A Randomized, Open-label, Cross-over Phase 2 Trial of Darolutamide and Enzalutamide in Men with Asymptomatic or Mildly Symptomatic Metastatic Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer: Patient Preference and Cognitive Function in ODENZA

BACKGROUND

Darolutamide and enzalutamide are second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors with activity in men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and different toxicity profiles.

OBJECTIVE

ODENZA is a prospective, randomized, multicenter, cross-over, phase 2 trial designed to assess preference between darolutamide and enzalutamide in men with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic metastatic CRPC (mCRPC).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either darolutamide 1200 mg/d for 12 wk followed by enzalutamide 160 mg/d for 12 wk or enzalutamide followed by darolutamide. In both arms, the second treatment was given in absence of cancer progression.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The primary endpoint was patient preference between the two drugs, as assessed by a preference questionnaire (p value calculated with the Prescott test). After week 24, patients entered an extension period during which they received their preferred treatment until progression or toxicity. The main secondary objectives included reasons for patient preference, response at week 12, tolerance of each drug, and measurement compared with baseline of cognitive outcomes assessed using tablet questionnaires.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Overall, 249 patients, with a median age of 72 yr, were randomized. Among the 200 patients who fulfilled the preplanned criteria for the evaluation of the primary endpoint of preference, 97 (49% [41; 56]), 80 (40% [33; 47]), and 23 (12% [7; 16]) chose darolutamide, chose enzalutamide, and had no preference, respectively (p = 0.92). Reduced fatigue, easier administration, and better quality of life were the main criteria that influenced patient choice. A moderate benefit in episodic memory from darolutamide was observed for the acquisition of new information (least square [LS] means difference = 2.2, effect size = 0.5) and for the recall of that information after a brief delay (LS means difference = 0.7, effect size = 0.3). Using the Brief Fatigue Inventory questionnaire, patients reported greater fatigue with enzalutamide (3.3 [3.0; 3.6]) than with darolutamide (2.7 [2.4; 3.0]). There was no difference in terms of depression, seizures, and falls.

CONCLUSIONS

The study did not show a difference in preference between the two treatments. In men with mCRPC, darolutamide was associated with a clinically meaningful benefit in episodic memory and less fatigue compared with enzalutamide.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Preference between darolutamide and enzalutamide was well balanced in men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Darolutamide was associated with a significant benefit in verbal learning and less fatigue compared with enzalutamide.

Gastrointestinal metastases in renal cell carcinoma: A retrospective multicenter GETUG (Groupe d'Étude des Tumeurs Uro-Génitales) study

BACKGROUND

Among patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), bone and visceral metastases have a poor prognosis, while endocrine gland metastases have a more favorable prognosis. Gastrointestinal metastases (GIMs) are rare, and their prognosis is still poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

To report clinical presentations, patient characteristics, therapeutic strategies, and prognosis of GIMs from RCC.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from RCC patients presenting GIMs, in 10 French GETUG centers, between 2000 and 2021.

RESULTS

We identified 74 patients with 87 GIMs, mostly gastric or duodenal. The median age at GIM diagnosis was 69 years and 76% of patients already had other metastases. GIMs occurred after a median duration of 5.4 years (IC95%=[4.2-7.1]) and 1.9 years (IC95%=[1.2-3.8]) from RCC diagnosis and first metastasis, respectively. GIMs were symptomatic in 52 patients (70%), with anemia in 41 patients (55%) and/or gastrointestinal bleeding in 31 patients (42%). Only 22 asymptomatic patients (30%) were fortuitously diagnosed. GIM management consisted of systemic treatment only in 29 GIMs (33%), local treatment only in 23 GIMs (26%), and both local and systemic treatment in 18 GIMs (21%). For 17 GIMs (20%), there was no therapeutic modification. After diagnosis of GIM, median overall survival was 19 months.

CONCLUSION

We report the largest retrospective cohort of GIMs in RCC patients. They should be suspected in case of anemia or gastrointestinal bleeding in any patient with a history of RCC. Their management varies widely depending on their location in the digestive tract and whether or not they are symptomatic.

The role of radiation therapy for de novo metastatic bladder and renal cancers

Metastatic bladder and renal cancers account respectively for 2.1% and 1.8% of cancer deaths worldwide. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the management of metastatic disease, by demonstrating considerable improvements in overall survival. However, despite initial sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors for most patients, both bladder and renal cancer are associated with short progression-free survival and overall survival, raising the need for further strategies to improve their efficacy. Combining systemic therapies with local approaches is a longstanding concept in urological oncology, in clinical settings including both oligometastatic and polymetastatic disease. Radiation therapy has been increasingly studied with either cytoreductive, consolidative, ablative or immune boosting purposes, but the long-term impact of this strategy remains unclear. This review intends to address the impact of radiation therapy with either curative or palliative intent, for synchronous de novo metastatic bladder and renal cancers.

Consensus Delineation Guidelines for Pelvic Lymph Node Radiation Therapy of Prostate Cancer: On Behalf of the Francophone Group of Urological Radiation Therapy (GFRU)

PURPOSE

Clinical target volume (CTV) delineation for pelvic lymph nodes in prostate cancer is currently based on 3 consensus guidelines with some inherent discrepancies. To improve the reproducibility in nodal delineation, the Francophone Group of Urological Radiotherapy (Groupe Francophone de Radiothérapie Urologique [GFRU]) worked toward proposing an easily applicable, reproducible, and practice-validated contouring guideline for pelvic nodal CTV.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The nodal CTV data sets of a high-risk node-negative prostate cancer clinical case contoured by 86 radiation oncologists participating in a GFRU contouring workshop were analyzed. CTV volumes were defined before and after a structured presentation of literature data on lymphatic drainage pathways and patterns of nodal involvement and relapse, illustrated using a reference contour (CRef) defined by 3 GFRU experts. The consistency between the participants' contours and CRef was assessed quantitively by means of the Simultaneous Truth and Performance Level Estimation (STAPLE) method, the Dice coefficient, and the Hausdorff distance and qualitatively using a count map. These results combined with the literature review were thoroughly discussed among GFRU experts to reach a consensus.

RESULTS

From the 86 workshop participants, the volume of the STAPLE CTV was 591 cc compared with 502 cc for CRef. The Dice coefficient of the STAPLE CTV compared with the experts' CRef was 0.736 (±0.084) before and 0.823 (±0.070) after the workshop; the standard deviation decreased from 11.5% to 8.5% over the workshop. The Hausdorff distance of the STAPLE CTV compared with the CRef was 34.5 mm (±12.4) before the workshop and 21.8 mm (±9.3) after the workshop. Four areas of significant interobserver variability were identified, and a consensus was reached.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a robust methodology, our cooperative group proposed an easily applicable, reproducible, and practice-validated guideline for the delineation of the pelvic CTV in prostate cancer, useful for implementation in daily practice and clinical trials.

Targeted Inhibition of CYP11A1 in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Targeted Inhibition of CYP11A1 in Prostate CancerIn this single-arm, multicenter, combined phase 1 and phase 2 study, patients with metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma with progression on prior androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and taxane-based chemotherapy were treated with ODM-208. A decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels of 50% or more occurred in 16/42 (38.1%) and 24/45 (53.3%) in phase 1 and 2 respectively. Responses mainly occurred in patients with androgen receptor mutations. Adrenal insufficiency was the dose-limiting toxicity.

[Early detection of prostate cancer: Towards a new paradigm?]

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a public health issue. The diagnostic strategy for PCa is well codified and assessed by digital rectal examination, PSA testing and multiparametric MRI, which may or may not lead to prostate biopsies. The formal benefit of organized PCa screening, studied more than 10 years ago at an international scale and for all incomers, is not demonstrated. However, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities have evolved since the pivotal studies. The contribution of MRI and targeted biopsies, the widespread use of active surveillance for unsignificant PCa, the improvement of surgical techniques and radiotherapy… have allowed a better selection of patients and strengthened the interest for an individualized approach, reducing the risk of overtreatment. Aiming to enhance coverage and access to screening for the population, the European Commission recently promoted the evaluation of an organized PCa screening strategy, including MRI. The lack of screening programs has become detrimental to the population and must shift towards an early detection policy adapted to the risk of each individual.

Evaluating video-based consultations in routine clinical practice at a comprehensive cancer center

INTRODUCTION

Integrating telemedicine into cancer care remains a major challenge. There are little clinical evidence for teleconsultation efficacy and safety in daily oncology practice. This study as a pioneering experience, aimed to analyze patient and physician opinions regarding the implementation of telemedicine consultations, and to identify major limitations of telehealth spread in an oncology institute.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During COVID-19 lockdown, patients and physicians who took part to at least one video-based teleconsultation between March and May 2020, were enrolled in this observational study. All eligible patients received an anonymous online questionnaire. On the other hand, all physicians eligible to participate were asked through email to complete a questionnaire.

RESULTS

In this study, 31 physicians and 304 patients consented to participate in this study by answering the questionnaire and were included. Regarding telemedicine satisfaction, 65.8% of patients were satisfied. The lack of clinical examination was the major limitation reported by 77% of patients. Patients belonging to a high socio-professional category were statistically more dissatisfied with the relationship with their doctor (OR = 2.31 and 95% CI [1.12; 4.74]).

