# Epigenomic and Genomic Factors emerging from Poor Social Determinants of Health and their impact on Breast Cancer associated with Obesity and Comorbidities in African American and Latino Women

> **NIH NIH U54** · CHARLES R. DREW UNIVERSITY OF MED & SCI · 2022 · $326,587

## Abstract

Abstract:
The Purpose of this study is to determine how social and epigenomic factors that are associated with social
determinants of health cause increase in Obesity and Comorbidities, resulting in increased risk for breast cancer.
Specifically, this study will examine cancer health disparities associated with obesity and other comorbidities in
African American and Latina populations residing South Los Angeles. Multiple reasons have been presented in
the literature suggesting both socioeconomic and biological phenomena which may contribute to these
disparities. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) serves the most underserved and under-
resourced populations located in the Service Planning Area 6 (SPA6) region of South Los Angeles. Our
communities comprise primarily of African Americans (27%) and Latinos (68%). From the residents in SPA6,
31% of the population lives in poverty (household income < 100% federal poverty level (FPL)) and median
household income is $36,400, while Los Angeles county is at 17% FPL and with median household income of
$56,241. Healthcare and physical environment resources are significantly poor compared to west Los Angeles
(SPA5).
The Hypothesis and Rationale of this proposed study are: Underserved and Under-resourced communities
with poor social determinants of health, are more likely to develop health disparities such as Obesity, Diabetes
(T2D), and Hypertension (HTN). These individuals are at increased risk for developing several types of cancers.
We will study the incidence and progression of Breast Cancer in these individuals. We will employ biomarkers
such as: Sex Hormones, Growth Factors, Inflammatory Cytokines, DNA Methylation, RNA Methylation, and
Histone Modifications as they relate to Epigenomic and Genomic changes and their association with risk and
clinical outcomes. To accomplish the objectives of our proposal, we will employ the following specific research
aims:

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10349525
- **Project number:** 5U54MD007598-14
- **Recipient organization:** CHARLES R. DREW UNIVERSITY OF MED & SCI
- **Principal Investigator:** Jaydutt V. Vadgama
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $326,587
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-09-28 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10349525

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10349525, Epigenomic and Genomic Factors emerging from Poor Social Determinants of Health and their impact on Breast Cancer associated with Obesity and Comorbidities in African American and Latino Women (5U54MD007598-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10349525. Licensed CC0.

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