Why HRR Genetic Testing Disparities Persist in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Pharmacy Times interviews Helen Latimer, MPH, about new real-world data examining racial disparities and evolving trends in HRR genetic testing among patients with metastatic prostate cancer and the implications for equitable access to precision oncology care.

New real-world research from Ontada is shedding light on how homologous recombination repair (HRR) genetic testing has evolved among patients with metastatic prostate cancer in community oncology settings across the United States. The analysis examined testing trends from 2015 through 2024, with a particular focus on racial differences in access to and utilization of biomarker testing that can help guide precision oncology treatment decisions.

As targeted therapies continue to expand in metastatic prostate cancer, HRR testing has become increasingly important for identifying patients who may benefit from personalized treatment approaches, including PARP inhibitors and other biomarker-driven therapies. The findings suggest that although overall HRR testing rates have increased over time, disparities in testing among racial groups continue to persist, highlighting ongoing challenges related to equitable access to precision medicine.

The discussion explores several potential contributors to these disparities, including differences in access to care, variations in provider awareness or testing workflows, socioeconomic barriers, and broader structural inequities within oncology care delivery. The research also emphasizes the growing role of real-world evidence in identifying gaps in clinical practice and informing strategies to improve health equity.

In addition, the interview highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in improving biomarker testing rates, including the role pharmacists, oncology clinicians, and health systems can play in supporting patient education, streamlining testing pathways, and ensuring that eligible patients are appropriately identified for genomic testing. Community oncology practices are increasingly relying on real-world data to better understand how testing patterns evolve outside of clinical trial settings and where opportunities exist for intervention.

Overall, the findings underscore the need for continued efforts to expand access to genetic testing and precision oncology tools so that advances in metastatic prostate cancer treatment can benefit patients more equitably across diverse populations.