Niraparib plus abiraterone acetate with prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and homologous recombination repair gene alterations: second interim analysis of the randomized phase III MAGNITUDE trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and BRCA alterations have poor outcomes. MAGNITUDE found patients with homologous recombination repair gene alterations (HRR+), particularly BRCA1/2, benefit from first-line therapy with niraparib plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP). Here we report longer follow-up from the second prespecified interim analysis (IA2).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with mCRPC were prospectively identified as HRR+ with/without BRCA1/2 alterations and randomized 1 : 1 to niraparib (200 mg orally) plus AAP (1000 mg/10 mg orally) or placebo plus AAP. At IA2, secondary endpoints [time to symptomatic progression, time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, overall survival (OS)] were assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, 212 HRR+ patients received niraparib plus AAP (BRCA1/2 subgroup, n = 113). At IA2 with 24.8 months of median follow-up in the BRCA1/2 subgroup, niraparib plus AAP significantly prolonged radiographic progression-free survival {rPFS; blinded independent central review; median rPFS 19.5 versus 10.9 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39-0.78]; nominal P = 0.0007} consistent with the first prespecified interim analysis. rPFS was also prolonged in the total HRR+ population [HR = 0.76 (95% CI 0.60-0.97); nominal P = 0.0280; median follow-up 26.8 months]. Improvements in time to symptomatic progression and time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy were observed with niraparib plus AAP. In the BRCA1/2 subgroup, the analysis of OS with niraparib plus AAP demonstrated an HR of 0.88 (95% CI 0.58-1.34; nominal P = 0.5505); the prespecified inverse probability censoring weighting analysis of OS, accounting for imbalances in subsequent use of poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors and other life-prolonging therapies, demonstrated an HR of 0.54 (95% CI 0.33-0.90; nominal P = 0.0181). No new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

MAGNITUDE, enrolling the largest BRCA1/2 cohort in first-line mCRPC to date, demonstrated improved rPFS and other clinically relevant outcomes with niraparib plus AAP in patients with BRCA1/2-altered mCRPC, emphasizing the importance of identifying this molecular subset of patients.

Cabazitaxel versus abiraterone or enzalutamide in poor prognosis metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment of poor prognosis metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) includes taxane chemotherapy and androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI). We sought to determine optimal treatment in this setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase II trial recruited patients with ARPI-naive mCRPC and poor prognosis features (presence of liver metastases, progression to mCRPC after <12 months of androgen deprivation therapy, or ≥4 of 6 clinical criteria). Patients were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to receive cabazitaxel plus prednisone (group A) or physician's choice of enzalutamide or abiraterone plus prednisone (group B) at standard doses. Patients could cross over at progression. The primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate for first-line treatment (defined as prostate-specific antigen response ≥50%, radiographic response, or stable disease ≥12 weeks).

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were accrued (median follow-up 21.9 months). First-line clinical benefit rate was greater in group A versus group B (80% versus 62%, P = 0.039). Overall survival was not different between groups A and B (median 37.0 versus 15.5 months, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.58, P = 0.073) nor was time to progression (median 5.3 versus 2.8 months, HR = 0.87, P = 0.52). The most common first-line treatment-related grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (cabazitaxel 32% versus ARPI 0%), diarrhoea (9% versus 0%), infection (9% versus 0%), and fatigue (7% versus 5%). Baseline circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) fraction above the cohort median and on-treatment ctDNA increase were associated with shorter time to progression (HR = 2.38, P < 0.001; HR = 4.03, P < 0.001). Patients with >30% ctDNA fraction at baseline had markedly shorter overall survival than those with undetectable ctDNA (HR = 38.22, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cabazitaxel was associated with a higher clinical benefit rate in patients with ARPI-naive poor prognosis mCRPC. ctDNA abundance was prognostic independent of clinical features, and holds promise as a stratification biomarker.

Presenting stage and risk group in men dying of prostate cancer

Introduction

Prostate cancer remains the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Canadian men, and yet screening for prostate cancer continues to be controversial because the majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die of the disease. It also remains uncertain whether treatment of cases that can be treated with curative intent alters the mortality rate. There are very few studies describing the presenting stage, risk groups, and survival after diagnosis for men dying of prostate cancer in the literature. In this study, we explored these characteristics for all men who died of prostate cancer in British Columbia between 2013 and 2015.

