Risk of Cognitive Effects in Comorbid Patients With Prostate Cancer Treated With Androgen Receptor Inhibitors

Androgen receptor inhibition sensitizes glioblastoma stem cells to temozolomide by the miR-1/miR-26a-1/miR-487b signature mediated WT1 and FOXA1 silencing

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are aggressive brain tumors and challenging cancers for diagnosis and treatment. Therapeutic options include surgery followed by chemotherapy with the DNA alkylator temozolomide (TMZ) and radiotherapy. However, the patient's prognosis remains poor due to tumor heterogeneity, cell infiltration and intrinsic or acquired resistance to therapy. Understanding the resistance mechanisms together with identifying new biomarkers are crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies. MiRNAs play an important role in the biology of gliomas, they modulate tumorigenesis and therapy response. We recently identified the diagnostic/prognostic miR-1-3p, miR-26a-1-3p and miR-487b-3p signature that displays an oncosuppressive role on several glioma biological functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of the therapeutic potential of this three-miRNA signature as a regulator of response to TMZ. We found that ectopic expression of the miRNA signature in patient-derived GBM neurospheres treated with TMZ impaired cell proliferation and viability by necroptosis induction. Moreover, we identified WT1 and FOXA1, two transcription factors specifically involved in TMZ resistance, as novel direct targets of the miRNA signature. Of note, the repression of WT1 and FOXA1, elicited by the signature, caused a downregulation of the Androgen Receptor (AR) expression, an impairment of tumor-spheroid formation and reversed cancer cell stemness. These results were recapitulated using the AR inhibitor enzalutamide, confirming the involvement of the AR pathway. Our data indicate that the miR-1-3p/miR-26a-1-3p/miR-487b-3p signature, which has an impact on treatment response and cell stemness, may pave the way for miRNA-based complementary therapies in GBM patients.

Meeting Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines and Associations With Physical Fitness in Men With Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Baseline Results of the Multicentre INTERVAL-GAP4 Trial

BACKGROUND

This study compared the physical activity level of men with metastatic prostate cancer at baseline of the multicentre INTERVAL-GAP4 trial to the American Cancer Society guidelines and examined associations with physical fitness.

METHODS

A total of 140 men on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were included in this cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the INTERVAL-GAP4 trial. Exclusion criteria included a maximum of 1 h of vigorous aerobic exercise or one structured resistance exercise session per week but no restrictions on habitual physical activity. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed using a modified Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Physical fitness measurements included peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), maximal power output (Wmax), 400 m walk time, one-repetition maximum (1RM) of leg extension, leg press, chest press and seated row, and handgrip strength. Quantile regression was used to analyse associations of MVPA with physical fitness outcomes at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of the physical fitness distributions.

RESULTS

Total self-reported MVPA was 60 (IQR: 0, 180) min per week, with 29% meeting the aerobic physical activity guidelines. There was a statistically significant association of higher MVPA with higher relative VO2peak at the 25th (β = 0.53, p = 0.020) and 75th percentiles (β = 0.66, p = 0.001), relative Wmax at the 25th (β = 0.05, p = 0.003), 50th (β = 0.05, p = 0.009) and 75th percentiles (β = 0.07, p = 0.004) and reduced 400 m walk time at the 75th percentile (β = -4.26, p = 0.023), with β corresponding to the change in the dependent variable for each one-hour increase in weekly MVPA.

CONCLUSION

Few men recruited to the INTERVAL-GAP4 trial were meeting aerobic physical activity guidelines at baseline. Higher MVPA was associated with better aerobic capacity and walking performance but not maximal strength in men with metastatic prostate cancer on ADT.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02730338; German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00010310.

Adverse events in men with advanced prostate cancer treated with androgen biosynthesis inhibitors and androgen receptor inhibitors

BACKGROUND

The use of androgen biosynthesis and second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors for advanced prostate cancer is increasing. Because these therapies alter the androgen pathway, they have been associated with cardiometabolic and neurocognitive toxicities. Although their safety profiles have been assessed in clinical trials, real-world data are limited.

METHODS

A 20% sample of national Medicare claims was used to perform a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries with advanced prostate cancer treated with androgen biosynthesis (ie, abiraterone) and second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors between 2012 and 2019. Outcomes were assessed after the first fill of either class of drug for the 12-month period after starting therapy. The primary outcome was a hospital admission or emergency department visit for a cardiometabolic event. Secondary outcomes included neurocognitive events and fractures. Multivariable regression was used to assess the association between the class of drug and occurrence of an adverse event.

RESULTS

There were 3488 (60%) men started on an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor and 2361 (40%) started on an androgen receptor inhibitor for the first time. Cardiometabolic adverse events were more common in men managed with androgen biosynthesis inhibitor (9.2% vs 7.5%, P = .027). No difference between androgen biosynthesis and androgen receptor inhibitors was observed for neurocognitive events (3.3% vs 3.4%, respectively; P = .71) or fractures (4.2% vs 3.6%, respectively; P = .26).

CONCLUSIONS

Men with advanced prostate cancer initiating an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor for the first time more commonly had cardiometabolic events than those started on androgen receptor inhibitors. Neurocognitive events and fractures did not differ by drug class.

Does hormone therapy impact cognition in patients with prostate cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hormone therapy, which is widely prescribed for prostate cancer, might induce cognitive impairment and affect the autonomy of elderly patients. However, previous studies provided conflicting results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the longitudinal impact of hormone therapy on objective (cognitive tests) and subjective (questionnaires) cognition.

METHODS

A search was performed of the PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases. Studies that longitudinally assessed cognition in patients undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy and new-generation hormone therapy were considered. To perform a meta-analysis, available scores were aggregated and classified into six objective domains and one subjective domain. Weighted mean effect sizes were computed using a random effect model.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were included in the systematic review (1440 patients), and 15 could be included in the meta-analysis (1093 patients). In the systematic review, 20%-50% of patients had objective cognitive impairment before treatment initiation. The meta-analysis revealed a decline in subjective cognition (g = -0.44; p = .03) with androgen-deprivation therapy and new-generation hormone therapy. All other effect sizes were small (from g = -0.02 to g = 0.18), and none of them indicated a significant decline in objective cognition. Significant heterogeneity was observed in all domains of objective cognition.

CONCLUSIONS

This synthesis presents the first meta-analytic evidence of the negative impact of androgen-deprivation therapy and new-generation hormone therapy on subjective cognition. In contrast, there was no conclusive evidence of a decline in objective cognition. The high heterogeneity underscores the need for homogeneous cognitive research on prostate cancer.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

There is no consensus on the cognitive impairment induced by hormone therapy for prostate cancer, despite the implications for patients' care and daily life. This synthesis of published studies demonstrated an increase in perceived cognitive difficulties but did not prove a decline in cognitive performance during treatment.

The Loss of Estradiol by Androgen Deprivation in Prostate Cancer Patients Shows the Importance of Estrogens in Males

The role of estradiol (E2; an estrogen) in men needs to be more appreciated. In this review, we address the clinical situations that allow the study of the clinical consequences of E2 deficiency in men and discuss the effects of restoration of levels of this reproductive steroid hormone. In men with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), E2 is suppressed along with testosterone, leading to side effects affecting the quality of life. These include hot flashes, arthralgia, fatigue, mood changes, cognition problems, weight gain, bone loss, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Transdermal E2 alone for ADT has shown equivalent testosterone suppression compared to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists while also preventing estrogen-deficiency side effects, including hot flashes and bone loss. Co-treatment of ADT with fetal estrogen estetrol (E4) has shown significant improvements of estrogen-deficiency symptoms. These observations emphasize the need to raise awareness of the importance of estrogens in men among clinicians and the lay public.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking-based strategy for predicting anti-tumour mechanism of linarin

The aim was to explore the anti-tumour mechanism of linarin (LIN) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. PharmMapper database and GeneCards database were used to screen anti-tumour related targets of LIN. Enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG was conducted to predict the key targets and pathways. At last, LIN was docked with the key targets. ESR1, ESR2, EGFR, AR, TGFBR2, F2, MAPK10, MAPK14, CDK2 and HSP90AA1 were identified as the key targets. The key pathways included pathways in cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. KEGG pathway maps indicated that the anti-tumour effect of LIN may be mainly achieved by intervening related targets in the following pathways: AR-HSP/AR-AR/PSA/proliferation and evading apoptosis;F2/GPCR/…/ROCK/tissue invasion and metastasis;F2/GPCR/…/Raf/MAPK signalling pathway/proliferation and sustained angiogenesis; EGFR/Grb2/…/Raf/MAPK signalling pathway/proliferation and sustained angiogenesis; ER/Oestrogen signalling pathway/proliferation;TGFBR2/Smad2/3/TGF-β signalling pathway/insensitivity to anti-growth signals; oxidative stress/KEAP1/NRF2/…/proliferation and evading apoptosis. LIN had strong binding activity with ESR2, EGFR, AR, CDK2 and HSP90AA1.

