Evaluating first-line therapeutic strategies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a comprehensive network meta-analysis and systematic review

A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis of Systemic Treatments for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in First- and Subsequent Lines

BACKGROUND

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) presents a challenge for clinicians in determining the optimal treatment sequence because of the lack of direct head-to-head comparisons, which is further complicated by the now-widespread use of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).

OBJECTIVE

This study is a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) intended to provide a comprehensive evaluation and comparison of the efficacy of mCRPC treatments across different treatment lines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a systematic search of ClinicalTrials.gov, extracted information, assessed the risk of bias, and reconstructed missing outcomes. We performed an NMA to evaluate treatment efficacy for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in first and subsequent lines. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) NMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024499607).

RESULTS

The NMA included 43 trials with 33,494 patients. ARPI-based therapies, particularly in combination with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, demonstrated the most significant benefits for OS and PFS in first-line mCRPC treatment, followed by chemotherapy regimens. However, ARPI re-treatment showed limited effectiveness in subsequent lines, leading to weaker OS and PFS benefits.

CONCLUSIONS

This NMA highlights the superiority of ARPI-based therapies and chemotherapies as first-line options for mCRPC while emphasizing the need for treatment class switching after ARPI failure. To refine treatment sequencing and enable precision care, future research should integrate individual participant data to better address patient-level heterogeneity and identify biomarkers for personalized therapy.

Safety and Efficacy of Reduced Dose of Enzalutamide in Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review

Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of reduced dose compared to standard dose Enzalutamide treatment for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies reporting the use of Enzalutamide in reduced and standard doses in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Searches were limited to articles published in the English language. Outcome assessments included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), adverse events, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, including 2481 patients treated with Enzalutamide. Seven studies were retrospective cohorts, two were prospective trials, and one was a prospective cohort. No consistent relationship was identified between OS and PFS and the Enzalutamide dosage. Reduced doses of Enzalutamide decreased the incidence of adverse events, particularly among elderly patients. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that reduced doses of Enzalutamide in CRPC may maintain therapeutic efficacy in selected patients while improving tolerability. However, inconsistent findings and methodological limitations highlight the need for prospective randomized trials to define optimal and individualized dosing strategies.

Modern Treatment of Skeletal Metastases: Multidisciplinarity and the Concept of Oligometastasis in the Recent Literature

Bone metastases are a major concern in cancer management since they significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. Metastatic lesions, commonly arising from breast, prostate, lung, and kidney cancers, affect approximately 25% of cancer patients, leading to severe complications such as pain, fractures, and neurological deficits. This narrative review explores contemporary approaches to bone metastases, emphasizing a multidisciplinary strategy and the evolving concept of oligometastatic disease. Oligometastases, defined by limited metastatic spread (1-5 lesions), offer a potential window for curative treatment through aggressive interventions, including stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and resection surgery. Tumor boards, integrating systemic therapies with local interventions, are crucial to optimize treatment. Despite promising results, gaps remain in defining optimal treatment sequences and refining patient selection criteria. Future research should focus on personalized approaches, leveraging biomarkers and advanced imaging to enhance outcomes and the quality of life in patients with bone metastases.