Methods

The population-based BC Cancer databases were used to identify all patients diagnosed between January 2013 and December 2015 who died of prostate cancer. Patient, tumour, and treatment characteristics were collected, and the risk grouping for each tumour was determined. The proportion of cases in each risk group at the time of diagnosis was determined. Survival time from diagnosis to death was calculated for all patients and for each risk group using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

A total of 1256 patients died of prostate cancer. Of patients who presented with metastatic disease, 57.2% presented with a Gleason score of 8 or more, compared with only 35.7% of patients who presented with nonmetastatic disease (p < 0.0001). The presenting stage and risk group of those dying of prostate cancer were as follows: 32% metastatic disease, 3% regional (defined as node-positive), 39% localized high risk, 9% localized intermediate risk, 4% localized low risk, 6% localized not otherwise specified, and 7% unknown. Therefore, 80.3% of those with a known risk group presented with either localized high-risk, regional, or metastatic disease at diagnosis. The median survival times from diagnosis to death were 12 years for localized low-risk, 10 years for localized intermediate-risk, 6.5 years for localized high-risk, 4 years for regional, and 1.7 years for metastatic disease at diagnosis.

Conclusions

This population-based analysis demonstrates that patients with localized high-risk, regional, or metastatic disease at diagnosis constitute the overwhelming majority of patients who die of prostate cancer in British Columbia. Unless these disease states can reliably be identified at an earlier low- or intermediate-risk localized state in the future, it is unlikely that treatment of localized low- and intermediate-risk cancer will have an impact on survival. Furthermore, patients with de novo metastatic disease had identifiable risk factors of a higher prostate-specific antigen and Gleason score. Further studies are required to confirm these results.

Clinical outcomes in men of diverse ethnic backgrounds with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

We have shown previously in multivariable analysis that black men had 19% lower risk of death than white men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with a docetaxel and prednisone (DP)-based regimen. The primary goal of this analysis was to compare progression-free survival (PFS), biochemical PFS, ≥50% decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) from baseline and objective response rate (ORR) in white, black and Asian men with mCRPC treated with a DP-based regimen.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Individual patient data from 8820 mCRPC men randomized on nine phase III trials to a DP-containing regimen were combined. Race used in the analysis was based on self-report. End points were PFS, biochemical PSA, ≥50% decline in PSA from baseline and ORR. The proportional hazards and the logistic regression models were employed to assess the prognostic importance of race in predicting outcomes adjusting for established prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Of 8820 patients, 7528 (85%) were white, 500 (6%) were black, 424 were Asian (5%) and 368 (4%) had race unspecified. Median PFS were 8.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.2-8.5], 8.2 (95% CI 7.4-8.8) and 8.3 (95% CI 7.6-8.8) months in white, black and Asian men, respectively. Median PSA PFS were 9.9 (95% CI 9.7-10.4), 8.5 (95% CI 8.0-10.3) and 11.1 (95% CI 9.9-12.5) months in white, black and Asian men, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed no differences in clinical outcomes by race and ethnic groups in men with mCRPC enrolled on these phase III clinical trials with DP.

Second-line systemic therapies for metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a population-based cohort analysis

Introduction

Patients with urothelial carcinoma (uc) have a poor prognosis after progression on first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Real-world data about second-line cytotoxic therapies are limited. We sought to characterize patients with metastatic uc who receive more than 1 line of systemic therapy and to describe their treatments and outcomes.

Methods

Using BC Cancer's pharmacy database, we identified patients with documented metastatic uc who had received more than 1 line of systemic therapy. A retrospective chart review was then performed to collect clinicopathologic, treatment, and outcomes data.

Results

The 51 included patients, of whom 42 were men (82%), had a median age of 65 years (range: 38-81 years). Sites of metastasis included lymph nodes (n = 30), bone (n = 7), lung (n = 9), and peritoneum (n = 2). Second-line chemotherapy regimens included gemcitabine-cisplatin [gc (n = 14)], paclitaxel (n = 24), docetaxel (n = 12), and an oral topoisomerase i inhibitor (n = 1). Median time to progression (ttp) and overall survival (os) were 2.0 and 6.83 months respectively. Compared with patients who received a different agent, patients who had experienced a prior response to first-line gc and who were re-challenged with second-line gc had a better median ttp (11.0 months vs. 6.0 months, p = 0.02) and survived longer (4.0 months vs. 1.0 months, p = 0.02). No differences in os between non-gc regimens were evident.

