Germline and Somatic Testing for Mutations to Optimize Outcomes in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Hereditary prostate cancers account for about 5%-10% of all prostate cancers and approximately 1 in 8 men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.¹ Advancements in the genetics of prostate cancer have shown that the presence of key germline mutations is associated with a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and the cancers associated with these mutations tend to be more aggressive.²

With the advent of novel targeted therapies for metastatic prostate cancer, community oncology practitioners have reported challenges in staying abreast of cutting-edge treatment modalities, side effect monitoring and management, and transitions of care.

To improve care delivery for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) has launched an educational initiative to identify practice gaps related to germline and somatic testing for hereditary mutations in metastatic prostate cancer. Through foundational education, health literacy training, and other supportive tools for the multidisciplinary team, the program explores testing for germline mutations and treatment selection based on actionable mutations that can optimize outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer. These resources can also help cancer programs address disparities in access to genetic testing and guideline-concordant treatment in underserved populations with metastatic prostate cancer.

Findings from this program will also help guide the development of educational resources focused on effective practices to implement genetic testing for metastatic prostate cancer.

References

¹Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. Cancer.org. Accessed February 10, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

²Taylor RA, Fraser M, Livingstone J, et al. Germline BRCA2 mutations drive prostate cancers with distinct evolutionary trajectories. Nat Commun. 2017;8:13671.

This program is supported by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer.