People

Dezheng Huo, PhD

Dr. Huo’s research interests focus on the genetic, molecular, and environmental factors underlying etiology, prognosis, and treatment of cancers, particularly as they relate to cancer in underserved populations. His research spans across several areas of cancer epidemiology and clinical epidemiology, including:



1. Genetic epidemiology of breast cancer, particular in women of African ancestry with the use of genome-wide association and whole genome sequencing approach.



2. Environmental and lifestyle factors for breast cancer etiology in African women and risk prediction model building, and strategy for cancer screening.



3. Health disparity in breast cancer outcomes in multiethnic patient cohort study with multi-dimensional data.



4. Investigation of the utilization and effectiveness of cancer treatment in real world using Big data.



5. Prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol and clear cell adenocarcinoma of vagina and cervix, as well as other health conditions in later life.



6. Epigenetics and non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs in relationship to cancer prognosis and survival.

Electronic Health Record-Based Absolute Risk Prediction Model for Esophageal Cancer in the Chinese Population: Model Development and External Validation.
Electronic Health Record-Based Absolute Risk Prediction Model for Esophageal Cancer in the Chinese Population: Model Development and External Validation. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2023 Mar 15; 9:e43725.
PMID: 36781293

Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognosis of ERBB2-Low Breast Cancer Among Patients in the National Cancer Database.
Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognosis of ERBB2-Low Breast Cancer Among Patients in the National Cancer Database. JAMA Oncol. 2023 Feb 23.
PMID: 36821125

A metabolome-wide case-control study of african american breast cancer patients.
A metabolome-wide case-control study of african american breast cancer patients. BMC Cancer. 2023 Feb 23; 23(1):183.
PMID: 36823587

The optimization of postoperative radiotherapy in de novo stage IV breast cancer: evidence from real-world data to personalize treatment decisions.
The optimization of postoperative radiotherapy in de novo stage IV breast cancer: evidence from real-world data to personalize treatment decisions. Sci Rep. 2023 Feb 18; 13(1):2880.
PMID: 36804591

Cancer Genetic Services in a Low- to Middle-Income Country: Cross-Sectional Survey Assessing Willingness to Undergo and Pay for Germline Genetic Testing.
Cancer Genetic Services in a Low- to Middle-Income Country: Cross-Sectional Survey Assessing Willingness to Undergo and Pay for Germline Genetic Testing. JCO Glob Oncol. 2023 02; 9:e2100140.
PMID: 36854077

Aggregation tests identify new gene associations with breast cancer in populations with diverse ancestry.
Aggregation tests identify new gene associations with breast cancer in populations with diverse ancestry. Genome Med. 2023 01 26; 15(1):7.
PMID: 36703164

Validation of the Nigerian Breast Cancer Study Model for Predicting Individual Breast Cancer Risk in Cameroon and Uganda.
Validation of the Nigerian Breast Cancer Study Model for Predicting Individual Breast Cancer Risk in Cameroon and Uganda. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023 01 09; 32(1):98-104.
PMID: 36215182

An enhancer variant associated with breast cancer susceptibility in Black women regulates TNFSF10 expression and antitumor immunity in triple-negative breast cancer.
An enhancer variant associated with breast cancer susceptibility in Black women regulates TNFSF10 expression and antitumor immunity in triple-negative breast cancer. Hum Mol Genet. 2023 01 01; 32(1):139-150.
PMID: 35930348

Polygenic risk scores for prediction of breast cancer risk in women of African ancestry: a cross-ancestry approach.
Polygenic risk scores for prediction of breast cancer risk in women of African ancestry: a cross-ancestry approach. Hum Mol Genet. 2022 09 10; 31(18):3133-3143.
PMID: 35554533

Factors associated with breast disorders detected by clinical breast examination during pregnancy and six months postpartum in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria.
Factors associated with breast disorders detected by clinical breast examination during pregnancy and six months postpartum in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria. J Public Health Afr. 2022 Sep 07; 13(3):1812.
PMID: 36313925

View All Publications

Study section of P01
NIH/NCI
2019

Study section of R01/R21
NIH/NCI
2018 - 2023

Study section of U01, H3Africa
NIH/NHGRI
2017

Study section of P01
NIH/NCI
2017

Runner-up in the Up For A Challenge – Stimulating Innovation in Breast Cancer Genetic Epidemiology
National Cancer Institute
2016

Study section of U54
NIH/NIMHD
2015

Distinguished Investigator Junior Award
University of Chicago
2014

Breast Cancer Research Program study section
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
2013 - 2014

Breast Cancer Research Program study section
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
2010

Breast Cancer Research Program study section
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
2008

Delta Omega
National Honor Society in Public Health
2005

Haenszel Award for Excellence in Research
University of Illinois at Chicago
2005

Student Travel Award
University of Illinois at Chicago
2000