Somatic Testing and Germline Genetic Status: Implications for Cancer Treatment Decisions and Genetic Counseling

AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe review recent precision oncology literature pertaining to the implications of germline and somatic genetic information in cancer treatment. The goal of this work is to provide a practical resource for oncology practitioners and genetic providers and discuss practice considerations for those on the frontline of precision oncology.Recent FindingsUnderstanding germline and somatic tumor alterations, patients can be matched to targeted therapy options attacking the specific genetic makeup of that tumor. This information informs treatment decisions about which therapies the cancer is likely to respond to and which treatment options should be avoided. Timely access to germline and somatic genetic testing is critical to ensure that patients have this information for treatment planning, both at diagnosis and through later lines of therapy.SummaryThe hope of precision oncology is here although significant challenges remain for implementation for routine cancer care.
Source: Current Genetic Medicine Reports - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research