Microbial Differences in Prostate Lesions Between Black and White American Men.

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Urologic oncology
• Genitourinary pathology

Background:

• Prostate cancer incidence and outcomes vary significantly across racial groups.
• The local prostate tissue microbiome is an understudied factor that may influence these disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate race-specific microbial differences within prostate tissue.
• To identify distinct microbial signatures associated with prostate cancer in Black and White American men.

Main Methods:

• 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on prostate cancer, inflammation, and benign tissues from Black and White American men.
• Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for validation.
• Statistical analyses included false discovery rate adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in microbial composition were observed between racial groups.
• Specific bacterial taxa, including Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, showed differential abundance.
• Phyla such as Tenericutes were unique to Black American samples, while Bacteroidota and Deinococcota were more abundant in White American samples.

Conclusions:

• This study reveals significant microbial diversity and distinct microbial signatures in the prostate tissue of Black and White American men.
• These findings suggest that intra-prostatic bacteria may contribute to prostate cancer disparities and pathogenesis.
• Further research into the role of the microbiome in prostate cancer is warranted.