Pelayo Correa, MD, FAACR: In Memoriam (1927–2025)

Pelayo Correa, distinguished pathologist-epidemiologist, visionary cancer researcher, and magnanimous teacher, is one of the most influential figures in modern cancer epidemiology and gastrointestinal pathology. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he transformed global understanding of gastric carcinogenesis, pioneered population-based cancer surveillance in Latin America, and helped shape epidemiology as an integrative, etiology-driven science. Dr. Correa was the founding editor-in-chief of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (CEBP). As Dr. Fredrick Li acknowledged (1), Dr. Correa labored tirelessly to establish CEBP as a premier cancer subspecialty journal.Fifty years ago, Dr. Correa described in The Lancet (2) the multistep progression from chronic gastritis to intestinal-type gastric cancer, universally known as the Correa cascade. Helicobacter pylori’s link to chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (3) and the early epidemiologic associations between the bacterium and gastric cancer (4) provided strong pathogenic support for the Correa cascade. This model revealed gastric cancer as the outcome of a gradual process, guiding population screening and linking pathology with epidemiology. Half a century later, it remains a cornerstone of gastric cancer research.Dr. Correa grew up in Sonsón, Colombia, earning his MD from the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin. More interested in disease causation than in individual patient care, he pursued pathology, studying regional cancer patterns. His pathology residency at Emory University solidified his lifelong focus on understanding cancer pathogenesis.Upon returning to Colombia, Dr. Correa joined the Universidad del Valle in Cali, where the city’s pathology laboratory enabled the study of population-level cancer patterns. In 1961, his data attracted the attention of Dr. William Haenszel, director of the Biometry Branch of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Drs. Correa and Haenszel started a fruitful collaboration that led to the foundation of the Cali Cancer Registry, the longest-running population-based registry in Latin America.In 1970, Dr. Correa joined the NCI Intramural Program as a visiting scientist and, in 1974, began a long tenure at Louisiana State University (LSU) Medical Center. Throughout, he continued his collaborations in Colombia. His landmark 1975 article (2) describing the stepwise progression to gastric adenocarcinoma redefined the field. This work documented a decades-long progression of the gastric mucosa from normal through atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and ultimately intestinal-type gastric cancer. Based on his observation of geographic differences in rates of gastric cancer in Colombia, Dr. Correa initially posited that diet, specifically high intake of nitrates and salt and low intake of dietary antioxidants, precipitated gastric preneoplastic changes. These important findings led to the NCI Program Project on gastric cancer etiology that was continuously funded beginning in 1980. Part of this NIH grant funded the Chemoprevention Trial, which provides strong, long-term evidence that H. pylori eradication can meaningfully slow or reverse the progression of precancerous gastric lesions (5).Dr. Correa served as a professor of pathology at LSU for over 40 years, earning the distinguished rank of Boyd Professor in 1996. After Hurricane Katrina caused irreparable damage to his laboratory, Dr. Correa’s group joined the Department of Gastroenterology led by Dr. Richard Peek at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was able to rebuild and expand his important work. At Vanderbilt, Dr. Correa was named the first holder of the Anne Potter Wilson Endowed Chair in Cancer Research.Dr. Correa authored more than 600 publications. His many honors include the International Agency for Research on Cancer Medal of Honor, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)–American Cancer Society Award for Research Excellence in Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, the AACR Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship, the American Gastroenterological Association Distinguished Achievement Award, the Marshall and Warren Medal by the European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group, and the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Society of Preventive Oncology. In 1994, Dr. Correa became a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In October 2006, Dr. Correa presented at the NIH Director’s Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series. He was elected a Fellow of the AACR Academy in 2025. In addition, he served on the US President’s Cancer Panel and the National Cancer Advisory Board, highlighting his leadership in national cancer research policy.Dr. Correa valued intellectual honesty, inculcated by his mentor Dr. Alfredo Correa-Henao, and credited Dr. Haenszel as his greatest professional influence. He admired Dr. (Sir) Richard Doll and acknowledged the influence of leading US epidemiologists, including Drs. Joseph Fraumeni, Jr.; Abraham Lilienfeld; and Brian MacMahon. As a collaborative “etiologist,” he worked across disciplines to understand why diseases occur. Although Dr. Correa celebrated epidemiology’s achievements, he also warned against its fragmentation into overly mathematical or political branches. He viewed etiologic research as inherently team-based, valuing the contributions of individuals from different disciplines. He urged the field to remain etiology-driven and practical, advising future researchers to follow their curiosity while upholding rigor and independent thinking. Until his last days, he maintained a keen interest in the societal and historical determinants of health, always seeking to understand the root causes of disease.Despite the numerous recognitions and distinctions earned throughout his career, Dr. Correa remained modest and unassuming. He was known for his warmth, selfless nature, work ethic, and rigorous inquiry. Dr. Correa described himself as a workaholic. Nevertheless, his greatest joy remained his family. He enjoyed listening to tango music and singing along with it. Those left to cherish Dr. Correa’s memory are his daughter, sons, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Dr. Correa’s contributions have indelibly shaped cancer epidemiology, pathology, and global cancer control. Through foundational concepts, pioneering population-based cancer registries, and decades of etiologic research, he transformed the understanding of gastric cancer and inspired generations of scientists worldwide.His legacy endures in the multitude of students and colleagues he mentored and the scientific advances rooted in his curiosity and unwavering commitment to understanding the causes of cancer.This obituary is partially based on Dr. Correa’s own words during an interview with Dr. Elizabeth Fontham (6). Along with her, we are a group of female scientists who received invaluable mentorship, support, and guidance from Dr. Correa at different stages of our careers. It is remarkable to note that when many scientific fields have been characterized by male-dominated cultures, Dr. Correa actively welcomed many female mentees and collaborators. He will be profoundly missed by us and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.