Prostate cancer death rate in Puerto Rico is higher than the death rate for Hispanics in the United States and higher that the death rate for Whites in the United States. Our laboratory is interested in addressing this health disparity through collaborative, translational, genomic and proteomic approaches. Presently we are studying relationships between ancestry, Prostate Cancer associated polymorphisms and Prostate Cancer severity. We are also assessing the use of novel biomarkers in conjunction with clinical parameters to elaborate a multivariate predictive model. The long term goal is to diminish the death rate disparity by achieving a better understanding of the phenotype of this disease among Puerto Rican men.
1. Albert Villanueva-Reyes, Edythe Strand, Cruz M. Nazario, Margarita Irizarry-Ramírez. 2008 Cancer of the larynx in Puerto Rico.PRHSJ.; 23:196-203 PMID:1878296.
2. Rosa Negrón, MS; Andrea Vásquez, MS; Mariely Nieves, MS; Lourdes Guerrios, MD; Margarita Irizarry-Ramírez,PhD. 2010 BMI impacts the diagnosis and progression of Prostate Cancer in Hispanics. Ethnicity & Disease :20,168-172 PMID:20521409.