Prostate cancer genetic risk and associated aggressive disease in men of African ancestry

Abstract African ancestry is a significant risk factor for prostate cancer and advanced disease. Yet, genetic studies have largely been conducted outside the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, identifying 278 common risk variants contributing to a multiethnic polygenic risk score, with rare variants focused on a panel of roughly 20 pathogenic genes. Based on this knowledge, we were unable to determine polygenic risk or differentiate prostate cancer status interrogating whole genome data for 113 Black South African men. To further assess for potentially functional common and rare variant associations, we interrogated 247,780 exomic variants for 798 Black South African men using a case versus control or aggressive versus non-aggressive study design. Notable genes of interest included HCP5, RFX6 and H3C1 for risk, and MKI67 and KLF5 for aggressive disease. Our study highlights the need for further inclusion across the African diaspora to establish African-relevant risk models aimed at reducing prostate cancer health disparities.