Factors Involved in Prostate Cancer Disparity in African Americans: from Health System to Molecular Mechanisms

Abstract

The high incident and mortality rate in African American patients reflects the racial disparity in prostate cancer (PCa). African American men are affected by several non-biological and biological factors that increase their susceptibility to develop aggressive PCa compared with Caucasian men. Here, we provide a general view of some factors that impact the outcome, focusing on socio-economic factors and with more detail on a molecular perspective covering the mutations, polymorphisms, or epigenetic changes that influence cell proliferation/death balance, androgen pathway and immune response involved in PCa racial disparity. Moreover, we provide an overview of how non-biological and biological factors are interconnected in properly managing diseases.