Curtis A. Pettaway, MD, professor, Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the prevalence of germline mutations in diverse populations with prostate cancer.

Historically, germline mutations such as 

 have not been well described in African American, Asian, and Hispanic communities, says Pettway. However, multigene molecular sequencing panels has made it easier to discover genetic alterations in these patient populations. Though rare, these alterations could have prognostic and therapeutic implications for patients and their families, says Pettaway.

As such, it is important to increase awareness regarding the prevalence of these mutations in racially diverse populations and increase access to testing platforms to ensure that these patients can receive optimal care, concludes Pettaway.

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Dr. Pettaway on the Prevalence of Germline Mutations in Diverse Populations With Prostate Cancer

Curtis A. Pettaway, MD, professor, Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the need to include the genomic data of African American, Asian, and Hispanic men with prostate cancer in national registries. 

Although African American men have a higher frequency and mortality of prostate cancer than Caucasian men, there is a lack of data regarding these patients’ germline predisposition to the disease.

Pettaway believes that enrolling these patients in registry trials is key to understanding which men should be tested for genetic alterations in DNA repair genes or genes associated with hereditary cancers, such as 

Moreover, long-term follow-up of these patients may shed light on gene expressions, clinical outcomes, and clinical variables that are specific to African American, Asian, or Hispanic men.

Additionally, understanding the genetic components of disease could provide insight into more individualized treatment strategies and tailored gene panels. 

Curtis A. Pettaway, MD, discusses the need to include the genomic data of African American, Asian, and Hispanic men with prostate cancer in national registries.

Curtis A. Pettaway, MD

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Dr. Pettaway on the Prevalence of Germline Mutations in Diverse Populations With Prostate Cancer

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