Genetics, Immunology & Precision Medicine

Genetic testing for inherited (germline) mutation and pathological variants have become technically and economically feasible. Most cancer patients with possible inherited contribution should undergo germline testing, especially those with breast, ovary, and colorectal cancers. This information ,plus family history, lifestyle, age and gender can be used to make informed for personalized risk stratification in individuals and family members. Population-based genetic screening can identify individuals at risk for future cancer development (often at an earlier age) and can benefit from prevention intervention or screening.

Professor Yin describes his research involving the protein kinase PAK1, which functions as a "master controller of T-cell immunity." PAK1 acts as a promoter of CD8+ T-cell exhaustion and contributes to decreased tumor immunity, making this molecule a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. His research also explores cancer detection through metabolomics combined with artificial intelligence as a screening tool for lung and pancreatic cancers.

Pharmacogenomics is an emerging field of genetic testing that identifies individuals who metabolize commonly used drugs—including many cancer therapies—either too rapidly (resulting in reduced efficacy) or too slowly (leading to drug toxicity). Adverse drug reactions are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, with oncology drugs being a major driver of drug-related toxicity. A Chinese National Genomics Pilot Study involving over 6,000 cancer patients demonstrated that dose adjustments based on individual patient genomes significantly reduced drug toxicity-related hospitalizations and decreased overall hospital costs.