Publications

Research outputs, reports, policy briefs and knowledge products from KIU scholars and partners.

2026 School of Pharmacy Research Output Journal of Public Health and Medicine

From Discovery to Care: Implementing Long-Read Sequencing-Guided Therapy Selection in Prostate Cancer across Diverse Populations

Bwanbale Geoffrey David

Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among men worldwide, characterized by substantial genomic heterogeneity that complicates diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection. While shortread sequencing technologies have enabled important advances in genomic profiling, they are limited in detecting complex structural variations and repeat-rich regions that are critical for therapy guidance. Long-read sequencing has emerged as a transformative approach, offering enhanced resolution of structural rearrangements, haplotype phasing, and comprehensive genome characterization. This paper explores the translational pathway from genomic discovery to clinical care through the implementation of long-read sequencing-guided therapy selection in prostate cancer, with particular emphasis on diverse populations. It examines the principles and advantages of long-read technologies, their integration into clinical workflows, and their role in identifying actionable genomic alterations and resistance mechanisms. The study further highlights the importance of equitable representation in genomic datasets, addressing disparities in access to sequencing technologies and targeted therapies. Ethical, legal, and data governance considerations are also discussed, particularly in relation to population-specific genomic data. Despite promising advances, challenges remain in standardization, cost, bioinformatics infrastructure, and health system integration. The paper concludes that long-read sequencing holds significant potential to enhance precision oncology in prostate cancer, provided that implementation strategies prioritize inclusivity, equity, and robust clinical translation across global populations.