Postradical prostatectomy prostate-specific antigen outcomes after 6 versus 18 months of perioperative androgen-deprivation therapy in men with localized, unfavorable intermediate-risk or high-risk prostate cancer: Results of part 2 of a randomized phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with localized, unfavorable intermediate-risk and high-risk prostate cancer have an increased risk of relapse after radical prostatectomy (RP). The authors previously reported on part 1 of this phase 2 trial testing neoadjuvant apalutamide, abiraterone, prednisone, plus leuprolide (AAPL) or abiraterone, prednisone, and leuprolide (APL) for 6 months followed by RP. The results demonstrated favorable pathologic responses (tumor <5 mm) in 20.3% of patients (n = 24 of 118). Herein, the authors report the results of part 2.

METHODS

For part 2, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either AAPL for 12 months (arm 2A) or observation (arm 2B), stratified by neoadjuvant therapy and pathologic tumor classification. The primary end point was 3-year biochemical progression-free survival. Secondary end points included safety and testosterone recovery (>200 ng/dL).

RESULTS

Overall, 82 of 118 patients (69%) enrolled in part 1 were randomized to part 2. A higher proportion of patients who were not randomized to adjuvant therapy had a favorable prostatectomy pathologic response (32.3% in nonrandomized patients compared with 17.1% in randomized patients). In the intent-to-treat analysis, the 3-year biochemical progression-free survival rate was 81% for arm 2A and 72% for arm 2B (hazard ratio, 0.81; 90% confidence interval, 0.43-1.49). Of the randomized patients, 81% had testosterone recovery in the AAPL group compared with 95% in the observation group, with a median time to recovery of <12 months in both arms.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, because 30% of patients declined adjuvant treatment, part B was underpowered to detect differences between arms. Future perioperative studies should be biomarker-directed and include strategies for investigator and patient engagement to ensure compliance with protocol procedures.

Impact of Family History and Germline Genetic Risk Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Long-Term Outcomes of Favorable-Risk Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

Family history and germline genetic risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been separately shown to stratify lifetime risk of prostate cancer. Here, we evaluate the combined prognostic value of family history of prostate and other related cancers and germline risk SNPs among patients with favorable-risk prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1367 participants from the prospective Health Professionals Follow-up Study diagnosed with low- or favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer from 1986 to 2017 underwent genome-wide SNP genotyping. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate the association between family history, specific germline risk variants, and a 269 SNP polygenic risk score with prostate cancer‒specific death.

RESULTS

Family history of prostate, breast, and/or pancreatic cancer was observed in 489 (36%) participants. With median follow-up from diagnosis of 14.9 years, participants with favorable-risk prostate cancer with a positive family history had a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer‒specific death (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.15-3.32, P = .014) compared to those without any family history. The rs2735839 (19q13) risk allele was associated with prostate cancer‒specific death (HR 1.81 per risk allele, 95% CI 1.04-3.17, P = .037), whereas the polygenic risk score was not. Combined family history and rs2735839 risk allele were each associated with an additive risk of prostate cancer‒specific death (HR 1.78 per risk factor, 95% CI 1.25-2.53, P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Family history of prostate, breast, or pancreatic cancer and/or a 19q13 germline risk allele are associated with an elevated risk of prostate cancer‒specific death among favorable-risk patients. These findings have implications for how family history and germline genetic risk SNPs should be factored into clinical decision-making around favorable-risk prostate cancer.

A Provider-Facing Decision Support Tool for Prostate Cancer Screening in Primary Care: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

 Our objective was to pilot test an electronic health record-embedded decision support tool to facilitate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening discussions in the primary care setting.

METHODS

 We pilot-tested a novel decision support tool that was used by 10 primary care physicians (PCPs) for 6 months, followed by a survey. The tool comprised (1) a risk-stratified algorithm, (2) a tool for facilitating shared decision-making (Simple Schema), (3) three best practice advisories (BPAs: <45, 45-75, and >75 years), and (4) a health maintenance module for scheduling automated reminders about PSA rescreening.

RESULTS

 All PCPs found the tool feasible, acceptable, and clear to use. Eight out of ten PCPs reported that the tool made PSA screening conversations somewhat or much easier. Before using the tool, 70% of PCPs felt confident in their ability to discuss PSA screening with their patient, and this improved to 100% after the tool was used by PCPs for 6 months. PCPs found the BPAs for eligible (45-75 years) and older men (>75 years) more useful than the BPA for younger men (<45 years). Among the 10 PCPs, 60% found the Simple Schema to be very useful, and 50% found the health maintenance module to be extremely or very useful. Most PCPs reported the components of the tool to be at least somewhat useful, with 10% finding them to be very burdensome.

CONCLUSION

 We demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the tool, which is notable given the marked low acceptance of existing tools. All PCPs reported that they would consider continuing to use the tool in their clinic and were likely or very likely to recommend the tool to a colleague.

Implications of Delayed Testosterone Recovery in Patients with Prostate Cancer

To assess the clinical impact of delayed testosterone recovery (TR) following the discontinuation of medical androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a retrospective, longitudinal analysis was conducted in adult males with prostate cancer using the Optum® de-identified Electronic Health Record data set and Optum® Enriched Oncology Data (2010-2021). Of 3875 patients who initiated and discontinued ADT, 1553 received one or more testosterone-level tests within the 12 mo following discontinuation and were included in this study. These 1553 patients were categorized into two cohorts: 25% as TR (testosterone levels >280 ng/dl at any test within 12 mo following ADT discontinuation) and 75% as non-TR. At baseline, non-TR patients were older, had lower testosterone levels, and were more likely to have diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, but less likely to have sexual dysfunction. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, the TR cohort had a lower risk of new-onset diabetes (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-0.79), trended toward a lower risk of new-onset depression (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.33-1.02), and had a higher likelihood of seeking treatment for sexual dysfunction (HR 1.33; 95% CI 0.99-1.78) versus the non-TR cohort. These findings support monitoring testosterone levels after ADT discontinuation to manage potential long-term comorbidities in patients with prostate cancer.

Patient summary

This real-world analysis of males with prostate cancer who were treated with medical androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) found that most patients did not have their testosterone level checked in the 12 mo after stopping ADT. Of those who did, 75% did not achieve normal testosterone levels (>280 ng/dl), and these patients were more likely to experience new-onset diabetes than those who achieved normal testosterone levels. These results suggest that to ensure effective clinical decision-making, physicians should check patients' testosterone levels after stopping ADT.

Prostate cancer screening in African American men: a review of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in African American men, yet prostate cancer screening regimens in this group are poorly guided by existing evidence, given underrepresentation of African American men in prostate cancer screening trials. It is critical to optimize prostate cancer screening and early detection in this high-risk group because underdiagnosis may lead to later-stage cancers at diagnosis and higher mortality while overdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment.

METHODS

We performed a review of the literature related to prostate cancer screening and early detection specific to African American men to summarize the existing evidence available to guide health-care practice.

RESULTS

Limited evidence from observational and modeling studies suggests that African American men should be screened for prostate cancer. Consideration should be given to initiating screening of African American men at younger ages (eg, 45-50 years) and at more frequent intervals relative to other racial groups in the United States. Screening intervals can be optimized by using a baseline prostate-specific antigen measurement in midlife. Finally, no evidence has indicated that African American men would benefit from screening beyond 75 years of age; in fact, this group may experience higher rates of overdiagnosis at older ages.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence base for prostate cancer screening in African American men is limited by the lack of large, randomized studies. Our literature search supported the need for African American men to be screened for prostate cancer, for initiating screening at younger ages (45-50 years), and perhaps screening at more frequent intervals relative to men of other racial groups in the United States.

