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Gupta S, Fernandez L, Bourdon D, Hamid AA, Pasam A, Lam E, Wenstrup R, Sandhu S. Detection of PSMA expression on circulating tumor cells by blood-based liquid biopsy in prostate cancer. J Circ Biomark 2024; 13:1-6. [PMID: 38415240 PMCID: PMC10895373 DOI: 10.33393/jcb.2024.2636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background For patients with mCRPC, PSMA-targeted radioligand treatment has significantly improved the clinical outcome. A blood-based liquid biopsy assay for recognizing PSMA protein expression on circulating tumor cells may be beneficial for better informing therapeutic decision-making and identifying the patients most likely to benefit from PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy. Methods Using high-throughput imaging and digital AI pathology algorithms, a four-color immunofluorescence assay has been developed to find PSMA protein expression on CTCs on a glass slide. Cell line cells (LNCaP/PC3s/22Rv1) spiked into healthy donor blood were used to study the precision, specificity, sensitivity, limit of detection, and overall accuracy of the assay. Clinical validation and low-pass whole-genome sequencing were performed in PSMA-PET-positive patients with high-risk mCRPC (N = 24) utilizing 3 mL of blood. Results The PSMA CTC IF assay achieved analytical specificity, sensitivity, and overall accuracy above 99% with high precision. In the clinical validation, 76% (16/21) of the cases were PSMA positive with CTC heterogeneity, and 88% (21/24) of the patients contained at least one conventional CTC per milliliter of blood. Thirty-six low-pass-sequenced CTCs from 11 individuals with mCRPC frequently exhibited copy number increases in AR and MYC and losses in RB1, PTEN, TP53, and BRCA2 locus. Conclusions The analytical validation utilizing Epic Sciences' liquid biopsy CTC platform demonstrated the potential to detect PSMA protein expression in CTCs from patients with mCRPC. This assay is positioned as an effective research tool to evaluate PSMA expression, heterogeneity, and therapeutic response in many ongoing clinical studies to target tumors that express PSMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Gupta
- Translational Research and Assay Development, Epic Sciences, San Diego, California - USA
| | - Luisa Fernandez
- Translational Research and Assay Development, Epic Sciences, San Diego, California - USA
| | - David Bourdon
- Translational Research and Assay Development, Epic Sciences, San Diego, California - USA
| | - Anis A Hamid
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria - Australia
| | - Anupama Pasam
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria - Australia
| | - Ernest Lam
- Translational Research and Assay Development, Epic Sciences, San Diego, California - USA
| | - Richard Wenstrup
- Translational Research and Assay Development, Epic Sciences, San Diego, California - USA
| | - Shahneen Sandhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria - Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria - Australia
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Gravestock P, Clark E, Morton M, Sharma S, Fisher H, Walker J, Wood R, Hancock H, Waugh N, Cooper A, Maier R, Marshall J, Chandler R, Bahl A, Crabb S, Jain S, Pedley I, Jones R, Staffurth J, Heer R. Using the AR-V7 biomarker to determine treatment in metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer, a feasibility randomised control trial, conclusions from the VARIANT trial. NIHR OPEN RESEARCH 2023; 2:49. [PMID: 37035713 PMCID: PMC7614403 DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.13284.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the UK. Castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) can be difficult to manage with response to next generation hormonal treatment variable. AR-V7 is a protein biomarker that can be used to predict response to treatment and potentially better inform management in these patients. Our aim was to establish the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical utility of AR-V7 biomarker assay in personalising treatments for patients with metastatic CRPC within the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS). Due to a number of issues the trial was not completed successfully, we aim to discuss and share lessons learned herein. Methods We conducted a randomised, open, feasibility trial, which aimed to recruit 70 adult men with metastatic CRPC within three secondary care NHS trusts in the UK to be run over an 18-month period. Participants were randomised to personalised treatment based on AR-V7 status (intervention) or standard care (control). The primary outcome was feasibility, which included: recruitment rate, retention and compliance. Additionally, a baseline prevalence of AR-V7 expression was to be estimated. Results Fourteen participants were screened and 12 randomised with six into each arm over a nine-month period. Reliability issues with the AR-V7 assay meant prevalence was not estimated. Due to limited recruitment the study did not complete to target. Conclusions Whilst the trial did not complete to target, we have ascertained that men with advanced cancer are willing to take part in trials utilising biomarker guided treatment. A number of issues were identified that serve as important learning points in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Gravestock
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE3 3HD, UK
| | - Emma Clark
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, NU Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Miranda Morton
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AE, UK
| | - Shirya Sharma
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AE, UK
| | - Holly Fisher
- Population Health Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jenn Walker
