Polygenic Risk Score for Cancer in African Population: A Systematic Review
Wafaa M Rashed1, Olagunju Abdulrahmon A2
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University. 6th of October, Egypt.
Annals of Human Genetics
|August 1, 2025
Summary
This review found limited genome-wide association study (GWAS)-based polygenic risk score (PRS) studies in African ancestry cancer patients. These polygenic risk score (PRS) studies show less clinical utility compared to European populations, highlighting a need for more research.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Oncology
- Genomic Epidemiology
Background:
- Precision medicine relies on genetic risk prediction.
- Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are emerging tools for assessing genetic predisposition to diseases.
- African ancestry populations are underrepresented in genomic studies, limiting PRS development and application.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for more large-scale, population-specific GWAS in African ancestry populations.
- Improving the representation of African-ancestry cohorts in genomic research is essential.
- Refining PRS models is necessary to capture the genetic diversity within African populations for clinical actionability.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
456
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
456
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
14.2K
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
14.2K
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
8.0K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.0K
02:59Cancer Prevention
6.3K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
6.3K
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
5.9K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.9K
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
15.9K
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
15.9K