Keyword: CHEK2

Study: Combination treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer may be especially effective for people with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations

This review summarizes the results of the TALAPRO2 study. It looked at how well the PARP inhibitor Talzenna (talazoparib) works for treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Talzenna appears to be most effective for people with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations but is also effective for people with certain other mutations. (posted 9/30/25)

Study: Hereditary pancreatic cancer among people of Hispanic ancestry in Mexico

This study looks at people of Mexican ancestry who have pancreatic cancer to identify mutations linked to hereditary cancer. Knowledge of a hereditary cancer mutation can inform patients and their family members about the need for additional surveillance or different treatment options. Access to genetic testing in Mexico is more limited than in the United States. This study emphasizes the importance of genetic testing for inherited cancer risk in pancreatic cancer patients in Mexico. (posted 6/25/25)

Guideline: Hereditary cancer gene guidelines expand

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network regularly updates guidelines for several types of hereditary cancer. These recommendations often change when new research is published. Recently, the NCCN expanded its guidelines to include information on hereditary prostate and gastric cancers. (Posted 1/6/25)

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Update: New first-line treatment option for metastatic prostate cancer

The FDA has approved Talzenna (talazoparib) with Xtandi (enzalutamide) as first-line treatments for some patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. (Posted 10/2/23)

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Topic: Colorectal cancer is on the rise in young adults: What Millennials and Gen Zs need to know

The rate of colorectal cancer among young adults in the US has been increasing since the 1990s. Scientists are trying to figure out why. (Posted 8/15/23)

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Study: Promising early results for treating metastatic prostate cancer

The TALAPRO studies looked at how well the oral drug Talzenna (talazoparib) works as a treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The addition of Talzenna to treatment with Xtandi (enzalutamide) increased the time until the cancer got worse or came back (progression-free survival). The greatest benefit was seen in people who had an inherited or tumor mutation in a gene that repairs DNA damage (such as ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2 and others). (Posted 3/1/23)

Update: On June 20, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the combination of Talzenna with Xtandi as an initial treatment for some people with mCRPC for people with inherited or tumor mutations in genes that repair DNA damage. 

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Study: PARP inhibitor treatment for metastatic prostate cancer shows most benefit in men with inherited BRCA mutations

This study looked at the benefit of using the PARP inhibitor niraparib to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Participants included those with an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or an inherited or tumor mutation in another gene that affects DNA repair. Participants with an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 had better survival compared to those without a BRCA mutation. Side effects from niraparib were common, and consistent with previous reports for PARP inhibitors.  (posted 9/6/2022)

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Study: Frequency of inherited mutations linked to breast cancer are similar in Black and white women

The CARRIERS study looked at the rate of inherited mutations in women with and without breast cancer. In an extension of the CARRIERS study, researchers found no difference in the frequency of inherited mutations in breast cancer genes among Black and white women with breast cancer. A few individual genes differed in frequency: BRCA2 and PALB2 mutations were seen more often in Black women, while CHEK2 mutations were seen less often. Researchers concluded that race should not be used to determine who is referred for genetic testing. (posted 8/13/21)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study: Inherited gene mutations found in pancreatic cancer families in Spain

This study looked for inherited mutations in genes known to be linked to hereditary pancreatic cancer. The results provide additional evidence that most hereditary pancreatic cancer is due to inherited mutations in genes that were previously associated with other forms of cancer. (10/29/20)

Study: Among women with breast cancer, who should have genetic testing for an inherited mutation?

Which breast cancer patients should consider genetic testing? Knowing whether you have an inherited mutation may inform the decisions you and your healthcare provider make about treatment. But it can also increase stress and anxiety. This XRAY reviews a study of how different guidelines affect genetic testing recommendations for people with breast cancer. (8/27/20)