Plasma cells are enriched in localized prostate cancer in black men and are associated with improved outcomes [Validation Cohort]

Black men die more often of prostate cancer (PC) yet, interestingly, may derive greater survival benefits from immunotherapy. Since no signatures of immune-responsiveness exist for PC, we explored race-based immune-profiles to identify vulnerabilities. Black men have increases in plasma cell infiltrate and associated augmented NK cell and IgG activity. These findings are associated with improved survival and nominate plasma cells as drivers of PC immune-responsiveness. This validation cohort was comprised of a large retrospective cohort with whole transcriptomic data (DVA; n=538). Race was patient-identified in this cohort (236 White and 302 Black). This group was comprised of genome-wide expression profiles from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded prostate tumors from radical prostatectomy between 1989 and 2016.