Prostate Safety Events During Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on the risk of prostate cancer and other adverse prostate events is unknown.

Objective

To compare the effect of TRT vs placebo on the incidences of high-grade prostate cancers (Gleason score ≥4 + 3), any prostate cancer, acute urinary retention, invasive prostate procedures, and pharmacologic treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms in men with hypogonadism.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized clinical trial enrolled 5246 men (aged 45-80 years) from 316 US trial sites who had 2 testosterone concentrations less than 300 ng/dL, hypogonadal symptoms, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or increased CVD risk. Men with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations greater than 3.0 ng/mL and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) greater than 19 were excluded. Enrollment took place between May 23, 2018, and February 1, 2022, and end-of-study visits were conducted between May 31, 2022, and January 19, 2023.

Intervention

Participants were randomized, with stratification for prior CVD, to topical 1.62% testosterone gel or placebo.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary prostate safety end point was the incidence of adjudicated high-grade prostate cancer. Secondary end points included incidence of any adjudicated prostate cancer, acute urinary retention, invasive prostate surgical procedure, prostate biopsy, and new pharmacologic treatment. Intervention effect was analyzed using a discrete-time proportional hazards model.

Results

A total of 5204 men (mean [SD] age, 63.3 [7.9] years) were analyzed. At baseline, the mean (SD) PSA concentration was 0.92 (0.67) ng/mL, and the mean (SD) IPSS was 7.1 (5.6). The mean (SD) treatment duration as 21.8 (14.2) months in the TRT group and 21.6 (14.0) months in the placebo group. During 14 304 person-years of follow-up, the incidence of high-grade prostate cancer (5 of 2596 [0.19%] in the TRT group vs 3 of 2602 [0.12%] in the placebo group; hazard ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.39-6.77; P = .51) did not differ significantly between groups; the incidences of any prostate cancer, acute urinary retention, invasive surgical procedures, prostate biopsy, and new pharmacologic treatment also did not differ significantly. Change in IPSS did not differ between groups. The PSA concentrations increased more in testosterone-treated than placebo-treated men.

Conclusions and Relevance

In a population of middle-aged and older men with hypogonadism, carefully evaluated to exclude those at high risk of prostate cancer, the incidences of high-grade or any prostate cancer and other prostate events were low and did not differ significantly between testosterone- and placebo-treated men. The study's findings may facilitate a more informed appraisal of the potential risks of TRT.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03518034.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ambulatory urologic oncology surgeries

INTRODUCTION

Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) and transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) are two common surgeries for prostate and bladder cancer. We aim to assess the trends in the site of care for RALP and TURBT before and after the COVID outbreak.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified adults who underwent RALP and TURBT within the California Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database and the State Ambulatory Surgery Database between 2018 and 2020. Multivariable analysis and spline analysis with a knot at COVID outbreak were performed to investigate the time trend and factors associated with ambulatory RALP and TURBT.

RESULTS

Among 17,386 RALPs, 6,774 (39.0%) were ambulatory. Among 25,070 TURBTs, 21,573 (86.0%) were ambulatory. Pre-COVID, 33.5% of RALP and 85.3% and TURBT were ambulatory, which increased to 53.8% and 88.0% post-COVID (both p < 0.001). In multivariable model, RALP and TURBT performed after outbreak in March 2020 were more likely ambulatory (OR 2.31, p < 0.0001; OR 1.25, p < 0.0001). There was an overall increasing trend in use of ambulatory RALP both pre- and post-COVID, with no significant change of trend at the time of outbreak (p = 0.642). TURBT exhibited an increased shift towards ambulatory sites post-COVID (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a shift towards ambulatory RALP and TURBT following COVID outbreak. There was a large increase in ambulatory RALP post-COVID, but the trend of change was not significantly different pre- and post-COVID - possibly due to a pre-existing trend towards ambulatory RALP which predated the pandemic.

Advancing Patient-Centered Outcomes and Equity in Clinical Trials for BCG-Unresponsive Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

This Viewpoint encourages investigators to move beyond FDA guidance toward patient-centered therapies and health equity for BCG-unresponsive bladder cancer.

Sequential intravesical gemcitabine/docetaxel provides a durable remission in recurrent high-risk NMIBC following BCG therapy

PURPOSE

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the standard of care for high-risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but half of patients develop disease recurrence. Intravesical regimens for BCG unresponsive NMIBC are limited. We report the safety, efficacy, and differential response of sequential gemcitabine/docetaxel (gem/doce) depending on BCG failure classification.

METHODS

Multi-institutional retrospective analysis of patients treated with induction intravesical gem/doce (≥5/6 instillations) for recurrent high-risk NMIBC after BCG therapy from May 2018 to December 2021. Maintenance therapy was provided to those without high-grade (HG) recurrence on surveillance cystoscopy. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analyses were utilized to assess survival and risk factors for disease recurrence.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 102 patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. Median age was 72 years and median follow-up was 18 months. Six-, 12-, and 24-month high-grade recurrence-free survival was 78%, 65%, and 49%, respectively. Twenty patients underwent radical cystectomy (median 15.5 months from induction). Six patients progressed to muscle invasive disease. Fifty-seven percent of patients experienced mild/moderate adverse effects (AE), but only 6.9% experienced a delay in treatment schedule. Most common AE were urinary frequency/urgency (41%) and dysuria (21%). Patients with BCG refractory disease were more likely to develop HG recurrence when compared to patients with BCG relapsing disease (HR 2.14; 95% CI 1.02-4.49).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with recurrence after BCG therapy, sequential intravesical gem/doce is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to early cystectomy. Patients with BCG relapsing disease are more likely to respond to additional intravesical gem/doce. Further investigation with a prospective trial is imperative.

Evidence-Based Analysis of the Critical Steps of Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer

Radical cystectomy (RC) is an integral part of the management of patients with advanced-stage bladder cancer. This major oncologic operation is prone to complications resulting in morbidity and mortality. We analyzed the critical steps of open RC, performed an evidence-based review of these steps, and discussed our experience and approach. We conducted a literature review of the open RC technique, identified the critical steps that consistently appeared across different sources, and organized these steps into a framework. PubMed was queried with the critical steps as keywords for relevant articles published from 1 January 2013 to 1 August 2023. We utilized this query to conduct a systematic review of the literature using the outcomes of overall survival and 90-day complication rate. We developed the "Summary for the 10 Critical Operative Steps of Radical Cystectomy", a concise guide to the approach to open RC. When available, an evidence-based analysis of each critical step was performed. We also included additional components of cystectomy optimization such as pre-habilitation in the preoperative phase, standard versus extended lymphadenectomy, the vaginal-sparing approach to female radical cystectomy, patient-reported outcomes following urinary diversion, the use of a mesh for stoma formation, and the use of the ERAS protocol for postoperative care. An evidence-based assessment of RC may help provide valuable information to optimize surgical techniques and patient outcomes.

Free PSA and Clinically Significant and Fatal Prostate Cancer in the PLCO Screening Trial

PURPOSE

We studied whether adding percent free PSA to total PSA improves prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer and fatal prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 6,727 men within the intervention arm of PLCO (Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial) had baseline percent free PSA. Of this cohort, 475 had clinically significant prostate cancer and 98 had fatal prostate cancer. Cumulative incidence and Cox analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between percent free PSA/PSA and clinically significant prostate cancer/fatal prostate cancer. Harrell's C index evaluated predictive ability. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed survival.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 19.7 years, median baseline PSA was 1.19 ng/mL, median percent free PSA was 18%. Cumulative incidence of fatal prostate cancer for men with baseline PSA ≥2 ng/mL and percent free PSA ≤10 was 3.2% and 6.1% at 15 and 25 years, respectively, compared to 0.03% and 1.1% for men with percent free PSA >25%. In younger men (55-64 years) with baseline PSA 2-10 ng/mL, C index improved from 0.56 to 0.60 for clinically significant prostate cancer and from 0.53 to 0.64 for fatal prostate cancer with addition of percent free PSA. In older men (65-74 years), C index improved for clinically significant prostate cancer from 0.60 to 0.66, with no improvement in fatal prostate cancer. Adjusting for age, digital rectal exam, family history of prostate cancer, and total PSA, percent free PSA was associated with clinically significant prostate cancer (HR 1.05, P < .001) per 1% decrease. Percent free PSA improved prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer and fatal prostate cancer for all race groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large U.S. screening trial, the addition of percent free PSA to total PSA in men with baseline PSA ≥2 ng/mL improved prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer and fatal prostate cancer. Free PSA should be used to risk-stratify screening and decrease unnecessary prostate biopsies.

