Breast Cancer in African American versus Caucasian Women: Difference in Gene Expression

Breast cancer in African‐American (AA) women is more advanced and difficult to treat than in Caucasian women in the United States, but the reasons for theses difference are not yet known. A disparity in breast carcinoma survival between African‐American and Caucasian women has been noted over the past several decades. AA women have more advanced breast cancer at the time of diagnosis than Caucasian women. In addition AA women tend to have breast cancer tumor types that are more aggressive and have poorer prognosis. African American women, regardless of age were more likely to have tumor grade III or IV with fewer grade I and II tumors stages combined and for each individual stage group. The disparities observed in incidence trends and age at diagnosis, particularly according to race, highlight the need for further investigation of the differences between minority and the Caucasian populations. Cell lines were selected from both populations for both pre and post menopausal conditions and their gene profiles were compared using cDNA microarrays. A combined data filtering with statistical analysis revealed a set of genes that were able to distinguish between AA and Caucasian breast cancer cells. These genes are involved in a various pathways involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as transcription and transportation.