MMC/VICC Partnership : Research
Biomarkers of Racial Disparity in Colorectal Cancer
CO-LEADERS
- Meharry Co-Leader
Derrick Beech, M.D. – Professor & Chair of Surgery
DBeech@MMC.edu - Vanderbilt Co-Leaders
Ana M. Grau, M.D. – Assistant Professor of Surgery
Ana.Grau@Vanderbilt.edu
Nipun Merchant, M.D. - Associate Professor of Surgery
Nipun.Merchant@Vanderbilt.edu
This proposal incorporates a broad variety of disciplines of scientists at both Meharry Medical College (MMC) and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center (VICC) who will provide specific scientific expertise towards fulfilling the proposed specific aims as well as improve the collaborative research efforts between the two institutions. Data generated from on-going work performed in the GI Oncology Program of the VICC, has generated exciting developments worthy of further evaluation. The research plan focuses on evaluation and validation of biomarkers of colorectal cancer. Several studies of survival differences between African-American and Caucasian patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have reported poorer prognosis and shorter survival among the former group. We have previously shown that in a 10-year review of colorectal cancer outcomes at Vanderbilt and MMC demonstrated a marked disparity in overall and disease-free survival between African-American and Caucasian patients treated at each institution unrelated to socioeconomic factors. These data highlight the importance of determining if the biologic characteristics of CRC tumors amongst these patient populations accounts for the differences in clinical outcomes. Little is known about molecular alterations associated with the heterogeneity of colorectal cancer (CRC), and no molecular marker has been validated for use as a new diagnostic or prognostic parameter applicable to routine clinical practice. New models based on a deeper molecular understanding of disease are required to improve screening, diagnosis, treatment and ultimately survival. Our central hypothesis is that molecular profiling of CRC tissue will identify clinically relevant tumour subgroups between Caucasian and African-American patients and predict clinical outcomes in these patients. In addition, based upon preliminary data presented herein, we hope to validate a novel candidate biomarker of colorectal cancer: namely, the urinary metabolite of prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGE-M, in the screening of CRC. The following specific aims are proposed: Specific Aim 1: To determine whether changes in gene expression profiles can be used to distinguish clinical outcomes between African-American and Caucasian patients with CRC. Specific Aim 2: To determine whether the urinary metabolite of PGE2, PGE-M, can be used as a biomarker for CRC. By delineating these genes, understanding CRC development and progression will be improved and new diagnostic and/or prognostic markers, and new molecular targets for alternative anticancer drugs might soon be developed, leading to improvements in CRC management. We expect that results obtained from this proposal will provide the data necessary to apply for further extramural funding support and enhance the research collaboration between the two institutions.