External Beam Radiation Therapy With or Without Brachytherapy Boost in Men With Very-High-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Large Multicenter International Consortium Analysis

PURPOSE

Very-high-risk (VHR) prostate cancer (PC) is an aggressive subgroup with high risk of distant disease progression. Systemic treatment intensification with abiraterone or docetaxel reduces PC-specific mortality (PCSM) and distant metastasis (DM) in men receiving external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Whether prostate-directed treatment intensification with the addition of brachytherapy (BT) boost to EBRT with ADT improves outcomes in this group is unclear.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This cohort study from 16 centers across 4 countries included men with VHR PC treated with either dose-escalated EBRT with ≥24 months of ADT or EBRT + BT boost with ≥12 months of ADT. VHR was defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria (clinical T3b-4, primary Gleason pattern 5, or ≥2 NCCN high-risk features), and results were corroborated in a subgroup of men who met Systemic Therapy in Advancing or Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Drug Efficacy (STAMPEDE) trials inclusion criteria (≥2 of the following: clinical T3-4, Gleason 8-10, or PSA ≥40 ng/mL). PCSM and DM between EBRT and EBRT + BT were compared using inverse probability of treatment weight-adjusted Fine-Gray competing risk regression.

RESULTS

Among the entire cohort, 270 underwent EBRT and 101 EBRT + BT. After a median follow-up of 7.8 years, 6.7% and 5.9% of men died of PC and 16.3% and 9.9% had DM after EBRT and EBRT + BT, respectively. There was no significant difference in PCSM (sHR, 1.47 [95% CI, 0.57-3.75]; P = .42) or DM (sHR, 0.72, [95% CI, 0.30-1.71]; P = .45) between EBRT + BT and EBRT. Results were similar within the STAMPEDE-defined VHR subgroup (PCSM: sHR, 1.67 [95% CI, 0.48-5.81]; P = .42; DM: sHR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.15-2.04]; P = .38).

CONCLUSIONS

In this VHR PC cohort, no difference in clinically meaningful outcomes was observed between EBRT alone with ≥24 months of ADT compared with EBRT + BT with ≥12 months of ADT. Comparative analyses in men treated with intensified systemic therapy are warranted.

Safety differences across androgen receptor inhibitors in nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Approval of apalutamide, enzalutamide and darolutamide has transformed the treatment landscape and guideline recommendations for patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer but now raises the issue of decision-making regarding treatment selection. In this commentary, we discuss the efficacy and safety of these second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors and propose that for patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, safety considerations for these treatments are especially important. We examine these considerations in the context of patient and caregiver preferences as well as patient clinical characteristics. We further posit that consideration of treatments' safety profiles should include not only the initial direct impacts from potential treatment-emergent adverse events and drug-drug interaction events, but also the full cascade of potentially avoidable healthcare complications.

Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, prostate cancer, and older adults: a global Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology drug review

Prostate cancer is a disease of older adults that has undergone a significant therapeutic paradigm shift in the last decade with the emergence of novel androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPis). One of the more commonly used ARPis is enzalutamide. This drug, along with darolutamide and apalutamide, initially received approvals in the metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer setting but is now utilized frequently in the metastatic castrate-sensitive and non-metastatic castration-resistant settings. Landmark phase III data illustrating ARPi efficacy in older adults are limited to those with excellent performance status. However, its role in unfit older prostate cancer patients remains to be explored in the context of a narrative review. This first-of-its-kind drug review aims to shed light on the most up-to-date evidence behind the unique toxicity profile of ARPis in the context of geriatric vulnerabilities such as cognitive and functional impairment, along with potential solutions and supporting evidence that exists to circumvent these issues in the vulnerable older adult.

Risk of cognitive impairment in men with advanced prostate cancer treated with NHAs: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Novel hormonal agents (NHAs) have significantly improved outcomes in men with advanced prostate cancer. However, it remains unclear whether NHAs are associated with subsequent cognitive impairment. Thus, we sought to perform a network meta-analysis to compare the risk of cognitive impairment across NHA types. Databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science), trial registries (Clinicaltrial.gov), the European Medicines Agency, and the US Food and Drug Administration drug safety reports were searched from inception through July 30, 2021. Eligible studies were clinical trials evaluating the risk of cognitive impairment between NHAs and placebo/standard care. Two independent investigators extracted the data and performed quality assessments using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and ROBINS-I. We estimated the risk ratios by the frequentist approach and calculated the ranking probabilities of all treatments with the surface under the cumulative ranking probabilities. The primary outcome and secondary outcome were odds ratio (OR) and incidence rate ratio of cognitive impairment, respectively. We identified 15 trials with 14,723 participants comparing HNAs with placebo/standard care. Treatments associated with cognitive impairment, from the most to the least, were enzalutamide (OR, 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.84-4.73), apalutamide (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.08-2.87), abiraterone acetate (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.01-2.45), and darolutamide (OR, 1.11 95% CI, 0.51-2.39). After adjustment of treatment time duration, enzalutamide still had the highest risk of cognitive impairment with an incidence rate ratio of 2.17 (95% CI, 1.65-2.78). These findings suggest that NHAs, especially enzalutamide, may increase the risk of cognitive impairment compared with placebo/standard care.