CONCLUSION

This study showed promising results of incorporating video-based teleconsultations into cancer patient management. Randomized clinical trials are needed in order to accelerate the digital implementation in clinical practice.

Salvage Radical Prostatectomy for Recurrent Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review (French ccAFU)

The aim of this study was to systematically review the current evidence regarding the oncological and functional outcomes of salvage radical prostatectomy (sRP) for recurrent prostate cancer. A systematic review was conducted throughout September 2022 using the PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase databases. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to identify eligible studies. A total of 55 studies (3836 patients) met our eligibility criteria. The vast majority of men included had radiation therapy (including brachytherapy) as their first-line treatment (n = 3240, 84%). Other first-line treatments included HIFU (n = 338, 9%), electroporation (n = 59, 2%), proton beam therapy (n = 54, 1.5%), cryotherapy (n = 34, 1%), focal vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (n = 22, 0.6%), and transurethral ultrasound ablation (n = 19, 0.5%). Median preoperative PSA, at the time of recurrence, ranged from 1.5 to 14.4 ng/mL. The surgical approach was open in 2300 (60%) cases, robotic in 1465 (38%) cases, and laparoscopic in 71 (2%) cases. Since 2019, there has been a clear increase in robotic versus conventional surgery (1245 versus 525 cases, respectively). The median operative time and blood loss ranged from 80 to 297 min and 75 to 914 mL, respectively. Concomitant lymph node dissection was performed in 2587 cases (79%). The overall complication rate was 34%, with a majority of Clavien grade I or II complications. Clavien ≥ 3 complications ranged from 0 to 64%. Positive surgical margins were noted in 792 cases (32%). The median follow-up ranged from 4.6 to 94 months. Biochemical recurrence after sRP ranged from 8% to 51.5% at 12 months, from 0% to 66% at 22 months, and from 48% to 59% at 60 months. The specific and overall survival rates ranged from 13.4 to 98% and 62 to 100% at 5 years, respectively. Urinary continence was maintained in 52.1% of cases. sRP demonstrated acceptable oncological outcomes. These results, after sRP, are influenced by several factors, and above all by pre-treatment assessment, including imaging, with the development of mpMRI and metabolic imaging. Our results demonstrated that SRP can be considered a suitable treatment option for selected patients, but the level of evidence remains low.

Surgery with or Without Darolutamide in High-risk and/or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer: The SUGAR (CCAFU-PR2) Phase 2 Trial Rationale and Protocol

BACKGROUND

High-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients frequently experience recurrence and progression after radical prostatectomy (RP). Neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has not demonstrated a clear oncological benefit and is not currently recommended.

OBJECTIVE

The SUGAR trial is the first phase 2, randomised, controlled, multicentre, noncommercial, open-label study investigating single-agent perioperative darolutamide compared with the standard of care (ie, upfront RP, without neoadjuvant ADT).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

SUGAR aims to randomise 240 men affected by nonmetastatic PCa, with the major eligibility criteria being International Society of Urological Pathology grade group ≥4, seminal vesicle invasion at magnetic resonance imaging and/or clinically node-positive disease. Patients in the experimental arm will undergo neoadjuvant darolutamide monotherapy, RP, and adjuvant darolutamide, completing 9 mo of treatment.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The primary endpoint is noncurable recurrence-free survival, an innovative and clinically meaningful measure; the secondary endpoints encompass safety; recurrence-free, metastasis-free, and overall survival; pathological response; and quality of life. A predictive biomarker analysis will also be performed.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Initial data suggest that intensified neoadjuvant treatment with androgen receptor signalling inhibitors (ARSIs) is associated with a sustained pathological response and may improve outcomes, via tumour downstaging and micrometastasis eradication. ARSI monotherapy could further enhance tolerability.

CONCLUSIONS

SUGAR will provide efficacy and safety information on perioperative darolutamide monotherapy compared with upfront RP, in a contemporary high-risk PCa population undergoing surgery.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The on-going SUGAR clinical trial evaluates 9 mo of darolutamide treatment in addition to radical prostatectomy, in men affected by prostate cancer with specific high-risk characteristics. It investigates whether this hormonal treatment can lower the rates of noncurable recurrences, maintaining a favourable tolerability profile.

Niraparib plus abiraterone acetate with prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and homologous recombination repair gene alterations: second interim analysis of the randomized phase III MAGNITUDE trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and BRCA alterations have poor outcomes. MAGNITUDE found patients with homologous recombination repair gene alterations (HRR+), particularly BRCA1/2, benefit from first-line therapy with niraparib plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP). Here we report longer follow-up from the second prespecified interim analysis (IA2).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with mCRPC were prospectively identified as HRR+ with/without BRCA1/2 alterations and randomized 1 : 1 to niraparib (200 mg orally) plus AAP (1000 mg/10 mg orally) or placebo plus AAP. At IA2, secondary endpoints [time to symptomatic progression, time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, overall survival (OS)] were assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, 212 HRR+ patients received niraparib plus AAP (BRCA1/2 subgroup, n = 113). At IA2 with 24.8 months of median follow-up in the BRCA1/2 subgroup, niraparib plus AAP significantly prolonged radiographic progression-free survival {rPFS; blinded independent central review; median rPFS 19.5 versus 10.9 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39-0.78]; nominal P = 0.0007} consistent with the first prespecified interim analysis. rPFS was also prolonged in the total HRR+ population [HR = 0.76 (95% CI 0.60-0.97); nominal P = 0.0280; median follow-up 26.8 months]. Improvements in time to symptomatic progression and time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy were observed with niraparib plus AAP. In the BRCA1/2 subgroup, the analysis of OS with niraparib plus AAP demonstrated an HR of 0.88 (95% CI 0.58-1.34; nominal P = 0.5505); the prespecified inverse probability censoring weighting analysis of OS, accounting for imbalances in subsequent use of poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors and other life-prolonging therapies, demonstrated an HR of 0.54 (95% CI 0.33-0.90; nominal P = 0.0181). No new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

MAGNITUDE, enrolling the largest BRCA1/2 cohort in first-line mCRPC to date, demonstrated improved rPFS and other clinically relevant outcomes with niraparib plus AAP in patients with BRCA1/2-altered mCRPC, emphasizing the importance of identifying this molecular subset of patients.

What is the ideal combination therapy in de novo, oligometastatic, castration-sensitive prostate cancer?

PURPOSE

To review current evidence regarding the management of de novo, oligometastatic, castration-sensitive prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted on PubMed/Medline and a narrative synthesis of the evidence was performed in August 2022.

RESULTS

Oligometastatic disease is an intermediate state between localized and aggressive metastatic PCa defined by ≤ 3-5 metastatic lesions, although this definition remains controversial. Conventional imaging has limited accuracy in detecting metastatic lesions, and the implementation of molecular imaging could pave the way for a more personalized treatment strategy. However, oncological data supporting this strategy are needed. Radiotherapy to the primary tumor should be considered standard treatment for oligometastatic PCa (omPCa). However, it remains to be seen whether local therapy still has an additional survival benefit in patients with de novo omPCa when treated with the most modern systemic therapy combinations. There is insufficient evidence to recommend cytoreductive radical prostatectomy as local therapy; or stereotactic body radiotherapy as metastasis-directed therapy in patients with omPCa. Current data support the use of intensified systemic therapy with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and next-generation hormone therapies (NHT) for patients with de novo omPCa. Docetaxel has not demonstrated benefit in low volume disease. There are insufficient data to support the use of triple therapy (i.e., ADT + NHT + Docetaxel) in low volume disease.

CONCLUSION

The present review discusses current data in de novo, omPCa regarding its definition, the increasing role of molecular imaging, the place of local and metastasis-directed therapies, and the intensification of systemic therapies.

Pembrolizumab Plus Olaparib for Patients With Previously Treated and Biomarker-Unselected Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: The Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III KEYLYNK-010 Trial

PURPOSE

There is an unmet need for therapeutic options that prolong survival for patients with heavily pretreated, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The phase III, open-label KEYLYNK-010 study evaluated pembrolizumab plus olaparib versus a next-generation hormonal agent (NHA) for biomarker-unselected, previously treated mCRPC.

METHODS

Eligible participants had mCRPC that progressed on or after abiraterone or enzalutamide (but not both) and docetaxel. Participants were randomly assigned (2:1) to pembrolizumab plus olaparib or NHA (abiraterone or enzalutamide). The dual primary end points were radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) by blinded independent central review per Prostate Cancer Working Group-modified RECIST 1.1 and overall survival (OS). Time to first subsequent therapy (TFST) was a key secondary end point. Safety and objective response rate (ORR) were secondary end points.

RESULTS

Between May 30, 2019, and July 16, 2021, 529 participants were randomly assigned to pembrolizumab plus olaparib and 264 to NHA. At final rPFS analysis, median rPFS was 4.4 months (95% CI, 4.2 to 6.0) with pembrolizumab plus olaparib and 4.2 months (95% CI, 4.0 to 6.1) with NHA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02 [95% CI, 0.82 to 1.25]; P = .55). At final OS analysis, median OS was 15.8 months (95% CI, 14.6 to 17.0) and 14.6 months (95% CI, 12.6 to 17.3), respectively (HR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.14]; P = .26). At final TFST analysis, median TFST was 7.2 months (95% CI, 6.7 to 8.1) versus 5.7 months (95% CI, 5.0 to 7.1), respectively (HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.71 to 1.03]). ORR was higher with pembrolizumab plus olaparib versus NHA (16.8% v 5.9%). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 34.6% and 9.0% of participants, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Pembrolizumab plus olaparib did not significantly improve rPFS or OS versus NHA in participants with biomarker-unselected, heavily pretreated mCRPC. The study was stopped for futility. No new safety signals occurred.

