Reduction of Lethal Prostate Cancer Disparities in Underserved Hispanic/Latino Populations
Abstract
The objective of this study is to identify the molecular profile of lethal prostate cancer (PCa) in Puerto Rican Hispanic/Latino (PR H/L) men. Data from the Puerto Rico (PR) Cancer Registry shows that PCa is the leading cancer diagnosed in men. According to the 2010 Census, 4.6 million Puerto Ricans were living in the United States (U.S.). As of 2019, Puerto Rico’s population was 3,193,694 habitants, of which 1,518,043 were males. These statistics show that the number of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. exceeds the number of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico. The PR H/L population is characterized by high PCa mortality when compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and other Hispanic groups in the U.S. The causes for this high mortality rate observed among PR H/L men when compared with other populations are unknown. Furthermore, previous research suggests that PR H/L men have poorer survival rates and worse treatment outcomes compared to NHW. Thus, it is essential to study the main biological and molecular features of PCa in PR H/L men and evaluate the disparities compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S. Since H/L men represent the largest ethnic minority in the U.S., there is high interest to identify factors that might contribute to this disparity. Puerto Ricans are an admixed population composed primarily of three ethnic groups: European (64%), West African (24%), and Indigenous American (11%). The contribution of these three ethnicities is known as ancestry. The genetic diversity that characterizes the populations of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) takes origin in their histories of migration and is reflected in their ancestry. As a result, individuals from LAC display a remarkable variety in their genetic origins and composition, cultures, and socio-economic realities. However, the tendency remains to refer to study Hispanic/Latinos as a single ethnic group. While this approach is convenient for census purposes, it constitutes a confounder that impedes the capacity to uncover cancer risk factors associated to the full LAC population. This project aims to (1) identify the biological and molecular features of tumors obtained from PR H/L men diagnosed with lethal PCa; (2) study lethal PCa and its effect on DNA capacity to repair itself (DNA repair capacity) to develop a potential blood test that can be used to identify men at high risk; and (3) increase PCa education and screening in three underserved PR communities that have a high mortality of PCa and/or African ancestry. This innovative study has groundbreaking potential to reduce lethal PCa health disparities in PR H/L men and other African ancestry H/L populations. Identifying the specific alterations that characterize lethal PCa tumors in PR H/L men will aid in detecting the impact ancestry plays in lethal PCa. This study will also be the first to identify changes on the DNA repair capacity in PR H/L men with PCa. In addition, the study team will engage with the community through workshops directed at developing effective, culturally sensitive strategies in PCa education, including prevention and screening. Using an innovative approach involving a community outreach team, urologists, and a mobile health clinic, the team aims to educate communities to reduce the number of deaths from lethal PCa through early diagnosis and more targeted therapies while increasing access to health care.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 05, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2110241
Entities
People
- Jaime Matta
Organizations
- United States Army