Racial Differences in Prostate Cancer Molecular Biology: An Evaluation of Tumor Suppressor Genes in BCL2, P53 and RB in Black and Africans

摘要

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer among African American males. Recent reports suggest that not only is the incidence higher than their white counterparts, but that they present at an earlier age with more diffuse disease, and have a higher morbidity and mortality. Our current study is designed to evaluate potential differences in tumor suppressor genes between cancers of non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans. We have selected the tumor suppressor genes BCL-2, p53 and Rb. We have selected cancers from America as well as South Africa to assess the potential for an increased virulence in African Americans compared to whites and Native Africans. In this initial grant we are funded to establish a laboratory and to prepare to write a Department of Defense grant that was submitted in the spring of 1999.