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AE, UK
| | - Ruth Wood
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AE, UK
| | - Helen Hancock
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AE, UK
| | - Nichola Waugh
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AE, UK
| | | | - Rebecca Maier
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AE, UK
| | - John Marshall
- Trial Management Group, VARIANT Trial, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Robert Chandler
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE3 3HD, UK
| | - Amit Bahl
- University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, BS1 3NU, UK
| | - Simon Crabb
- University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Suneil Jain
- Queens University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Ian Pedley
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE3 3HD, UK
| | - Rob Jones
- Institute of Cancer Services, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 0YN, UK
| | - John Staffurth
- Velindre University NHS Trust, Cardiff, CF15 7QZ, UK
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Rakesh Heer
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE3 3HD, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, NU Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, UK
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Tulpule V, Morrison GJ, Falcone M, Quinn DI, Goldkorn A. Integration of Liquid Biopsies in Clinical Management of Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:1287-1298. [PMID: 35575959 PMCID: PMC9474724 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01278-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The field of liquid biopsies is constantly evolving through novel technologies. This review outlines current data on liquid biopsies and application to clinical management of metastatic prostate cancer. RECENT FINDINGS To date, there are three platforms with FDA approval for use in the setting of metastatic prostate cancer and others which have been clinically validated. There is substantial evidence supporting the use of circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration to guide prognosis in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Additional evidence supports targeted sequencing of CTC and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to guide androgren-directed therapy, identify candidates for treatment with PARP inhibitors, and monitor development of resistance. As a real-time and minimally invasive approach, utilization of liquid biopsies has the potential to drastically impact the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer and improve overall survival. With further clinical validation, additional liquid biopsy is likely to enter standard clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Tulpule
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gareth J Morrison
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mary Falcone
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David I Quinn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amir Goldkorn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Zavridou M, Smilkou S, Tserpeli V, Sfika A, Bournakis E, Strati A, Lianidou E. Development and Analytical Validation of a 6-Plex Reverse Transcription Droplet Digital PCR Assay for the Absolute Quantification of Prostate Cancer Biomarkers in Circulating Tumor Cells of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Clin Chem 2022; 68:1323-1335. [PMID: 36093578 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvac125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be used as a predictive liquid biopsy test in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We developed a novel 6-plex reverse transcription droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR) assay for the absolute quantification of 4 prostate cancer biomarkers, a reference gene, and a synthetic DNA external control (DNA-EC) in CTCs isolated from mCRPC patients. METHODS A novel 6-plex RT-ddPCR assay was developed for the simultaneous absolute quantification of AR-FL, AR-V7, PSA, and PSMA, HPRT (used as a reference gene), and a synthetic DNA-EC that was included for quality control. The assay was optimized and analytically validated using DNA synthetic standards for each transcript as positive controls. Epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive CTC fractions isolated from 90 mCRPC patients and 11 healthy male donors were analyzed, and results were directly compared with reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for all markers in all samples. RESULTS Linear dynamic range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, intra- and interassay precision, and analytical specificity were determined for each marker. Application of the assay in EpCAM-positive CTC showed positivity for AR-FL (71/90; 78.9%), AR-V7 (28/90; 31.1%), PSA (41/90; 45.6%), PSMA (38/90; 42.2%), and HPRT (90/90; 100%); DNA-EC concentration was constant across all samples. Direct comparison with RT-qPCR for the same markers in the same samples revealed RT-ddPCR to have superior diagnostic sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Our 6-plex RT-ddPCR assay was highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible, and enabled simultaneous and absolute quantification of 5 gene transcripts in minute amounts of CTC-derived cDNA. Application of this assay in clinical samples gave diagnostic sensitivity and specificity comparable to, or better than, RT-qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Zavridou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Smilkou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Victoria Tserpeli
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Sfika