Niraparib and Abiraterone Acetate for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains a lethal disease with current standard-of-care therapies. Homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations, including BRCA1/2 alterations, can sensitize cancer cells to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition, which may improve outcomes in treatment-naïve mCRPC when combined with androgen receptor signaling inhibition.

METHODS

MAGNITUDE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03748641) is a phase III, randomized, double-blinded study that evaluates niraparib and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (niraparib + AAP) in patients with (HRR+, n = 423) or without (HRR-, n = 247) HRR-associated gene alterations, as prospectively determined by tissue/plasma-based assays. Patients were assigned 1:1 to receive niraparib + AAP or placebo + AAP. The primary end point, radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) assessed by central review, was evaluated first in the BRCA1/2 subgroup and then in the full HRR+ cohort, with secondary end points analyzed for the full HRR+ cohort if rPFS was statistically significant. A futility analysis was preplanned in the HRR- cohort.

RESULTS

Median rPFS in the BRCA1/2 subgroup was significantly longer in the niraparib + AAP group compared with the placebo + AAP group (16.6 v 10.9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.79; P = .001). In the overall HRR+ cohort, rPFS was significantly longer in the niraparib + AAP group compared with the placebo + AAP group (16.5 v 13.7 months; HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.96; P = .022). These findings were supported by improvement in the secondary end points of time to symptomatic progression and time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy. In the HRR- cohort, futility was declared per the prespecified criteria. Treatment with niraparib + AAP was tolerable, with anemia and hypertension as the most reported grade ≥ 3 adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Combination treatment with niraparib + AAP significantly lengthened rPFS in patients with HRR+ mCRPC compared with standard-of-care AAP.

[Media: see text].

One-Year Follow-Up of Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Anxiety among Health Workers of a French Cancer Center: The PRO-SERO-COV Study

Infection of SARS-CoV-2 among health workers (HWs) in contact with cancer patients has been a major issue since the beginning of the pandemic. We aimed to assess the serological immune status of SARS-CoV-2 infection among these HWs. A prospective cohort study was initiated in the comprehensive cancer center of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region (NA, France). Volunteer HWs working on March 2020 without active infection or symptoms of COVID-19 completed a self-questionnaire and had a blood test at inclusion, at 3 and 12 months. Positive serological status of SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined by anti-nucleocapsid antibodies and/or IgG anti-spike antibodies, except at 12 months due to vaccine. Half of the HWs were included (N = 517) and 89% were followed for three months (N = 500) and one year (N = 462). Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 3.5% (95% CI: 1.9-5.1), 6.2% (95% CI: 4.1-8.3), and 10% (95% CI: 7.2-12.7) on June-September 2020, September 2020-January 2021, and June-October 2021, respectively. At 12 months, 93.3% had detectable antibodies with 80% vaccinated in the first three months of vaccine availability. The COVID-19-free policy of the institution, respect for barrier gestures, high and early vaccination of HWs, and low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in NA may explain the low rate of seropositivity among the HWs of the Institut Bergonié.

Micro-ultrasound-guided biopsies versus systematic biopsies in the detection of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) still relies on the performance of both targeted (TB) and systematic biopsies (SB). Micro-ultrasound (mUS)-guided biopsies demonstrated a high sensitivity in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), which could be comparable to that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-TB, but their added value has not been compared to SB yet.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, based on Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, to compare mUS-guided biopsies to SB.

RESULTS

Based on the literature search of 2957 articles, 15 met the inclusion criteria (2967 patients). Most patients underwent mUS-guided biopsies, followed by MRI-TB and SB. Respectively 5 (n = 670) and 4 (n = 467) studies, providing raw data on SB, were included in a random-effect meta-analysis of the detection rate of csPCa, i.e. Gleason Grade Group (GGG) ≥ 2 or non-csPCa (GGG = 1). Overall, PCa was detected in 56-71% of men, with 31.3-49% having csPCa and 17-25.4% having non-csPCa. Regarding csPCa, mUS-guided biopsies identified 196 and SB 169 cases (Detection Ratio (DR): 1.18, 95% CI 0.83-1.68, I2 = 69%), favoring mUS-guided biopsies; regarding non-csPCa, mUS-guided biopsies identified 62 and SB 115 cases (DR: 0.55, 95% CI 0.41-0.73, I2 = 0%), also favoring mUS-guided biopsies by decreasing unnecessary diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Micro-ultrasound-guided biopsies compared favorably with SB for the detection of csPCa and detected fewer non-csPCa than SB. Prospective trials are awaited to confirm the interest of adding mUS-guided biopsies to MRI-TB to optimize csPCa detection without increasing overdiagnosis of non-csPCa.

Efficacy and safety of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone and androgen deprivation therapy +/- docetaxel in older patients (≥70 years), with de novo metastatic-castration sensitive prostate cancer, compared to younger patients (<70 years): The PEACE-1 trial

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Background: Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) primarily affects older men (OM). In this post-hoc analysis we investigated the safety and efficacy of abiraterone acetate + prednisone (AAP) in older (≥ 70 years) and younger (< 70 years) patients in PEACE-1. Methods: Men with de novo mCSPC were allocated to standard of care (SOC), SOC + AAP, SOC + radiotherapy (RXT), or SOC + AAP + RXT in this 2x2 design phase 3 trial. SOC was initially androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone, then from Oct 2015 onwards, the use of docetaxel (D) was authorized as part of SOC (at the investigator’s discretion until 2017, then, following the publication of LATITUDE and STAMPEDE trials, accrual was restricted to men receiving ADT+ D). Efficacy and safety in OM included in PEACE-1 were analyzed with the same methods used in the overall trial (Lancet 2022; 399: 1695-1707). Results: A total of 741 younger men (YM) (63%) and 431 OM (37%) were randomized. OM presented with more altered PS (ECOG 1-2) (36% vs 26% p=0.0003) and less frequent use of docetaxel (D) as part of SOC (66% vs 51% p<0.0001) than YM. Hypertension (56,5% vs 38,2%, p<0,001) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (15,5% vs 11%, p=0,029) were significantly more frequent in OM. Median time to AAP discontinuation was shorter (30.0 months [95%CI= 22.1; 35.4] vs 41.4 [95%CI= 31.5; 54.0] independently of D use and more frequently due to adverse events or death in the older than younger population. The benefit of AAP on radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) tended to decrease with age in the overall population: (HR 0.65, 95%CI 0.42-1.01) in OM vs (HR 0.49, 95%CI 0.35-0.69) for YM. The same trend was observed on overall survival (OS): (HR 0.95, 95%CI 0.72-1.25) for OM vs (HR: 0.73, 95%CI 0.58-0.92) for YM. On the other hand, in men fit to receive the SOC composed of ADT+D, the rPFS benefit of AAP was comparable in OM (HR 0.55, 95%CI 0.29-1.04) and in YM (HR 0.5, 95%CI 0.33-0.78). The OS benefit of AAP was: (HR 0.80, 95%CI 0.53-1.2) and (HR 0.71, 95%CI 0.52-0.95) in OM and YM, respectively. Safety data show that severe adverse events (grade 3-5) were more frequent in OM receiving AAP in comparison with YM (69% vs 61%) while there was no difference between older and YM not receiving AAP (48% vs 47%). Conclusions: This post-hoc analysis of PEACE-1 suggests that, in the overall population, OM derive a lower benefit, both in terms of rPFS and OS, from adding AAP to SOC versus YM. This decreased benefit is likely due to more toxicity leading to more frequent and earlier drug discontinuation. Importantly, in OM fit enough to receive ADT+D, the benefit of adding AAP to SOC was comparable to YM. Clinical trial information: NCT01957436 .

Phase 2 study (AARDVARC) of AZD4635 in combination with durvalumab and cabazitaxel in patients (pts) with progressive metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

173

Background: Pts with mCRPC who progress on docetaxel and new hormonal agents (NHAs) have few therapeutic options. In the CARD study of cabazitaxel, 35.7% of pts had PSA responses and 36.5% of pts had tumor responses. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited single-agent activity in mCRPC, the combination of the adenosine 2A receptor antagonist, AZD4635, with durvalumab may improve response to chemotherapy. This study assessed AZD4635 in combination with durvalumab (Arm A) or with durvalumab + cabazitaxel (Arm B) in pts with mCRPC. We report interim analysis results from Arm B (Arm A to be reported elsewhere). Methods: Eligible pts had histologically confirmed mCRPC, disease progression ≤6 months prior to enrollment, and were previously treated with docetaxel and 1 NHA. Pts received AZD4635 75 mg PO QD + durvalumab 1500 mg IV Q3W + cabazitaxel Q3W (dosed per locally approved label) for up to 10 cycles. The primary endpoint was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), by RECIST v1.1 (soft tissue) or PCWG3 (bone). Secondary endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics, confirmed PSA50 response, and objective response rate by RECIST v1.1. A futility analysis was planned based on PSA50 responses (confirmed + unconfirmed) after approximately 30 pts were treated. Results: As of August 10, 2021, 28 pts received AZD4635 + durvalumab + cabazitaxel, and 21 pts were still on treatment. Most common adverse events (AEs) possibly related to treatment were nausea (50.0%), diarrhea (46.4%), asthenia, and vomiting (each 28.6%). Treatment-related febrile neutropenia occurred in 7.1% pts. Twelve (42.9%) pts had a serious AE possibly related to treatment. One AE possibly related to treatment led to death (myositis). Exposures of cabazitaxel and/or durvalumab did not change when combined with AZD4635. Median rPFS was 4.4 months (95% CI: 4.2–not calculable) with low percent maturity. Of 28 PSA-evaluable pts, 8 (28.6%) had PSA50 responses (4 confirmed). There were 5 unconfirmed partial responses by RECIST v1.1. Conclusions: Although efficacy data are immature, enrollment was stopped for futility. Safety of the combination was consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual agents. Clinical trial information: NCT04089553 .

Niraparib (NIRA) with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations: Second interim analysis (IA2) of MAGNITUDE

170

Background: In the primary analysis of the phase 3 MAGNITUDE study, NIRA/AAP significantly improved outcomes in pts with mCRPC and HRR gene alterations. Here, we report results from IA2 of secondary endpoints in MAGNITUDE. Methods: 423 eligible pts with mCRPC and HRR alterations (HRR+ cohort) were randomized 1:1 to receive NIRA/AAP (n = 212) or placebo (PBO)/AAP (n = 211). At the prespecified IA2, secondary endpoints (time to cytotoxic chemotherapy [TCC], time to symptomatic progression [TSP], overall survival [OS]) were formally assessed and the primary rPFS endpoint was updated in the HRR+ cohort, with sensitivity analysis performed for the subgroup of pts with BRCA alterations. Results: Updated descriptive rPFS results at IA2 (cutoff: June 17, 2022) were consistent with the primary analysis in the HRR+ cohort. In the BRCA subgroup, NIRA/AAP extended median rPFS to 19.5 mos vs 10.9 mos with PBO/AAP. NIRA/AAP led to statistically significant benefit in TSP in the HRR+ cohort with consistent benefit in the BRCA subgroup. Continued consistent improvement of TCC was seen with NIRA/AAP in the HRR+ cohort and in the BRCA subgroup. There was a trend towards improved OS with NIRA/AAP in the BRCA subgroup in the primary stratified analysis and the multivariate analysis (MVA), accounting for imbalances in key baseline characteristics. BRCA pts treated with NIRA/AAP experienced delayed time to worst pain intensity (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.44, 1.12; nominal P = 0.1338) and pain interference (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.40, 1.12; nominal P = 0.1275) compared to PBO/AAP. The safety profile at IA2 was consistent with that of the primary analysis, with no new safety signals observed. Conclusions: With 26.8 months of median follow-up, there was a statistically significant and meaningful clinical benefit in TSP and meaningful clinical benefit in TCC. Additionally, updated rPFS results from MAGNITUDE IA2 were consistent with the primary analysis; OS benefit was not conclusive due to immaturity and will be followed through to final analysis. Taken together, these data continue to support the use of NIRA/AAP in pts with mCRPC and BRCA alterations or select other HRR gene alterations. Clinical trial information: NCT03748641 . [Table: see text]

Darolutamide Maintenance in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer With Nonprogressive Disease After Taxane Treatment (SAKK 08/16)

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy and safety of darolutamide maintenance after successful taxane chemotherapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) 08/16 is a randomized phase II study. Patients with mCRPC who received prior androgen-receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) and subsequently had nonprogressive disease on a taxane were randomly assigned to darolutamide 600 mg twice a day or placebo twice a day. The primary end point was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) at 12 weeks. Secondary end points were rPFS, event-free survival, overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 50% response rate, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Overall, 92 patients were recruited by 26 centers. Prior taxane was docetaxel in 93% and cabazitaxel in 7%. Prior ARPI was abiraterone in 60%, enzalutamide in 31%, and both in 9%. rPFS at 12 weeks was significantly improved with darolutamide (64.7% v 52.2%; P = .127). Median rPFS on darolutamide was 5.5 versus 4.5 months on placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.91; P = .017), and median event-free survival was 5.4 versus 2.9 months (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.73; P = .001). PSA 50% response rate was improved (22% v 4%; P = .014). Median OS for darolutamide was 24 versus 21.3 months for placebo (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.3 to 1.26; P = .181). Treatment-related adverse events were similar in both arms.

CONCLUSION

SAKK 08/16 met its primary end point, showing that switch maintenance with darolutamide after prior taxane chemotherapy and at least one ARPI resulted in a statistically significant but clinically modest rPFS prolongation with good tolerability. The median OS with darolutamide maintenance appears promising. Should these findings be confirmed in a larger trial, maintenance treatment could be a novel strategy in managing patients with mCRPC, especially those who responded well to prior ARPI.

Chromogranin A: a useful biomarker in castration-resistant prostate cancer

PURPOSE

The natural history of prostate cancer (PC) almost always evolves to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) status, sometimes comprising pure or mixed neuroendocrine prostate cancers (NEPC) differentiation. In CRPC, monitoring using only prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is not optimal since neuroendocrine differentiated cells do not secrete PSA. Thus, monitoring with PSA and chromogranin A (CgA) may be useful. This review aims to evaluate evidence for the usefulness of CgA assessments during the monitoring of prostate cancer.

METHOD

This review was based on three recent meta-analysis concerning CgA and prostate cancer. Further data were obtained from PubMed and Embase databases by searches using keywords, including chromogranin A and prostate cancer.

RESULTS

CgA levels remain largely unchanged during the early PC evolution. The development of NEPC is characterised by lower PSA secretion and increased CgA secretion. Data supporting the prognostic value of high CgA baseline levels for survival are contrasting and scarce. However, increasing CgA levels early during treatment of metastatic (m)CRPC suggests resistance to treatment and predicts shorter survival, particularly in men with high baseline levels of CgA levels. In men with mCRPC, the first-line chemotherapy may be more appropriate than other agents when baseline CgA levels are high. Also, increasing CgA levels during treatment may indicate disease progression and may warrant a change of therapy.

CONCLUSION

CgA monitoring at baseline and regularly during mCRPC management may be useful for monitoring disease evolution. An increased CgA baseline levels and increasing CgA levels may assist physicians with choosing and modifying therapy.

Oncological Outcomes of Delayed Nephrectomy After Optimal Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In the current era of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the role and optimal timing of a nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the oncological outcomes of patients who responded to ICI-based treatments and were subsequently treated with a delayed nephrectomy.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This national retrospective evaluation included 30 patients with mRCC who underwent a nephrectomy after a complete response (CR) or a major partial response (>80%) to ICI treatment at metastatic sites.

INTERVENTION

Partial or radical nephrectomy after a favorable response to ICI treatment.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and potential discontinuation of systemic treatment were assessed.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

ICI-based treatments included ipilimumab-nivolumab (40%), ICI + tyrosine kinase inhibitor (10%), and nivolumab (50%). A delayed nephrectomy was performed after a median ICI treatment duration of 10 mo. In 19 cases (63.3%), surgeons faced difficulties due to adhesions or inflammatory changes. A complete pathological response was observed in 16.7% of patients. After a median follow-up of 19.5 mo after nephrectomy, 76.7% of patients achieved DFS. At 1 yr, 66.7% of patients were free from systemic treatment. The PFS and OS rates were, respectively, 96.7% and 100% at 1 yr, and 78.3% and 86.1% at 2 yr. Patients with a CR at metastatic sites had a better prognosis than those with a major partial response, in terms of DFS (p = 0.022) and PFS (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite potentially challenging surgery, a delayed nephrectomy for patients who responded to ICI treatment provided promising oncological outcomes, and the majority of patients could discontinue systemic treatment.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this study, we evaluated the clinical outcome in patients who responded well to immunotherapy, and subsequently underwent kidney ablation surgery. Three-quarters of patients experienced no recurrence, and in most cases, medical treatment could be discontinued.

Chemotherapy following immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest improvements in response to salvage chemotherapy (CT) after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in several types of cancer. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of chemotherapy re-challenge after ICI, compared with second-line chemotherapy without previous ICI in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC).

METHODS

In this multicentre retrospective study, we included all patients with la/mUC initiating second or third-line chemotherapy from January 2015 to June 2020. We compared patients treated with second-line chemotherapy without previous ICI (CT2) and patients treated with third-line chemotherapy after ICI (CT3). The primary end-point was objective response rate (ORR) in CT3 compared with CT2. Secondary end-points included progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicities.

RESULTS

Overall, 553 patients were included. ORRs were 31.0% (95% CI, 26.5 to 35.5) and 29.2% (95% CI, 21.9 to 36.6), respectively, in CT2 and CT3, with no statistically significant differences (P = 0.62). In subgroup analyses, no differences in ORR were observed by Bellmunt risk group, type of chemotherapy (platinum or taxanes), duration of response to first-platinum-based chemotherapy (< or ≥ 12 months) or FGFR-status. Median PFS was 4.6 months (95% CI, 3.9 to 5.1) and 4.9 months (95% CI, 4.1 to 5.5) in CT2 and CT3, respectively, and grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity occurred in 35.0% and 22.4% of patients.

