Racial disparity in the genomics of precision oncology of prostate cancer

Abstract

BackgroundSignificant racial disparities in prostate cancer incidence and mortality have been reported between African American Men (AAM), who are at increased risk for prostate cancer, and European American Men (EAM). In most of the studies carried out on prostate cancer, this population is underrepresented. With the advancement of genome‐wide association studies, several genetic predictor models of prostate cancer risk have been elaborated, as well as numerous studies that identify both germline and somatic mutations with clinical utility.Recent FindingsDespite significant advances, the AAM population continues to be underrepresented in genomic studies, which can limit generalizability and potentially widen disparities. Here we outline racial disparities in currently available genomic applications that are used to estimate the risk of individuals developing prostate cancer and to identify personalized oncology treatment strategies. While the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer are different between AAM and EAM, samples from AAM remain to be unrepresented in different studies.ConclusionThis disparity impacts the available genomic data on prostate cancer. As a result, the disparity can limit the predictive utility of the genomic applications and may lead to the widening of the existing disparities. More studies with substantially higher recruitment and engagement of African American patients are necessary to overcome this disparity.

Filamin A Is a Prognostic Serum Biomarker for Differentiating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia from Prostate Cancer in Caucasian and African American Men

“…Finally, the development of diagnostics has historically focused primarily on Caucasian (CA) populations, while largely lacking in studies of populations of different ancestral origins, especially underserved populations such as Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans (AAs). Recent work has illuminated the disproportionate impact of PCa on AA men: (1) AA men are more likely to harbor genomically aggressive cancer [10]; (2) AA men have a two to four times higher PCa mortality rate than other racial and ethnic groups [1]; (3) annual screening for PCa would be especially beneficial in AA men compared to CA men [11]. Given the impact of PCa on underserved populations, there is an unmet need for a novel PCa screening or reflex tool capable of identifying at-risk patients across men of different ancestry.…”

Bridging racial and ethnic disparities in cancer research

“…Accordingly, Le et al proposed that bridging the divide and achieving health equity requires increased recruitment and engagement of AAMs. 5 …”