Diagnostic Performance and Safety of Positron Emission Tomography with 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Unfavourable Intermediate- to Very-high-risk Prostate Cancer: Results from a Phase 3, Prospective, Multicentre Study (LIGHTHOUSE)

BACKGROUND

Radiohybrid (rh) 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 is a novel high-affinity prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting radiopharmaceutical for prostate cancer (PCa) imaging.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance and safety of 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 in newly diagnosed PCa patients planned for prostatectomy.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Data on 18F-rhPSMA-7.3 were reported from the phase 3 prospective, multicentre LIGHTHOUSE study (NCT04186819).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Patients underwent positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) 50-70 min after an injection of 296 MBq 18F-rhPSMA-7.3. Images were interpreted locally and by three blinded independent readers. The coprimary endpoints were patient-level sensitivity and specificity for the detection of pelvic lymph node (PLN) metastases, validated using histopathology at PLN dissection. Prespecified statistical thresholds (lower bounds of 95% confidence interval [CI]) were set at 22.5% for sensitivity and 82.5% for specificity.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Of 372 patients screened, 352 had evaluable 18F-rhPSMA-7.3-PET/CT and 296 (99 [33%] with unfavourable intermediate-risk [UIR] and 197 [67%] with high-/very-high-risk [VHR] PCa) subsequently underwent surgery. As per the independent reads, 23-37 (7.8-13%) patients had 18F-rhPSMA-7.3-positive PLN. Seventy (24%) patients had one or more positive PLNs on histopathology. The sensitivity for PLN detection was 30% (95% CI, 19.6-42.1%) for reader 1, 27% (95% CI, 17.2-39.1%) for reader 2, and 23% (95% CI, 13.7-34.4%) for reader 3, not meeting the prespecified threshold. Specificity was 93% (95% CI, 88.8-95.9%), 94% (95% CI, 89.8-96.6%), and 97% (95% CI, 93.7-98.7%), respectively, exceeding the threshold for all readers. Specificity was high (≥92%) across both risk stratifications. Sensitivity was higher among high-risk/VHR (24-33%) than among UIR (16-21%) patients. Extrapelvic (M1) lesions were reported for 56-98/352 (16-28%) patients who underwent 18F-rhPSMA-7.3-PET/CT irrespective of surgery. Verification of these (predominantly by conventional imaging) gave a verified detection rate of 9.9-14% (positive predictive value, 51-63%). No serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Across all risk stratifications, 18F-rhPSMA-7.3-PET/CT had high specificity, meeting the specificity endpoint. The sensitivity endpoint was not met, although higher sensitivity was noted among high-risk/VHR than among UIR patients. Overall, 18F-rhPSMA-7.3-PET/CT was well tolerated, and identified N1 and M1 disease prior to surgery in newly diagnosed PCa patients.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In order to select the most appropriate treatment for patients with prostate cancer, it is critical to diagnose the disease burden accurately at initial diagnosis. In this study, we investigated a new diagnostic imaging agent in a large population of men with primary prostate cancer. We found it to have an excellent safety profile and to provide clinically useful information regarding the presence of disease beyond the prostate.

Evaluation of statin use and renal cell carcinoma risk identifies sex-specific associations with RCC subtypes

Background: The association between statin use and risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been debated. We aimed to evaluate whether statin use is associated with RCC risk.Material and methods: We studied 100,195 women in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) from 1994 to 2016; 91,427 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (NHS II) from 1999 to 2015; and 45,433 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) from 1990 to 2016. Statins and covariate data were collected at baseline and then biennially. Outcome was measured as incidence of total RCC and clinically relevant disease subgroups. Cox proportional hazards models estimated covariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: During follow-up, 661 participants developed RCC. There was no significant association between the use of statins and the risk of overall RCC, fatal RCC, or advanced or localized disease. Across cohorts, the adjusted HR for ever vs. never users was 0.97 (95% CI 0.81-1.16). Female ever users of statins were at increased risk of high-grade disease in the NHS only (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07-2.85). Among men only, ≥4 years of statin use was associated with an increased risk of clear cell RCC (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.47).Conclusions: Statin use was not associated with the overall risk of RCC. However, it was associated with an increased risk of high-grade disease among women in the NHS cohort and an increased risk of clear cell RCC among men. The reasons for these inconsistent results by sex are unclear.

Institutional trends and safety profile of same-day discharge for robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: A retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

To report the trends, predictors, and patient outcomes of same-day discharge (SDD) versus non-SDD for robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried our centralized data warehouse to identify men with prostate cancer who underwent RALP between January 2020 and May 2022. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between SDD and non-SDD. Then, we examined the utilization of SDD in a univariable logistic regression. Then, we fitted a logistic regression model to identify the predictors of SDD. To examine the safety profile of SDD, an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjusted logistic regression was fitted to examine the effect of SDD on 30-day postoperative complications and readmissions.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,153 patients underwent RALP, of which 224 (19.4%) were SDD. The proportion of SDD increased from 4.4% in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 45% in the second quarter of 2022 (p < 0.01). The predictors of SDD were the facility where the surgery was performed (OR: 1.57; 95%CI [1.08-2.28]; p = 0.02) and whether a high-volume surgeon performed it (OR: 1.96; 95%CI [1.09-3.54]; p = 0.03). After IPTW, SDD compared to non-SDD was not associated with a difference in complications (OR: 1.07; 95%CI [0.38-2.95]; p = 0.90) or readmissions (OR: 1.22; 95%CI [0.40-3.74]; p = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

In our health system, the use of SDD is safe and currently composes of half of our RALP volume. With the advent of the hospital-at-home services, we anticipate that almost all our RALP cases will be SDD.

Association of intermittent vs continuous androgen deprivation therapy with cardiovascular disease and endocrine/metabolic disorders in patients with metastatic prostate cancer

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Background: There is mixed evidence on the risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and endocrine/metabolic disorders associated with long-term intermittent and continuous androgen deprivation therapy (iADT and cADT, respectively) for metastatic prostate cancer (mPC). This study examined these risks in patients (pts) with mPC receiving iADT vs cADT in the US. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of SEER-Medicare pts with mPC initiating ADT (2010–2017), with ≥36 months of continuous insurance coverage, unless death occurred, who did not receive chemotherapy or a second-generation anti-androgen during follow-up. iADT and cADT cohorts were defined by treatment patterns and gaps in therapy. Comorbidities and clinical events were identified using ICD-9/10-CM codes. Outcomes examined were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE [myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, cardiomyopathy/heart failure (HF), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischemic heart disease (IHD), or all-cause mortality]) and endocrine/metabolic events (diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, bone fractures, or osteoporosis). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust for differences between cohorts; weighted Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of the outcomes. Subgroup analyses examined pts by CVD history; a sensitivity analysis was performed restricting the definition of MACE to include CVD-related mortality as a component, i.e., MACESA (MI, stroke, cardiomyopathy/HF, PE, IHD, or CVD-related mortality). Results: 2234 pts with mPC were included; 478 (21%) received iADT and 1756 (79%) cADT. Median follow-up time was 27 and 13 months, and time on ADT (excluding gaps for iADT pts) was 24 and 19 months for the iADT and cADT cohorts, respectively. Deaths occurred in 39% of iADT pts vs 55% of cADT pts; PC was the most common cause of death in both cohorts. In adjusted analyses, pts receiving cADT had a higher risk of MACE vs iADT. No differences in risk of endocrine/metabolic events were observed. Subgroup analysis showed that baseline history of CVD did not alter the results for MACE. Sensitivity analysis results showed no difference in risk of MACESA between pts receiving cADT vs iADT. Conclusions: Pts with mPC receiving cADT had a higher risk of MACE (including all-cause mortality), and no difference in risk of endocrine/metabolic events, compared with those receiving iADT. When MACE was restricted to include CVD-related mortality, there was no difference in risk between cohorts. [Table: see text]

