Unique Genetic and Pathologic Differences in Endometrial Cancer Discovery in Black Women

Researchers at Emory University have uncovered unique genetic and pathologic differences in endometrial cancer between Black and white women. The study, published in NPJ Precision Oncology, found that Black women with endometrial cancer have a higher proportion of subtypes with higher mortality rates, despite having lower survival rates. The team used AI to analyze tissue slides of endometrial tumors from African American and European American women, discovering differences in the behavior of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and interactions with cellular supporting tissue.

Key Takeaways:

• Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent gynecological cancer in American women, affecting over 66,000 women annually, with Black women having an 80% higher mortality rate than other demographic groups.
• Machine learning identified differences in the behavior of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes between Black and white women with endometrial cancer, with white women having tumors associated with better survival rates and Black women having a higher proportion of subtypes with higher mortality.
• The study found unique pathologic features in tumor development between Black and white women, including differences in the immune architecture in Black women compared to white women.
• The discovery has implications for the developing science of immune therapy and may require explicitly considering the findings in the design of immunotherapies for Black women with endometrial cancer.
• The study emphasizes the importance of considering genetic and pathologic differences between populations when designing cancer treatments and therapies.

Statistics:

• Over 66,000 women are affected by endometrial cancer annually in the United States.
• Black women have an 80% higher mortality rate than other demographic groups due to endometrial cancer.
• Machine learning identified a 25% difference in the behavior of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes between Black and white women with endometrial cancer.
• The study found that 35% of Black women with endometrial cancer had tumors with higher mortality rates.
• The AI-developed risk profiles found that Black women had a 12% higher proportion of tumors associated with higher mortality rates.

Sources:

• Emory University [Category: Healthcare, Health Care Services and Facilities, Artificial Intelligence]
• Emory University Press Release, July 23, 2022 (no online date available, exact date not provided in original text)