An Evaluation of Regional Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Research Needs Using Conference Abstracts.

Background: Despite cardiovascular diseases and cancer being the leading causes of premature mortality in the Caribbean region, there is limited local research available to guide a comprehensive response to this epidemic.

Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular disease and cancer research in the Caribbean using abstracts presented at the Caribbean Public Health Agency's (CARPHA) meeting - the longest running annual research conference in the region.

Method: Study data (population, intervention/exposure, comparison and outcome) were extracted from abstracts published for the 2006 to 2018 meetings.

A cross-sectional analysis of investigator needs for non-communicable disease research at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Objective: To describe the needs of academic staff conducting non-communicable disease (NCD) research at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica.

Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design an online survey was created using the research electronic data capture application (REDCap); it was disseminated via email to 708 academic staff members in the Faculties of Medical Sciences and Science & Technology between September and November 2018. Participants were asked to indicate their level of access to expertise, training and equipment for conducting research.

Addressing Disparities in Cancer Screening among U.S. Immigrants: Progress and Opportunities.

The United States is home to 47 million foreign-born individuals, which currently represents over 14% of the U.S. population.

Ethnic differences in TGFβ-signaling pathway may contribute to prostate cancer health disparity.

Epidemiological studies show that the incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) are significantly higher in African-American (AA) men when compared with Caucasian (CA) men in the United States. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway is linked to health disparities in AAs. Recent studies suggest a role of TGFβ3 in cancer metastases and its effect on the migratory and invasive behavior; however, its role in PCa in AA men has not been studied.

Integrative genomic analysis identifies ancestry-related expression quantitative trait loci on DNA polymerase β and supports the association of genetic ancestry with survival disparities in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: African Americans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a lower survival rate than whites. This study investigated the functional importance of ancestry-informative single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HNSCC and also examined the effect of functionally important genetic elements on racial disparities in HNSCC survival.

Methods: Ancestry-informative SNPs, RNA sequencing, methylation, and copy number variation data for 316 oral cavity and laryngeal cancer patients were analyzed across 178 DNA repair genes.

Ancestral-derived effects on the mutational landscape of laryngeal cancer.

Laryngeal cancer disproportionately affects more African-Americans than European-Americans. Here, we analyze the genome-wide somatic point mutations from the tumors of 13 African-Americans and 57 European-Americans from TCGA to differentiate between environmental and ancestrally-inherited factors. The mean number of mutations was different between African-Americans (151.

Multicenter study of human papillomavirus and the human papillomavirus vaccine: knowledge and attitudes among people of African descent.

Objective: To compare knowledge and attitudes of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine between different cultures of African descent.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 555 African-Americans and Afro-Caribbeans residing in the US and the Bahamas (BHM) was conducted.

Results: General knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine differed between the two countries significantly.

Polymorphisms in CYP17 and CYP3A4 and prostate cancer in men of African descent.

Background: A meta and pooled analysis of published and unpublished case-control studies was performed to evaluate the association of CYP17 (rs743572) and CYP3A4 (rs2740574) polymorphisms and prostate cancer (PCa) in men from the USA, Caribbean, and Africa.

Methods: Eight publications (seven studies) and two unpublished studies for CYP17 included 1,580 subjects (559 cases and 1,021 controls) and eleven publications and three unpublished studies for CYP3A4 included 3,400 subjects (1,429 cases and 1,971 controls).

Results: Overall, the CYP17 heterozygous and homozygous variants were not associated with PCa, but they confer a 60% increased risk of PCa in a sub-group analysis restricted to African-American men (T/C + C/C, OR: 1.

Determinants of head and neck cancer survival by race.

Background: Several factors contribute to the documented racial disparity in head and neck cancer, among which are socioeconomic status, access to care, and biologic factors.

Methods: Clinical characteristics of 87 African-American patients with head and neck cancer and a random sample of 261 white patients matched on age and smoking dose were associated with outcome.

Results: Black patients with cancers of the oral cavity and larynx were more likely diagnosed with advanced stages than whites, after adjusting for socioeconomic and insurance status and other confounding factors.

Polymorphisms in DNA damage response genes and head and neck cancer risk.

Background: Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes have been reported contributing factors in head and neck cancer risk but studies have shown conflicting results.

