Statement of the Problem: Preliminary studies have shown that mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) mutations confer a growth or survival advantage to those cells that have acquired them. A high percentage of human prostatic tumors contain mtDNA mutations. Because African-American mortality rates are significantly higher than White Americans, we hypothesize that African Americans may possess specific genetic alterations in mtDNA that may contribute to a more aggressive cancer phenotype. These mutations, in conjunction with environmental factors including diet and obesity, could contribute to more favorable growth conditions (i.e. selection) for their cancer and thus higher mortality rates. In order to test this hypothesis the following specific aims are proposed:

Specific Aims: The specific aims of this study are to:

1. Determine if there are differences in deletions in the mtDNA of prostate tissue from African-Americans and Caucasians; and
2. Determine if these mtDNA deletions in prostate tissue correlate with cancer mortality and age of the onset of prostate disease.