A Model for Understanding the Genetic Basis for Disparity in Prostate Cancer Risk
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. African-American men are not only more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer but also more likely to die from prostate cancer than are white men. The reasons for this disparity in risk of prostate cancer in men of different genetic ancestry are not clear. Although much research is being done to understand whether social factors such as income gap and dietary and other lifestyle differences or family history and genetic factors can explain this difference, the causes of higher rates of prostate cancer in African-American males are still unknown. For example, it is not known whether any differences in the structure or functioning of the normal prostate tissue of white Caucasian and African-American men before cancer develops can help explain the difference in the risk of developing cancer. To be able to study such differences, scientists need to have access to prostate tissue from men before they are too old or already have cancer. This is not feasible because it is rare, if ever, that prostate tissue is taken out from healthy individuals. This has been a major hurdle to progress in this field. Recently, there have been exciting breakthroughs in biology. Now we know that we can use almost any cell in the human body and convert it to behave like an embryonic cell that can give rise to all other cells in the body. For example, cells from the skin can be reprogrammed to become embryonic-type cells and then produce any type of cells we wish to make including cells in the prostate tissue. In our research on skin and skin cancer, we routinely collect and separate different types of skin cells from the foreskin tissue that is discarded after circumcision of newborn baby boys, both white Caucasian and black African-American. Since circumcisions are routinely performed in the birthing centers, there is almost unending supply of these discarded tissues from which we can isolate skin cells. In this project, we will collect cells from these discarded foreskin tissues, reprogram those cells to embryonic cell type cells and then convert them to prostate tissue. This will allow us to study them and manipulate them to begin to understand why cells obtained from African-American men have higher sensitivity to become cancerous. The research proposed here is expected to identify mechanisms by which normal prostate cells become cancerous and therefore it can be considered basic at this time for immediate clinical applicability. The interim outcome for this research is that it has the potential to provide new insights into the vexing question --- why African-American men have significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to white Caucasian Americans. However, in the long term, this research may benefit all prostate cancer patients. The potential clinical application of the knowledge gained from this research is that it could eventually help develop new treatments for prostate cancer. The major contribution of this study to the field of prostate cancer research is the development of a new model for studies on normal prostate cells and how they become cancerous. Employing this model, it is possible to screen for new drugs and discover new ways to kill prostate cancer cells.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2016
- Source ID
- W81XWH1510529
Entities
People
- Vijayasaradhi Setalyr
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Wisconsin–Madison