Prof Phil Cornford (Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK), Dr Joaquim Mateo (Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain), Prof Alex Wyatt (Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, Canada) and Prof Derya Tilki (Martini-Klinik Prostate Cancer, Hamburg, Germany) discuss the role of testing in prostate cancer treatment.

Dr Mateo starts the discussion by mentioning that the PROfound trial and PARPi approval has increased interest in genetic testing for prostate cancer while the panel goes on to talk about international guidelines that specify who should be tested and the potential benefits of early access to genetic information about castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRCP).

Prof Wyatt talks about the common BRCA2 mutation alongside the differences between germline and tumour testing.

Prof Tilki explains the role of genetic counselling in Germany and the panel goes on to discuss that an increase in testing would necessitate a different approach to how patients are supported.

Dr Mateo suggests that all specialists may have to be trained in providing patients with enough relevant information to conduct testing.

The panel reviews the practical aspects of testing such as referrals for germline testing once a negative test for somatic mutations has been obtained, the relevance of a strong family history of disease and the potentially high failure rate of tumour testing due to sample viability.

They conclude by assessing the consequences of germline testing for family members and the results of an impact study from the UK in relation to screening in certain populations and work around active surveillance carried out at John Hopkins University.

To watch a series of animations that investigate the use of PARP inhibitors for prostate cancer treatment click here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

To watch an expert discussion on the latest on PARPi and other treatments for mCRPC click here.

This programme has been supported by an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca.