Sequencing systemic therapies in advanced prostate cancer: spoiled for choice but not for evidence

Sequential Docetaxel in ≥7 Cycles Followed by Cabazitaxel Improves Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Background. Docetaxel (DOC) was the first regimen that increased the survival and became the standard-of-care in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, it is unclear whether switching to second-line chemotherapy or optimal sequencing of cabazitaxel (CBZ) ensures better clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sequential therapy with DOC and CBZ and the effect of the number of prior DOC cycles on oncological outcomes in patients with mCRPC. Methods. We retrospectively included 46 mCRPC patients who received DOC followed by CBZ at quaternary hospitals in Japan between February 2015 and March 2019. Participants received intravenous DOC (40–75 mg/m2) every 3–4 weeks; CBZ (15–25 mg/m2) was administered every 3–4 weeks. Androgen-deprivation therapy and prednisolone 5 mg (twice daily) were administered throughout both regimens. The primary endpoints were overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were the rates of ≥30% and ≥50% reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at chemotherapy initiation. Results. Participants were divided into two groups according to DOC cycles (Groups A and B: ≤6 and ≥7 DOC cycles, respectively). The rates of ≥30% and ≥50% reduction in PSA levels were higher in Group B than in Group A, but there were no significant differences in both groups. Median OS in Groups A and B was 12.7 and 71.0 months, respectively $\left(P<0.001\right)$ ; median PFS in Groups A and B was 3 and 12 months, respectively $\left(P<0.001\right)$ . Conclusions. Administration of ≥7 cycles of DOC followed by CBZ may improve oncological outcomes in patients with mCRPC.

Deficits in Sexual Interest Among Adults With Schizophrenia: Another Look at an Old Problem

OBJECTIVE

Despite the important impact of sexuality on quality of life in adults, there is a paucity of research on this topic for people with schizophrenia. This study examined predictors of sexual interest among adults with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Using data from three studies with similar measures and participants with similar characteristics (N=231), the authors conducted a secondary analysis to examine the relationships among sexual interest, demographic characteristics (gender, age, living situation, and marital status), and clinical factors (sexual self-efficacy, symptom severity, and medications). Sexual interest was measured by using one item from the Scale to Assess Negative Symptoms. Binomial logistic regressions were conducted to explore factors most associated with level of sexual interest.

RESULTS

Separately, cardiovascular medications, gender, age, sexual self-efficacy, and negative symptoms were associated with sexual interest. In a logistic regression model that included all of these factors, only sexual self-efficacy and gender were significantly associated with sexual interest. Higher levels of sexual self-efficacy were associated with lower levels of impairment in sexual interest (odds ratio [OR]=0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.98-0.99, p<0.001), and males were less likely than females to have impaired sexual interest (OR=0.38, 95% CI=0.20-0.73, p=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The strength of the relationship between sexual self-efficacy and sexual interest warrants development of interventions to address sexuality among people with serious mental illness, at least for those who are interested in developing or maintaining intimate relationships. An intervention that teaches skills needed to successfully pursue and navigate intimate relationships could positively influence overall quality of life for many.

A comprehensive review of genomic landscape, biomarkers and treatment sequencing in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Hormone-naïve prostate cancer and its castration-resistant state (CRPC) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases. From initiation of prostate carcinogenesis to its evolution towards therapeutic resistance, various combinations of genetic and epigenetic events occur. Schematically, progression to CRPC could be divided in two distinct pathways, either dependent or independent of the androgen receptor activity. Nevertheless, because the better knowledge of the genetic landscape of CRPC is under way, limited clinical applications are available at the moment, underlying the usefulness of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in daily practice. Despite the promising prognostic value of circulating tumor cells, no biomarker has been currently validated as a surrogate for overall survival in CRPC patients. Inversely, considerable interest has been generated with the recent finding of the splice variant AR-V7 that allows to predict resistance to abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide. However, other predictive biomarkers would be necessary to accurately guide personalized sequencing of CRPC treatment, which now includes numerous possibilities based on the six validated drugs, without accounting for those currently under investigation in the ongoing randomized controlled trials. As a consequence, only rational sequencing, which consists in choosing an agent that is not expected to have cross-resistance with previous therapy, can be currently advised.