Epigenetic prostate cancer testing for Black men
Research type
Research Study
Full title
New epigenetic markers for prostate cancer detection in black men.
IRAS ID
319765
Contact name
Dmitry Pshezhetskiy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
6969, funder reference
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
\nThere is a racial disparity in prostate cancer (PCa) prevalence whereas 25% (1 in 4) Black men will be diagnosed with this disease during their lifetime vs 12.5% (1 in 8) white men. Same applies for PCa mortality: 1 in 12 for Black men vs 1 in 24 for white men.\nEarly diagnosis allows curative treatment and 5-year survival for men diagnosed with stage 1 PCa is 100% while for patients with stage 4 is only 50%. \nTwo-fold higher prevalence of PCa in black men compared to white men within the same population suggests a strong genetic component. We now know that most cases of PCa (except hereditary PCa) are not underlined by specific somatic mutations, but are due to aberrant gene expression due to alterations in the epigenetic signalling. Epigenetic changes involve DNA methylation, histone acetylation and changes in chromosome conformations, all of which regulate gene expression. In our recently published study, we have found that prostate tumour cells can leave “epigenetic imprints” on the circulating cells by changing their chromosomal conformations. We have detected these changes in the peripheral blood and linked then to prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. \nHere we hypothesise that PCa patients of African-Caribbean descent may have specific chromosome conformations present in their circulating cells that may serve as a reliable marker for their disease. \nOur proposal is the first in its kind in epigenetics, to investigate chromosome conformation changes in the blood of black PCa patients and correlate these changes to their disease. This project combines significant academic and translational potential and may lead to development of a fundamentally new diagnostic/prognostic blood test for black men with prostate cancer. The major advantage of this test is its binary nature (yes/no), which can provide significant accuracy. Once the epigenetic signature is established, the tests can be done using PCR, which is available at most hospitals and are rapid, minimally invasive, accurate and cheap. If successful, this may significantly improve prostate cancer diagnosis in this highly vulnerable cohort. \n\n\n
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0428
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion