Actionable Genomic Alterations in Prostate Cancer Among Black and White United States Veterans

Abstract Black Veterans have higher a incidence of localized and metastatic prostate cancer compared to White Veterans yet are underrepresented in reports of frequencies of somatic and germline alterations. This retrospective analysis of somatic and putative germline alterations was conducted in a large cohort of Veterans with prostate cancer (N = 835 Black, 1613 White) who underwent next generation sequencing through the VA Precision Oncology Program, which facilitates molecular testing for Veterans with metastatic cancer. No differences were observed in gene alterations for FDA approved targetable therapies (13.5% in Black Veterans vs. 15.5% in White Veterans, P = .21), nor in any potentially actionable alterations (25.5% vs. 28.7%, P =.1). Black Veterans had higher rates of BRAF (5.5% vs. 2.6%, P < .001) alterations, White Veterans TMPRSS2 fusions (27.2% vs. 11.7%, P < .0001). Putative germline alteration rates were higher in White Veterans (12.0% vs. 6.1%, P < .0001). Racial disparities in outcome are unlikely attributable to acquired somatic alterations in actionable pathways. Black veterans have higher incidence of prostate cancer than White veterans but are underrepresented in reports of frequencies of somatic and germline alterations. This retrospective analysis of somatic and putative germline alterations was conducted in a large cohort of veterans with prostate cancer who underwent next-generation sequencing through the VA Precision Oncology Program. No differences were observed in actionable alterations, suggesting disparities in prostate cancer outcomes are not attributable to acquired somatic alterations in actionable pathways.