CONCLUSION

This large multicentre retrospective study provides clinically relevant real-world data. Chemotherapy re-challenge after ICI in la/mUC achieves ORR and PFS comparable with those obtained in CT2 with an acceptable safety profile. These updated results offer more promising outcomes than historically reported with second-line chemotherapy data.

Circulating L-Arginine predicts the survival of cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

BACKGROUND

The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the systemic approach to cancer treatment. However, most patients receiving ICIs do not derive benefits. Therefore, it is crucial to identify reliable predictive biomarkers of response to ICIs. One important pathway in regulating immune cell reactivity is L-arginine (ARG) metabolism, essential to T-cell activation. We therefore aimed to evaluate the association between baseline plasma ARG levels and the clinical benefit of ICIs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The correlation between ARG levels and clinical ICI activity was assessed by analyzing plasma samples obtained before treatment onset in two independent cohorts of patients with advanced cancer included in two institutional molecular profiling programs (BIP, NCT02534649, n = 77; PREMIS, NCT03984318, n = 296) and from patients in a phase 1 first-in-human study of budigalimab monotherapy (NCT03000257). Additionally, the correlation between ARG levels and ICI efficacy in preclinical settings was evaluated using a syngeneic mouse model of colorectal cancer responsive to ICIs. Using matched PBMC plasma samples, we analyzed the correlation between ARG levels and PBMC features through multiplexed flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTS

In both discovery and validation cohorts, low ARG levels at baseline (<42 μM) were significantly and independently associated with a worse clinical benefit rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Moreover, at the preclinical level, the tumor rejection rate was significantly higher in mice with high baseline ARG levels than in those with low ARG levels (85.7% versus 23.8%; P = 0.004). Finally, PBMC immunophenotyping showed that low ARG levels were significantly associated with increased PD-L1 expression in several immune cell subsets from the myeloid lineage.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that baseline ARG levels predict ICI response. Plasma ARG quantification may therefore represent an attractive biomarker to tailor novel therapeutic regimens targeting the ARG pathway in combination with ICIs.

Vasectomy and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Context

Previous reports have shown an association between vasectomy and prostate cancer (PCa). However, there exist significant discrepancies between studies and systematic reviews due to a lack of strong causal association and residual confounding factors such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening.

Objective

To assess the association between vasectomy and PCa, in both unadjusted and PSA screen-adjusted studies.

Evidence acquisition

We performed a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched in January 2022 for studies that analyzed the association between vasectomy and PCa.

Evidence synthesis

A total of 37 studies including 16 931 805 patients met our inclusion criteria. A pooled analysis from all studies showed a significant association between vasectomy and any-grade PCa (odds ratio [OR] 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–1.37; p < 0.001; I² = 96%), localized PCa (OR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06–1.11; p < 0.00001; I² = 31%), or advanced PCa (OR 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.13; p = 0.006; I² = 0%). The association with PCa remained significant when the analyses were restricted to studies with a low risk of bias (OR 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02–1.10; p = 0.02; I² = 48%) or cohort studies (OR 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04–1.13; p < 0.0001; I² = 64%). Among studies adjusted for PSA screening, the association with localized PCa (OR 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03–1.09; p < 0.001; I² = 0%) remained significant. Conversely, vasectomy was no longer associated with localized high-grade (p = 0.19), advanced (p = 0.22), and lethal (p = 0.42) PCa.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis found an association between vasectomy and any, mainly localized, PCa. However, the effect estimates of the association were increasingly close to null when examining studies of robust design and high quality. On exploratory analyses including studies, which adjusted for PSA screening, the association for aggressive and/or advanced PCa diminished.

Patient summary

In this study, we found an association between vasectomy and the risk of developing localized prostate cancer without being able to determine whether the procedure leads to a higher prostate cancer incidence.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and pain in the MAGNITUDE study of niraparib (NIRA) with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations

5060

Background: Results from the international, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 MAGNITUDE study demonstrated that NIRA + AAP improved radiographic progression-free survival, time to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and time to symptomatic progression, with manageable toxicity in pts with mCRPC and HRR alterations (9-gene panel). Here, we report HRQoL and pain in MAGNITUDE. Methods: Eligible pts with mCRPC and HRR alterations were randomized 1:1 to NIRA + AAP or placebo (PBO) + AAP orally daily in 28-day cycles. Pts had ECOG status ≤1 and a Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form (BPI-SF) worst pain score ≤3 in prescreening. HRQoL assessments on day 1 of specified cycles included Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate (FACT-P) and BPI-SF. Changes from baseline were compared between treatment arms using repeated measures analysis. Proportional hazards regression models were used to compare time to deterioration (TTD) in worst pain intensity between arms. Results: Compliance for FACT-P and BPI-SF was > 80%. Most pts maintained low pain levels over time. Repeated measures analyses showed no clinically meaningful differences in pain over time or between arms. Median TTD in pain intensity was not reached in either arm. At the 25th percentile, there was a trend toward longer TTD in pain intensity with NIRA + AAP vs PBO + AAP (11.1 vs 10.1 mo; HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.61-1.24). HRQoL was maintained with NIRA + AAP, with no clinically meaningful differences in FACT-P total score over time or between arms. There was a trend toward greater worsening in early cycles on FACT-P physical wellbeing with NIRA + AAP vs PBO + AAP, driven by events within the known safety profile of NIRA + AAP (worsening of side effect bother, lack of energy, and nausea); however, overall, most pts reported minimal side effect burden (Table). Conclusions: In MAGNITUDE, most pts maintained low pain levels and positive HRQoL over time, with no clinically meaningful differences between treatment arms, further supporting the use of NIRA + AAP in pts with mCRPC and HRR alterations. Side effect burden was perceived as low in both arms. Although more pts on NIRA+AAP reported worsening side effects, the symptoms were generally perceived as mild. Clinical trial information: NCT03748641. [Table: see text]

Identification of super-exhausted T cells: A novel population predictive of response to immunotherapy

2596

Background: Given that most of cancer patients treated with anti-PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) do not derive benefit, there is a crucial need to identify reliable predictive biomarker of response. Besides PD-1, several key immune checkpoints, such as CTLA4, LAG3, TIM3 and TIGIT, are associated with a T cell exhausted phenotype and play a crucial role in leading to cancer immune evasion. The impact of simultaneous expression by T cells of distinct inhibitory receptors on outcome of patients treated with ICB is still unknown. Methods: We analyzed the tissue samples, collected before ICB initiation, from patients with solid tumors and included in an institutional molecular profiling program (NCT02534649). We used multiplexed-immunohistofluorescence with the following panel CD3/PD1/TIM3/LAG3/TIGIT/CTLA4, and performed immune cell characterization using multispectral images analysis. We then investigated the correlation between coexpression of T cell-associated exhaustion markers, clinical response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Four hundred thirty five patients were included in the analysis (NSCLC: n=207, 47.6%; sarcoma: n=42, 9.7%; urothelial: n=30, 6.9%; others: n=156, 35.9%). Digital pathology analysis allowed us to identify a population of “super-exhausted” T cells characterized by the co-expression of PD1, LAG3, TIGIT and TIM3 which was enriched in 125 cases (28.7%), and was significantly associated with better PFS (HR 1.60, CI95 1.26-2.04, p<0.001) and OS (HR 1.42, CI95 1.07-1.89, p=0.016) in the whole cohort. Patients with super-exhausted high tumors had higher objective response rate (38.4%) compared to super-exhausted low tumors (19.7%, p<0.001). The presence of super-exhausted T cells was significantly higher in responders (10%) versus non responders (4%, p<0.001). Correlation with better outcome was observed whatever the subgroup considered (NSCLC vs other tumors, CD8 T cells density and presence of tertiary lymphoid structure [TLS]). In multivariate analysis (n=372, 85.5%), increased tumor infiltration by super-exhausted T cells (>1 %) was significantly associated with better PFS (HR 0.61, CI95 0.46-0.81, p<0.001, Table) and OS (HR 0.68, CI95 0.48-0.97, p=0.033, Table). Conclusions: The presence of super-exhausted T cells may represent a new predictive biomarker of response to ICB and pave the way for the development of effective ICB combinations. Data from an independent validation cohort will be presented at the meeting. [Table: see text]

How PET-CT is Changing the Management of Non-metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer?: Comment la TEP-TDM Peut Modifier la Prise en Charge du Cancer de la Prostate Non Métastatique Résistant à la Castration ?

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this narrative review conducted by the Prostate Cancer Committee of the French Association of Urology (CC-AFU) was to provide an update on the current evidence for the impact of PET/CT in the management of men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This review is based on data available in the literature on PET/CT imaging for staging nmCRPC patients. A PubMed search and narrative review of the data were performed in March 2022. Only articles in French or English were considered.

