Sonja Berndt

NCI, DCEG, OEEB

PLCO (Learn more about this study)

2011-0078

Apr 20, 2011

Genome-wide Association Study of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Clinical BPH, which is characterized by moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), occurs in approximately 25% of men aged 50-59 years of age and increases with age. The etiology of BPH is not well understood. Although not considered to be a risk factor for prostate cancer, BPH is thought to share many of the same risk factors as prostate cancer. Both conditions are hormone-dependent, and chronic inflammation has been implicated in the development of both outcomes. Genetic factors are also thought to play a role in BPH with heritable factors estimated to account for 49% of the risk. To date, studies investigating the genetic susceptibility of BPH have been limited to candidate gene studies. We propose to conduct a genome-wide association study of BPH within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial using the genome-wide data currently being generated with the expansion of CGEMS. We estimate that approximately 2,100 BPH cases and 6,400 controls will be able for the initial scan for this study with potentially 1,500-3,000 cases being available for replication. Knowledge gained in this study will provide insight into the relationship between genetic variation and BPH risk.