Darolutamide plus androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) versus ADT in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: Open-label single-arm study with an external control arm (ARASEC)

TPS297

Background: Darolutamide (DARO) is a structurally distinct and highly potent androgen receptor inhibitor. In the phase 3 ARAMIS study (NCT02200614) in nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), DARO + ADT significantly improved metastasis-free survival and overall survival (OS) vs placebo + ADT, with a favorable tolerability and safety profile. In the phase 3 ARASENS study (NCT02799602) in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), DARO + ADT + docetaxel significantly reduced the risk of death by 32.5% vs ADT + docetaxel (hazard ratio 0.68; 95% confidence interval 0.57–0.80; P<0.0001), with no additional adverse events. DARO + ADT vs ADT alone in patients (pts) with mHSPC is being evaluated in the ongoing, global (ex-US), phase 3 ARANOTE study (NCT04736199). The phase 2 ARASEC study (NCT05059236) will complement ARANOTE by evaluating DARO + ADT in US pts with mHSPC. Given that ADT alone is no longer an acceptable comparator in the US, an external control arm will be derived from a historical study. Methods: To participate in ARASEC, pts must have confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate, metastatic disease on conventional imaging for which they have not received prior systemic therapy, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0–2. Pts will receive DARO 600 mg twice daily + ADT (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist/antagonist or orchiectomy). ADT can be started ≤4 months before DARO, and there must be no evidence of progression on ADT before DARO initiation. The external control arm will be derived from 394 pts with mHSPC treated with ADT alone in CHAARTED (NCT00309985). Pts in the active and control arms will be matched 1:1 on baseline characteristics such as age, ECOG PS, CHAARTED-defined extent of disease, prior therapy, and Gleason score. The propensity score (ie, the assessed probability that a pt is allocated to the DARO + ADT arm based on baseline profile) will be used to address bias in estimating differential effects, by matching pts with scores within a narrow window across the cohorts. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS), defined as the time from enrollment to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, radiologic or symptomatic progression, clinical deterioration, or death, whichever occurs first, as defined in CHAARTED. Secondary endpoints are OS, radiographic PFS, time to CRPC, 6-month PSA response (<0.2 ng/mL), and safety. The study will continue until either the event count threshold triggering the primary endpoint analysis (161 PFS events) has been met or all pts have been followed for ≥2 years after enrollment, whichever occurs later. ARASEC is enrolling, with the first pt enrolled in November 2021. As of September 10, 2022, 59 pts have been enrolled. The target total enrollment is 200 pts at 30 sites. Clinical trial information: NCT05059236 .

Association of intermittent or continuous androgen deprivation therapy with cardiovascular disease and endocrine/metabolic disorders in patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer

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Background: Evidence on risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and endocrine/metabolic disorders associated with long-term intermittent and continuous androgen deprivation therapy (iADT and cADT, respectively) in patients (pts) with nonmetastatic prostate cancer (nmPC) is mixed. This real-world study examined these risks in pts with nmPC receiving iADT or cADT in the US. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of SEER-Medicare pts with nmPC initiating ADT (2010–2017), with ≥36 months of continuous insurance coverage, unless death occurred, and who did not receive chemotherapy or a second-generation anti-androgen during follow-up. iADT and cADT cohorts were defined by treatment patterns and gaps in therapy. Comorbidities and clinical events were identified using ICD-9/10-CM codes. Outcomes examined were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE [myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, cardiomyopathy/heart failure (HF), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischemic heart disease (IHD), or all-cause mortality]) and endocrine/metabolic events (diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, bone fractures, or osteoporosis). Inverse probability of treatment-weighted Cox regression models estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of the outcomes. Subgroup analyses examined pts by CVD history. A sensitivity analysis restricted the definition of MACE to include CVD-related mortality as a component, i.e., MACESA (MI, stroke, cardiomyopathy/HF, PE, IHD, or CVD-related mortality). Results: 10,655 pts were included; 2095 (20%) received iADT and 8560 (80%) cADT; 63% of iADT pts and 66% of cADT pts had baseline CVD history. Median follow-up was 44 and 48 months and time on ADT (excluding gaps for iADT pts) was 23 and 17 months for the iADT and cADT cohorts, respectively. In adjusted analyses, pts receiving cADT had a lower risk of MACE vs iADT. No difference in risk of endocrine/metabolic events was observed. Results for MACE were similar in pts with prior CVD history; however, there was no difference in risk of MACE in those without CVD history. Sensitivity analysis results for MACESA were similar to the main results. Conclusions: Pts with nmPC receiving cADT had a lower risk of MACE, and no difference in risk of endocrine/metabolic events, compared with iADT. There was no difference in risk of MACE in pts without a prior history of CVD. [Table: see text]

Addition of a Genetic Risk Score for Identification of Men with a Low Prostate-specific Antigen Level in Midlife at Risk of Developing Lethal Prostate Cancer

Men with a low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (<1 ng/ml) in midlife may extend the rescreening interval (if aged 40-59 yr) or forgo future PSA screening (if aged >60 yr) owing to their low risk of aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). However, there is a subset of men who develop lethal PCa despite low baseline PSA. We investigated how a PCa polygenic risk score (PRS) in addition to baseline PSA impacts the prediction of lethal PCa among 483 men aged 40-70 yr from the Physicians' Health Study followed over a median of 33 yr. We examined the association of the PRS with the risk of lethal PCa (lethal cases vs controls) using logistic regression adjusted for baseline PSA. The PCa PRS was associated with risk of lethal PCa (odds ratio per 1 standard deviation in PRS [OR] 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-2.49). The association between the PRS and lethal PCa was stronger for those with PSA <1 ng/ml (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.19-4.21) than for men with PSA ≥1 ng/ml (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.07-2.42). Our PCa PRS improved the identification of men with PSA <1 ng/ml at greater risk of future lethal PCa who should consider ongoing PSA testing.

Patient summary

A subset of men develop fatal prostate cancer despite having low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in middle age. A risk score based on multiple genes can help in predicting men who may be at risk of developing lethal prostate cancer and who should be advised to have regular PSA measurements.

Assessment of the Ecological Association between Tobacco Smoking Exposure and Bladder Cancer Incidence over the Past Half-Century in the United States

BACKGROUND

Since tobacco smoking represents the most established risk factor for bladder cancer, we sought to assess the ecological association between tobacco smoking prevalence and bladder cancer incidence and to contrast it with lung cancer.

METHODS

The annual overall tobacco smoking prevalence rates were extracted from the Report of the Surgeon General and the Center for Disease Control between 1953 and 1983. The overall age-adjusted incidence rates for bladder and lung cancers were derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 1983 and 2013 (30-year latency period). Weighted least square regression models were used to assess bladder and lung cancer incidence rate differences (IRD) related to trends in tobacco smoking prevalence. A Wald test was used to compare whether the prevalence of tobacco smoking, as an explanatory variable, differentially predicts bladder versus lung cancer incidence rates.

