Health disparities: genetics plays an important role in cancer detection, prognosis among minorities

Phelan and her colleagues targeted established prostate cancer biomarkers: PSA, kallikrein 2 (KLK2), kallikrein 14 (KLK14), osteoprotegerin (OPG), antip53Ab, caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Using an African-American prostate cancer case-control collection, the researchers observed that the bioconjugated QDs displayed a spectral shift of the maximum position on average by 4 nm in comparison with nonconjugated QDs.

“The benefit of the observation may lie in the fact that the shift is different for each antibody, thus will show a peak at different wavelengths,” the researchers reported.

Phelan said there are two main advantages to QD technology over current methods, such as measuring PSA. First, the optical properties of QDs allow protein detection at lower levels when the tumor is in its earliest stages. Second, the technology offers the ability to detect multiple biomarkers, which will be more effective than a single biomarker.

“The technology can be used for detection of any cancer in any ethnic group,” Phelan said. The biomarkers in the study are unique to African-American men with prostate cancer, but the baseline levels of the proteins may differ among ethnic groups.

The technology could also be used to detect risk of recurrence, although the biomarkers may be different than for early detection, she said.

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