Overview
Certain genetic changes, like the loss of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN, can increase risk of recurrence and poor clinical outcomes in advanced prostate cancer; however, there has been limited research on PTEN prevalence and association with various patient characteristics, treatment choices, and survival outcomes in mHSPC.
This study used US-based deidentified Flatiron Health-Foundation Medicine mPC Clinico-Genomic Database to examine over 1,600 men diagnosed with mHSPC between 2018 and 2024. The researchers found that more than one-third of these patients had tumors with PTEN alterations. Among patients with mHSPC, those with tumors harboring PTEN alterations experienced worse survival outcomes compared to those without PTEN alterations. Future work is planned to account for potential differences between PTEN groups, such as patient race and co-occurring biomarker alterations.
Why this matters
This research provides important real-world evidence that PTEN alterations are associated with worse overall survival in patients with mHSPC. By highlighting the impact of PTEN status, these findings can help clinicians better understand which patients may need closer monitoring or alternative treatment strategies. Ultimately, this work supports more personalized care for men with advanced prostate cancer, potentially improving outcomes by tailoring treatments to each patient’s unique genomic profile.