RESULTS

The associations between tobacco smoking prevalence and bladder cancer incidence were not significant in the overall (IRD = +0.04; 95%CI (-0.14; +0.22); p = 0.63), male (IRD = +0.07; 95%CI (-0.09; +0.23); p = 0.37), or female (IRD = +0.12; 95%CI (-0.01; +0.25); p = 0.06) populations. There was an association between tobacco smoking prevalence and lung cancer incidence in the overall (IRD: +3.55; 95%CI ( +3.09; +4.00); p < 0.001), male (IRD: +4.82; 95%CI (+4.44; +5.20); p < 0.001), and female (IRD: +3.55; 95%CI (+3.12; +3.99); p < 0.001) populations. The difference between the observed associations of tobacco smoking prevalence with bladder versus lung cancer incidence was also significant in all examined populations (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Variations in tobacco smoking prevalence only partially explained the trends in the incidence of bladder cancer, indicating that its etiology is complex.

Association Between Antibiotic Prophylaxis Before Cystectomy or Stent Removal and Infection Complications: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Patients undergoing radical cystectomy frequently suffer from infectious complications, including urinary tract infections (UTIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs) leading to emergency department visits, hospital readmission, and added cost.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the literature regarding perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, ureteric stent usage, and prevalence of infectious complications after cystectomy.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review of PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and reference lists was conducted.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

We identified 20 reports including a total of 55 306 patients. The median rates of any infection, UTIs, SSIs, and bacteremia were 40%, 20%, 11%, and 6%, respectively. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis differed substantially between reports. Perioperative antibiotics were used only during surgery in one study but were continued over several days after surgery in all other studies. Empirical use of antibiotics for 1-3 d after surgery was described in 12 studies, 3-10 d in two studies, and >10 d in four studies. Time to stent removal ranged from 4 to 25 d after cystectomy. Prophylactic antibiotics were used before stent removal in nine of 20 studies; two of these studies used targeted antibiotics based on urine cultures from the ureteric stents, and the other seven studies used a single shot or 2 d of empirical antibiotics. Studies with any prophylactic antibiotic before stent removal found a lower median percentage of positive blood cultures after stent removal than studies without prophylactic antibiotics before stent removal (2% vs 9%).

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed a high proportion of infectious complications after cystectomy, and a heterogeneous pattern of choice and duration of antibiotics during and after surgery or stent removal. These findings highlight a need for further studies and support quality prospective trials.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this review, we observed wide variability in the use of antibiotics before or after surgical removal of the bladder.

Impact of exercise on physical health status in bladder cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

There is a scarcity of data on the impact of behavioral habits, such as exercise, on physical health in patients with bladder cancer. We investigated the association of exercise on self-reported physical health status and examined the prevalence of bladder cancer patients with sedentary lifestyle.

METHODS

We examined cross-sectional data of participants diagnosed with bladder cancer within the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2016-2020. Patient health status was surveyed using self-reported measures, such as the total days per month when their "physical health is not good." The primary outcome was patient-reported poor physical health for more than 14 days within a one-month period.

RESULTS

Out of 2 193 981 survey participants, we identified 936 with a history of bladder cancer. Nearly one in three bladder cancer patients reported being sedentary within the last month, as a total of 307 (32.8%) patients reported no exercise within the last 30 days. The remaining 628 (67.2%) reported exercising for at least one day within the last month. In multivariable logistic regression model analysis, we found that exercise is protective for self-reported poor physical health status (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.56, p<0.001). Patients that exercised were less likely to report bad physical health.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one in three bladder cancer patients report no exercise within 30 days, suggesting a sedentary lifestyle. Patients that are active are less likely to self-report poor physical health status. Implementation of exercise programs for bladder cancer patients could be promising in improving health status.

Association between Operative Time and Short-Term Radical Cystectomy Complications

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between duration of surgical intervention and postoperative complications in radical cystectomy (RC). We hypothesized that the complication rate increases with longer operative time.

METHODS

We analyzed the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database 2011-2017 to identify all patients who underwent RC. Clinicodemographic characteristics, operative time, and perioperative complications using the Clavien-Dindo Classification (CDC) were abstracted. We fit a generalized linear model with linear splines for operative time to analyze if the relationship between operative time and probability of complication changed over time.

RESULTS

A total of 10,520 RC patients were identified with a mean operative time of 5.5 h (standard deviation 2.03). In 55% and 18.2%, any complication and major complications (CDC ≥3) occurred within 30 days postoperatively, respectively. The spline regression model for any complication showed an almost linear relationship between the complication rate and operative time, ranging from 55% at 2.5 h to 82% at 10 h. For major complications, the model revealed the inflection point (knot) at 4.5 h, which corresponds to the lowest complication rate with 15%. Operative times at the extremes of the distribution had higher complication rates: 17.5% if <2.5 h and 28% if >10 h.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Operative time of RC is associated with postoperative complications. Though many factors impact the duration of surgery, surgeries that lasted between 4 and 5 h had trend toward the lowest complication rates. Attention to factors impacting operative time may allow surgeons to identify strategies for optimizing surgical care and reducing complications after RC.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Bladder Cancer, Version 2.2022

The NCCN Guidelines for Bladder Cancer provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of patients with bladder cancer and other urinary tract cancers (upper tract tumors, urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, primary carcinoma of the urethra). These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel discussion behind recent important updates to the guidelines regarding the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, including how to treat in the event of a bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) shortage; new roles for immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-muscle invasive, muscle-invasive, and metastatic bladder cancer; and the addition of antibody-drug conjugates for metastatic bladder cancer.

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and Prostate Cancer Mortality among Men with Regular Access to Screening and Health Care

BACKGROUND

How 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) use influences prostate cancer mortality is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether men taking 5-ARIs with regular health care access have increased prostate cancer mortality.

METHODS

We undertook two analyses in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study examining 5-ARI use, determined by biennial questionnaires, and prostate cancer. A cohort analysis followed 38,037 cancer-free men for prostate cancer incidence from 1996 through January 2017 and mortality through January 2019. A case-only analysis followed 4,383 men with localized/locally advanced prostate cancer for mortality over a similar period. HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for prostate cancer incidence and mortality.

RESULTS

Men using 5-ARIs underwent more PSA testing, prostate exams and biopsies. Over 20 years of follow-up, 509 men developed lethal disease (metastases or prostate cancer death). Among men initially free from prostate cancer, 5-ARI use was not associated with developing lethal disease [HR, 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71-1.46], but was associated with reduced rates of overall and localized disease (HR, 0.71; 0.60-0.83). Among men diagnosed with prostate cancer, there was no association between 5-ARI use and cancer-specific (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.48-1.27) or overall survival (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72-1.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Men using 5-ARIs were less likely to be diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, without increasing long-term risk of lethal prostate cancer or cancer-specific death after diagnosis.

IMPACT

Our results provide evidence that 5-ARI use is safe with respect to prostate cancer mortality in the context of regular health care access. See related commentary by Hamilton, p. 1259.

Abstract 5893: Analgesic use and renal cell carcinoma incidence and survival: Results from three prospective cohort studies

Background: Analgesics are the most commonly consumed over-the-counter drugs worldwide. Considerable evidence suggests a beneficial effect of analgesics, and especially aspirin, on cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer risk. Studies examining whether widely used analgesics - aspirin, non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen - play a role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have yielded mixed results.

