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Genetic Testing in Prostate Cancer

  • Genitourinary Cancers (DP Petrylak and JW Kim, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes recent advances in prostate cancer (PCa) genetics.

Recent Findings

Upwards of 20% of metastatic castration-resistant prostate tumors (mCRPC) carry homologous recombination (HR) repair gene mutations, of which ~ 10% are germline (inherited). Another ~ 5% exhibit microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and/or mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd). Pembrolizumab is approved for tumors with MMRd, thus patients with mCRPC and MMRd are candidates for pembrolizumab. Emerging data indicate that platinum chemotherapy and poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are effective in PCa exhibiting HR deficiency. NCCN guidelines now recommend germline and somatic tumor testing in specific clinical scenarios due to treatment and family implications.

Summary

Genetic testing in PCa patients may inform prognosis, treatment options, and have implications for family counseling. PARPi, platinum chemotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors are promising targeted therapies for PCa with specific molecular features. Therapeutic advances, along with importance to relatives, are driving genetic testing in prostate cancer.

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Funding

NCI award numbers T32CA009515, P30 CA015704, P50 CA097186-16A1 (PNW Prostate SPORE), Institute for Prostate Cancer Research, Prostate Cancer Foundation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Washington, USA

    Alexandra O. Sokolova & Heather H. Cheng

  2. Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 825 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA

    Alexandra O. Sokolova & Heather H. Cheng

  3. VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA

    Alexandra O. Sokolova

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  1. Alexandra O. Sokolova
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Correspondence to Heather H. Cheng.

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Alexandra O. Sokolova declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Heather H. Cheng has received research funding to her institution from Inovio, Clovis Oncology, Color Genomics, Medivation, Sanofi, Astellas, Janssen.

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Sokolova, A.O., Cheng, H.H. Genetic Testing in Prostate Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 22, 5 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-020-0863-6

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