The TRUMPET registry: Assessing clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and their caregivers

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Background: Patient care in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is complex, with varying treatment patterns due to differences in therapies, patient characteristics, and physician practices. The impact of such patterns on clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) represent a contemporary medical issue. This study aims to improve the understanding of clinical outcomes and QoL of patients with CRPC and their caregivers. Methods: TRUMPET is a prospective, observational, multi-center study of patients with CRPC in the United States. Approximately 2000 patients and their caregivers (if eligible) will be enrolled over 24 months from IRB-approved urology and oncology sites. Eligible patients with CRPC include those with life expectancy of ≥ 6 months initiating the first active course of anti-cancer treatment for M0 or M1. A 48-month observation period will follow the last patient enrolled. Primary objectives are to describe longitudinal patterns of care, disease assessment methods, treatment decisions, treatment settings, physician referral patterns, and CRPC patient characteristics associated with these. Patient-reported health-related QoL (HRQoL) instruments will assess the effects of CRPC and its management on patient perception of key aspects of HRQoL. The following will be administered at baseline and follow-up: SF-12v2 Health Survey, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate, Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, and Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (prostate-specific antigen anxiety subscale). In a patient sub-study, work productivity and treatment satisfaction will be described using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem and Service Satisfaction Scale for Cancer Care. Caregiver QoL and productivity will be captured with the Caregiver Quality of Life Index–Cancer and the Caregiver-modified WPAI Questionnaire. Results: As of August 21, 2015, 60 sites were active, with 63 patients and 39 caregivers enrolled. Conclusions: Outcomes from the TRUMPET study will describe treatment patterns, QoL, and health care resources associated with patient management in CRPC. Clinical trial information: NCT02380274.

Effects of radium-223 dichloride (Ra-223) with docetaxel (D) versus D on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) in patients (pts) with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone metastases (mets): A phase 1/2a clinical trial

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Background: Ra-223 is an approved α-emitter prolonging survival in CRPC with symptomatic bone mets. We conducted a phase 1/2a study examining the safety and antitumor effects of Ra-223 + D vs D alone, and previously presented data showing that Ra-223 + D is safe and well tolerated (ESMO 2014). Here we report the effect of Ra-223 + D vs D on bALP and PSA dynamics. Methods: D-eligible pts with progressing CRPC and ≥ 2 bone mets were randomized 2:1 to Ra-223 (50 kBq/kg q 6 wk × 5) + D (60 mg/m2 q 3 wk × 10) vs D (75 mg/m2 q 3 wk with step-down option to 60 mg/m2). bALP and PSA were recorded q 3 wk during first 6-wk cycle, then q 6 wk and q 3 wk, respectively, and analyzed at a central laboratory. Changes in both markers are described by the % of pts who achieved ≥ 30%, > 50%, and > 80% declines between baseline and the safety follow-up visit (3 wk post last D injection) as their best response; pts with elevated baseline bALP (≥ 21 µg/L) levels were included for the bALP analysis. bALP to below the upper limit of normal (ULN) was also recorded, regardless of % decline. Results: 46 pts (33 Ra-223 + D vs 13 D alone) were enrolled. As of October 2014, 21 (Ra-223 + D) vs 5 (D) pts had received all planned study treatment. Median (range) baseline PSA was 99 µg/L (3-1000) for Ra-223 + D pts and 43 µg/L (4-1042) for D pts. Maximal changes in PSA and bALP levels between baseline and safety follow-up are shown in Table. No pt had a bALP increase. Conclusions: Ra-223 + D appears to favorably impact posttreatment PSA and bALP declines. Ra-223 + D appears particularly effective at normalizing bALP levels vs D alone. The clinical benefits of such changes in serum markers will require validation in larger prospective studies. Clinical trial information: NCT01106352. [Table: see text]

Impact on overall survival (OS) with chemohormonal therapy versus hormonal therapy for hormone-sensitive newly metastatic prostate cancer (mPrCa): An ECOG-led phase III randomized trial

LBA2

Background: Docetaxel (D) improves OS of men with mPrCa who have progressed on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). We aimed to assess the benefit of upfront chemohormonal therapy for metastatic PrCa. Methods: 1:1 randomization to ADT alone or ADT + D dosed 75mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles within 4 month (mos) of starting ADT. Stratification factors: high volume (HV) vs. low volume (LV) disease (HV: visceral metastases and/or 4 or more bone metastases); anti-androgen use beyond 30 days; Age ≥70 vs. < 70 years; ECOG PS 0-1 vs. 2; Prior adjuvant ADT > 12 vs. ≤ 12 mos; FDA approved drug for delaying skeletal related events. Key eligibility criteria: suitable organ and neurological function for D; adjuvant ADT ≤ 24 mos and no progression within 12 mos of adjuvant ADT. OS was the primary endpoint and the study was powered to assess for a 33.3% improvement in median OS (80% power and 1-sided alpha=2.5%). Projected median OS for ADT alone: HV-33 mos; LV-67 mos. Results: 790 men were accrued from 7/28/06 to 11/21/2012: ADT N=393; ADT + D: N=397; balanced for demographic, stratification and disease factors. Median age: 63 years (range: 36 to 91); 98% ECOG PS 0 or 1; 89% Caucasian; 24% prior radiotherapy, 24% prior prostatectomy; HV 64% on ADT and 67% on ADT + D. Data released after 4th interim analysis in Sept 2013 when O’Brien Fleming upper boundary was crossed with 53.1% information. This report reflects 1/16/2014 data with median follow-up of 29 mos with 137 deaths on ADT alone vs. 104 deaths on ADT+D. ADT+D: Grade (G) 3/4 Neutropenic fever: 4%/2%; G3 neuropathy: 1% sensory, 1% motor; 1 death due to treatment (no deaths due to treatment on ADT). Efficacy data is in the table below. After disease progression, 123 pts on ADT alone and 45 pts on ADT + D received docetaxel. Conclusions: ADT + D improves OS over ADT alone in men with HV mPrCa. Longer follow-up is needed for men with LV mPrCa. Clinical trial information: NCT00309985. [Table: see text]

5α-reductase inhibition suppresses testosterone-induced initial regrowth of regressed xenograft prostate tumors in animal models

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for patients with prostate-specific antigen progression after treatment for localized prostate cancer. An alternative to continuous ADT is intermittent ADT (IADT), which allows recovery of testosterone during off-cycles to stimulate regrowth and differentiation of the regressed prostate tumor. IADT offers patients a reduction in side effects associated with ADT, improved quality of life, and reduced cost with no difference in overall survival. Our previous studies showed that IADT coupled with 5α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI), which blocks testosterone conversion to DHT could prolong survival of animals bearing androgen-sensitive prostate tumors when off-cycle duration was fixed. To further investigate this clinically relevant observation, we measured the time course of testosterone-induced regrowth of regressed LuCaP35 and LNCaP xenograft tumors in the presence or absence of a 5ARI. 5α-Reductase inhibitors suppressed the initial regrowth of regressed prostate tumors. However, tumors resumed growth and were no longer responsive to 5α-reductase inhibition several days after testosterone replacement. This finding was substantiated by bromodeoxyuridine and Ki67 staining of LuCaP35 tumors, which showed inhibition of prostate tumor cell proliferation by 5ARI on day 2, but not day 14, after testosterone replacement. 5α-Reductase inhibitors also suppressed testosterone-stimulated proliferation of LNCaP cells precultured in androgen-free media, suggesting that blocking testosterone conversion to DHT can inhibit prostate tumor cell proliferation via an intracrine mechanism. These results suggest that short off-cycle coupled with 5α-reductase inhibition could maximize suppression of prostate tumor growth and, thus, improve potential survival benefit achieved in combination with IADT.

Phase II trial of intravenous carboplatin (C), oral everolimus (E), and prednisone (P) in docetaxel-pretreated (DP) metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): A Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium study