- Oncology Unit, 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Bournakis
- Oncology Unit, 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Areti Strati
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evi Lianidou
- Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Lab of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Carles J, Alonso-Gordoa T, Mellado B, Méndez-Vidal MJ, Vázquez S, González-Del-Alba A, Piulats JM, Borrega P, Gallardo E, Morales-Barrera R, Paredes P, Reig O, Garcías de España C, Collado R, Bonfill T, Suárez C, Sampayo-Cordero M, Malfettone A, Garde J. Radium-223 for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with asymptomatic bone metastases progressing on first-line abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide: A single-arm phase II trial. Eur J Cancer 2022; 173:317-326. [PMID: 35981452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The paper aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 223Ra in patients who progressed after first-line androgen deprivation therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS EXCAAPE (NCT03002220) was a multicentre, single-arm, open-label, non-controlled phase IIa trial in 52 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and asymptomatic bone metastases who have progressed on abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide, up to six doses of 223Ra (55 kBq/kg of body weight per month). The primary end-point was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). Secondary end-points included rPFS based on androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) expression in circulating tumour cells (CTCs), overall survival, and safety. RESULTS Median rPFS was 5.5 months (95% CI 5.3-5.5). Median rPFS of patients with AR-V7(-) CTCs was longer than that of patients with AR-V7(+) CTCs (5.5 versus 2.2 months, respectively; P = 0.056). Median overall survival was 14.8 months (95% CI 11.2-not reached) and was significantly greater for AR-V7(-) patients than for AR-V7(+) patients (14.8 months versus 3.5 months, respectively; P < 0.01). 223Ra was well tolerated; anaemia and thrombocytopenia were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events (5.8% and 11.5%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS 223Ra seems to be a reasonable treatment for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and asymptomatic bone metastases progressing on novel hormonal therapy and had an acceptable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Carles
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Medica Scientia Innovation Research (MEDSIR), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Teresa Alonso-Gordoa
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Mellado
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María J Méndez-Vidal
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Reina Sofía University Hospital (HURS), Córdoba, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Enrique Gallardo
- Parc Taulí University Hospital, Parc Taulí Institute of Research and Innovation I3PT, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Morales-Barrera
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Paredes
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Reig
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Cristina Suárez
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Parc Taulí University Hospital, Parc Taulí Institute of Research and Innovation I3PT, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Javier Garde
- Medica Scientia Innovation Research (MEDSIR), Barcelona, Spain
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Exosomes and prostate cancer management. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 86:101-111. [PMID: 34384877 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes (and other extracellular vesicles) are now part of the cancer research landscape, involved both as players in pathophysiological mechanisms, as biomarkers of the cancer process and as therapeutic tools. One step they have yet to take is to move into routine clinical practice and management of prostate cancer is an example of this necessary maturation. More than for many other cancers and because a possible alternative is active surveillance (neither removal nor destruction), the diagnosis of prostate cancer does not only involve the detection of cancerous cells but also the determination of its true aggressiveness. By measuring TRMPRSS2:ERG fusion and PCA3 transcripts in urine exosomes, the EPI assay seems able to help prostate biopsy decision. Results from clinical studies showed that it can reduce the proportion of unnecessary biopsies while missing only a minimal proportion of clinically significant cancers. In metastatic prostate cancer, after failure of a first step androgen deprivation therapy, when a choice has to be made between a second-generation androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitor and taxane-based chemotherapy, detection of the AR splicing variant AR-V7 in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has appeared promising. Whether exosomes could be a better material (simpler to isolate from the bloodstream than CTCs?) to detect AR-V7 has been suggested by some studies and remains to be confirmed. At last, a couple of exploratory studies either targeted or used exosomes to treat prostate cancer, by respectively inhibiting their secretion (to prevent exosome-mediated transfer of biologically active oncogenic actors), or loading them with immunogenic cancer-specific proteins (to generate anticancer vaccine) or with pharmacologic agents. Overall efforts are however still needed to confirm these results and generalize exosome-based diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic strategies in prostate cancer management.
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