Investigating unique genetic markers in aggressive prostate cancers among African American patients
Official title: Aberrant Splice Variants as Potential Precision Biomarkers for Aggressive Prostate Cancers in African American Patients
Funded at University of Maryland Eastern Shore · NIH-10466902 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genetic differences might explain why aggressive prostate cancer is more common in African American men, with the hope of finding new ways to improve treatment and care for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Eastern Shore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princess Anne, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $387,500 |
| NIH project number | 5SC1GM127256-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10466902 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American men diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have prostate cancer or those who are not of African American descent may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific genetic variations, particularly in mRNA splicing, contribute to the higher rates of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men. By analyzing prostate cancer samples, the study aims to identify unique splice variants that may serve as biomarkers for more effective treatment and management of the disease. The approach includes validating these genetic markers through advanced techniques like RT-PCR and functional analyses. The ultimate goal is to uncover intrinsic biological differences that could explain disparities in prostate cancer outcomes between African American and European American patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of precision biomarkers that improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for aggressive prostate cancer in African American patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in identifying genetic markers related to cancer disparities, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Bi-Dar — University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Study coordinator: Wang, Bi-Dar
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.