African-American men who inherit a prostate cancer genetic mutation are at increased risk for the disease, according to a study published in the Asian Journal of Andrology.
Shahrar Koochekpour, MD, PhD, from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, discovered a defect in the androgen receptor, the receptor responsible for regulating testosterone, contributed to the development and progression of prostate cancer in high-risk African-American men.
For the study Dr. Koochekpour tested DNA 30 African-American men and 30 Caucasian men, who had a proven history of prostate cancer in their families.
"We detected this mutation only in African-American men with prostate cancer," Dr. Koochekpour stated. "We found it in the cell's androgen receptor (AR), a protein which interacts and response to male sex hormones. This protein is profoundly involved in prostate cancer formation and its progression to an advanced metastatic, incurable stage. We believe that this mutation increases the risk of the development and progression of prostate cancer, in part by altering the receptor's DNA-binding ability, and by regulating the activities of other genes and proteins involved in the growth and aggressive behaviors of tumors."
According to the American Cancer Society's most up-to-date data, African-American men have the highest mortality rate for prostate cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. Additionally, the death rate for prostate cancer is 2.4 times higher in African-American men than white men.
"We are hopeful that this discovery will eventually lead to a simple genetic test for prostate caner for African-American men who are at high risk for developing prostate cancer, allowing genetic counseling and earlier, potentially life-saving treatment," Dr. Koochekpour concluded.
March 9, 2010
African-Americans More Likely To Suffer From Alzheimer Than Whites
African-Americans and Hispanics have a greater risk of developing Alzheimers disease than other races, according to a report published by the Alzheimer’s Association.
While Caucasians make up the majority of the 5 million people effected by Alzheimers, the study found that African-Americans are about 2 times more likely and Hispanics are about 1.5 times more likely than their Caucasian counterparts.
The report points out that health and socioeconomic factors probably contribute to the greater prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias in African-Americans and Hispanics.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the single largest, looming, unaddressed public health threat facing the nation, but we now know the threat is even more substantial in the African-American and Hispanic communities,” said Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association President and CEO. “These groups are more likely to have Alzheimer’s, less likely to know it and, as a result, less likely to receive available treatments and supportive services that can help them cope with the disease.”
Moreover, the report also revealed that African-Americans and Hispanics are less likely than Caucasians to have a formal diagnosis of their condition.
“The Association is committed to increasing awareness about risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementias among all Americans,” said Johns. “Greater understanding about the importance of proper management of diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes will allow individuals to make more informed health care decisions and adopt healthy life style behaviors that can also help to reduce Alzheimer and dementia risk.”
While Caucasians make up the majority of the 5 million people effected by Alzheimers, the study found that African-Americans are about 2 times more likely and Hispanics are about 1.5 times more likely than their Caucasian counterparts.
The report points out that health and socioeconomic factors probably contribute to the greater prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias in African-Americans and Hispanics.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the single largest, looming, unaddressed public health threat facing the nation, but we now know the threat is even more substantial in the African-American and Hispanic communities,” said Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association President and CEO. “These groups are more likely to have Alzheimer’s, less likely to know it and, as a result, less likely to receive available treatments and supportive services that can help them cope with the disease.”
Moreover, the report also revealed that African-Americans and Hispanics are less likely than Caucasians to have a formal diagnosis of their condition.
“The Association is committed to increasing awareness about risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementias among all Americans,” said Johns. “Greater understanding about the importance of proper management of diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes will allow individuals to make more informed health care decisions and adopt healthy life style behaviors that can also help to reduce Alzheimer and dementia risk.”
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