Meeting Report From the Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Working Group on Radium-223

Current perspectives on bone metastases in castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequent noncutaneous cancer occurring in men. On average, men with localized prostate cancer have a high 10-year survival rate, and many can be cured. However, men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer have incurable disease with poor survival despite intensive therapy. This unmet need has led to recent advances in therapy aimed at treating bone metastases resulting from prostate cancer. The bone microenvironment lends itself to metastases in castrate-resistant prostate cancer, as a result of complex interactions between the microenvironment and tumor cells. The development of ²²³radium dichloride (Ra-223) to treat symptomatic bone metastases has improved survival in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Moreover, Ra-223 may have effects on the tumor microenvironment that enhance its activity. Ra-223 treatment has been shown to prolong survival, and its effects on the immune system are under investigation. Because prostate cancer affects a sizable portion of the adult male population, understanding how it metastasizes to bone is an important step in advancing therapy. Clinical trials that are underway should yield new information on whether Ra-223 synergizes effectively with immunotherapy agents and whether Ra-223 has enhancing effects on the immune system in patients with prostate cancer.

The 23rd Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat report

INTRODUCTION

The 23rd Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was convened October 27-29, 2016, in Carlsbad, CA.

METHODS

This event focuses on the latest advances in basic, translational, and clinical prostate cancer research with the greatest promise for advancing our understanding of prostate cancer biology and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

RESULTS

Themes highlighted at this year's meeting included: i) targeting DNA repair deficiency in prostate cancer; ii) optimizing the use of Radium-223 and bone-targeting agents; iii) advances in cancer immunotherapeutic approaches; iv) targeting developmental pathways in prostate cancer; v) advances in circulating tumor DNA technology and applications; vi) precision survivorship; and vii) novel treatments and treatment strategies in prostate cancer.

DISCUSSION

This article reviews the key advances discussed at the Retreat for the purpose of disseminating this knowledge to accelerate the development of new treatments and improved outcomes for men suffering with prostate cancer.