Human prostate cell models comparing cancer in African American and European American men

Developing Functional Human Cell Models to Study Initiation and Progression of Prostate Cancer between AA and EA men

NIH-funded research Ohio State University · NIH-11321154

This project builds human prostate cell models to learn why prostate cancer starts and progresses differently in African American and European American men.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11321154 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will grow prostate cells taken from African American and European American men using a cell-culture method called conditional reprogramming and organoid culture. They will compare normal prostate cells and primary tumor cells to look for differences in genetics, cell behavior, and early cancer changes such as abnormal karyotypes and tumor-forming ability. Some lab-grown cells will be tested in mice to see whether they form tumors, and the team will use those results to pinpoint cellular features that might explain higher incidence and mortality in African American men.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are African American or European American men who can provide prostate tissue samples, for example during a biopsy or prostate surgery.

Not a fit: People seeking an immediate treatment for prostate cancer are unlikely to benefit directly because this work focuses on laboratory models and biological understanding.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal cellular reasons for racial differences in prostate cancer and point to new ways to detect or target tumors earlier in high-risk men.

How similar studies have performed: Researchers have used organoids and conditional reprogramming to grow normal and some advanced prostate cells, but reliably culturing primary prostate tumors and linking findings to racial disparities remains a newer and developing area.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.