2024-12 – African men at highest risk of prostate cancer

December 13, 2024 – Wenlong Karl Chen

African men are at increased risk of prostate cancer. Research has discovered genetic regions associated with the disease.

A groundbreaking study has identified genetic risk factors that contribute to an increase in prostate cancer in African men. The study, the largest of its kind, involved 7,500 men from East, South and West Africa. This study is particularly important because African men are at increased risk of prostate cancer.

medical scientist Wenlong Carl Chen We explain why this discovery is important and how it holds promise for future treatments.

What did you look for in your research and why?

Prostate cancer particularly affects men who: african. Studies in the United States and African countries show that African men have higher incidence of prostate cancer When compared to other male ancestors. It was also found that men of African and Afro-Caribbean descent were also at increased risk of developing COVID-19. More aggressive prostate cancer It is also characterized by onset at a younger age compared to men of European descent. Prostate cancer accounts for almost a quarter of all cancer cases diagnosed in Africa.

our study This study aimed to uncover aspects of the genetic makeup of prostate cancer that are unique to men of African descent. In other words, they wanted to understand what makes African men's genetic makeup higher at risk for prostate cancer.

evidence revealed in literature This suggests that genetic risk factors significantly contribute to the development of prostate cancer. Genetic risks can be divided into two groups.

Genetic risk factors or germline mutations: Genes have rare genetic variations such as: BRCA1 and BRCA2it is thought to be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. mutation in BRCA2 In particular, it is associated with a higher risk of developing more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

Single nucleotide polymorphism or variant: These are common genetic variations associated with increased risk of disease. Each variant itself increases the risk slightly. However, several mutations may combine to increase the risk profile of the disease.

This study assessed the risk that inherited genetic mutations contribute to prostate cancer.

Despite the high disease burden, genetic studies of prostate cancer in populations on the African continent are limited. The technology required for these studies is usually very expensive and requires specialized equipment, which is severely lacking in Africa.

What is unique about your job?

For a deeper understanding of genes cause For diseases, it was necessary to study diverse populations, especially African populations. African people have a lot higher genetic diversity when compared to other populations. as a place of origin of wise personBecause African populations are much older than other populations, genetic variation has had more time to accumulate.

Our study is the largest study to date investigating ancestry-specific genetic makeup and disease associations in prostate cancer across multiple regions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Many such studies are being conducted around the world. However, participation from Africa is very low, both in terms of researchers and research participants.

How did you proceed with your research?

Our consortium is African man, prostate cancer (MADCaP) was founded in 2016. Hospitals and universities from five African countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Uganda and South Africa – have partnered with several US-based universities to form a consortium. Funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The African center enrolled men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and other men from the same population who did not have cancer as controls. Demographic, social, economic, and clinical information and biological samples were collected from participants.

Our study consisted of 3,963 prostate cancer cases and 3,509 controls. Most biological sample processing and genotyping was performed in Africa using custom genotyping arrays. “Genotyping arrays” provide information on hundreds of thousands of DNA variants. This particular one was designed and optimized to capture African genetic variation.

What did you find?

We identified three genetic loci (gene regions) that are strongly associated with increased incidence of prostate cancer. Read signals within these loci were common in African populations but almost absent in non-African populations.

Although these three loci have been previously discovered in other populations, our signals within these loci are unique to African populations. They would not have been discovered if we had not studied African populations.

There are differences even within Africa. The genetic components that contribute to prostate cancer risk vary by geographic population.

Why is your research important?

It is important to study diseases in populations with the highest disease burden.

Our findings highlight the importance of studying possible causes of disease in diverse populations.

We discovered new associations by studying the genetics of prostate cancer across Africa. These signals would not have been found in studies conducted outside Africa.

The genetic diversity of African populations has further enabled detailed mapping of relevant regions to better understand what is driving the signals.

Our findings pave the way for the development of genetic tools that can grade people according to their degree of risk.

Another example of this is 2019. study A paper using genetics to predict breast cancer risk has been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. Women classified in high-risk groups will be eligible to enter Breast Cancer UK Screening program At a much earlier age.

Our findings will lay the foundation for developing and implementing similar tools in African settings.

Wenlong Carl Chenresearchers, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License. please read original article.