Vitamin D and Related Genes, Race, and Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness

The overall goal of the study is to examine whether altered vitamin D status (as measured by serum metabolites and by functional polymorphisms within genes related to vitamin D transport, metabolism and activity) is associated with increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and may explain some of the racial disparity seen in aggressive prostate cancer. The majority of project activities as outlined in the Statement of Work Tasks and Milestones are complete. The study team has been organized and participates in monthly conference calls (or more frequent as needed) to discuss study progress and data collection and analyses. IRB approval was obtained from all local institutions and the DoD HSRRB. All assays have been performed and data have been merged and cleaned. Statistical analyses are underway. With the large representation of African Americans in this investigation, the proposed research has tremendous potential to provide insights into a chronically underserved population carrying an unequal burden of disease.