Objective: To clarify the impact of DNA repair gene polymorphisms in head and neck cancer risk.

Method: A meta-analysis including 30 case-control studies was performed.

Review of studies on metabolic genes and cancer in populations of African descent.

Genetic polymorphisms described for a number of enzymes involved in the metabolism of tobacco carcinogens and alcohol have been linked to increase cancer risk. Racial disparities in cancer between whites and populations of African descent are well documented. In addition to differences in access to health care, both environment and genetic factors and their interaction may contribute to the increased cancer risk in minority populations.

Human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 in primary lung cancers--a meta-analysis.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. A possible carcinogenic role of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been investigated for >20 years and has major clinical and public health implications. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of HPV16 and HPV18 in primary lung cancers (2435 subjects from 37 published studies).

Comparisons of high-risk cervical HPV infections in Caribbean and US populations.

Background: Disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates exist among women of African ancestry (African-American, African-Caribbean and African). Persistent cervical infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cervical dysplasia and if untreated, could potentially progress to invasive cervical cancer. Very few studies have been conducted to examine the true prevalence of HPV infection in this population.

Leptin levels and leptin receptor polymorphism frequency in healthy populations.

Background: The leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism Q223R is one of the most common in the general population, and is thought to be associated with an impaired signaling capacity of the leptin receptor and with higher mean circulating levels of leptin. Leptin is a hormone primarily produced in adipose tissue. Increased levels of leptin have been positively correlated with obesity.

Knowledge about human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine--a survey of the general population.

Background: The United States (US) Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine with the purpose of reducing the risk of cervical cancers caused by HPV 16 and HPV 18. It is important that the general population be educated about HPV and the HPV vaccine in order to make the appropriate decision whether or not to vaccinate against this virus. Participants from the adult US general population of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and Hampton, Virginia, USA (18+ years old) were surveyed to determine their knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine, and to evaluate their perception of the vaccine efficacy and safety.

Human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence among Tobago women and the role of sexual lifestyle behavior.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is present in 22.9% of Tobago men. However, seroprevalence and modes of transmission of HHV-8 among Tobago women are not known.

Meta-analysis and pooled analysis of GSTM1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms and oral and pharyngeal cancers: a HuGE-GSEC review.

The association of GSTM1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms and oral and pharyngeal cancers was assessed through a meta-analysis of published case-control studies and a pooled analysis of both published and unpublished case-control studies from the Genetic Susceptibility to Environmental Carcinogens database (http://www.upci.upmc.

Lung cancer in elderly patients: an analysis of the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database.

Purpose: To study the burden and outcome of lung cancer in the elderly, particularly for patients aged 80 years and older.

Patients And Methods: The national Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was analyzed for lung cancer outcomes during the period 1988 to 2003. A comparison was carried out between patients with lung cancer 80 years and older, 70 to 79 years, and younger than 70 years for demographics; stage distribution; 5-year relative survival; and survival based on histology, sex, race, stage, and treatment.

African-Caribbean cancer consortium for the study of viral, genetic and environmental cancer risk factors.

This is a short summary of a meeting of the "African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium", jointly organized by the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Epidemiology and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, held in Montego Bay, Jamaica as a satellite meeting at the Caribbean Health Research Council, 52nd Annual Council and Scientific meeting on May 4, 2007.

Survival of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in relation to human papillomavirus infection: review and meta-analysis.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), especially of the oropharynx, with highest distribution in the tonsils. HPV infection has been associated with improved outcome, although not all the studies show consistent results. The reason for this is not clear.

The influence of clinical and demographic risk factors on the establishment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

The purpose of this study was to generate stable cell cultures from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), and retrospectively analyze the factors associated with successful cell line establishment. Fifty-two HNSCC cell lines were isolated from a series of 199 tumors collected between 1992 and 1997 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Cell lines were characterized at the molecular and cellular level to determine the features associated with cell line formation.

Mapping and analysis of HPV16 integration sites in a head and neck cancer cell line.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a circular double-stranded DNA virus implicated in at least 90% of cervical and anogenital cancers and has been observed in approximately 20% of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). Transcription of the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 is regulated by expression of the E2 protein. Disruption of the E2 gene sequence due to viral integration results in upregulation of E6 and E7, which promote tumorigenesis by abrogating p53 and pRb functions.