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Background: A phase II clinical trial was conducted of the combination of C and E due to the synergy noted. Methods: The primary endpoint was time to progression (TTP). Intravenous C at a target AUC of 5 on day 1, and oral E 5mg once daily and P 5mg twice daily were administered in 21 day cycles. PSA was assessed every 21 days and radiologic response was assessed every 3 cycles. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), the correlation of TTP with phosphorylated (p) mTOR, pAKT, p70S6, and circulating tumor cells (CTC). A 1-stage study design assumed: a reference median TTP = 1.5 months; 1-sided alpha = 0.15; and power = 0.90, requiring 26 patients (pts). Results: 26 pts enrolled; median age 69 years (range 54-86) ;8 African American and 18 Caucasians. Median pretherapy PSA was 190 ng/ml (range 13 - 2174). 18 pts (69%) each had bone pain and Gleason score > 8. 125 cycles have been administered; median 3 cycles (range 1 - 16). Predominant grade 3 or 4 toxicities were thrombocytopenia in 8 pts, pulmonary embolism in 2 and neutropenia in 3. No treatment related deaths occurred. 4 (15%) had a > 30% PSA decline and 1 had a >90% PSA decline. 8/19 pts had stable disease but no objective responses in MD. The median TTP and OS were 2.5 months (90% CI: 1.8 - 4.3), and 12.5 months (90% CI: 6.7 - 16.1), respectively. Median area under curves were 5.9 (range, 4.3 – 11.0) and 4.5 (range, 4.1 – 7.1) mg/mL*min with C given alone and in combination with E, respectively. E did not influence pharmacokinetics of C. Median baseline CTC (n=18) was 30 (range 0-2372). 5/18 pts had favorable CTC (CTC<5/7.5 mL) pretherapy. Patients with TTP >18 weeks had reduction in post-therapy CTC with a median decrease of 63% (range 11%-100%). Lack of IHC staining for pAKT was noted in 2/2 pts on therapy for > 30 weeks vs increased expression was noted in 8/8 pts on therapy for < 9 weeks. Testing for TSC1 mutation is planned and will be reported. Conclusions: The combination was tolerable but revealed modest clinical efficacy. Biomarker evaluations such as pAKT may help identify a subset likely to benefit from mTOR inhibitor strategy in mCRPC. Clinical trial information: NCT01051570.

Effect of dutasteride on tumor proliferation during the regrowth phase of intermittent androgen ablation therapy in men with advanced prostate cancer

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Background: We have previously shown in an animal model of IAAT that blocking testosterone (T) to DHT by a 5α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) has a more significant effect on tumor growth in a "regressed" prostate, ie previously treated with AAT, than in an "intact" prostate. It was also observed that 5ARI significantly inhibited tumor proliferation, but only early in the regrowth phase. A randomized phase II trial was done in which dut or placebo was given during the regrowth phase and a prostate biopsy was done to measure tumor proliferation. Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had metastatic, castrate-sensitive prostate cancer and had an intact prostate (no previous surgery or XRT). Treatment consisted of AAT for 8 months. Responding pts were randomized to receive dut (0.5 mg daily) or placebo during the regrowth phase. When serum T normalized, pts underwent a research biopsy of the prostate and then were resumed on AAT. Responding pts were then crossed-over to receive dut or placebo during the second regrowth phase. When T normalized, a second research biopsy was done and the pts resumed AAT. PSA levels were measured monthly to determine PSA doubling time (PSADT). Tumor proliferation was measured by Ki-67 index. Statistical analysis was by students t-test. Results: 21 pts were enrolled onto the study. 16 pts were randomized to dut vs placebo and 11 pts underwent prostate biopsies. Dut resulted in significant inhibition of tumor proliferation as measured by Ki-67 index compared to placebo (3.65 ± 1.7 vs 8.5 ± 2.3, p=0.001). PSADT during the regrowth phase was similar between the 2 groups. Dut was well tolerated without significant toxicities. Conclusions: The clincial observation of an early inhibitory effect of 5ARI on tumor proliferation during regrowth of a regressed (treated) prostate is novel and was similar to that observed in our animal xenograft model of IAAT. This suggests that using a 5ARI during the regrowth phase of IAAT and using T normalization as the trigger for resumption of AAT may result in improved efficacy of this treatment. This study was supported in part by NIH Grant P50 CA90386 (Prostate SPORE). Clinical trial information: NCT00668642.

Phase II trial of combination therapy with intravenous carboplatin (C) and oral everolimus (EVE) and prednisone (P) in docetaxel-pretreated (DP) metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): A Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium study