RESULTS

Current guidelines recommend bone scan and CT scan as standard imaging modalities for staging and follow-up of patients with nmCRPC. Nearly one-third of asymptomatic patients with presumed nmCRPC ultimately have metastatic disease on conventional imaging. Increasing reports have shown that conventional imaging has limited accuracy in detecting metastatic disease in nmCRPC patients, leading to the development of next-generation imaging techniques. In a retrospective study, 18F-choline PET/CT detected distant metastases in 27/58 high-risk nmCRPC patients with prior negative conventional imaging. The implementation of radiolabeled ligands of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT in staging strategy has resulted in metastasis detection in 45% to 98% of patients with presumptive nmCRPC on conventional imaging. Such an early diagnosis of metastatic CRPC may allow patients to be referred for metastasis-directed therapies (i.e. stereotactic body radiotherapy), aimed at prolonging the efficacy of systemic therapies and improving clinical outcomes. However, current data are not strong enough to recommend this strategy, which must be properly evaluated in clinical trials. Indeed, the use of molecular imaging may lead to inappropriate undertreatment if the second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors (darolutamide, enzalutamide, apalutamide), which prolong life, are not used in the subgroup of patients with high PSA velocity (PSA doubling time <10 months).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of PSMA-PET/CT in the staging strategy would result in a migration of disease stage to extra-pelvic, M1 disease in at least half of presumed nmCRPC patients. The unprecedented accuracy of PSMA-PET/CT may pave the way for a more personalized treatment strategy. However, no data yet support this strategy for all nmCRPC patients as no oncologic benefit of early detection of M1 disease or MDT has been demonstrated. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Gene-by-gene analysis in the MAGNITUDE study of niraparib (NIRA) with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations

5020

Background: NIRA + AAP significantly improved outcomes in pts with mCRPC and HRR gene alterations in the Phase 3 MAGNTUDE study. There is a paucity of data supporting use of PARP inhibitors in pts with HRR gene alterations other than BRCA1/2. We report on the efficacy of NIRA + AAP in pts with mCRPC and a qualifying single gene HRR alteration other than BRCA1/2. Methods: A pre-specified analysis was undertaken of the primary endpoint (radiographic progression-free survival [rPFS] by BICR), secondary endpoints (time to cytotoxic chemotherapy [TCC], time to symptomatic progression [TSP], overall survival [OS]), as well as time to PSA progression (TPSA) and overall response rate (ORR) across 186 pts (91 randomized to NIRA + AAP, 95 to PBO + AAP) with an alteration in the ATM, BRIP1, CDK12, CHEK2, FANCA, HDAC2, or PALB2 gene (excluding cooccurring alterations) . This analysis of individual alterations was not powered for formal statistical inference. Given the rarity of some alterations, groups based on functional similarity are also presented. Results: (Table). Pts with PALB2 or CHEK2 alterations had consistent improvement across all endpoints. In pts with ATM alterations benefit was observed in TCC, TSP, TPSA and ORR. There was benefit only in TPSA and ORR for pts with CDK12 alterations. When combined into functional groups, pts with an alteration in the HRR-Fanconi pathway ( BRIP1, FANCA, and PALB2) as well as pts with a HRR associated alteration ( CHEK2 or HDAC2) showed improvement in all endpoints. Conclusions: These data support the overall conclusions of the MAGNITUDE primary analysis and support benefit of NIRA + AAP in pts with HRR mutations beyond BRCA1/2. Clinical trial information: NCT03748641. [Table: see text]

Narrative review of PET/CT performances at biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy and impact on patient disease management: Revue narrative à propos des performances de la TEP/TDM en cas de récidive biochimique après prostatectomie radicale dans le cancer de la prostate et impact sur la prise en charge des patients

Patients treated by radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer (PCa) may experience biochemical recurrence (BCR) in approximately 30% of cases. Recently, advances in imaging modalities and in particular Positron-Emission Tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging allow for better detection and characterization of lesions outside the prostatic bed at recurrence. Thus, treatment at BCR can be significantly improved by a tailored strategy based on new generation imaging. A more precise and accurate staging of the disease at recurrence paves the way to more appropriate treatment, potentially translating into better survival outcomes of these patients. This review therefore highlights the interest of PET/CT at the time of BCR, its superiority over standard imaging in terms of staging, and its impact on guiding the different therapeutic possibilities depending on the site, number, and volumes of recurrence. Indeed, we will discuss below about different strategies and their indications: salvage radiotherapy of the prostate bed, systemic therapies, stereotactic body radiotherapy and others therapeutical strategies. The various innovative approaches based on PET/CT implementation are partly underway within protocol trials to prove their benefits on clinically meaningful endpoints. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Impact of acetaminophen on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with cancer

12000

Background: Pain is the most common symptom experienced by patients with advanced cancer. Acetaminophen (APAP, commonly known as paracetamol) alone or in combination with a weak opioid, such as codeine or tramadol, is usually considered as the first-line strategy to manage mild-to-moderate pain in this setting. Although generally considered to be safe, several evidences suggest that APAP may have negative immunomodulatory effects. Randomized studies have shown that APAP use is associated with blunted vaccine immune responses. Given its potential to impair vaccine effectiveness, the World Health Organization stated in 2015 that administration of APAP before or at the time of vaccination is not recommended. This study aimed to assess APAP impact on efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with cancer. Methods: Exposure to APAP was assessed by plasma analysis and was correlated with clinical outcome in three independent cohorts of patients with advanced cancer who were treated with immune checkpoint blockers (ICB): the CheckMate 025 trial, n = 297 (NCT01668784, sponsor: Bristol Myers Squibb), the institutional biomarker program BIP n = 34 (NCT02534649, sponsor: Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France) and the institutional biomarker program PREMIS n = 297 (NCT03984318, sponsor: Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France). APAP immunomodulatory effects were evaluated on a pre-clinical tumor model (MC38) and on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors. Results: Detectable plasma APAP levels at treatment onset was associated with a significantly worse clinical outcome in ICB-treated cancer patients (HR for progression-free survival : 1.43, 95% CI 1.07–1.91, p = 0.015; HR for overall survival: 1.78 95% CI 1.18–2.68, p = 0.006), independently of other prognostic factors (age, performance status, number of previous lines of treatment, tumor type, number of metastatic sites, presence of liver metastases, LDH levels). APAP significantly reduced ICB efficacy in the pre-clinical MC38 model, as well as the production of PD1 blockade-related interferon-γ secretion by human PBMCs. Moreover, reduction of ICB efficacy in vivo was associated with significantly increased tumor infiltration by regulatory T cells (Tregs). Administration of APAP over 24 h induced a significant expansion of peripheral Tregs in healthy individuals. In addition, interleukin-10, a crucial mediator of Treg-induced immune suppression, was significantly upregulated upon treatment with ICB in cancer patients taking APAP. Conclusions: This study provides strong pre-clinical and clinical evidence of the role of APAP as a potential suppressor of antitumor immunity. Hence, APAP should be used with caution in patients treated with ICB.

Impact of acetaminophen on the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen (APAP) use has been associated with blunted vaccine immune responses. This study aimed to assess APAP impact on immunotherapy efficacy in patients with cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Exposure to APAP was assessed by plasma analysis and was correlated with clinical outcome in three independent cohorts of patients with advanced cancer who were treated with immune checkpoint blockers (ICB). APAP immunomodulatory effects were evaluated on a pre-clinical tumor model and on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors.

RESULTS

Detectable plasma APAP levels at treatment onset was associated with a significantly worse clinical outcome in ICB-treated cancer patients, independently of other prognostic factors. APAP significantly reduced ICB efficacy in the pre-clinical MC38 model, as well as the production of PD1 blockade-related interferon-γ secretion by human PBMCs. Moreover, reduction of ICB efficacy in vivo was associated with significantly increased tumor infiltration by regulatory T cells (Tregs). Administration of APAP over 24 h induced a significant expansion of peripheral Tregs in healthy individuals. In addition, interleukin-10, a crucial mediator of Treg-induced immune suppression, was significantly upregulated upon treatment with ICB in cancer patients taking APAP.

CONCLUSION

This study provides strong pre-clinical and clinical evidence of the role of APAP as a potential suppressor of antitumor immunity. Hence, APAP should be used with caution in patients treated with ICB.

Diagnostic accuracy and clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET-CT)-positive mediastinal lymphadenopathies in patients with thoracic or extra-thoracic malignancies

BACKGROUND

The high sensitivity of PET-CT can identify hypermetabolic mediastinal adenopathies during cancer management, but specificity is low and a biopsy is sometimes required to eliminate benign adenopathies.

METHODS

This prospective diagnostic accuracy study included patients with hypermetabolic mediastinal lymphadenopathies revealed on PET-CT during either the initial management of a cancer, treatment evaluation, or monitoring. All patients underwent EUS-FNA. Diagnoses of malignancy based on cytological analysis following EUS-FNA were compared with clinical and radiological follow-up information. The treatment strategy decided before the results of the EUS-FNA pathology reports (Multidisciplinary Team Meeting [MTM-1]) was recorded and compared to the treatment strategy decided once pathological data from EUS-FNA were available (MTM-2).

MAIN FINDINGS

Between 2013 and 2018, 75 patients were included with 47 eligible and evaluable patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of EUS-FNA were 93%, 100%, 100% and 90%, respectively. The concordance value between the therapeutic strategies determined for MTM-1 and MTM-2 was 44.7%. There were no significant differences in the intensity of fixation on PET-CT between malignant and benign lesions.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic accuracy of the minimally invasive EUS-FNA procedure is sufficiently robust to avoid the need for diagnostic surgery. The combination of PET-CT and EUS-FNA may alter the therapeutic strategy that would be considered after PET-CT alone.

REGISTRATION

NCT01892501.

