Race/Ethnicity associated Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer (HJF 527-18)

Research focused on identifying Race/Ethnicity associated differences of prostate cancer led to the discovery of distinct similarities and differences in gene alterations of African American (AA) and Caucasian American (CA) prostate cancer patients (CaP). These results could lead to the development of a prognostic assay that stratifies newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients of CA and AA ethnicities on the likelihood of Biochemical Recurrence (BCR) after prostatectomy.

Applications and Advantages

Application: Potential for a prognostic assay that stratifies newly diagnosed patients of CA and AA ethnicities on the likelihood of recurrence and identification of aggressive prostate cancer subsets
Advantage: Development of ethnically informed diagnostic, prognostic markers and tailored therapeutic approaches

Innovation Description

Researchers at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF), Uniformed Services University (USU) and Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) performed a comprehensive whole genome analyses of prostate cancers from AA and CA men. Based on a cohort of patients who have equal access to the DoD healthcare system, a gene panel for the early prognosis of prostate cancer progression and therapeutic stratification of patients harboring these defects is developed. Recurrent alterations in PTEN and LSAMP regions of the gene showed distinct similarities and differences among CA and AA patients.

Fig.1 LSAMP deletion (red tiles) is more prevalent in AA tumors (top BCR, LSAMP and PTEN) correlating with rapid disease progression. Bottom BCR, LSAMP and PTEN patterns represent CA patients.

For example, LSAMP locus deletion is more prevalent in AA patients (Fig. 1 Top LSAMP and PTEN) correlating with rapid disease progression while PTEN and ERG deletions are more frequent in CA patients (Fig. 1 Bottom LSAMP and PTEN). PTEN deletions (blue tiles) are relatively rare in AA patients.

These defects can be detected in biological samples by nucleic acid probe hybridization (e.g. FISH), antibody-based assays monitoring protein levels, genomic or gene expression or metabolomic or lipidomic signatures. Based on these results, further research could lead to the development of a prognostic assay that stratifies newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients on the likelihood of recurrence after prostatectomy while factoring in their ethnicities and unique cancer genomes.