Conclusions

In patients with metastatic uc, overall outcomes remain poor, but compared with patients receiving other agents, the subgroup of patients re-challenged with second-line gc demonstrated improved ttp. Conventional chemotherapy regimens provide only modest benefits in the second-line setting and have largely been replaced with immunotherapy.

A phase I dose-escalation study of apatorsen (OGX-427), an antisense inhibitor targeting heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and other advanced cancers

BACKGROUND

Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is a chaperone protein that regulates cell survival via androgen receptor and other signaling pathways, thereby mediating cancer progression. Apatorsen (OGX-427) is a 2'-methoxyethyl-modified antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits Hsp27 expression. This study evaluated the safety profile and recommended phase II dosing of apatorsen in patients with advanced cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with castration-resistant prostate (CRPC), breast, ovary, lung, or bladder cancer were enrolled to this phase I dose-escalation study. Apatorsen was administered i.v. weekly in 21-day cycles following 3 loading doses and over 5 dose levels (200-1000 mg). Apatorsen plasma concentrations, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC Hsp27 expression, and serum Hsp27 levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were accrued, of which 52% had CRPC. Patients were heavily pretreated, with 57% having had ≥3 prior chemotherapy regimens. During the loading dose/cycle 1 and overall study period, 93% and 100% of patients (N = 42) experienced treatment-related adverse events, respectively; most were grade 1-2 and included chills, pruritus, flushing, prolonged aPTT, lymphopenia, and anemia. One patient experienced a dose-limiting toxicity at the 600 mg dose level (intracranial hemorrhage in a previously undiagnosed brain metastasis). A maximum tolerated dose was not defined. Apatorsen Cmax increased proportionally with dose. Decreases in tumor markers and declines in CTCs were observed, with a prostate-specific antigen decline >%50% occurring in 10% of patients with CRPC; 29/39 assessable patients (74%) had reductions from ≥5 CTC/7.5 ml at baseline to <5 CTC/7.5 ml post-treatment. Twelve patients had stable measurable disease as best response.

CONCLUSIONS

Apatorsen was tolerated at the highest dose evaluated (1000 mg). Single-agent activity was suggested by changes in tumor markers, CTC, and stable measurable disease. Phase II studies evaluating apatorsen are underway.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV ID

NCT00487786.

A prognostic index model for predicting overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with abiraterone acetate after docetaxel

A prognostic index model was developed, composed of six readily available and assessable factors and categorizing patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with abiraterone–prednisone into distinct prognostic risk groups. This model could be useful for determining patient prognosis for follow-up, monitoring and patient stratification for clinical trials.

Background

Few prognostic models for overall survival (OS) are available for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with recently approved agents. We developed a prognostic index model using readily available clinical and laboratory factors from a phase III trial of abiraterone acetate (hereafter abiraterone) in combination with prednisone in post-docetaxel mCRPC.

Patients and methods

Baseline data were available from 762 patients treated with abiraterone–prednisone. Factors were assessed for association with OS through a univariate Cox model and used in a multivariate Cox model with a stepwise procedure to identify those of significance. Data were validated using an independent, external, population-based cohort.

Results

Six risk factors individually associated with poor prognosis were included in the final model: lactate dehydrogenase > upper limit of normal (ULN) [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.31], Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 (HR = 2.19), presence of liver metastases (HR = 2.00), albumin ≤4 g/dl (HR = 1.54), alkaline phosphatase > ULN (HR = 1.38) and time from start of initial androgen-deprivation therapy to start of treatment ≤36 months (HR = 1.30). Patients were categorized into good (n = 369, 46%), intermediate (n = 321, 40%) and poor (n = 107, 13%) prognosis groups based on the number of risk factors and relative HRs. The C-index was 0.70 ± 0.014. The model was validated by the external dataset (n = 286).

Conclusion

This analysis identified six factors used to model survival in mCRPC and categorized patients into three distinct risk groups. Prognostic stratification with this model could assist clinical practice decisions for follow-up and monitoring, and may aid in clinical trial design.

Trial registration numbers

NCT00638690.

A phase II study of the HDAC inhibitor SB939 in patients with castration resistant prostate cancer: NCIC clinical trials group study IND195

BACKGROUND

SB939 is a potent oral inhibitor of class 1, 2, and 4 histone deacetylases (HDACs). These three HDAC classes are highly expressed in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and associated with poor clinical outcomes. We designed a phase II study of SB939 in men with metastatic CRPC.

METHODS

Patients received SB939 60 mg on alternate days three times per week for 3 weeks on a 4-week cycle. Primary endpoints were PSA response rate (RR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included objective response rate and duration; overall survival; circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration and safety. Exploratory correlative studies of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and PTEN biomarkers were also performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were enrolled of whom 88 % had received no prior chemotherapy. The median number of SB939 cycles administered was three (range 1-8). Adverse events were generally grade 1-2, with five pts experiencing one or more grade three event. One patient died due to myocardial infarction. A confirmed PSA response was noted in two pts (6 %), lasting 3.0 and 21.6 months. In patients with measurable disease there were no objective responses. Six patients had stable disease lasting 1.7 to 8.0 months. CTC response (from ≥5 at baseline to <5 at 6 or 12 weeks) occurred in 9/14 evaluable patients (64 %).

CONCLUSION

Although SB939 was tolerable at the dose/schedule given, and showed declines in CTC in the majority of evaluable patients, it did not show sufficient activity based on PSA RR to warrant further study as a single agent in unselected patients with CRPC.

Improved outcomes in elderly patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with the androgen receptor inhibitor enzalutamide: results from the phase III AFFIRM trial

BACKGROUND

The randomized, double-blind phase III AFFIRM trial demonstrated that enzalutamide, an oral androgen receptor inhibitor, significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) [median 18.4 versus 13.6 months (hazard ratio, HR) 0.63 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.53-0.75); P<0.001] compared with placebo in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who received prior docetaxel chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A post hoc analysis was carried out to assess the efficacy and safety of enzalutamide on outcomes in younger (<75 years) and elderly (≥75 years) patients in the AFFIRM population. Statistics are presented by age group (<75 years, ≥75 years) for efficacy outcomes of OS, radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, PSA response, and safety.

RESULTS

OS was significantly improved with enzalutamide over placebo in patients<75 years [median not yet reached versus 13.6 months; HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.52-0.78), P<0.001] and in patients ≥75 years [median 18.2 versus 13.3 months; HR 0.61 (95% CI 0.43-0.86), P=0.004], respectively. rPFS was similarly improved in both the younger [HR 0.45 (95% CI 0.38-0.53), P<0.001] and elderly patient cohorts [HR 0.27 (95% CI 0.20-0.37), P<0.001] relative to placebo, as were time to PSA progression and PSA response. Adverse events (AEs) were similar between the two enzalutamide age groups, with the exception of an increase in patients≥75 years in the rates of all grade peripheral edema (22.1% versus 12.5%), fatigue (39.7% versus 31.6%), and diarrhea (26.6% versus 19.6%). The overall grade≥3 AE rates were low with no major difference in frequency or severity between age groups or treatment arms. Five patients were reported with seizure events; three patients<75 years and two patients ≥75 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Enzalutamide significantly improves outcomes in both younger (<75 years) and elderly patients (≥75 years), with comparable safety and tolerability.

Denosumab for the prevention of skeletal complications in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: comparison of skeletal-related events and symptomatic skeletal events

In this analysis of a phase III trial in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases, treatment with denosumab reduced the risk of skeletal complications vs zoledronic acid regardless of whether the end point was defined as SSE or SRE. Both SSEs and SREs were associated with development of moderate/severe pain among patients with no/mild pain at baseline.

Background

In a phase III trial in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone metastases, denosumab was superior to zoledronic acid in reducing skeletal-related events (SREs; radiation to bone, pathologic fracture, surgery to bone, or spinal cord compression). This study reassessed the efficacy of denosumab using symptomatic skeletal events (SSEs) as a prespecified exploratory end point.

Patients and methods

Patients with CRPC, no previous bisphosphonate exposure, and radiographic evidence of bone metastasis were randomized to subcutaneous denosumab 120 mg plus i.v. placebo every 4 weeks (Q4W), or i.v. zoledronic acid 4 mg plus subcutaneous placebo Q4W during the blinded treatment phase. SSEs were defined as radiation to bone, symptomatic pathologic fracture, surgery to bone, or symptomatic spinal cord compression. The relationship between SSE or SRE and time to moderate/severe pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form.

Results

Treatment with denosumab significantly reduced the risk of developing first SSE [HR, 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–0.93; P = 0.005] and first and subsequent SSEs (rate ratio, 0.78; 95% CI 0.65–0.92; P = 0.004) compared with zoledronic acid. The treatment differences in the number of patients with SSEs or SREs were similar (n = 48 and n = 45, respectively). Among patients with no/mild pain at baseline, both SSEs and SREs were associated with moderate/severe pain development (P < 0.0001). Fewer patients had skeletal complications, particularly fractures, when defined as SSE versus SRE.

Conclusion

In patients with CRPC and bone metastases, denosumab reduced the risk of skeletal complications versus zoledronic acid regardless of whether the end point was defined as SSE or SRE.

NCIC CTG IND.181: phase I study of AT9283 given as a weekly 24 hour infusion in advanced malignancies

PURPOSE

AT9283 is a potent inhibitor of the mitotic regulators, Aurora-kinases A and B, and has shown anti-tumor activity in patients with solid and haematological malignancies. This phase I study assessed safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of AT9283.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced, incurable solid tumors or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma received AT9283 as a continuous 24-hour infusion on days 1, 8 of a 21-day cycle. A 3 + 3 dose escalation design was used with a starting dose of 1.5 mg/m(2)/day. Pharmacokinetic samples were collected from all patients on cycle one, and pharmacodynamic samples were collected from 4 patients at the recommended phase II dose (RP2D).

RESULTS

35 patients were evaluable for toxicity and 32 were evaluable for response. AT9283 was well tolerated, with main toxicities being reversible dose-related fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbance, anemia, lymphocytopenia and neutropenia. The dose limiting toxicities were febrile neutropenia (two patients) and neutropenia with grade 3 infection (1 patient) at 47 mg/m(2)/day (established as the maximum tolerated dose). The RP2D was 40 mg/m(2)/day. Pharmacokinetic analyses showed AT9283 appeared to follow linear kinetics, with a mean elimination half-life of 8.2 h. Pharmacodynamic analyses showed no consistent or significant changes, but trends suggested evidence of AT9283 inhibition and anti-proliferative activity. One patient had partial response and four patients experienced RECIST stable disease (median 2.6 months).

CONCLUSION

In this study, AT9283 was well tolerated. The RP2D is 40 mg/m(2)/day on days 1, 8 of a 21-day cycle. Ongoing AT9283 trials will assess efficacy and safety in solid and haematological cancers.

Clinical activity of abiraterone acetate in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing after enzalutamide

BACKGROUND

Abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide both improve outcomes in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Optimal sequencing for these agents and whether cross-resistance occurs is unknown.

METHODS

Multicentre review of patients with mCRPC treated with abiraterone acetate and prednisone after progressing on enzalutamide. Primary objective was to determine abiraterone acetate response.

RESULTS

Thirty patients identified from four North American centres. At abiraterone initiation, median age was 70 years (56-84 years); 70% had ECOG performance status of 0-1; all had prior docetaxel. Median prior enzalutamide treatment duration was 41 weeks (6-95 weeks), with 70% (21 of 30) having a ≥30% prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline. Median abiraterone acetate treatment duration was 13 weeks (1-52). No objective radiographic responses were observed. Median abiraterone time to progression (PSA, objective or symptomatic) was 15.4 weeks [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.7-20.2]. Median overall survival was 50.1 weeks (95% CI 28.3-72.0). Three patients had a ≥30% PSA decline with abiraterone. Two of these patients had PSA progression as best response with prior enzalutamide.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of patients progressing after enzalutamide, treatment with abiraterone was associated with a modest response rate and brief duration of effect. Primary progression on enzalutamide may not preclude a response to abiraterone.

Effect of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone on the pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan and theophylline in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

PURPOSE

To assess the effect of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone on the pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan HBr (CYP2D6 substrate) and theophylline (CYP1A2 substrate) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

METHODS

Men with progressive metastatic mCRPC who failed gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy and ≥1 lines of chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients received two doses of dextromethorphan HBr-30 mg (n = 18; group A) or theophylline-100 mg (n = 16; group B) under fasting conditions; one dose on cycle 1, day -8, and the other dose on cycle 1, day 8. Only patients with extensive CYP2D6 metabolizing status were assigned to group A. All patients received continuous daily oral abiraterone acetate (1,000 mg) plus prednisone (10 mg) starting on cycle 1, day 1.

RESULTS

Coadministration of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone increased the systemic exposure of dextromethorphan by approximately 100%. Ratios of geometric means for maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) (275.36%) and area under plasma concentration-time curves from time 0 to 24 h (AUC(24h)) (268.14%) of dextromethorphan were outside the bioequivalence limit. The pharmacokinetics of theophylline was unaltered following coadministration of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone. Ratios of geometric means [C(max); 102.36% and AUC(24h); 108.03%] of theophylline exposure parameters were within the bioequivalence limit. The safety profile of abiraterone acetate was consistent with reported toxicities.

CONCLUSION

Abiraterone acetate plus prednisone increased the exposure of dextromethorphan, suggesting a need for caution when coadministrating with known CYP2D6 substrates. The pharmacokinetics of theophylline was unaffected when coadministered with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone.

A phase 2 study of patupilone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel: Canadian Urologic Oncology Group study P07a

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical activity of patupilone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients had progressive disease within 6 months of receiving docetaxel. Patupilone was administered 10 mg/m2 i.v. every 3 weeks. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with a confirmed≥50% prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients were enrolled. At baseline, the median time to progression after prior docetaxel was 1.4 months (range 0-5.7). Gastrointestinal serious adverse events occurred in four of the six initial patients leading to a reduction of the starting dose of patupilone to 8 mg/m2 for subsequent patients. Grade 3-4 toxicity at this dose included diarrhea (22%), fatigue (21%), and anorexia (10%). One patient experienced grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity. A PSA decline of ≥50% occurred in 47% of patients. A partial measurable disease response occurred in 24% of assessable patients. A patient-reported pain response was observed in 59% of assessable patients. Median time to PSA progression was 6.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7-8.0] and median overall survival was 11.3 months (95% CI 9.8-15.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Patupilone at 8 mg/m2 was tolerable, had antitumor activity, and was associated with symptomatic improvement in patients previously treated with docetaxel.

Research in castration-resistant prostate cancer: what does the future hold?

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer diagnosed in North America, and it affects 1 in 6 men. Patients with recurrent or metastatic pca will inevitably develop castration-resistant disease after an initial period of hormone responsiveness. The standard first-line treatment for men with castration-resistant pca (CRPC) is docetaxel, but further treatment options are limited. This review summarizes the research being conducted in CRPC, with specific regard to immunotherapy and to novel targeted therapies directed against the androgen axis, vascular endothelial growth factor, chaperone proteins, the phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt/phosphatase and tensin homolog/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, and endothelin-1.

A phase IB study of ABT-751 in combination with docetaxel in patients with advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and clinical antitumor activity of ABT-751, a novel sulfonamide antimitotic and vascular disrupting agent, in combination with docetaxel (Taxotere) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients received docetaxel (60-75 mg/m(2)) i.v. on day 1 and ABT-751 (100-200 mg) orally daily for 14 days, repeated every 3 weeks for up to 10 times on four escalating dose levels (DLs).

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients received a median of 8.5 treatment cycles (range 1-10). One of six patients on DL 3 (D 60 mg/m(2) + A 200 mg) and 4 (D 75 mg/m(2) + A 200 mg) experienced dose-limiting toxicity, and both DLs were expanded. Overall, severe adverse events occurred more commonly on DL 4 than 3 (47% versus 18% of patients). PK data for docetaxel and ABT-751 were similar to reported literature. Best post-treatment prostate-specific antigen decline of > or =50% occurred in 60% and objective responses occurred in 45% of patients. Median overall survival was 24 months (95% confidence interval 8.3-37.7 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of ABT-751 and docetaxel is safe and active in CRPC. Based on the cumulative safety analysis, the recommended phase II dose of ABT-751 is 200 mg daily with docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) for this patient population.

Defining the optimal treatment strategy for localized prostate cancer patients: a survey of ongoing studies at the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group

The designation "clinically localized prostate cancer" comprises a group of biologically heterogeneous tumours with different growth rates and risks of relapse. Because prostate cancer is primarily a disease of older men, treatment selection must take into account the prognosis of the tumour, patient age, comorbidities, side effects of treatment, and patient preferences. Clinical trials must identify the various prognostic groups and test the appropriate treatment strategies within these subgroups.

A phase II study of sorafenib in patients with chemo-naive castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the antitumor activity of sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor of cell proliferation and angiogenesis, in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a multicenter, two-stage, phase II study. Sorafenib 400 mg was administered orally twice daily continuously. Primary end point was prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 'response' defined as a > or =50% decrease for > or =4 weeks.

RESULTS

In all, 28 patients were enrolled. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was zero or one in 19 and 9 patients. Two patients had no metastases, and 26 had bone and/or lymph node disease. A median of two cycles (range 1-8) was delivered. Adverse events were typical for sorafenib. The PSA response rate was 3.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1% to 18.3%] with response occurring in one patient (baseline = 10 000 and nadir = 1643 microg/l). No measurable disease responses occurred in eight patients. Time to PSA progression was 2.3 months (95% CI 1.8-6.4). Of 16 patients who discontinued sorafenib and then did not receive any immediate therapy, 10 had postdiscontinuation PSA declines of 7%-52%.

CONCLUSIONS

Sorafenib has limited activity using current PSA criteria. The declines in PSA observed on treatment discontinuation indicate an effect on PSA production/secretion. Further study may be warranted but needs to consider the limitations of PSA as an indicator of progression and response.

Randomized phase II study of two doses of gefitinib in hormone-refractory prostate cancer: a trial of the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group

PURPOSE

Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor has been demonstrated in advanced prostate cancer and is associated with a poor outcome. A multi-institutional, randomized, phase II study was undertaken by the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of two doses of oral gefitinib in patients with minimally symptomatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between July and November 2001, 40 patients with HRPC and increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or progression in measurable disease who had not received prior chemotherapy were randomly assigned to 250 mg (n = 19) or 500 mg (n = 21) oral gefitinib daily continuously. The primary end points were PSA response rate and objective measurable response. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Prostate Cancer Subscale (FACT-P) quality-of-life questionnaires were completed at baseline and during treatment.

RESULTS

None of the patients demonstrated a PSA or objective measurable response. Five (14.3%) of 35 assessable patients had stable PSA (one patient at 250 mg and four patients at 500 mg), and five patients (14.3%) had a best response of stable disease (duration, 2.5 to 16.8 months). No significant effect on the rate of increase in PSA was seen. The most common drug-related nonhematologic toxicities observed were grade 1 to 2 diarrhea (250 mg, 65%; 500 mg, 56%), fatigue (250 mg, 29%; 500 mg, 33%), and grade 1 to 2 skin rash (250 mg, 24%; 500 mg, 39%). FACT-P scores decreased during treatment, indicating worsening of symptoms compared with baseline.

CONCLUSION

Gefitinib did not result in any responses in PSA or objective measurable disease at either dose level. Gefitinib has minimal single-agent activity in HRPC.

A phase I study of AMD473 and docetaxel given once every 3 weeks in patients with advanced refractory cancer: a National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group trial, IND 131

BACKGROUND

AMD473 (previously ZD0473) is a new-generation platinum compound with activity against a wide range of human tumour cell lines and xenografts, including carboplatin- and cisplatin-resistant lines. To assess its potential combined with a taxane, a phase I study of AMD473 and docetaxel in advanced cancer was initiated by the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced cancer, measurable disease, performance status Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-2, no major organ dysfunction, and one or no previous taxane regimen received escalating doses of AMD473 and docetaxel every 3 weeks, with a starting dose of AMD473 80 mg/m(2) and docetaxel 60 mg/m(2).

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients enrolled on four dose levels were evaluable for toxicity and 25 patients were evaluable for response. The maximum tolerated dose was dose level 4 (AMD473 120 mg/m(2) and docetaxel 75 mg/m(2)), with grade 4 neutropenia in both minimally and heavily pretreated patients causing dose-limiting toxicity. As well at dose level 4, one patient had grade 3 vomiting despite premedication. Dose level three was expanded for both groups of patients and was defined as the recommended phase II dose at AMD473 100 mg/m(2) and docetaxel 75 mg/m(2). Non-hematologic toxicities included fatigue, diarrhoea and other mild toxicities. There was one partial response in a patient with prostate cancer and stable disease in 15 patients. No apparent pharmacokinetic interaction was noted.

CONCLUSION

AMD473 and docetaxel can be combined with a recommended phase II dose level of 100 mg/m(2) and 75 mg/m(2), respectively, given intravenously every 3 weeks. The combination has activity and should be explored in responsive tumour types.

A phase I dose-finding study of combined treatment with an antisense Bcl-2 oligonucleotide (Genasense) and mitoxantrone in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer

PURPOSE

Bcl-2 is a negative prognostic indicator in prostate cancer, implicated in the development of androgen independence and treatment resistance, and is overexpressed in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Genasense is a phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the bcl-2 mRNA open reading frame that in preclinical studies has shown significant activity in inhibiting expression of Bcl-2, delaying androgen independence, and improving chemosensitivity in prostate and other cancer models. In this dose escalation study, we evaluated the combination of Genasense and mitoxantrone, a standard chemotherapy for patients with HRPC.

