Efficacy of systemic therapy following [177Lu] Lu-PSMA in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

77

Background: [177Lu]Lu-PSMA (LuPSMA) is currently FDA-approved for use in the post-taxane, post-antiandrogen setting in pts with mCRPC. Little is known about the efficacy of treatment in pts with subsequent progression after LuPSMA. In this single-centre retrospective analysis, we evaluated efficacy of first subsequent therapy following LuPSMA. Methods: 234 mCRPC pts who received LuPSMA at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre from 2015-2022 were analysed. Pts were excluded if they did not receive any subsequent treatment (n=136), if they received the initial course of LuPSMA in combination with another therapy (n=10), or if insufficient follow-up data were available (n=15).Retreatment withLuPSMA was considered a subsequent line of therapy. Data collected included 50% PSA response rate (PSA-RR), PSA-progression free survival (PSA-PFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival outcomes were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: Of 73 evaluable pts, 32 were retreated with LuPSMA (median 2 cycles); and 41 commenced a new line of systemic therapy. In the LuPSMA retreatment group, the PSA-RR was 44%, median PSA-PFS was 3.8 months and median OS 14.8 months. In pts who changed to a new line of treatment, cabazitaxel was the most commonly prescribed therapy (n=25), followed by docetaxel (n=7), and single-agent carboplatin (n=4), in addition to carboplatin/etoposide, mitoxantrone, olaparib, capecitabine and a clinical trial (n=1 for each). PSA-RR was 12%, median PSA-PFS was 3.5 months and median OS 6.6 months. Conclusions: This retrospective data demonstrates that retreatment with LuPSMA is associated with benefit, though this is reduced compared to initial treatment. In our cohort of pts who commenced a new line of therapy, most were not suitable for retreatment with LuPSMA, potentially reflecting de-differentiated and more aggressive disease phenotypes. In those not suitable for LuPSMA retreatment, other systemic therapy appears to have limited benefit, highlighting the lack of effective salvage options and raising questions about treatment sequencing. [Table: see text]

Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and PSMA PET correlates in the phase I PRINCE trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 plus pembrolizumab for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

5027

Background: The Phase I PRINCE trial (NCT03658447) is evaluating the efficacy of 177Lu-PSMA-617 plus pembrolizumab for mCRPC. The utility of serial monitoring of CTCs and PET as biomarkers of prognosis and clinical benefit of 177Lu-PSMA-617-based therapy remains unknown. Methods: 36 of 37 pts with high PSMA expression on PSMA PET underwent serial CTC collections in conjunction with PSMA PET at baseline, every 12 weeks for 48 weeks and every 24 weeks thereafter. CK+, CD45- CTCs were enumerated from 3ml of blood and stained for PSMA (Epic Sciences platform). Associations between PSMA+ CTC counts, PET molecular tumor volume (MTV), total lesional activity (TLA; MTVxSUVmean) were assessed by Spearman correlation. Cox models assessed the association of CTC and PSMA PET parameters with radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and PSA PFS. A subset of pre-treatment CTCs underwent single cell low-pass whole genome sequencing to characterize copy number aberrations. Results: 32/36 pt (89%) had detectable CTCs (median 7, range 0-514) with 23 (64%) being PSMA+ (median 1, range 0-224) at baseline. At w12, 23/33 (70%) had CTCs detected with 10 (30%) being PSMA+. Baseline PSMA+ CTC count and MTV were moderately correlated (rs= 0.57, p < 0.001). Of 22 evaluable pts with baseline PSMA+ CTC, 18 (82%) showed decrease by w12 with clearance in 13. This paralleled reductions in MTV (-18% med relative change, IQR: -57 to -1) and TLA (-48% med relative change, IQR: -77 to -28). Total CTC and PSMA+ CTC counts at baseline, and PET parameters were not associated with PSA PFS or rPFS. Clearance of PSMA+ CTC by w12 (13/22 pts) was associated with improved rPFS (med NR vs 3.0 mos, HR 0.23, 95%CI 0.07-0.74, p = 0.007) and PSA PFS (med 11.2 vs 3.5 mos, HR 0.28, 95%CI 0.11-0.73, p = 0.006). Persisting PSMA-neg CTCs at w12 trended to worse rPFS (med 4.1 vs 12.3 mos, p = 0.11) and PSA PFS (med 5.1 vs 12.3 mos, p = 0.07). Of pts not progressing by w12, decrease in PSA (HR 0.83 per 10% decrease, 95%CI 0.74-0.93, p < 0.001), MTV (HR 0.85 per 10% decrease, 95%CI 0.75-0.96, p = 0.008), MTV > 30% decrease (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.08-1.08, p = 0.05) and TLA (HR 0.88 per 10% decrease, 95%CI 0.78-1.00, p = 0.04) associated with improved rPFS beyond w12. Pre-treatment CTCs (18 pts) exhibited genomic heterogeneity and frequent loss of PTEN, TP53 and RB1. Pts with compound TP53 and RB1 loss at baseline nonetheless had PSMA+ CTCs in high proportion (med 91.3% of total CTCs). Conclusions: PSMA PET-positive mCRPC is associated with high rates of PSMA+ CTCs which decline with 177Lu-PSMA-617 plus pembrolizumab in parallel with PSMA MTV/TLA. Despite imaging suitability for therapy, CTCs had heterogenous PSMA expression and genomic alterations associated with aggressive disease. Early changes in PSMA+ CTCs and MTV/TLA were associated with outcomes and may aid in determining clinical activity of LuPSMA-based therapy.

