Analysis of germline alterations and testing patterns in Hispanic men with prostate cancer.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of germline alterations in Hispanic men with prostate cancer (PC). Here, we examine the rates of germline alterations in Hispanic men with PC, compare these rates to non-Hispanic white men, and examine factors associated with clinicians offering testing. Methods: Single center, retrospective analysis of patients (pts) with PC who self-identify as Hispanic and meet the NCCN criteria for germline testing. Pts who consented for testing underwent a commercial multigene germline assay. Among those tested, the proportion of pathogenic alterations and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were computed in 20 genes associated with germline alterations in PC. This was compared to non-Hispanic white (NHW) pts who also underwent germline testing. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess clinical and demographic factors associated with clinicians offering germline testing and/or genetics referral. Results: We identified 136 Hispanic men with PC eligible for germline testing between 2018-2020. 26.1% (n=34) of pts underwent germline testing and among those tested, 14.7% (n=5/34) had a pathogenic alteration detected. Median age of the cohort was 70 years and 46.3% (n=63) had metastatic disease. Spanish was the primary language for 50% (n=68) and 14.0% (n=19) of pts had at least 1 first-degree relative with PC. Alterations were detected in ATM (n=2), CHEK2 (n=1), MSH2 (n=1), MSH6 (n=1). When stratified by disease status, the rate of pathogenic alterations was 7.7% (n=1/13) in localized and 19.0% (n=4/21) in metastatic disease. When compared to NHW pts who underwent testing (n=139), the rate of pathogenic alterations was not significantly different (14.7% in Hispanic vs 12.2% in NWH, p=0.77). The rate of VUS in Hispanic pts was significantly higher than NHW pts (20.6% in Hispanic vs 7.2% in NWH, p=0.047). In a multivariate model examining the factors associated with receipt of testing in Hispanic men (Table), the presence of metastatic disease and a family history of PC were positively associated with testing. Spanish as a primary language was negatively associated with testing. Age was not a significant predictor. Conclusions: Among Hispanic men who underwent germline testing, there was a similar rate of pathogenic germline alterations compared to NHW men. Among Hispanic men, primary Spanish speakers appear to have lower rates of germline testing. Bilingual strategies are needed to improve rates of testing to ensure equity in germline testing for all patients. [Table: see text]