Leanne Burnham, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Division of Health Equities, City of Hope, discusses the correlation between HER2 positivity and race in patients with prostate cancer.

The role of HER2 positivity in prostate cancer has been explored over the past decade. Research done in animal and preclinical models ultimately led to clinical trials that primarily examined the anti-HER2 agent trastuzumab (Herceptin) in patients with prostate cancer, according to Burnham. However, these trials ultimately failed because not enough patients with HER2-positive disease were enrolled and trastuzumab monotherapy was not found to be efficacious, Burnham says. Moreover, information on race was not reported in these trials; therefore, HER2 positivity was not evaluated by race, Burnham adds.

Currently, research being done at City of Hope has found that not only is HER2 expressed in prostate tumors, but HER2 expression is correlated with West African ancestry, based on tumor tissue specimens collected from a small cohort of African American patients, Burnham notes. As such, West African ancestry is an important factor to consider when studying biological or genetic determinants of disease because these characteristics can be used to better understand the genetic role of DNA in a disease, Burnham concludes.

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Leanne Burnham, PhD, discusses the correlation between HER2 positivity and race in patients with prostate cancer.


Dr. Burnham on Correlations Between Race and HER2 Positivity in Prostate Cancer 

Leanne Burnham, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Division of Health Equities, City of Hope, discusses the need to close the gap in health disparities, in prostate cancer.

Health disparities are an ongoing problem in the United States, but more clinical trials ​are being designed to increase diversity in patient populations, Burnham says. At City of Hope, the PARP inhibitor talazoparib (Talzenna) is being evaluated in an ongoing trial specifically in African American, European American, and Asian American men with prostate cancer, Burnham explains.

The goal of the study is to observe any clinically meaningful differences between how these patient subgroups respond to talazoparib based on androgen receptor trinucleotide repeats, Burnham continues. It is understood that ancestry determines how long these repeat links are, Burnham says. Additionally, an inverse correlation between androgen receptor, trinucleotide repeats, and prostate cancer outcomes has been observed, Burnham adds. By looking at talazoparib, the results of the study may yield insight into how to use diversity in a clinical trial in real time, Burnham concludes.

Leanne Burnham, PhD, discusses the need to close the gap in health disparities in prostate cancer. 

Dr. Burnham on Closing the Gap in Health Disparities in Prostate Cancer 

Leanne Burnham, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Division of Health Equities, City of Hope, discusses health disparities in prostate cancer.

Health disparities have been present in the United States for decades but became more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Burnham. In prostate cancer, the field has been aware of racial health disparities and research efforts are ongoing to bridge these gaps in this disease, Burnham explains. 

For example, Black men are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer compared with White men, says Burnham. Additionally, Black men are likely to present with advanced-stage disease and are twice as likely to die from their disease vs White men, Burnham adds. 

Overall, factors including genetic predisposition, biology, diet and lifestyle, access to care, socioeconomic status, and personal health beliefs contribute to these health disparities, Burnham concludes.

Leanne Burnham, PhD, discusses health disparities in prostate cancer.  



Leanne Burnham, PhD

Articles

Dr. Burnham on Correlations Between Race and HER2 Positivity in Prostate Cancer

Dr. Burnham on Closing the Gap in Health Disparities in Prostate Cancer

Dr. Burnham on Health Disparities in Prostate Cancer