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Genetic Associations and Mechanisms in Oncology (GAME-ON): A Network of Consortia for Post-Genome Wide Association (Post-GWA) Research

Background and Overall Goals

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involve rapidly scanning markers across the complete genomes of a large number of cases and controls to find common genetic variations associated with a particular disease. Since 2005, such studies have identified a large number of loci with common genetic variants associated with cancer risk. However, the variants identified by these studies are usually markers and not the causal variants themselves. In addition, the biological mechanisms through which the associated loci confer cancer risk are often unknown. Lastly, the modulating effect of environmental and lifestyle factors need to be taken into account when estimating the risk conferred by the causal variants.

The Genetic Associations and Mechanisms in Oncology (GAME-ON) initiative was launched by NCI in 2010 in response to RFA-CA-09-002External Web Site Policy, and it is jointly supported by the Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program and the Division of Cancer Biology. GAME-ON's overall goal is to foster an intra-disciplinary and collaborative approach to the translation of promising research leads deriving from the initial wave of cancer GWAS.

Illustration showing the spectrum of post-GWAS study types: 'pooled analyses,' 'replication,' 'fine mapping,' 'functional studies,' and finally 'epidemiology.' Arrows from narrowest focus (pooled analyses) to broadest (epidemiology) indicate that studies build on the knowledge gained from the preceding studies in the continuum.

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Illustration showing the spectrum of post-GWAS study types: 'pooled analyses,' 'replication,' 'fine mapping,' 'functional studies,' and finally 'epidemiology.' Arrows from narrowest focus (pooled analyses) to broadest (epidemiology) indicate that studies build on the knowledge gained from the preceding studies in the continuum.

Figure: Phases of the post-GWAS research continuum.

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The long-term goal of the GAME-ON initiative is to provide a rigorous knowledge base that will enable clinical translation and public health dissemination of the GWAS findings. This goal is being achieved by teams of epidemiologists, basic scientists, and clinicians, collaborating on follow-up investigations of genomic regions that have been implicated in susceptibility to certain cancer types. The post-GWAS continuum of research addressed by this network of consortia includes:

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Funded Projects, Working Groups, and Organizational Structure

Illustration showing the three project areas within each cooperative agreement (U19): 'discovery, expansion, and replication,' 'biological studies,' and 'epidemiologic studies.' A cycle of continuous knowledge integration is suggesting by arrows connecting the three project areas to each other.

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Illustration showing the three project areas within each cooperative agreement (U19): 'discovery, expansion, and replication,' 'biological studies,' and 'epidemiologic studies.' A cycle of continuous knowledge integration is suggesting by arrows connecting the three project areas to each other.

Figure: Each awarded U19 encompasses three related projects focusing on the three areas of the post-GWAS continuum and requiring multi-disciplinary integration.

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There are currently five cooperative agreements (U19) funded through the GAME-ON initiative. Each U19 includes three projects focusing on the genomic, functional, and epidemiologic follow-up of GWAS of breast, prostate, colon, lung and ovarian cancers.

Funded Projects

Click the links below each of the following project names to view brief descriptions of each project, links to more detailed abstracts, and key personnel lists.

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Working Groups and Organizational Structure

Illustration showing the GAME-ON organizational structure. Six working groups operate across all five of the funded projects. Additionally, an advisory committee, steering committee, and executive committee oversee the activities of the working groups and projects.

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Illustration showing the GAME-ON organizational structure. Six working groups operate across all five of the funded projects. Additionally, an advisory committee, steering committee, and executive committee oversee the activities of the working groups and projects.

Figure: GAME-ON organizational structure.

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There are six GAME-ON Working Groups that cut across all five projects that promote scientific collaborations in specific areas across cancer types:

Learn more about the GAME-ON Working Groups.

An Executive Committee composed by the Lead Investigators of the five U19s establishes the policies and processes across the initiative. NCI has appointed an External Advisory Committee to provide advice on the overall initiative progress.

The GAME-ON organizational structure allows for vertical and horizontal dissemination of knowledge and expertise.

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Participating Consortia

The GAME-ON initiative is one of the many ways in which EGRP works to facilitate collaborative research through a network of cancer epidemiology consortia. To maximize the scientific benefit and impact of the GAME-ON program, funded investigators must agree to data sharing requirementsExternal Web Site Policy as outlined in the general NIH and NCI policies for sharing large data sets. For questions related to GAME-ON data sharing, contact Daniela Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H..

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Publications

Since the Initiative's inception in 2010, GAME-ON investigators have published more than 100 scientific manuscripts.

View a list of GAME-ON publications and publication acknowledgement guidelines.

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Research Tools and Other Research Resources

Investigators are also developing analytic software and tools that can be used by the scientific community at large. The GAME-ON Initiative maintains a list of related research resources that may be valuable to investigators interested in post-GWAS research.

Learn more about tools created by GAME-ON investigators and other research resources.

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NCI Contacts

For cancer epidemiology questions:

For basic science questions:

For questions related to the GAME-ON grant awards:

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