Methods: We examined associations between pre-diagnostic analgesic use and incidence of total and fatal RCC in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS; 1986-2016), Nurses’ Health Study (NHS; 1980-2016 for aspirin; 1990-2016 for non-aspirin NSAIDs and acetaminophen), and Nurses’ Health Study 2 (NHS2; 1989-2015; total RCC only). Information on use of aspirin, non-aspirin NSAIDs, and acetaminophen was collected longitudinally on biennial questionnaires. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate cohort-specific, multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to current use (updated in each questionnaire period) and, separately, duration of use (since study baseline) of each analgesic. Results across cohorts were combined using random-effects meta-analyses. We also used Cox regression to evaluate post-diagnostic analgesic use with respect to RCC-specific mortality among RCC cases in the pooled HPFS and NHS cohorts.

Results: Among 259,545 participants, 796 incident RCC cases were diagnosed. Neither current nor duration of pre-diagnostic use of any of the analgesics was associated with the risk of total RCC in meta-analyses of the three study cohorts. For fatal RCC (n=175 cases), however, meta-analyses of the HPFS and NHS suggested covariate-adjusted positive associations with current (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 0.96-1.96, p-heterogeneity: 0.80) and duration of (HR&gt;10yrs vs. Never: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.23-5.58, p-trend: 0.006, p-heterogeneity: 0.30) pre-diagnostic non-aspirin NSAID use. In addition, in the HPFS only, current (HR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.33-4.17) and duration of (HR&gt;10yrs vs. Never: 1.83, 95% CI: 0.42-7.93, p-trend: 0.07) pre-diagnostic acetaminophen use indicated positive associations with fatal RCC. Analyses of RCC-specific mortality among participants diagnosed with RCC demonstrated an inverse association with current post-diagnostic aspirin use (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.97), but not duration of post-diagnostic aspirin use (HR&gt;10yrs vs. Never: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.53-1.51, p-trend: 0.98). Analgesics were not otherwise associated with RCC survival.

Conclusions: Our findings support a potential positive association between non-aspirin NSAID use and incident fatal RCC. It remains possible that analgesics may operate differently in the setting of RCC from the context of other chronic diseases.

Citation Format: Rebecca E. Graff, Alejandro Sanchez, Toni K. Choueiri, Meir J. Stampfer, Edward L. Giovannucci, Lorelei A. Mucci, Eunyoung Cho, Mark A. Preston. Analgesic use and renal cell carcinoma incidence and survival: Results from three prospective cohort studies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5893.

Obesity in Relation to Renal Cell Carcinoma Incidence and Survival in Three Prospective Studies

To disentangle the "obesity paradox" in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we examined associations of body mass index (BMI) and weight change with RCC risk and survival in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) and Nurses' Health Study (NHS) 1 and 2. We estimated cohort-specific and summary covariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for RCC incidence, as well as RCC-specific survival among cases in the pooled HPFS and NHS data. Cumulative average BMI was associated with a higher risk of total RCC (summary HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.77-2.63 for BMI ≥30 vs 18-<25 kg/m²; p trend <0.001) and fatal RCC (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.37-3.01; p trend <0.001). Prediagnosis BMI was not associated with RCC death. However, first postdiagnosis BMI (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.29-0.89; p trend 0.006) and prediagnosis to postdiagnosis weight change (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.91; p trend 0.001) were significantly inversely associated with RCC death. These results support obesity as a risk factor for total and fatal RCC. They undermine the obesity paradox by suggesting that weight loss around diagnosis, and not low BMI itself, is associated with worse prognosis. PATIENT SUMMARY: We studied obesity in kidney cancer and found that obesity is associated with getting and dying from the disease. Body mass index at diagnosis is not an ideal factor for predicting prognosis, as patients who have lost weight are likely to have more aggressive cancer.

Time trends of overall survival and other outcomes in patients with mHSPC: An observational study of U.S. EHR data (TIMES)

e17051

Background: Patients (pts) with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) are responsive to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), but within 1–3 years most will develop metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The CHAARTED trial showed a clear benefit of adding docetaxel (DTX) to ADT, prolonging median overall survival (OS) by 10.4 months (mo). ARASEC is a single-arm US study evaluating darolutamide + ADT in pts with mHSPC. Participants will be matched for comparison using patient-level data to the ADT alone arm of CHAARTED. The TIMES study evaluated a potential time bias in treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in pts with mHSPC before and after the OS analysis of CHAARTED was reported. Methods: This retrospective study used Flatiron Metastatic PC Core Registry data from January 1, 2013, to June 30, 2020, and the sample was divided into two cohorts: before and after June 30, 2016 (cohort 1: pre-CHAARTED; cohort 2: post-CHAARTED). Differences in OS and time to mCRPC were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models, controlling for baseline characteristics, including age, initial mHSPC treatment, Gleason score, and time from PC diagnosis to mHSPC. The test for equivalence used hazard ratio (HR) limits of 0.80 to 1.25 at a 2-sided 0.05 level. Results: Data from 9256 pts with mHSPC (4503 in cohort 1; 4753 in cohort 2) were analyzed; median age was 73 years for both cohorts. M1 status at initial diagnosis was 55% in cohort 1 and 60% in cohort 2. All other clinical characteristics and laboratory values were similar. Initial mHSPC treatment with DTX was 10.5% and 13.9%, whereas treatment with novel anti-hormonal agents (NAH) was 1.6% and 18.3% in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. The percentage of pts who started with first-generation androgen receptor inhibitors decreased from 29.3% in cohort 1 to 19.6% in cohort 2, whereas the percentage of pts receiving ADT alone and/or supportive care remained stable (25.7% and 26.5%, respectively). In cohorts 1 and 2, treatment records during the mHSPC period could not be retrieved for 32.9% and 21.7% of pts, respectively. Median OS was 5.4 months longer for cohort 1 (43.7 mo) vs cohort 2 (38.3 mo). In multivariate analyses, cohort 2 had poorer survival, with an HR slightly outside the predefined limits for equivalence (HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.09, 1.29; P < 0.0001). The HR for time to mCRPC fell within the predefined limits (HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.09, 1.23). Conclusions: Changes in treatment patterns were observed following CHAARTED. Although DTX and NAH have demonstrated prolonged survival, their use increased only from 12% to 32%, comparing the cohorts before and after 2016, which is not in line with guideline recommendations. Clinical outcomes, despite the influence of multiple factors, have changed minimally during the past 5 years, suggesting that the risk of historical time bias associated with using the CHAARTED ADT alone arm as a comparator for ARASEC is low.

Open-label study of androgen receptor inhibition with darolutamide plus androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) versus ADT in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer using an external control arm (ARASEC)

TPS5111

Background: Darolutamide is a structurally distinct and highly potent androgen receptor inhibitor (ARI) that significantly improved metastasis-free survival by ̃2 years and reduced the risk of death by 31% vs placebo in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Darolutamide has a favorable safety and tolerability profile, with only ≤2% difference vs placebo for most adverse events (AEs) of interest (falls, fractures, hypertension, mental impairment). Fatigue was the only AE with > 10% incidence in the darolutamide arm (13.2%; placebo, 8.3%). Darolutamide has shown lower blood–brain barrier penetration than other ARIs in preclinical models (supported by human neuroimaging studies), which may lead to a lower risk of central nervous system-related AEs and has a low potential for drug–drug interactions. For patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), the combination of darolutamide and ADT is expected to offer a favorable benefit–risk profile. ARASEC will evaluate the efficacy and safety of darolutamide plus ADT in mHSPC in the US (NCT05059236) and complement the data in the ongoing ARANOTE study (NCT04736199). Methods: ARASEC is a US-based, phase 2, open-label, single-arm study with an external control arm. Eligible patients will have confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate, radiologic evidence of metastatic disease by conventional imaging, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≤2. Patients with mHSPC will receive darolutamide 600 mg twice daily plus ADT (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist/antagonist or orchiectomy). The control arm for ARASEC will be derived from the 393 patients with mHSPC treated with ADT alone in the CHAARTED trial. Patients in the active arm will be matched 1:1 to patients in the control arm using important baseline characteristics such as age, ECOG PS, extent of disease defined as low or high volume according to CHAARTED, and presence of bone and visceral metastases. Study duration was defined as the time from the first patient’s first visit until either the event count threshold triggering the primary endpoint analysis has been met or all patients have been followed for ≥2 years after enrollment, whichever occurs later. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS), defined in CHAARTED as the time from enrollment to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, clinical progression (including radiological or symptomatic progression or clinical deterioration), or death, whichever occurs first. Secondary endpoints are overall survival, radiographic PFS, time to CRPC, complete PSA response rate at 6 months, and safety. Patient recruitment is in progress. Clinical trial information: NCT05059236.

Impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) on pathologic complete response with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)

485

Background: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been demonstrated to modulate cell proliferation, desmoplasia, angiogenesis and immunosuppression. Angiotensin pathway inhibitors are postulated to favorably reprogram the stroma in part by inhibition of transforming growth factor-β, a major mechanism of resistance, and have been previously reported to be associated with improved outcomes in the setting of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (Jain R, Clin Genitourin Cancer 2021). In this analysis, we examined the association of angiotensin inhibitors in the setting of NAC for MIBC preceding radical cystectomy (RC). Methods: Pts with MIBC who received NAC preceding radical cystectomy were assembled from 3 institutions: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) and McGill University Health Center (MUHC). Pts were retrospectively assessed for the association of concurrent ACEi/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) use at initiation of NAC on pathologic complete response (pCR), defined as pT0N0, and overall survival (OS). Pathologic features, performance status (PS), clinical stage, type/number of cycles of NAC, and toxicities were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate OS. Logistic and Cox regression were used to explore factors potentially prognostic for pCR and OS respectively. Results: 302 MIBC pts who received NAC preceding RC were available from 3 institutions: DFCI (n = 187), MCC (n = 50) and MUHC (n = 65). Overall, 141 pts (46.7%) received Cisplatin/Gemcitabine, 130 (43.1%) received dose dense MVAC and the remaining received other regimens. The overall pCR rate was 26.2%. The 5-year OS was 62%. 63 (20.9%) pts were receiving an ACEi and 41 (13.6%) were receiving an ARB. ACEi prior to NAC approached significance for association with pCR (odds ratio = 1.71 (95% CI = 0.94-3.11) p = 0.077). Pts with cT3/4N0-N1 disease receiving ACEi had higher pCR rates (30.8% (8/26) vs 17.7% (14/98), p = 0.056) than those not on ACEi; no difference was observed for pts with cT2N0 tumors (31.1% vs 31.3%, p = 0.99). pCR, ECOG-PS and clinical stage were significantly associated with improved OS. ARB intake was not associated with pCR or OS. Conclusions: ACEi intake appeared potentially associated with increased pCR in pts with MIBC receiving NAC, which was more pronounced in those with higher clinical stages cT3/4N0-1. Given the association of pCR with OS, our data suggest the potential relevance of angiotensin as a therapeutic target in aggressive MIBC. Future prospective validation is warranted to repurpose angiotensin inhibitors in this setting, given their excellent toxicity profile and low costs.

Biomarker analysis and updated clinical follow-up from BLASST-1 (Bladder Cancer Signal Seeking Trial) of nivolumab, gemcitabine, and cisplatin in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) undergoing cystectomy

528

Background: The BLASST-1 study is multi-center phase II trial evaluating the combination of nivolumab (N) with gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) as a neoadjuvant therapy for patients (pts) with MIBC undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). The primary endpoint was pathologic down staging (PaR; ≤pT1N0). Safety, Relapse-free survival (RFS), Progression-free survival (PFS) and biomarker analyses were secondary endpoints. We previously reported a PaR rate of 65.8% and pCR rate of 49%. There were no safety concerns or delays to surgery. (ASCO GU 2020) Here, we correlate PaR with biomarkers (Tumor mutational burden (TMB), PD-L1 and molecular subtypes) and provide updated clinical follow-up (FU) data. Methods: Forty-one pts with MIBC (cT2-T4a, N≤1, M0) and candidates for RC were enrolled between Feb 2018 and June 2019; (cT2N0 90%, cT3N0 7%, cT4N1 3%). Pts received C (70mg/m2) IV on D1, G (1000mg/m2) on D1, D8 and N (360 mg) IV on D8 every 21 days for 4 cycles followed by RC within 8 weeks. For RNA-based analysis, GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST Array (Affymetrix) was used; baseline tumors from 37 patients passed quality control and had available transcriptome data. A cohort (n=223) of patients treated with NAC+RC was used as a comparator for molecular subtyping analysis. DNA was extracted from baseline pre-treatment tumor samples and sequenced to an average depth of 150X and the DNA extracted from matched normal tissue (peripheral blood) to a mean depth of 50X. PD-L1 expression was assessed using IHC 28-8 antibody on baseline tumors. Results: At a median FU of 15.8 months,12-month RFS rate was 85.4% and PFS including death from any cause was 83%. There were no long-term safety concerns. Molecular subtyping found patients with a basal-type tumor (Basal or Claudin-low) had a more favorable overall PaR in 13/18 = 73% with PaR in 9/13 in basal (69%) and 4/5 in claudin-low (80%) compared to overall PaR of 58% for the luminal-type tumors (Luminal or Infiltrated luminal) with a breakdown of PaR in 5/8 (63%) in luminal and 6/11 (54%) in infiltrated luminal. In contrast, in the comparator NAC cohort, the PaR rates were similar for basal-type and luminal-type tumors, with 44% and 48% respectively. There was no correlation of PaR with TMB or PD-L1 expression from bassline pre-treatment tumors. Biomarker analyses from residual tumors in RC tissues are ongoing. Conclusions: The combination of N+GC was safe and efficacious in MIBC with encouraging outcomes of pathologic down staging and relapse-free survival at a median FU of 15.8 months. Molecular subtyping results suggest basal-type tumors may respond more favorably to this chemo-immunotherapy treatment regimen. Clinical trial information: NCT03294304.

Results of a Randomized Phase II Trial of Intense Androgen Deprivation Therapy prior to Radical Prostatectomy in Men with High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

This multicenter randomized phase 2 trial investigates the impact of intense androgen deprivation on radical prostatectomy pathologic response and radiographic and tissue biomarkers in localized prostate cancer (NCT02903368).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible patients had a Gleason score ≥4+3=7, prostate specific antigen >20 ng/mL or T3 disease and lymph nodes <20 mm. In Part 1, patients were randomized 1:1 to apalutamide, abiraterone acetate, prednisone and leuprolide (AAPL) or abiraterone, prednisone, leuprolide (APL) for 6 cycles (1 cycle=28 days) followed by radical prostatectomy. Surgical specimens underwent central review. The primary end point was the rate of pathologic complete response or minimum residual disease (minimum residual disease, tumor ≤5 mm). Secondary end points included prostate specific antigen response, positive margin rate and safety. Magnetic resonance imaging and tissue biomarkers of pathologic outcomes were explored.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 118 patients at 4 sites. Median age was 61 years and 94% of patients had high-risk disease. The combined pathologic complete response or minimum residual disease rate was 22% in the AAPL arm and 20% in the APL arm (difference: 1.5%; 1-sided 95% CI -11%, 14%; 1-sided p=0.4). No new safety signals were observed. There was low concordance and correlation between posttherapy magnetic resonance imaging assessed and pathologically assessed tumor volume. PTEN-loss, ERG positivity and presence of intraductal carcinoma were associated with extensive residual tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Intense neoadjuvant hormone therapy in high-risk prostate cancer resulted in favorable pathologic responses (tumor <5 mm) in 21% of patients. Pathologic responses were similar between treatment arms. Part 2 of this study will investigate the impact of adjuvant hormone therapy on biochemical recurrence.