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Background: Platinum based therapies have demonstrated efficacy in DP mCRPC. EVE demonstrated preclinical efficacy in chemotherapy resistant prostate cancer models. Clinical synergy was noted between C and EVE, hence a phase II trial of the combination was conducted. Methods: Primary endpoint was time to progression (TTP). Progression was defined per RECIST criteria for measurable disease (MD), or skeletal event, or > 2 new areas of bone metastases. DP mCRPC patients with adequate renal and liver function, and performance status of 0 or 1 were eligible. Intravenous C at target AUC of 5 on day 1, and oral EVE 5mg once daily and P 5mg twice daily were administered in 21 day cycles. PSA was assessed every 21 days and radiologic response was assessed every 3 cycles. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), correlation of TTP and PSA response, with markers such as phopho mTOR, pAKT, p70S6 and circulating tumor cells (CTC). Results: 26 patients (pts) enrolled, including 8 African Americans, and accrual is complete. Median age was 69 years (range 54-86). Median pretherapy PSA was 190 ng/ml (range 13 - 2174). 18 pts (69%) had bone pain. Gleason score was > 8 in 18 pts. 19 pts had measurable disease of which 15 had MD progression, 18 had bone scan progression, and 2 had PSA-only progression. 124 cycles have been administered; median 3 cycles (range 1 - 16). The predominant grade 3 or 4 toxicities were thrombocytopenia in 8 pts, pulmonary embolism in 2 and neutropenia in 3. No treatment related deaths occurred. Of 26 pts who are response evaluable, 4 (15%) had a > 30% PSA decline and 1 had a >90% PSA decline. Of 19 pts with MD, 8 had stable disease and no objective responses were observed. The median TTP and OS were 2.5 months (90% CI: 1.8 - 4.3), and 12.5 months (90% CI: 6.7 - 16.1), respectively. Correlative studies including pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations are ongoing, and will be reported. Conclusions: The combination was tolerable but revealed modest clinical efficacy. Biomarker evaluation may help identify a subset likely to benefit from mTOR inhibition strategy in mCRPC. Clinical trial information: NCT01051570.

Safety, efficacy, and pharmacodynamics of the investigational agent orteronel (TAK-700) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): Updated data from a phase I/II study

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Background: The investigational agent orteronel (TAK-700) is a selective 17,20 lyase inhibitor that down regulates androgenic steroid production in vitro and in vivo. Since phase 1 data in patients (pts) with mCRPC were promising, this open-label, multicenter study was expanded to gather additional data on safety and antitumor activity.

Methods: The phase 2 portion of this study included four additional dose cohorts. Pts had no prior chemotherapy, and had baseline testosterone <50 ng/dL and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥5 ng/mL.

Results: 97 pts received orteronel 300 mg BID (n=23), 400 mg BID + prednisone 5 mg BID (n=24), 600 mg BID + prednisone (n=26), or 600 mg QD (n=24). At data cut-off (23 May 2011), 62% of pts had withdrawn (including 19% due to AEs and 19% for disease progression [PD]). Most common AEs were fatigue (76%), nausea (47%), and constipation (38%); most common grade ≥3 AEs were fatigue (12%) and hypokalaemia (8%). PSA response rates (≥50% decrease) at 12 wks were 63%, 50%, 41%, and 60% in the 300 mg BID, 400 and 600 mg BID + prednisone, and 600 mg QD groups. Of 51 RECIST-evaluable pts, 10 had partial responses (of which 5 confirmed), 22 stable disease, and 15 PD. At 12 wks, median testosterone decreased from baseline in all groups: (ng/dL, 12 wks/baseline) 0.98/8.50 (300 mg BID), 0.30/9.90 (400 mg BID +prednisone), 0.07/7.33 (600 mg BID + prednisone), 0.49/6.31 (600 mg QD). Similarly, at 12 wks, median dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) decreased from baseline in all groups: (µg/dL, 12 wks/baseline) 8.65/53.0 (300 mg BID), 0.10/36.3 (400 mg BID + prednisone), 0.10/51.7 (600 mg BID + prednisone), 5.30/31.5 (600 mg QD). Overall, mean circulating tumor cell numbers decreased from 16.6 (per 7.5mL blood) at baseline to 3.9 at 12 wks.

Conclusions: Orteronel ≥300 mg BID appears active and well tolerated in pts with mCRPC, with similar efficacy ± prednisone. PSA response rates suggest that testosterone, rather than DHEA, may be a more reliable marker of lyase inhibition efficacy. Preclinical data and changes in pharmacodynamic parameters in this study suggest partially selective 17,20 lyase inhibition. Final data will be reported.

Constructing a conceptual framework of patient-reported outcomes for metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

A conceptual framework for patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is a structured representation of outcome concepts and issues. Our aim was to develop a conceptual framework of PROs for hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) to support measurement clarity.

METHODS

Relevant outcome issues were identified from review of recent clinical trials. This provided content for an interview with 15 metastatic HRPC patients and a survey of 10 practitioners. All participants were asked about the relevance and importance of 26 outcomes and were allowed to nominate new outcomes. Practitioners were also asked to determine which outcomes endorsed by patients were attributable to the disease (symptoms) versus treatment (side effects). Analyses of archived clinical trial data were used to verify and augment the interview and survey results.