PRINCE: Phase I trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

5017

Background: The VISION and TheraP trials have established the safety and efficacy of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in mCRPC with a 50% PSA response rate (PSA50-RR) of 46% and 66% and median progression free survival (PFS) of 8.7 and 5.1 months, respectively. More effective treatments are required as disease progression remains universal. Immunotherapy has limited single-agent efficacy in mCRPC. We hypothesise that by potentially inducing immunogenic cell death, 177Lu-PSMA-617 may act synergistically with pembrolizumab, an anti-programmed death 1 inhibitor, to enhance the depth and durability of response. PRINCE is a Phase I trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of this combination. Methods: mCRPC patients with high PSMA expression (SUVmax ≥ 20 in an index lesion, SUVmax > 10 for all lesions ≥ 10mm), and no FDG+ve/PSMA-ve lesions on paired baseline PET/CT screening, received up to 6 cycles of 177Lu-PSMA-617 (starting at 8.5 GBq, reducing by 0.5 GBq with each cycle) every 6 weeks in conjunction with 200mg of pembrolizumab every 3 weeks for up to 2 years. Response evaluation was undertaken as per PCWG3 and RECIST criteria. Co-primary endpoints were safety and PSA50-RR. Secondary endpoints included PSA-PFS, radiographic PFS (rPFS), overall survival (OS), and patient reported outcomes (PROs). This analysis was undertaken after the last patient had 12 months follow-up. Results: 37 patients (median age 72 years; prior docetaxel 73%; prior androgen receptor targeted agent 100%) received a median of 5 cycles (range: 2 to 6) of 177Lu-PSMA-617 and 12 doses (range: 6 to 19) of pembrolizumab. The median follow up was 16 months. PSA50-RR was 76% (28/37 [95% CI 59-88]) and 7/10 (70%) patients with RECIST-measurable disease had a partial response. Median rPFS, PSA-PFS and OS was 11.2 months (95% CI: 5.1-14.1), 8.2 months (95% CI: 5.1-11.2) and 17.8 months (95% CI:13.4-not estimable). 12-month rPFS and OS was 38% (95% CI: 22-54) and 83% (95% CI: 67-92), respectively. Common (≥10%) treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) were mainly Grade (G) 1-2, including xerostomia (78%), fatigue (43%), pruritus (27%), nausea (27%), rash (24%), diarrhoea (14%), anorexia (16%), thrombocytopenia (16%), elevated ALT (11%), arthralgia (11%) and a flare in bone pain (11%). Haematologic TRAEs included G2-3 anaemia (8%), G1-2 thrombocytopenia (16%), and G1 neutropenia (3%). G3 immune-related AEs occurred in 10 (27%) patients with no dominant manifestation. 5 (14%) patients discontinued pembrolizumab due to toxicity. PROs including BPI-SF and FACT-P were stable throughout the study. Conclusions: The combination of 177Lu-PSMA-617 and pembrolizumab had promising activity. Toxicities were generally consistent with those of single-agent 177Lu-PSMA-617 and pembrolizumab and were not clearly augmented by combination use. No new safety concerns were observed. Clinical trial information: NCT03658447.

