborative efforts with the NCI to address these inequities. By focusing on health equity in liver cancer, the session highlighted the importance of integrating genetics, migration, and social determinants into global cancer research.

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published on December 18, 2024.