RESULTS

Patients endorsed 11 concerns as relevant and important to HRPC including general pain, bone pain, urinary problems, fatigue, appetite loss, constipation, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, diarrhea, PSA anxiety, and changes in self image. Practitioner judgments helped classify each concern into one of four categories, disease symptom, treatment side effect, both symptom and side effect, or psychological concern. Additionally, patients endorsed (and practitioners confirmed) the relevance and importance of several general domains of quality of life. Analyses of archived data confirmed the importance of these issues and suggested two additional concerns.

CONCLUSION

Findings were used to propose a conceptual framework of PROs for metastatic HRPC. Such frameworks can be used to help specify targets for assessment in clinical studies such as treatment trials.

Phase I/II trial of vinorelbine and divided-dose carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Vinorelbine administered in a doublet with cisplatin has become a standard treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, carboplatin appears to provide comparable efficacy with a better nonhematologic safety profile than cisplatin. Herein we report the results of a phase I/II trial of weekly vinorelbine and divided-dose carboplatin in patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status < or = 2, and adequate bone marrow. Patients received vinorelbine starting at 20 mg/m(2) (to 25 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 2.5 in divided-doses, both given on Days 1 and 8 every 21-day cycle for up to 6 cycles or until disease progression. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined for Cycles 1 and 2. Tumor response and toxicity were assessed using standard criteria. Twenty-one patients with a mean age of 67 years (range, 43-79) and stage IIIB/IV (8/13) disease were enrolled. All but 1 patient were chemotherapy-nai;ve; the majority (n = 20) had good performance status (< or = 1). Seventy-nine courses (median, 4) were administered. The vinorelbine/carboplatin doublet was well tolerated, with 7 courses interrupted or delayed because of toxicity. Toxicities were generally mild and evenly divided between hematologic (i.e., neutropenia) and nonhematologic (i.e., fatigue). No growth factor support was required for hematologic toxicity. There was only one case of grade 2 alopecia, and no cases of > or = grade 2 neurotoxicity. There were 5 (24%) partial responses, and 9 (43%) patients had stable disease. Weekly vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) and divided-dose carboplatin AUC 2.5 is a well tolerated regimen with activity in advanced NSCLC patients. Further evaluation of this regimen in combination with novel targeted biologic therapy is warranted.

Correlates of thrombin generation in patients with advanced prostate cancer

Thrombin generation is increased in men with advanced prostate cancer. Thrombin has the ability to interact with, and affect the biology of, a variety of cell types including prostate cancer cell lines. We therefore looked for correlations between thrombin generation and other markers of disease activity in spot urine samples obtained from men with advanced prostate cancer. Excretion of part of the prothrombin activation peptide F(1+2) (called here iF2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), the bone turnover marker deoxypyridinoline (DpD), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantitated in spot urine samples collected from 37 men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Following log transformation of the data, significant correlations were found by univariate analysis between the excretion of a marker of thrombin generation (iF2) and IL-6, DpD and VEGF, as well as between IL-6 and DpD or VEGF excretion. No correlation was found between any marker and serum PSA level. After multivariate analysis, a significant correlation remained between thrombin generation and IL-6 excretion. Analysis of a second urine specimen obtained from 19 of the subjects 1 to 7 months after the first also revealed a significant correlation between thrombin generation and IL-6, DpD, and VEGF excretion. These data provide evidence of a correlation between thrombin generation/coagulation system activation and IL-6 generation in patients with cancer. They provide a rationale for studying the effects of inhibitors of thrombin generation upon the biology of prostate cancer.

Phase II trial of cisplatin, etoposide, and 5-fluorouracil in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study (PB586)

Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains an incurable disease despite significant progress in chemotherapy. We conducted a phase II clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of a cisplatin, etoposide, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination in advanced metastatic and/or recurrent NSCLC. Forty patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic, measurable NSCLC were treated with cisplatin, 60 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) on day 1; etoposide, 120 mg/m2/day i.v. on days 1, 2, and 3; and 5-FU. 1,000 mg/m2/day i.v. continuous infusion on days 1 through 5. Treatment was administered in 4-week cycles. Thirty patients had distant metastases and were previously untreated, and 10 patients had recurrent disease after prior treatment with either surgery (1 patient), radiation therapy (5 patients), or both treatments (4 patients). Twenty-nine patients were evaluable for response. Seven (24%) patients achieved a partial remission (PR), 18 (62%) had stable disease (SD), and 8 (14%) had progressive disease (PD). Overall median survival was 7.9 months (range, 0.4-27.4 months). Patients who achieved a PR had a median survival of 23.5 months (9.3-27.4 months). In contrast, patients with SD had a median survival of 9.9 months (2.5-25.3 months), and patients with PD had a median survival of 2.1 months (1-9.3 months). Median duration of response of 27.1 weeks (4.9-76.5 weeks) for patients with PR, and time to progression was 13.4 weeks (3.7-54.5 weeks) for patients with SD. Toxicity was primarily hematologic and gastrointestinal, and there were three deaths due to infection. The combination of cisplatin, 5-FU, and etoposide as administered in this study appears to have considerable toxicity and does not appear to be superior to other cisplatin-containing regimens used for the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

