Impact of Lifestyle on Genetic Mutations: A Comparative Study of Middle Eastern Populations in the U.S. and the Middle East

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

3-2025

Publication Title

Laboratory Investigation

Abstract

Background: The Arab American population presents a unique health profile shaped by both their Middle Eastern heritage and their adaptation to American lifestyles. This study examines how lifestyle factors in the U.S. influence genetic mutations among American Arabs compared to those in Middle Eastern populations. Design: We conducted a comparative analysis of tissue samples from Arab American, utilizing next generation sequencing to identify mutations associated with lung carcinomas with data obtained from peer reviewed papers from various Middle Eastern countries. Next gene sequencing using FFPE block was performed using the TruSight Oncology 500 Kit or the TruSight Tumor 15 Kit (Illumina, San Diego, CA). Variants classified as IA or IB in ALK, BRAF, EGFR, KRAS, and MET were compared in this study. This study summarizes the prevalence and characteristics of gene mutations associated with lung cancer in the Arab American population, focusing on KRAS, EGFR, MET, BRAF, and ALK. Results: We identified 31 American patients of Middle Eastern background with lung carcinoma. KRAS mutations were the most common mutation in our study, occurring in 38.71% of cases, with an average of 10.42 years of residence in the USA and 25.8 pack/ years of smoking exposure. EGFR mutations are found in 19.35% of cases, with relatively low smoking exposure (1.25 pack /year). Both MET and BRAF mutations are rare, both found at 3.23%. BRAF mutations were detected in patients with the highest smoking exposure (70 pack/year); however, it should be noted that this value is elevated due to only having one positive case in this study. ALK mutations account for 9.68% of cases. On average, the study population spent 9.77 years of residency in the USA and 21.83 pack years of smoking exposure, demonstrating a range of smoking histories and mutation frequencies. These findings were compared to data from My Cancer Genome, the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and specific EGFR mutation rates in Middle Eastern population. Conclusions: This study underscores the critical role of lifestyle in shaping genetic mutations in lung carcinoma within the Arab American community. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing targeted public health strategies that address the unique challenges faced by this population, balancing their cultural heritage with the realities of modern American life. Further analysis and wider scope studies are necessary to explore the implications of these findings on health outcomes.

Volume

105

Issue

3 Suppl

First Page

14

Comments

114th Annual Meeting of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), March 22-27, 2025, Boston , MA

Last Page

14

DOI

10.1016/j.labinv.2024.103930

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