Current Practices in Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer: The Indian Scenario

Despite genetic testing being recommended by international guidelines for the selection of targeted therapy for prostate cancer (PCa), limited data are available on genetic testing for PCa in India.

The objective is to understand the current genetic testing practice pattern for PCa in India.

A panel of 9 experts developed and validated a premeeting online questionnaire comprising 12 objective questions. The questionnaire was circulated from February 2022 to May 2022 among medical oncologists and uro-oncologists across pan-India, followed by response collection over 3 months. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize results and concluding statements were formulated on current genetic testing practice patterns for PCa.

A total of 103 responses were received. Genetic testing was advised by 35.9% of the participants in <5% of patients with PCa. Patients with a family history of PCa (88.3%) were most commonly referred for genetic testing. Nearly half (50.2%) of the participants routinely tested for homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes; 52% used blood and tissue as the most preferred specimen for performing genetic testing and 44.7% followed the testing sequence of tumor tissue followed by blood. Major barriers to genetic testing were affordability and scarcity of genetic counselors, while a major change could be brought by making it cost-effective and improving access to medication.

We observed a lower prescription frequency of genetic testing for the HRR gene across pan-India. Improving the quality and access to genetic testing and the availability of cost-effective-targeted therapies will aid in delivering personalized care to patients with metastatic PCa.