ICEPAC: A phase II multicenter study of avelumab combined with stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

86

Background: Studies investigating immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in mCRPC have produced modest results. Radiation therapy may be synergistic with ICIs. We hypothesised that SABR would enhance anti-tumour activity of PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab in patients (pts) with progressive mCRPC. Methods: This phase II, single arm, multicentre study enrolled mCRPC pts following progression on ≥1 novel androgen receptor-directed therapy. Up to two lines of prior taxane chemotherapy were permitted. Pts received avelumab 10mg/kg IV q2weeks for a total of 24 weeks (12 cycles). A single fraction of 20Gy SABR was administered to 1-2 disease sites within five days prior to first and second doses of avelumab. Primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR); secondary endpoints were PSA response (PSA50), overall response rate (ORR), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. Radiographic disease assessment (CT and bone scintigraphy) was performed after cycles 6 and 12 of avelumab treatment. Following enrolment of 14 pts, a protocol amendment allowed avelumab beyond 12 cycles in pts with disease control at 24 weeks. Results: Thirty-one pts were enrolled, with 30 evaluable for the primary endpoint. Median follow-up was 18 months (mo). Pt characteristics: median age 71 years (IQR 64-75), bone-only disease 42%, visceral disease 16%, prior taxane chemotherapy 84%, treatment with both abiraterone and enzalutamide 13%. Seventy metastatic sites received SABR, most frequently to bone (90%) and soft tissue (29%) disease. Avelumab was given as second-line, third-line and fourth- or greater line systemic therapy in 29%, 42% and 29% of pts, respectively. Median cycles of avelumab administered was 9 (IQR 5-13). DCR (95% CI) was 50% (31-69) and 60% (32-84) in all-comers and soft tissue disease subgroup, respectively. Following protocol amendment, 7/17 pts (41%) received avelumab beyond 12 cycles. Incidence of grade 3-4 treatment-related AEs was 16% (no grade 5 events), with three pts requiring oral/IV corticosteroid therapy. Conclusions: Avelumab with SABR demonstrated durable disease control in treatment-refractory mCRPC with an acceptable toxicity profile. This combination warrants further investigation. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12618000954224. [Table: see text]

Treatment outcomes for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients (pts) following docetaxel (D) for hormone sensitive disease

78

Background: There is no prospective data to guide optimal selection of treatment for first line (1L) mCRPC after D and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is given in the hormone sensitive setting. We explored efficacy of 1L treatment in this group. Methods: Pts with mCRPC treated with D for hormone sensitive disease were identified from a prospectively maintained multi-site mCRPC database (ePAD) of patients treated in a community and academic setting in Australia. 1L treatment, clinicopathologic and outcome data were extracted. Results: We identified 93 pts, median age 65y (range 43–85), who received median 6 cycles of D-ADT and developed mCRPC between May 2013 and Jun 2019. 58% had Gleason ≥ 8, median PSA at diagnosis was 53 ng/mL (range 0.67–7086), 65% had de-novo metastatic disease. Median time to mCRPC was 14.8mo (range 1.3 to 56.9) with median time to 1L 16.3mo (range 2.1–57.2). Eighty-five patients (91%) received at least one further active treatment for mCRPC with outcomes below. Conclusions: Abiraterone, enzalutamide, and cabazitaxel all demonstrate activity for 1L mCRPC following progression on D-ADT. Compared to historical controls, PSA responses appear less than pre-docetaxel, but greater than the post-docetaxel setting.[Table: see text]

Illness perception and health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis

AIMS - A number of physical and psychological factors have been shown to affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Among these, the role of illness perceptions has not been established as an independent factor. This study, the first of its kind in an Australian population, aimed to use a large sample to determine the relative importance of individual factors to each domain of HRQoL, in particular the role of illness perception. MATERIALS AND METHODS - 580 patients with confirmed MS were assessed cross sectionally in a designated research clinic to determine the relative impact of physical factors (illness severity, duration, age, fatigue and pain) and psychological factors (mood, cognition and illness representations) on each domain of the SF-36. RESULTS - Categorical regression analysis showed that a combination of physical and psychological factors predicted 38-71% of variance in HRQoL. Illness perception was shown to have an independent effect on HRQoL in MS. The Extended Disability Status Scale was a significant determinant in all domains except for mental health. Depression was less prevalent than anxiety, but had a greater effect on function. CONCLUSION - Illness perception is an independent factor contributing to HRQoL in people with MS. Individual domains of HRQoL are associated with different patterns of physical and psychological factors. In the domains of role and social function, activities most highly valued by patients with MS, depression, anxiety, fatigue and illness perceptions are key determinants, all of which have the potential to be improved through specific interventions.