Abstract for: The Men of African Descent Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP) consortium : a dynamic commitment to address prostate cancer disparity in black men

Prostate cancer has a higher incidence and mortality rate among Black men. Although substantial data exist on prostate cancer in African American men, a more comprehensive global perspective can be achieved by studying native African populations. Such research would provide the clinical and genetic diversity necessary to better understand and address global disparities in prostate cancer. MADCaP has designed a common protocol to collect data on epidemiology and clinical characteristics and biosamples for genetic studies. MADCaP has developed an Africa‑customized genotyping array for genome‑wide association studies. This approach will explore known prostate cancer susceptibility alleles and explore new alleles specific to native African. Alleles of prostate cancer aggressiveness will also be explored. Prostate cancer is mostly diagnosed at an advanced age and stage in Sub Saharan Africa. Native African men overall display an increased risk of prostate cancer based on known alleles. In addition, 15 variants specific to native black African have been discovered including 13 independent SNP at chromosome 8 (locus 8q24.21), 1 independent SNP at chromosome 6 (locus 6q22.1) and 1 independent SNP at chromosome 1 (locus 11q13.3). Advanced stage at diagnosis reflects the lack or early detection of prostate cancer in Sub Saharan Africa. GWAS studies have confirmed existing susceptibility loci among native African and have discovered new susceptibility loci. However, alleles explaining prostate cancer aggressiveness are yet to be found. While the current findings add consistently to the body of knowledge, more studies are still needed given the complexity of human genome. Advanced stage at diagnosis reflects the lack or early detection of prostate cancer in Sub Saharan Africa. GWAS studies have confirmed existing susceptibility loci among native African and have discovered new susceptibility loci. However, alleles explaining prostate cancer aggressiveness are yet to be found. While the current findings add consistently to the body of knowledge, more studies are still needed given the complexity of human genome.