GU Cancers 2022 | Polygenic hazard score predict risks of developing metastatic or fatal prostate cancer

In this study, we validate PHS290, which is a polygenic hazard score developed to predict age specific prostate cancer risk. And specifically we validate it in the Million Veteran Program, which is one of the largest and diverse patient populations available. And what we find is that PHS290 effectively stratifies risk of death from prostate cancer and also metastatic prostate cancer in the Million Veteran Program, even when controlling for family history and ancestry. Furthermore, we show that it stratifies risk in diverse ancestral groups, including European, African, Hispanic, and Asian ancestral groups. We hope that the PHS290 will help men decide if they want to implement earlier screening or if they want to implement early interventions like healthy lifestyle changes in order to mitigate their risk of dying from prostate cancer. We also hope that this study will pave the way to investigating genetic screening methods in more diverse populations, especially considering that individuals of African ancestry have a higher rate of prostate cancer and mortality rate from prostate cancer.