Episode # 307 • 09 Jun 2026
Germline & Somatic Testing in Prostate Cancer Therapy
Can you really treat prostate cancer effectively without knowing the genetics? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Evan Yu and Dr. Tanya Dorff join host Dr. Alan Tan to discuss why genetic testing is essential in personalized prostate cancer care. They discuss when and how to perform germline and somatic testing, address common barriers, and share best practices for counseling patients.
This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Pfizer.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:18 - Who Gets Somatic Testing?
06:43 - Patient Barriers to Testing
09:00 - Genetic Testing Workflow
12:28 - Treating BRCA2 Alterations
24:18 - Monitoring Progression: ctDNA vs. PSA vs. Imaging
29:32 - Treating mCRPC with ATM Mutations
34:39 - CDK12 Classification
37:43 - Closing Takeaways
Resources
- Niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone for HRR-deficient metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial
- Capivasertib plus abiraterone in PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: CAPItello-281 phase III study
- Apalutamide for Metastatic, Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
- ARCHES 5-year Survival with Enzalutamide Plus Androgen-deprivation Therapy in Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer Patients
- First-Line Camizestrant for Emerging ESR1-Mutated Advanced Breast Cancer
- PROMISE Registry
- Talazoparib plus enzalutamide in men with HRR-deficient metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: final overall survival results from the randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 TALAPRO-2 trial
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More about this episode
The doctors explore how BRCA2 and other DNA repair alterations can directly shape treatment decisions, focusing on the roles of PARP inhibitors and platinum therapy in advanced cases. The discussion highlights why both germline and somatic testing are critical for identifying actionable mutations and discuss the nuances of interpreting test results, including current limitations and emerging biomarkers. They also examine challenges such as insurance coverage, patient misconceptions, and workflow integration, as well as the movement toward truly personalized, biology-driven approaches in prostate cancer care.
The Materials available on BackTable are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the independent professional judgment of a qualified healthcare professional in diagnosing or treating patients. Any opinions, statements, or views expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, platform, or any affiliated organization.