Multiple intertwined non-biological and biological factors contribute to cancer health disparities in minority populations. Racism and social inequalities play a major role in health disparities and cancer risk factors, including environmental exposures, social stressors, and lifestyle. However, the individual contribution of each of these factors to racial inequalities in cancer incidence, outcomes, and mortality remains unclear. The epigenome regulates gene expression based on the interaction between genome and environment and plays a critical role in cancer disparities. Therefore, characterization of the epigenome of ethnically diverse populations can assist in the development of epigenomic-based cancer prevention and early detection strategies. Epigenomic analysis of ethnically diverse populations can also aid in the development of targeted therapies tailored to minority populations to bridge the racial gap in cancer mortality.

Advances in comprehensive multi-omic molecular profiling, tumor classification, early diagnosis, and prognostication have led to reductions in overall cancer mortality. Epigenomic modifications connect biological and social determinants of health and have been proposed as a contributor to cancer disparities. By regulating gene expression at multiple levels (i.e., transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational), epigenomic modifications can affect various biological processes that regulate cancer development and progression. However, there are limited studies on epigenomic profiling in ethnically diverse populations, leading to a poor understanding of the intrinsic characteristics of the tumors’ epigenome in minority populations. Comprehensive profiling and characterization of the epigenome of tumors from ethnically diverse populations are needed to better understand the role of biological, genetic, social, and environmental determinants of cancer health disparities.

The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight studies on the role of epigenomic deregulation, whether isolated or in association with environmental and social determinants (e.g. built environment, physical environment, air/water pollution, neighborhood disadvantage, socioeconomic status, income, education, structural racism, discrimination, etc), in cancer disparities in minority and ethnic populations. Specific topics include but are not limited to:
- epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (e.g., miRNAs, long non-coding RNAs).
- Fundamental science (e.g. in vitro and in vivo tumor models) and clinical studies (e.g., tumor tissues and liquid biopsy samples) will be considered. Studies can involve early or late-life exposure and any environmental-exposed population.

We welcome original studies, review articles, and articles on the current challenges and limitations (e.g., study design, population access, sample availability, ethical considerations, experimental methods, data analysis) of conducting social epigenomics studies and recommendations on how to overcome these limitations. Ancestral marker analysis characterization of the patients, whenever possible, is advisable, especially in highly admixed populations, such as Latinas/Hispanics.

Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) will not be accepted in any of the sections of Frontiers in Oncology.

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