Assessment of coagulation system activation using spot urine measurements

Coagulation system activation is most commonly assessed by measuring levels of one or more proteins in peripheral blood. Because faulty blood-drawing can cause activation of the coagulation system, artifactual elevations of such markers have been reported. We have therefore investigated the possibility of using randomly collected ('spot') urine samples as a non-invasive means of assessing the state of coagulation system activation. Using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit designed to measure plasma levels of fragment 1 + 2, we found immunoreactive fragment 2 in healthy control subjects, and significantly increased levels in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant subjects, and patients with venous thromboembolism, prostate cancer, and diabetes. Measurements of excretion of immunoreactive fragment 2 are worth further study as an adjunct or alternative to plasma-based assays designed to detect or quantify coagulation system activation.

A case of therapy-related extramedullary acute promyelocytic leukemia

We report a patient with extramedullary acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) occurring after radiation therapy for carcinoma of the prostate. To the authors' knowledge, this patient represents the first case of cytogenetically and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed therapy-related extramedullary APL. In contrast to the majority of previously reported t-APL, this case underwent a very unfavorable course.

In vivo and in vitro approaches to study metastasis in human prostatic cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in American males and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of death in the United States. Clinically, radical prostatectomy offers a patient with locally contained disease an excellent chance for cure. For patients with metastatic disease, the current therapies are merely palliative. Understanding the biology of prostate cancer metastasis should facilitate the development of novel and effective therapeutic modalities. Crucial to this objective is the availability of human tumor systems in which the biology of metastasis can be studied. The present chapter will briefly assess various in vivo and in vitro approaches to study metastasis in human prostate cancer. Utilization of athymic nude mice has played an important role in maintaining human prostatic cancer cells as xenografts and has provided an opportunity to establish site-specific subpopulations of the parental cell lines for further characterization and investigation. At present, a few established cell lines have been useful for this purpose. Fresh tumor specimens, unfortunately, have shown limited ability to grow in nude mice. The recent development of novel approaches to permit the maintenance of freshly harvested prostate cancers has been encouraging. The use of reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) for co-injection with cancer cells into the subcutaneous tissues has supported growth of biologically indolent tumors. Another approach is to administer tumor cells orthotopically into the prostate of recipient nude mice. Bone marrow metastases in nude mice have been rare in the past. Recently, three approaches have been shown to be successful in accomplishing bony metastasis with PC-3 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Use of clonidine to treat hot flashes secondary to leuprolide or goserelin

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of clonidine, a centrally acting adrenergic agonist, in abating symptoms of hot flashes in men receiving either leuprolide or goserelin for prostate cancer.

DESIGN

Patients were administered transdermal or oral clonidine 0.1-0.2 mg/d. Dosages were increased in increments of 0.1-0.3 mg/d every two to four weeks if symptoms persisted or until adverse effects developed.

SETTING

Medical oncology clinic at the University of Illinois and the hypertension clinic at the Veterans Affairs West Side Medical Center.

PARTICIPANTS

Consenting male patients were eligible for the study if they were receiving leuprolide or goserelin for prostate cancer and were experiencing hot flashes. Exclusion criteria included diastolic blood pressure of 75 mm Hg or below or a history of adverse reactions to clonidine.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Effectiveness of clonidine was determined by questioning patients about frequency, severity, and duration of hot flashes at baseline and at two- to four-week intervals.

RESULTS

All four patients receiving clonidine experienced a partial response within two weeks of starting treatment. No dose-dependent response was observed. Adverse effects were noted in one patient but did not result in discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results document the first report of the use of clonidine to treat hot flashes secondary to leuprolide or goserelin therapy. Symptomatic improvement was noted in all four patients. Further evaluation of clonidine as well as other centrally acting adrenergic agonists is needed.