Facilitating cancer systems epidemiology research

Abstract

Systems epidemiology offers a more comprehensive and holistic approach to studies of cancer in populations by considering high dimensionality measures from multiple domains, assessing the inter-relationships among risk factors, and considering changes over time. These approaches offer a framework to account for the complexity of cancer and contribute to a broader understanding of the disease. Therefore, NCI sponsored a workshop in February 2019 to facilitate discussion about the opportunities and challenges of the application of systems epidemiology approaches for cancer research. Eight key themes emerged from the discussion: transdisciplinary collaboration and a problem-based approach; methods and modeling considerations; interpretation, validation, and evaluation of models; data needs and opportunities; sharing of data and models; enhanced training practices; dissemination of systems models; and building a systems epidemiology community. This manuscript summarizes these themes, highlights opportunities for cancer systems epidemiology research, outlines ways to foster this research area, and introduces a collection of papers, “Cancer System Epidemiology Insights and Future Opportunities” that highlight findings based on systems epidemiology approaches.

Integrated Analysis of Cancer Risk from Metabolic Dysfunction: Biological Mechanisms and Tipping Points

“…This study integrated relevant mechanisms documented in multiple sub elds to depict their interactions and collective effects graphically. As other authors have suggested, such systems approaches are effective for untangling the effects of cancer risk factors that have interactive and potentially synergistic effects (12).…”

Cancer systems epidemiology: Overcoming misconceptions and integrating systems approaches into cancer research

“…Thus, there is a need for more systems science approaches (e.g., systems epidemiology), which can help better untangle the complexity in systems [1,2]. As part of the PLOS Collection "Cancer Systems Epidemiology Insights and Future Opportunities," which covers many of the topics discussed in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Workshop to Facilitate Cancer Systems Epidemiology Research and exemplifies the opportunities and uses of systems epidemiology approaches in cancer research [3], we describe systems science approaches and how they can be utilized in cancer research, present common misconceptions that must be overcome for systems epidemiology to realize its potential for cancer epidemiology, and describe how greater use of systems epidemiology can transform cancer research.…”