Abstract A65: An integromics approach identifies immune escape as a potential mechanism for prostate cancer disparities

Background: AA men with PCa will die at a rate nearly 2.5 times higher than their EA counterparts. Presently, no mechanism has been described to explain the differences observed between AA and EA men with PCa; yet, many have interrogated the role of social and anthropometric data on PCa outcomes within these populations. However, when these factors are statistically controlled, the differences in incidence, morbidity, and mortality between AA and EA PCa persist. These findings support the notion that biological factors are one of the major driving forces of PCa disparities. Therefore, to obtain better insights into the molecular aspects of PCa disparities, we examined metabolomic and gene expression profiles of PCa and matched adjacent benign tissue from AA and EA men. Metabolomics is defined as the study of all the small molecule metabolites produced by cellular processes in the body. We hypothesize that racially distinct metabolic pathways and the associated bioprocesses, may contribute to PCa health disparities Methodology: A total of 190 polar and mid-polar metabolites were measured using mass spectrometry across 50 and 28 PCa/benign tissue pairs from AA and EA men, respectively. Likewise, gene expression microarray analysis was performed on 48 and 21 PCa/benign tissue pairs from AA and EA men. Ancestry informative markers were genotyped and ancestry estimates were determined. Metabolic profiles of AA and EA PCa and benign adjacent pairs were compared using paired t-tests. FDR corrected p-values were used to detect differential metabolites and genes. Results: Unique biochemical alterations associated with AA tumors were identified. Pathways such as cysteine/methionine, arginine/proline and de novo purine biosynthesis were enhanced in AA PCa. Metabolites such as cystathione, cysteine, and S-Adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), are elevated in AA PCa compared to matched adjacent benign. Consistent with this, transcript and protein levels of DNA Methyl Transferase 1 (DNMT1) and Cystathione Beta Synthase (CBS) were elevated in AA PCa tissues and cell lines. Interestingly, protein and transcript levels of Adenosine Deaminase, an enzyme that converts SAM-derived adenosine to inosine was significantly down regulated in AA PCa, both in tissues and cell lines. Consistent with this, accumulated levels of adenosine were found in AA PCa. Conclusions: Taken together, the metabolomics data alludes to the existence of an efficient immune escape mechanism in AA PCa. Corroborating this, analysis of gene expression data from AA men with PCa also reveals enriched immune escape pathways. Citation Format: Stacy M. Lloyd, Jie Gohlke, Sumanta Basu, Salil Bhowmik, Vasanta Putluri, Rashmi Krishnapurnam, Kimal Rajapakshe, Cristian Coarfa, Nilanjan Guha, SA Deepak, Arunkumar Padmanabhan, Mohammed Sayeeduddin, Patricia Castro, Michael Ittmann, Ganesh Palapattu, Nagireddy Putluri, George Michailidis, Arun Sreekumar. An integromics approach identifies immune escape as a potential mechanism for prostate cancer disparities. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A65.