Tissue-based genomics: which test and when

The clinical course of localized prostate cancer varies widely, ranging from indolent disease unlikely to require treatment to aggressive cancers meriting intensive, multimodal therapy. Management recommendations have traditionally been determined based on clinical and pathologic factors, including serum prostate - specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, and Gleason score. Unfortunately, these factors have limited ability to describe the underlying biology of a given tumor. Tissue-based genomic tests have emerged as a promising tool to more accurately characterize prostate cancer biology and projected clinical course. The current review article summarizes available data describing the clinical use of genomic assays, with a specific focus on three critical scenarios.

We reviewed the potential role of tissue-based genomic assays in determining: the appropriateness of active surveillance versus definitive therapy, patients that will benefit from adjuvant radiation therapy following radical prostatectomy, and men most likely to benefit from concurrent androgen deprivation therapy with primary radiotherapy.

Current literature suggests that commercially available genomic tests provide prognostic information independent of traditional risk factors that may augment clinical decision-making. Additional data will better clarify the optimal use of each test across common clinical scenarios.