Development, Evaluation, and Implementation of a Pan-African Cancer Research Network: Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate
Authors: Andrews Caroline , Fortier Brian , Hayward Amy , Lederman Ruth , Petersen Lindsay , McBride Jo , Petersen Desiree C. , Ajayi Olabode , Kachambwa Paidamoyo , Seutloali Moleboheng , Shoko Aubrey , Mokhosi Mamokhosana , Hiller Reinhard , Adams Marcia , Ongaco Chrissie , Pugh Elizabeth , Romm Jane , Shelford Tameka , Chinegwundoh Frank , Adusei Ben , Mante Sunny , Snyper Nana Yaa , Agalliu Ilir , Lounsbury David W. , Rohan Thomas , Orfanos Alex , Quintana Yuri , Jacobson Judith S. , Neugut Alfred I. , Gelmann Edward , Lachance Joseph , Dial Cherif , Diallo Thierno Amadou , Jalloh Mohamed , Gueye Serigne Magueye , Kane Papa Moussa Sène , Diop Halimatou , Ndiaye Anna Julienne , Sall Amina Sow , Toure-Kane Ndeye Coumba , Onyemata Ezenwa , Abimiku Alash’le , Adjei Andrew A. , Biritwum Richard , Gyasi Richard , Kyei Mathew , Mensah James E. , Okine Julian , Okyne Vicky , Rockson Isabella , Tay Evelyn , Tettey Yao , Yeboah Edward , Chen Wenlong C. , Singh Elvira , Cook Michael B. , Duffy Christine N. , Hsing Ann , Soo Cassandra Claire , Fernandez Pedro , Irusen Hayley , Aisuodionoe-Shadrach Oseremen , Jamda Abubakar Mustapha , Olabode Peter Oluwole , Nwegbu Maxwell Madueke , Ajibola Olalekan Hafees , Ajamu Olushola Jeremiah , Ambuwa Yakubu Garba , Adebiyi Akindele Olupelumi , Asuzu Michael , Ogunbiyi Olufemi , Popoola Olufemi , Shittu Olayiwola , Amodu Olukemi , Odiaka Emeka , Makinde Ifeoluwa , Joffe Maureen , Pentz Audrey , Rebbeck Timothy R. 
Published: September 2018

Purpose Cancer of the prostate (CaP) is the leading cancer among men in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A substantial proportion of these men with CaP are diagnosed at late (usually incurable) stages, yet little is known about the etiology of CaP in SSA. Methods We established the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate Network, which includes seven SSA centers partnering with five US centers to study the genetics and epidemiology of CaP in SSA. We developed common data elements and instruments, regulatory infrastructure, and biosample collection, processing, and shipping protocols. We tested this infrastructure by collecting epidemiologic, medical record, and genomic data from a total of 311 patients with CaP and 218 matched controls recruited at the seven SSA centers. We extracted genomic DNA from whole blood, buffy coat, or buccal swabs from 265 participants and shipped it to the Center for Inherited Disease Research (Baltimore, MD) and the Centre for Proteomics and Genomics Research (Cape Town, South Africa), where genotypes were generated using the UK Biobank Axiom Array. Results We used common instruments for data collection and entered data into the shared database. Double-entered data from pilot participants showed a 95% to 98% concordance rate, suggesting that data can be collected, entered, and stored with a high degree of accuracy. Genotypes were obtained from 95% of tested DNA samples (100% from blood-derived DNA samples) with high concordance across laboratories. Conclusion We provide approaches that can produce high-quality epidemiologic and genomic data in multicenter studies of cancer in SSA.