Identifying DNA Methylation Features that Underlie Prostate Cancer Disparities
Abstract
In the U.S., African Americans (AA) are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than European American (EA), and after diagnosis, AA men are more likely to die from prostate cancer than EA men. We hypothesize that differences in DNA methylation patterns across ethnic groups may contribute to prostate cancer disparities. Our objective is to conduct a genome-wide study of methylation patterns in prostate tumors and adjacent normal tissue derived from both AA and EA individuals. We will determine if DNA methylation patterns in prostate tissue (both cancerous and normal tissue) differ between AA and EA individuals. We will also identify methylation features that differ between tumor and normal tissue. Using this information, we can then determine if methylation events that accompany prostate cancer development differ between ethnic groups. In addition, we will attempt to determine if these epigenetic differences are driven by genetic and environmental factors that vary by ethnicity. Developing an understanding of these differences is a critical and necessary step towards understanding and addressing prostate cancer disparities. Features identified here can be used in future studies of disparities to better characterize the prostate cancer phenotype in diverse populations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1004101
Entities
People
- Brandon Pierce
Organizations
- University of Chicago