Abiraterone plus prednisone added to androgen deprivation therapy and docetaxel in de novo metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (PEACE-1): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 study with a 2 × 2 factorial design

BACKGROUND

Current standard of care for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer supplements androgen deprivation therapy with either docetaxel, second-generation hormonal therapy, or radiotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of abiraterone plus prednisone, with or without radiotherapy, in addition to standard of care.

METHODS

We conducted an open-label, randomised, phase 3 study with a 2 × 2 factorial design (PEACE-1) at 77 hospitals across Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Spain, and Switzerland. Eligible patients were male, aged 18 years or older, with histologically confirmed or cytologically confirmed de novo metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1 (or 2 due to bone pain). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to standard of care (androgen deprivation therapy alone or with intravenous docetaxel 75 mg/m² once every 3 weeks), standard of care plus radiotherapy, standard of care plus abiraterone (oral 1000 mg abiraterone once daily plus oral 5 mg prednisone twice daily), or standard of care plus radiotherapy plus abiraterone. Neither the investigators nor the patients were masked to treatment allocation. The coprimary endpoints were radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival. Abiraterone efficacy was first assessed in the overall population and then in the population who received androgen deprivation therapy with docetaxel as standard of care (population of interest). This study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01957436.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 27, 2013, and Dec 20, 2018, 1173 patients were enrolled (one patient subsequently withdrew consent for analysis of his data) and assigned to receive standard of care (n=296), standard of care plus radiotherapy (n=293), standard of care plus abiraterone (n=292), or standard of care plus radiotherapy plus abiraterone (n=291). Median follow-up was 3·5 years (IQR 2·8-4·6) for radiographic progression-free survival and 4·4 years (3·5-5·4) for overall survival. Adjusted Cox regression modelling revealed no interaction between abiraterone and radiotherapy, enabling the pooled analysis of abiraterone efficacy. In the overall population, patients assigned to receive abiraterone (n=583) had longer radiographic progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0·54, 99·9% CI 0·41-0·71; p<0·0001) and overall survival (0·82, 95·1% CI 0·69-0·98; p=0·030) than patients who did not receive abiraterone (n=589). In the androgen deprivation therapy with docetaxel population (n=355 in both with abiraterone and without abiraterone groups), the HRs were consistent (radiographic progression-free survival 0·50, 99·9% CI 0·34-0·71; p<0·0001; overall survival 0·75, 95·1% CI 0·59-0·95; p=0·017). In the androgen deprivation therapy with docetaxel population, grade 3 or worse adverse events occurred in 217 (63%) of 347 patients who received abiraterone and 181 (52%) of 350 who did not; hypertension had the largest difference in occurrence (76 [22%] patients and 45 [13%], respectively). Addition of abiraterone to androgen deprivation therapy plus docetaxel did not increase the rates of neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, fatigue, or neuropathy compared with androgen deprivation therapy plus docetaxel alone.

INTERPRETATION

Combining androgen deprivation therapy, docetaxel, and abiraterone in de novo metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer improved overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival with a modest increase in toxicity, mostly hypertension. This triplet therapy could become a standard of care for these patients.

FUNDING

Janssen-Cilag, Ipsen, Sanofi, and the French Government.

PARP Inhibitors as Monotherapy in Daily Practice for Advanced Prostate Cancers

Despite recent improvements in survival, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers (mCRPCs) remain lethal. Alterations in genes involved in the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway are associated with poor prognosis. Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPis) have demonstrated anti-tumoral effects by synthetic lethality in patients with mCRPCs harboring HRR gene alterations, in particular BRCA2. While both olaparib and rucaparib have obtained government approvals for use, the selection of eligible patients as well as the prescription of these treatments within the clinical urology community are challenging. This review proposes a brief review of the rationale and outcomes of PARPi treatment, then a pragmatic vision of PARPi use in terms of prescription and the selection of patients based on molecular screening, which can involve potential genetic counseling in the case of associated germinal alterations.

Pain and health-related quality of life with olaparib versus physician's choice of next-generation hormonal drug in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with homologous recombination repair gene alterations (PROfound): an open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

The PROfound study showed significantly improved radiographical progression-free survival and overall survival in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with alterations in homologous recombination repair genes and disease progression on a previous next-generation hormonal drug who received olaparib then those who received control. We aimed to assess pain and patient-centric health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures in patients in the trial.

METHODS

In this open-label, randomised, phase 3 study, patients (aged ≥18 years) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and gene alterations to one of 15 genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, or ATM [cohort A] and BRIP1, BARD1, CDK12, CHEK1, CHEK2, FANCL, PALB2, PPP2R2A, RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, and RAD54L [cohort B]) and disease progression after a previous next-generation hormonal drug were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive olaparib tablets (300 mg orally twice daily) or a control drug (enzalutamide tablets [160 mg orally once daily] or abiraterone tablets [1000 mg orally once daily] plus prednisone tablets [5 mg orally twice daily]), stratified by previous taxane use and measurable disease. The primary endpoint (radiographical progression-free survival in cohort A) has been previously reported. The prespecified secondary endpoints reported here are on pain, HRQOL, symptomatic skeletal-related events, and time to first opiate use for cancer-related pain in cohort A. Pain was assessed with the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, and HRQOL was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P). All endpoints were analysed in patients in cohort A by modified intention-to-treat. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02987543.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 6, 2017, and June 4, 2019, 245 patients were enrolled in cohort A and received study treatment (162 [66%] in the olaparib group and 83 [34%] in the control group). Median duration of follow-up at data cutoff in all patients was 6·2 months (IQR 2·2-10·4) for the olaparib group and 3·5 months (1·7-4·9) for the control group. In cohort A, median time to pain progression was significantly longer with olaparib than with control (median not reached [95% CI not reached-not reached] with olaparib vs 9·92 months [5·39-not reached] with control; HR 0·44 [95% CI 0·22-0·91]; p=0·019). Pain interference scores were also better in the olaparib group (difference in overall adjusted mean change from baseline score -0·85 [95% CI -1·31 to -0·39]; pnominal=0·0004). Median time to progression of pain severity was not reached in either group (95% CI not reached-not reached for both groups; HR 0·56 [95% CI 0·25-1·34]; pnominal=0·17). In patients who had not used opiates at baseline (113 in the olaparib group, 58 in the control group), median time to first opiate use for cancer-related pain was 18·0 months (95% CI 12·8-not reached) in the olaparib group versus 7·5 months (3·2-not reached) in the control group (HR 0·61; 95% CI 0·38-0·99; pnominal=0·044). The proportion of patients with clinically meaningful improvement in FACT-P total score during treatment was higher for the olaparib group than the control group: 15 (10%) of 152 evaluable patients had a response in the olaparib group compared with one (1%) of evaluable 77 patients in the control group (odds ratio 8·32 [95% CI 1·64-151·84]; pnominal=0·0065). Median time to first symptomatic skeletal-related event was not reached for either treatment group (olaparib group 95% CI not reached-not reached; control group 7·8-not reached; HR 0·37 [95% CI 0·20-0·70]; pnominal=0·0013).

INTERPRETATION

Olaparib was associated with reduced pain burden and better-preserved HRQOL compared with the two control drugs in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and homologous recombination repair gene alterations who had disease progression after a previous next-generation hormonal drug. Our findings support the clinical benefit of improved radiographical progression-free survival and overall survival identified in PROfound.

FUNDING

AstraZeneca and Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Bone mineral density in men with de novo metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer treated with or without abiraterone plus prednisone in the PEACE-1 phase 3 trial

19

Background: Addition of abiraterone plus prednisone (AAP) to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with or without docetaxel (D) improved overall survival in men with de novo metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer in PEACE-1 trial. An analysis of bone mineral density (BMD) was planned by an amendment in the last randomized patients to assess whether addition of AAP increases bone loss. Methods: Patients (pts) were randomized to receive either ADT + D + AAP or ADT + D (and also randomized for radiotherapy given to the prostate). BMD (g/cm2) of the lumbar spine (L), femoral neck (F) and total hip (H) were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry at baseline, M6, M12 and M24 in both arms. Mean percent change in BMD values from baseline to the different time points were calculated. T-Scores were also assessed. Results: Among the 210 pts with BMD data, 182 (87%) had available data at baseline, 109 (52%) at M6, 94 (45%) at M12, and 109 (52%) at M24: 97 pts were treated with AAP and 98 without. In both arms, the median age was 65 years and 69 pts (71%) were ECOG PS 0. Median body mass index (BMI) was 25.6 and 26.5 kg/m2 in pts treated with or without AAP, respectively. BMD, T score and mean percent change in BMD values are summarized in the Table. Conclusions: This is the first prospective assessment of BMD in a randomized trial, according to an experimental treatment with AAP. Despite a bone loss increase in both arms over time, addition of AAP to ADT+D was associated with no or modest difference in bone loss during the first 2 years, compared to ADT+D. Data including fractures will be presented. Main limitations include the difficulty to reliably assess BMD in men with bone metastases, the limited sample size and the short follow-up (i.e. 2 years). Clinical trial information: NCT01957436. [Table: see text]

Phase 3 MAGNITUDE study: First results of niraparib (NIRA) with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) as first-line therapy in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with and without homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations

