Veda Giri, MD, on innovative approaches to genetic testing in prostate cancer

In a recent interview with Urology Times®, Veda N. Giri, MD, outlined alternative care models that could help improve access to genetic testing despite a limited availability of genetic counselors.

Giri is a professor of internal medicine in medical oncology, the director of the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program at Yale Cancer Center Smillow Cancer Hospital, and the director of the Early Onset Cancer Program at Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, Connecticut.

During the discussion, Giri touched on strategies such as pretest genetic education videos or web-based tools, which can aid patient decision-making and understanding. Giri specifically cites results from the randomized TARGET trial (NCT04447703), which showed that a pre-test genetic education webtool was noninferior to traditional counseling in decisional conflict scores and satisfaction.²

Additional approaches include telehealth delivery and training genetics clinical coordinators to guide patients through education and testing, with genetic counselors providing follow-up for more complex needs.

Giri also noted that technology and artificial intelligence are expected to play an increasing role in these adapted models.

REFERENCES

1. Loeb S, Vadaparampil ST, Giri VN. Germline testing for prostate cancer: current state and opportunities for enhanced access. EBioMedicine. 2025:116:105705. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105705

2. Loeb S, Keith SW, Cheng HH, et al. TARGET: A randomized, noninferiority trial of a pretest, patient-driven genetic education webtool versus genetic counseling for prostate cancer germline testing. JCO Precis Oncol. 2024:8:e2300552. doi:10.1200/PO.23.00552