Projects

• Lycopene in Prostate Cancer Risk Among African Americans and Nigerians: A Case Control Study.

Flora A.M.Ukoli, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., with Emeka Amaefuna, Ph.D., Derrick J. Beech, M.D., Michael Cookson, M.D, Robert S. Dittus, M.D., M.P.H. (mentor), Jay Fowke, Ph.D. and Usifo Osime, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.S. (University of Benin, Nigeria).
Lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, has been identified as a protective factor in prostate cancer. As plasma levels of lycopene are lower in African-Americans, this may in part explain the increased risk for prostate cancer in black men. In contrast, Nigerian men have a lower incidence of prostate cancer than African-American males and generally also consume more tomato-based foods. This proposal will therefore recruit black males from Nigeria and Nashville, collect diet and demographic information, take measurements such as percent body fat and BMI and biological samples for assay of lycopene, vitamin E, lipids, fatty acids, and testosterone/DHT levels, as a means of determining the potential role of lycopene as a risk-reducing agent.

• Genetic Indices of Steroid Hormone Synthesis and Metabolism in Prostate Cancer (Pilot)

Yong Cui, M.D., M.S.P.H. with Robert Dittus, M.D., M.P.H., Jay Fowke, Ph.D. and Robert Matusik, Ph.D.(mentor).
The specific role of circulating androgens in the development of prostate cancer is unclear. This project examines whether functional polymorphisms in genes encoding androgen metabolic enzymes play a key role in the etiology of prostate cancer.

• Benzopyrene B(a)P Induced Activation of Prostatic Specific Genes (Pilot)

Ben Ogunkua, M.D., Ph.D. and Susan Kasper, Ph.D., and Robert Matusik, Ph.D. (mentor).
B(a)P is an environmental toxin with estrogenic and androgenic properties and is known to have a direct effect on the prostate; its role in the development of prostate cancer is uncertain. Using large probasin (LPB)-Tag transgenic mice and androgen-dependent NeoTag cell lines, the investigators will determine the ability of the prostate to metabolize B(a)P, and whether B(a)P influences the progression of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) to adenocarcinoma in LPB-Tag mice.

• Prostate Cancer Health Care Seeking Behavior of African American Men

William Washington, D.P.A., M.P.H. with Michael Cookson, M.D., Robert Dittus, M.D., M.P.H. (mentor),; Margaret Hargreaves, Ph.D.; and Flora A.M. Ukoli, M.B.B.S., M.P.H..
Working with local churches and men’s social organizations to increase prostate cancer awareness, African American men over 40 will be recruited and will complete a questionnaire that includes questions about health care, any medical care for prostate cancer, support systems, barriers to health care access and satisfaction with their current health care delivery. The intent is to increase their ability to make informed decisions.

• Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Growth by Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (Pilot)

LaMonica Stewart, Ph.D., with Susan Kasper, Ph.D. and Robert Matusik, Ph.D.    (mentor).
TZDs, currently used to treat diabetics, have been shown to reduce the proliferation of human prostate cancer cells. In a large cohort of men with type II diabetes, those who were taking TZDs, had a 43% lower incidence of prostate cancer than those who were not. As one of their actions, TZDs activate the transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). This study will determine: a) the role of PPARγ on the growth inhibitory properties of TZDs, b) if TZDs reduce prostate cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest; and c) if TZDs regulate adhesion and/or invasion of human prostate cancer cells.