Abstract 263: African American prostate cancer incidence rates inside and outside of zinc zones
Authors: Mckinnis Jiro D. , Nguyen Hao 
Published: May 2015

African American males experience disproportionately higher prostate cancer incidence rates versus all other ethnic groups in the North American continent. Data indicates a decreased expression of hZIP1 zinc transporter in African American prostate tissue. Research demonstrates zinc deficiency in-vitro promotes a pro-metastatic dis-regulation of cell cycle and apoptotic processes. Research also demonstrates zinc transporter over-expression in-vitro promotes decreased pro-metastatic and anti-apoptotic activity and sensitization to ligand mediated cell death. Starting from this molecular premise, we examined the relationship between at risk populations’ proximity to zinc mines and incidence rates: hypothesizing a correlation between decreased rates within proximity to zinc mines.

Data was requested from cancer registries where zinc mines were located, though only Arizona data was used. Using a combination of excel, basic image capture techniques and radius creating websites, a 100-mile radius was arbitrarily created around Ruby, Arizona where the now abandoned Montana mine is located. Counties in the state of Arizona were divided into those that fell within this radius, or outside of it. Weighted age adjusted incidence rates were then determined for each county for a given ethnic group. Averaged weighted age adjusted rates were then determined for the counties within the radius and outside. These rates were compared within each ethnic group, though one final comparison was made for all ethnicities within and outside of the radius. Maps containing additional zinc mines, locations of aquifers and main streams and the radius were super-posed to visualize the topological relationships of these elements.

Our results show that every ethnic group experienced the same decrease in averaged weighted age adjusted prostate cancer incidence rates within the 100-mile radius of the zinc mine versus outside. The same result occurred when all ethnic groups were used simultaneously to compare rate differences on either side of the radius boundary. As expected, African Americans experienced the highest incidence rates within their at risk group. Asian / Pacific Islanders experienced the lowest incidence rates within their at risk group.

There appears to be a correlation between the proximity of at risk populations to zinc mines and decreased prostate cancer incidence rates. The geological maps manipulated in this study provide reasonable insight into the passage of zinc from abandoned mining operations into streams and groundwater. It is from these resources that public and private wells (as well as municipal systems) draw water for human use. This basic epidemiological inquiry macroscopically mirrors the established molecular premises and leads to a holistic perspective on the subject. More rigorous statistical analyses need be performed on these data in order to properly support these conclusions.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting.

Citation Format: Jiro D. Mckinnis, Hao Nguyen. African American prostate cancer incidence rates inside and outside of zinc zones. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 263. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-263