Epigenetic analysis identifies factors driving racial disparity in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most leading cause of death in men worldwide. African-American men (AA) represent more aggressive form of the disease compared to Caucasian (CA) counterparts. Several lines of evidences suggest that biological factors are responsible for the observed racial disparity.

AIM

This study was aimed at identifying the epigenetic variation among AA and CA PCa patients and whether DNA methylation differences have an association with clinical outcomes in the two races.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) dataset (2015) was used to identify existing epigenetic variation in AA and CA PCa patients. Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS) was performed to identify global DNA methylation changes in a small cohort of AA and CA PCa patients. The RRBS data were then used to identify survival and recurrence outcomes in AA and CA PCa patients using publicly available datasets. The TCGA data analysis revealed epigenetic heterogeneity, which could be categorized into four classes. AA associated primarily to methylation cluster 1 (p = 0.048), and CA associated to methylation cluster 3 (p = 0.000146). Enrichment of the Wnt signaling pathway was identified in both the races; however, they were differentially activated in terms of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling. This was further validated using the Decipher Genomics Resource Information Database (GRID). The RRBS data also identified discrete methylation patterns in AA compared with CA and, in part, validated our TCGA findings. Survival analysis using the RRBS data suggested hypomethylated genes to be significantly associated with recurrence of PCa in CA (p = 6.07 × 10^-6) as well as in AA (p = 0.0077).

CONCLUSION

Overall, we observed epigenetic-based racial disparity in PCa which could affect survival and should be considered during prognosis and treatment.

Evaluation of a culturally appropriate peer coaching program for smoking cessation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer coaching smoking cessation program in a high-risk Medicaid population.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

In this manuscript, we present an evaluation of a pilot program. Participants (N = 138) were recruited out of a larger smoking cessation program administered statewide and funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The participant sample was diverse, with 52% self-identifying as White, 39% as Black, and 56% Latino ethnicity (any race).

METHODS

Motivational interviewing techniques were utilized by peer coaches in clinical and community settings to achieve smoking cessation using face-to-face, telephone, and text/email encounters over a period of 6 months.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in the number of participants who had quit smoking from program enrollment to discharge (5.1%-18.5%, p = 0.02). Number of peer coaching encounters predicted quitting in program participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the literature that community-based smoking cessation services led by peer coaches can be effective in a diverse, high-risk population.

Low-income African-American adults share weight status, food-related psychosocial factors and behaviours with their children

Objective

This study aims to examine the extent to which low‐income African‐American children's weight status, psychosocial characteristics and food‐related behaviours are associated with that of their adult caregivers.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from baseline evaluation of B'More Healthy Communities for Kids obesity prevention trial were used. Outcomes of interest were children's overweight and/or obesity status, food‐related self‐efficacy, knowledge, intentions and healthier/less healthy food acquisition scores. The primary exposures were adult caregiver's overweight and/or obesity status, their psychosocial factors and food acquisition scores. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations.

Results

Children had higher odds of overweight or obesity if they had an overweight/obese caregiver (odds ratio [OR] 4.04, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.59–10.28) or an obese caregiver (OR 2.50, 95%CI 1.39–4.51). Having a caregiver in the highest quartile of self‐efficacy, food intentions and healthy food acquisition patterns was associated with higher odds of their child also having a higher score on these factors (self‐efficacy: OR 3.77 [95%CI 1.76–8.04]; food intentions: OR 1.13 [95%CI 1.01–1.27]; and healthy food acquisition: OR 2.19 [95%CI 1.05–4.54]).

Conclusions

Child and adult caregiver weight status and psychosocial characteristics were positively associated in this low‐income, urban population. These findings may help inform obesity treatment or prevention programmes and interventions aimed at parents and families.