12

Background: Approximately 20% of mCRPC has alterations in genes associated with HRR and is responsive to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) such as NIRA. Combined PARPi with androgen receptor pathway targeting may also benefit unselected mCRPC. MAGNITUDE assessed whether adding NIRA to AAP improves outcomes in pts with mCRPC with or without alterations in HRR associated genes. Methods: MAGNITUDE (NCT03748641) is a randomized, double-blind phase 3 study. In eligible mCRPC pts, ≤4 mos of prior AAP for mCRPC was allowed. Pts with (HRR biomarker [BM]+; ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDK12, CHEK2, FANCA, HDAC2, PALB2) and without specified gene alterations (HRR BM-) were randomized 1:1 to receive NIRA 200 mg once daily + AAP or placebo (PBO) + AAP. Primary endpoint was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) in the BRCA1/2 group followed by all HRR BM+ pts. Secondary endpoints were time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy (TTCC), time to symptomatic progression (TTSP) and overall survival (OS). Other endpoints included time to PSA progression (TTPP) and objective response rate (ORR). Results: 423 HRR BM+ pts were randomized to NIRA + AAP (n = 212) or PBO + AAP (n = 211). Median age was 69, 23% had prior AAP, 21% had visceral metastases, and 53% had BRCA1/2 mutations. Median follow-up was 18.6 mos. NIRA + AAP significantly improved rPFS by BICR in the BRCA1/2 subgroup and in all HRR BM+ pts, reducing the risk of progression or death by 47% (16.6 vs 10.9 mo) and 27% (16.5 vs 13.7 mo) respectively (Table), vs PBO + AAP. Investigator assessed rPFS was consistent with BICR. NIRA + AAP delayed TTCC, TTSP, and TTPP and improved ORR in HRR BM+ pts (Table). First interim analysis of OS is immature. The preplanned futility analysis in 233 HRR BM- pts showed no benefit of adding NIRA to AAP in the prespecified composite endpoint (first of PSA progression or rPFS; HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.75-1.57). No new safety signals were seen. In HRR BM+ pts, 67% and 46.4% had grade 3/4 AEs and 9% and 3.8% discontinued treatment in the NIRA + AAP and PBO + AAP arms, respectively. There were no clinically significant differences in overall quality of life (FACT-P). Conclusions: NIRA + AAP improves rPFS and other clinically relevant outcomes in pts with mCRPC and alterations in HRR associated genes. There was no evidence of benefit with the addition of NIRA to AAP in HRR BM- pts with mCRPC. Clinical trial information: NCT03748641. [Table: see text]

CIMUC: Chemotherapy following Immune checkpoints inhibitors in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC)

492

Background: Immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs) have recently changed therapeutic landscape of la/mUC. Recent studies suggested an improvement of response to salvage chemotherapy (CT) after ICIs in several cancer types including urothelial carcinoma. We assumed that efficacy of CT rechallenge after ICIs may be improved compared to second-line CT without previous ICIs in patients (pts) with la/mUC. Methods: CIMUC is a French multicentric retrospective study including all pts with la/mUC initiating second or third-line CT from January 1st 2015 to June 30th 2020. Two groups of pts were defined: pts in group 1 (G1) were treated with a second-line CT without previous ICIs; pts in group 2 (G2) were treated with third line CT after ICIs. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR: proportion of patients with complete or partial response, according to RECIST 1.1 criteria) in G2 versus G1. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), defined as time from initiation of second or third-line CT to disease progression or death from any cause, and toxicities. This study is supported by the French Genito Urinary Group (GETUG). Results: 553 pts were included. Baseline characteristics of the 2 groups are summarized in the Table. ORRs were 31% (95%CI [26.5-35.5]) and 29.2% (95%CI [21.9-36.6]) respectively in G1 and G2, without statistically significant difference (p=0.617), even after adjustment for Bellmunt risk factors (p=0.3214). In subgroups analysis, no difference in ORR was observed by type of CT (platinum or taxanes), duration of response (DOR) to first-platinum-based CT (< 12 months or ≥ 12 months) and FGFR-status. We did not identify any predictive factor of OR in G2 in multivariate analysis. Median PFS were 4.6 months (95%CI [3.88; 5.06]) and 4.86 months (95%CI [4.11; 5.45]), respectively in G1 and G2. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity occurred in 35% and 22.4%, respectively in G1 and G2. Conclusions: While ORR was not superior in G2 versus G1, pts derive comparable benefit in a further line of treatment (G2) in terms of ORR and PFS. Despite limits inherent to any retrospective study, CIMUC represents one of the largest retrospective studies in this setting.[Table: see text]

Tumor Genomic Testing for >4000 Men with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer in the Phase III Trial PROfound (Olaparib)

PURPOSE

Successful implementation of genomic testing in clinical practice is critical for identification of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) eligible for olaparib and future molecularly targeted therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An investigational clinical trial assay, based on the FoundationOne^®CDx tissue test, was used to prospectively identify patients with qualifying homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations in the phase III PROfound study. Evaluation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tissue test outcome against pre-analytical parameters was performed to identify key factors influencing NGS result generation.

RESULTS

4858 tissue samples from 4047 patients were tested and reported centrally. NGS results were obtained in 58% (2792/4858) of samples, equating to 69% of patients. Of samples submitted, 83% were primary tumor samples (96% were archival and 4% newly obtained). Almost 17% were metastatic tumor samples (60% were archival and 33% newly obtained). NGS results were generated more frequently from newly obtained compared with archival samples (63.9% v. 56.9%), and metastatic compared with primary samples (63.9% v. 56.2%). Although generation of an NGS result declined with increasing sample age, approximately 50% of samples aged >10 years generated results. While higher tumor content and DNA yield resulted in greater success in obtaining NGS results, other factors, including selection and preservation of samples, may also have had an impact.

CONCLUSIONS

The PROfound study demonstrates that tissue testing to identify HRR alterations is feasible and that high-quality tumor tissue samples are key to obtaining NGS results and identifying patients with mCRPC who may benefit from olaparib treatment.

Primary results of STRONG: An open-label, multicenter, phase 3b study of fixed-dose durvalumab monotherapy in previously treated patients with urinary tract carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Prior durvalumab (anti-PD-L1 agent) studies in platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma evaluated a dose of 10 mg/kg administered every two weeks. The nonrandomised phase 3b STRONG study (NCT03084471) evaluated the safety and efficacy of fixed-dose durvalumab at a more convenient dosing schedule in a previously treated patient population, more similar to a real-world clinical setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

867 patients with urothelial or nonurothelial urinary tract carcinoma (UTC) who progressed on or after platinum or nonplatinum chemotherapy were treated with durvalumab 1500 mg every four weeks; 87% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-1, and 13% had an ECOG PS of 2. The primary end-point was the incidence of adverse events of special interest (AESIs), including immune-mediated AEs (imAEs). Secondary and exploratory end-points included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (at six and 12 months) (DCR).

RESULTS

AESIs of any grade were reported in 51% of patients (8% grade ≥ 3). The incidence of imAEs was 11% (2% grade ≥ 3). The median OS was 7.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.4-8.2) and ORR was 18% (95% CI: 14.8-20.6), with complete responses in 5% of patients and a DCR at six months of 19% (95% CI: 16.1-22.1).

CONCLUSION

Fixed-dose durvalumab monotherapy every four weeks has an acceptable safety profile and yields durable clinical activity in previously chemotherapy-treated patients with UTC. Safety and efficacy are consistent with previous durvalumab studies and other anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents in this setting. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03084471https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03084471.

Same-day-discharge Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: An Annual Countrywide Analysis

There are no countrywide data regarding the utilization of same-day-discharge (SDD) surgery for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We aimed to evaluate the annual number of SDD RARP procedures in France and to compare postoperative outcomes in SDD versus non-SDD centers. Data for all 9651 patients undergoing RARP in France in 2020 were extracted from the central database of the national healthcare system. Endpoints were length of hospital stay, patient age, center volume, lymph node dissection, and the hospital readmission rate. Overall, 184 SDD cases (1.9%) were reported in 14.2% of RARP centers. The annual RARP and SDD RARP caseload ranged from 41 to 485, and from one to 47, respectively, in SDD centers. SDD was significantly associated with higher-volume centers (p < 0.001). No difference in readmission rate (7.9% vs 5.1%; p = 0.141) was observed for SDD versus non-SDD centers. Direct stay costs were estimated at €1457 in SDD centers compared to €2021 in non-SDD centers. The main limitation is the lack of detailed patient characteristics and readmission causes. This annual nationwide analysis suggests that SDD RARP remains infrequently used in routine practice in France despite being associated with comparable short-term outcomes after RARP and potential cost benefits.

Patient summary

We evaluated the use of robot-assisted removal of the prostate (RARP) with same-day hospital discharge in France for men with prostate cancer. In 2020, only 1.9% of the 9651 RARP procedures involved same-day discharge, even though the data show that this approach has lower costs and comparable safety.

Overview of the Development and Use of Akt Inhibitors in Prostate Cancer

Deregulation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway plays a critical role in the development and progression of many cancers. In prostate cancer, evidence suggests that it is mainly driven by PTEN loss of function. For many years, the development of selective Akt inhibitors has been challenging. In recent phase II and III clinical trials, Ipatasertib and Capivasertib associated with androgen deprivation therapies showed promising outcomes in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and PTEN-loss. Ongoing trials are currently assessing several Akt inhibitors in prostate cancer with different combinations, at different stages of the disease.