DESIGN

Twenty-six patients with HRPC were treated at seven dose levels receiving Genasense at a dose ranging from 0.6 to 5.0 mg/kg/day and mitoxantrone from 4 mg/m(2) to 12 mg/m(2). Genasense was administered as a 14-day i.v. continuous infusion every 28 days with mitoxantrone given as an i.v. bolus on day 8.

RESULTS

No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Hematological toxicities were transient and included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia. Nonhematological toxicities included fatigue, fever, nausea, arthralgias, myalgias, and transient elevations in serum creatinine, none of which were severe. Two patients had >50% reductions in prostate-specific antigen. One patient, who received six cycles of Genasense at 1.2 mg/kg/day and a low dose (4 mg/m(2)) of mitoxantrone, also had symptomatic improvement in bone pain. Peripheral blood lymphocyte Bcl-2 protein expression decreased in five of five patients given Genasense at 5mg/kg/day (mean change from baseline, -12.8%; SD, 16.4%) as assessed by flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of Genasense given at doses of 3 mg/kg/day and greater, exceeded 1 microg/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Genasense and mitoxantrone are well tolerated in combination, and mitoxantrone can be delivered at a standard dose with biologically active doses of Genasense without significant additional toxicity. This observation allays concerns about trials that combine Genasense with full doses of other cytotoxic agents seeking greater evidence of activity.

Antisense TRPM-2 oligodeoxynucleotides chemosensitize human androgen-independent PC-3 prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo

Although numerous chemotherapeutic regimens have been evaluated for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, none has improved survival. Testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2), which is highly up-regulated after androgen withdrawal and during androgen-independent progression in prostate cancer, has been shown to inhibit apoptosis induced by various kinds of stimuli. The objectives in this study were to test whether antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) targeted against TRPM-2 enhance chemosensitivity in human androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Initially, the potency of 10 AS ODNs targeting various regions of the TRPM-2 mRNA were evaluated, and the AS ODN targeted to the TRPM-2 translation initiation site (AS ODN#2) was found to be the most potent sequence for inhibiting TRPM-2 expression in PC-3 cells. Despite significant dose-dependent and sequence-specific suppression of TRPM-2 expression, AS ODN#2 had no effect on growth of PC-3 cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, pretreatment of PC-3 cells with AS ODN#2 significantly enhanced chemosensitivity of Taxol (paclitaxel) and mitoxantrone in vitro. Characteristic apoptotic DNA laddering and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were observed after combined treatment with AS ODN#2 plus paclitaxel or mitoxantrone but not with either agent alone. In vivo administration of AS ODN#2 plus either paclitaxel or mitoxantrone significantly decreased PC-3 tumor volume by 80 or 60%, respectively, compared with mismatch control ODN plus either paclitaxel or mitoxantrone. In addition, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling staining revealed increased apoptotic cells in tumors treated with AS ODN#2 plus paclitaxel or mitoxantrone. These findings confirm that TRPM-2 overexpression confers resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy in prostate cancer cells and illustrates the potential utility of combined treatment with AS TRPM-2 ODN plus chemotherapeutic agents for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

The standard of reporting of health-related quality of life in clinical cancer trials

The standard of reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is important to the interpretation of outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQL). HRQL is used increasingly as an outcome in clinical cancer trials.

DESIGN

All 1997 issues of 36 selected journals were hand searched to identify original articles that included the term "quality of life" in the title, abstract, keywords or methods. Studies were included if they were RCTs and addressed cancer-related topics. A checklist to assess the adequacy of reporting of HRQL was developed based on a guideline previously published by an expert panel. Two unblinded reviewers applied the quality of life reporting (QLR) and CONSORT checklists, along with an instrument to assess the likelihood of bias to each selected RCT.

RESULTS

72 articles were identified of which 20 were RCTs and cancer-related. For these 20 reports the median number of items in the QLR checklist that were adequately reported is 42% (range 15% to 85%). The median number of items in the CONSORT checklist that were adequately reported is 70% (range 47% to 95%). The mean score for the instrument to assess the likelihood for bias is 2.6 (95% CI 2. 08-3.12).

CONCLUSIONS

The current standard of reporting of HRQL needs to be improved. Major deficiencies that should be addressed are failure to provide a rationale for HRQL assessment and inadequate description of methodology. Development and application of structured formats for presentation of HRQL may help to improve the standard of reporting of HRQL in the literature.