A Systems Approach to Interrogate Gene Expression Patterns in African American Men Presenting with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

In this study, we used a precision medicine approach to examine molecular profiles and cellular stress responses in an important segment of AA and EA men: men undergoing prostate biopsy. The primary goal in the present study was to demonstrate the ability to assess the prostate transcriptome with a single biopsy core while further examining molecular differences in gene expression patterns relevant to prostate cancer disparities between AA and EA men in a new patient cohort presenting with early stage prostate cancer. To further this objective, we undertook a series of genome wide expression profiling experiments using high throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). RNA was purified from core biopsy prostate tissue specimens obtained from deidentified subjects enrolled in the study. Transcriptional profiles of each of the deidentified patient’s tissue samples were generated and systems level analyses were performed. The results of these analyses were compared across racial groups. RNA-seq of prostate biopsy from AA and EA men with low or high vitamin D serum level.