Investigating genetic markers of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men

Epigenomic and transcriptomic markers of aggressive prostate cancer among African American men

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10442509

This study is looking into why African American men tend to have more aggressive prostate cancer than white men, and it hopes to find specific markers in their tumors that can help doctors better predict how serious the cancer might be and improve treatment options for all patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10442509 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding why African American men are more likely to experience aggressive prostate cancer compared to white men. It aims to identify specific DNA methylation and RNA expression markers in prostate tumors that can help predict the aggressiveness of the disease. By analyzing archival prostate tissue samples from a diverse patient population, the study seeks to improve prognostication and treatment decisions for patients. The research will utilize advanced array-based technology to differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive forms of prostate cancer based on established Gleason scores.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African American men diagnosed with prostate cancer, particularly those with varying Gleason scores.

Not a fit: Patients who are not African American or those without a prostate cancer diagnosis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prognostic tools for African American men with prostate cancer, allowing for more personalized treatment options.

How similar studies have performed: While there is growing evidence supporting the use of genetic markers in prostate cancer prognostication, this specific focus on African American men is relatively novel and underexplored.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.
Conditions Cancersneoplasm/cancerDiseaseDisorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.