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  1. Home
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  3. About Our Research
  4. Meet the Researchers
  5. Sheena Bhalla, MD
Sheena Bhalla, MD

Sheena Bhalla, MD

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern)

Research Project:
Examining Epigenetic Determinants of Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening

Grant Awarded:

  • Catalyst Award

Research Topics:

  • biomarkers
  • clinical research
  • disparities
  • screening

Research Disease:

  • lung cancer

Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than other racial groups in the U.S. Epigenetic changes (alterations in gene expression that do not change the underlying DNA sequence), such as DNA methylation, may contribute to this disparity and are being used as markers for early lung cancer detection. DNA methylation plays a key role in gene regulation, as well as a role in causing cancer. However so far, DNA methylation studies have mainly included only European ancestry patients. Thus, it is critical to now study DNA methylation changes across racially diverse patients undergoing lung cancer screening. We will conduct DNA methylation testing on blood samples from Black and White individuals undergoing lung cancer screening at Parkland Health System in Dallas. We will study epigenetic changes across race and their association with smoking and lung cancer risk. Findings from this work will help us better understand biological factors associated with lung cancer risk among Black Americans and improve future lung cancer screening efforts.

Page last updated: October 7, 2024

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