Genetic Ancestry Key in Tumor Assessment, UMD Study Finds

Review Calls for New Precision Medicine Treatments for Patients

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:31pm

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A new review study led by researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Institute for Genome Sciences and the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center has found that genetic ancestry plays a key role in determining the behavior of head and neck tumors and may help explain survival disparities between African-American and European-American patients.

Why it matters

The study suggests that tumors arising in patients with different genetic ancestries can exhibit distinct biological features, including changes in key genes that affect how quickly cancer cells grow or how they respond to treatment. These findings could support the development of more precise and effective treatment approaches for head and neck cancer patients.

The details

Analyzing data from 523 patients stored in The Cancer Genome Atlas, the researchers found that ancestry, rather than self-identified race, was a stronger predictor of genetic differences between the tumors. African-American patients survive on average two and a half years after being diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, while European Americans survive an average of 4.8 years, almost twice as long. The study suggests these survival differences may be associated with ancestry-linked tumor biology, in addition to established social determinants of health like lifestyle habits and socioeconomic status.

  • The study was published on January 30, 2026.

The players

Madeleine Ndahayo

A student researcher at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Daria Gaykalova, PhD

A scientist at the Institute for Genome Sciences and Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

University of Maryland School of Medicine's Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS)

A research institute that has been part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine since 2007, applying genomics and systems biology approaches to better understand health issues.

University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC)

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center within the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, offering a multidisciplinary approach to treating all types of cancer.

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)

The largest biological database for several cancer types, which the researchers used to analyze data from 523 patients.

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What they’re saying

“Genetic ancestry reflects biologically encoded variation in DNA. This review reinforces that social factors matter, but it also shows that biological drivers linked to ancestry must be considered if we want truly effective precision medicine.”

— Daria Gaykolova, PhD, Scientist at IGS and Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at UMSOM

What’s next

The researchers plan to further investigate the specific genetic and biological differences between tumors in patients of different ancestries, with the goal of developing more personalized and effective treatment approaches for head and neck cancer.

The takeaway

This study highlights the importance of considering genetic ancestry, in addition to social determinants of health, when assessing and treating head and neck cancer. By understanding the unique biological characteristics of tumors in patients of different ancestries, researchers can work towards more precise and effective precision medicine treatments for this disease.