For many men diagnosed with prostate cancer, common treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and surgery. However, there’s another promising approach called precision medicine that could potentially offer more tailored treatment.
Precision medicine uses genetic testing to create a personalized treatment plan. This can involve two types of genetic testing:
– Testing your DNA to identify hereditary risk factors for cancer.
– Testing the cancer’s DNA to find specific mutations that may respond to targeted drugs.
In cases where prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland, around 10% of men have hereditary genetic factors, and approximately 30% have mutations in the cancer itself that could be targeted by specific treatments. For this reason, genetic profiling is now recommended for all men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer to look for these potential vulnerabilities.
If certain mutations are identified, two types of treatments may be available: PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy.
– **PARP inhibitors**: Medications like Lynparza and Rubraca are FDA-approved for men with specific genetic mutations.
– **Immunotherapy**: These drugs help the immune system attack cancer cells. Although they typically aren’t effective against most prostate cancers, genetic testing can pinpoint the small percentage (about 2–3%) that could respond to this type of treatment.
### When Is Precision Medicine an Option?
Precision medicine is usually considered for men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread and who have already undergone standard treatments like hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Researchers are currently conducting clinical trials to determine whether these treatments could also benefit men earlier in their cancer journey or those receiving radiation for localized prostate cancer.
If precision medicine seems like a possibility for you, your doctor would need to perform genetic testing. This can be done either through a blood sample or a biopsy of the cancer tissue. Starting genetic profiling early on is beneficial, as it allows your doctor to plan the sequence of treatments and assess your eligibility for clinical trials.
Genetic testing is generally covered by insurance, and it has added benefits. Beyond identifying treatment options for you, it can reveal hereditary risks that help your family members understand their potential cancer risk and take proactive steps with their health.
### The Bottom Line
For men with prostate cancer, precision medicine could open up treatment options beyond standard therapies like hormone therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, consider discussing genetic testing with your doctor to see if precision medicine might be a suitable option for your care.