The association between fatty acids and prostate cancer remains poorly explored in African-descent populations. Here, we analyze 24 circulating fatty acids in 2934 men, including 1431 prostate cancer cases and 1503 population controls from Ghana and the United States, using CLIA-certified mass spectrometry-based assays. We investigate their associations with population groups (Ghanaian, African American, European American men), lifestyle factors, the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genetic locus, and prostate cancer. Blood levels of circulating fatty acids vary significantly between the three population groups, particularly trans, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. FADS1/2 germline genetic variants and lifestyle factors explain some of the variation in fatty acid levels, with the FADS1/2 locus showing population-specific associations, suggesting differences in their control by germline genetic factors. All trans fatty acids, namely elaidic, palmitelaidic, and linoelaidic acids, associated with an increase in the odds of developing prostate cancer, independent of ancestry, geographic location, or potential confounders.
Nature communications. 2023 Jul 19*** epublish ***
Tsion Zewdu Minas, Brittany D Lord, Amy L Zhang, Julián Candia, Tiffany H Dorsey, Francine S Baker, Wei Tang, Maeve Bailey-Whyte, Cheryl J Smith, Obadi M Obadi, Anuoluwapo Ajao, Symone V Jordan, Yao Tettey, Richard B Biritwum, Andrew A Adjei, James E Mensah, Robert N Hoover, Ann W Hsing, Jia Liu, Christopher A Loffredo, Clayton Yates, Michael B Cook, Stefan Ambs
Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA., University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana., Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, NCI, Rockville, MD, USA., Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA., Cancer Genomics Research Laboratory, NCI, Rockville, MD, USA., Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA., Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA., Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA. .