For more than a decade, we have dedicated our research to studying prostate cancer health disparities, with a particular focus on early-onset prostate cancer in African American men, who are disproportionately affected.

By uncovering biological mechanisms underlying these disparities, we aim to inform the development of improved strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately addressing the needs of those most impacted by this disease.

Figure from a scientific research study
Differentially methylated regions between prostate tumors from African American and European American men reveal race-specific enrichment of pathways and transcript factors (from Genome Med. 2024)

New R01 grant

Epigenetic aging as a driver of racial disparities in early onset prostate cancer

Project #:
1R01CA298785-01

Award:
$3,483,160 over 5 years

Source(s):
National Institute on Aging
National Cancer Institute

View project details

Our overall goal is to uncover the etiology of prostate cancer racial disparities for African American (AA) prostate cancer patients. This study builds on prior research that suggests ribosomal DNA (rDNA) methylation is a reliable marker of biological aging, with direct links to aging, longevity, and cancer.

By studying the rDNA methylation-EO PrCa relationship in AA men, we aim to uncover factors contributing to racial disparities. This insight may lead to targeted interventions for reducing the increased risk of EO PrCa in AA men.

  • Aim 1: Investigate whether AA prostate cancer patients have a higher rDNA methylation age at diagnosis compared to age-matched European American (EA) prostate cancer patients
  • Aim 2: Explore if AA men with prostate cancer exhibit an increased rDNA methylation age at diagnosis in comparison to age- and race-matched non-cancer controls
  • Aim 3: Assess the performance of the rDNA methylation clock in AA prostate cancer patients within their age range, relative to alternative metrics of epigenetic aging

We expect that the rDNA clock will become a valuable surveillance marker to assess risk of early onset prostate cancer for African American cancer patients, and the research proposed here will provide evidence to support the wider application of the rDNA clock as a biomarker to monitor the risk of age-associated disease in this unique population of cancer patients.

Read the press release

Additional research funding

Dr. Woloszynska’s prostate cancer research has also received significant funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Prostate Cancer Research Program:

Selected publications

Figure from a scientific research study
GATA transcription factor DNA methylation and gene expression are associated in a race-specific manner (from Genome Med. 2024) 
  • Ramakrishnan S, et al. Race-specific coregulatory and transcriptomic profiles associated with DNA methylation and androgen receptor in prostate cancer. Genome Med. 2024 Apr 2;16(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s13073-024-01323-6.
    PMID: 38566104Full text in Genome Medicine
  • Ramakrishnan S, et al. Serum Androgen Metabolites Correlate with Clinical Variables in African and European American Men with Localized, Therapy Naïve Prostate Cancer. Metabolites. 2023 Feb 16;13(2):284. doi: 10.3390/metabo13020284.  
    PMID: 36837903Full text in Metabolites
  • Ramakrishnan S, et al. Association among plasma 1,25(OH)2 D, ratio of 1,25(OH)2 D to 25(OH)D, and prostate cancer aggressiveness. Prostate. 2019 Jul;79(10):1117-1124. doi: 10.1002/pros.23824. 
    PMID: 31077420Full text in Prostate

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Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263