An economic analysis comparing health care resource use and cost of dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin versus gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant therapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer

PURPOSE

To compare healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs associated with dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatin (ddMVAC) and gemcitabine, cisplatin (GC) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

METHODS

Patient treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from 2010 to 2019 were identified. HRU data on chemotherapy administered, supportive medications, patient monitoring, clinic, infusion, emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalization were collected retrospectively. Unit costs for HRU components were obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Website and HRU was compared between groups using quantile regression analysis.

RESULTS

137 patients were included; 51 received ddMVAC and 86 GC. Baseline characteristics were similar, except lower mean age (P < 0.001) and higher proportion of ECOG-PS = 0 (P < 0.001) for ddMVAC. ddMVAC required more granulocyte-colony stimulating factor support (P < 0.001), central line placement (P = 0.017), cardiac imaging (P < 0.001), and infusion visits (P < 0.001), whereas GC required more clinic visits. ED visits were higher for ddMVAC (P = 0.048), while chemotherapy cycle delays and hospitalization days were higher for GC (P = 0.008). After adjusting for ECOG-PS and age, the cost per patient was approximately 41% lower (95%CI: 28% to 52%; P < 0.001) for GC vs. ddMVAC, which translated to a median adjusted cost savings of $7,410 (95%CI: $5,474-$9,347) per patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Although excess HRU did not clearly favor one regimen, adjusting for PS and age indicated lower costs with GC vs. ddMVAC. Given the similar cumulative cisplatin delivery with both regimens, the associated values and costs supports the preferential selection of GC in the neoadjuvant setting of MIBC.

A prospective phase 2/3 study of PSMA-targeted 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT in patients (pts) with prostate cancer (PCa) (OSPREY): A sub-analysis of disease staging changes in PCa pts with recurrence or metastases on conventional imaging

e17003

Background: Conventional imaging and bone scintigraphy are suboptimal modalities for identifying PCa. PSMA-based imaging is highly promising for PCa detection. 18F-DCFPyL is a novel PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceutical for positron emission tomography (PET) that may be useful in staging of PCa. The diagnostic performance, detection rate, and potential impact of 18F-DCFPyL on staging of pts with high-risk PCa have been previously reported. Here we report on the impact of 18F-DCFPyL on staging of pts with PCa recurrence or metastases on conventional imaging. Methods: 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT was evaluated in 117 men with radiologic evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease on baseline anatomical imaging (CT, MRI) or whole-body bone scintigraphy and in whom at least one lesion was deemed amenable to biopsy. A single dose of 9 mCi (333 MBq) of 18F-DCFPyL was administered via intravenous injection, followed by PET/CT acquisition 1 to 2 hours thereafter. Based on TNM staging: prostatic (T), pelvic LN (N), extra-pelvic LN (M1a), bone (M1b) and other visceral organs/soft tissue (M1c), 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT detection rates including lesion counts were systematically analyzed. Three central, blinded, and independent readers evaluated the 18F-DCFPyL scans. Results: In this study, 82 (70%) patients had baseline radiographic M1 stage disease (14 patients with M1a, 50 patients with M1b, 18 patients with M1c) and 33 (28%) patients were M0 stage at baseline by central conventional imaging review; two patients were unevaluable. 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT up-staged 58% (19/33) of pts from M0 to M1, of whom 91% (10/11) who underwent an extra-pelvic biopsy were confirmed to have M1 disease by pathology, including 9 patients with M1b and 1 patient with M1a. Of the patients who were staged M1 at baseline, 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT upstaged 16% (10/64; M1a to M1b or M1c: n = 4; M1b to M1c: n = 6) of pts to a higher M1 sub-stage and down-staged 22% (18/82) to M0. Conclusions: 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT identified M1 disease in the majority of patients examined who otherwise had locoregional disease. These data suggest that 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT may be a useful tool in properly staging men with both metastatic and nonmetastatic relapsed disease, which could lead to superior treatment paradigms than currently exist using conventional imaging. Clinical trial information: NCT02981368.

Clinical characterization of radiation-associated muscle-invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the presentation, patterns of care, and outcomes of radiation-associated muscle-invasive bladder cancer (RA-MIBC) compared to primary (non-radiation associated) MIBC. RA-MIBC has been suggested to represent a more aggressive disease variant and be more difficult to treat compared to primary (non-radiation associated) MIBC.

METHODS

We identified 60,090 patients diagnosed with MIBC between 1988-2015 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and stratified patients based on whether radiation had been administered to a prior pelvic primary cancer. We used Fine-Gray competing risks regression to compare adjusted bladder cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) for RA-MIBC compared to primary MIBC.

RESULTS

There were 1,093 patients with RA-MIBC and 58,997 patients with primary MIBC. RA-MIBCs were more likely to be T4 at diagnosis (21.0% vs 17.3%, P < .001), and less likely to be node-positive (10.3% vs 17.1%, P < .001). The rate of 5-year BCSM was significantly higher for patients with RA-MIBC vs primary MIBC (56.1% vs 35.3%, AHR 1.24, P < .001), even after stratification by other tumor, treatment and patient-specific factors.

CONCLUSION

RA-MIBCs tended to present with higher grade and T stage disease and were less likely to receive curative treatment. Even when accounting for stage, grade, and receipt of treatment, patients with RA-MIBC had worse survival compared to those with primary MIBC. These findings suggest that RA-MIBC present unique clinical challenges and may also represent a biologically more aggressive disease compared to primary MIBC. Future research is needed to better understand the biology of RA-MIBC and develop improved treatment approaches.

Impact of angiotensin inhibitors on pathologic complete response with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)

432

Background: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in regulation of angiogenesis, cell proliferation, desmoplasia and immunosuppression. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) may have antitumor effects partly by inhibiting transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, a major resistance mechanism in bladder cancer. Methods: Patients (pts) with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treated or not treated with ACEi/ARB while receiving preceding radical cystectomy (RC) were assessed for pathologic complete response (pCR) defined as pT0N0 and overall survival (OS). Pathologic features, performance status, clinical stage, type and number of cycles of NAC, and presence of grade ≥3 toxicities were collected retrospectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS). Logistic and Cox regression was used to explore factors potentially prognostic for pCR and OS respectively. Results: 187 patients received NAC followed by RC. The mean age at the time of NAC was 65. 71% were male and 29% were female. Of the 187 patients, 61% received Cisplatin/Gemcitabine and 28.3% received dose dense MVAC. Of patients receiving NAC, 53 (28%) had a pCR. The 5-year OS was 64%. There were 41 (21.9%) patients taking an ACEi and 24 (12.8%) patients taking an ARB at the start of NAC. Of the 41 patients who took an ACEi, 17 (41.5%) had a pCR; of the 146 patients who did not take an ACEi, 36 (24.7%) had a pCR. ACEi intake during NAC was the only factor associated with pCR on multivariable analysis (odds ratio of 2.17 [95% CI 1.05-4.48] p = 0.037). pCR was the only factor shown to be associated with significantly improved OS (Hazard Ratio 0.18 [95% CI 0.07-0.45] p = < 0.001). After adjusting for pCR, ACEi was not significantly prognostic of OS (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.60 to 2.09, p = 0.72). ARB intake while receiving NAC was not associated with pCR or OS. Conclusions: ACEi intake was associated with significantly increased pCR in patients with MIBC receiving NAC, and pCR was the only significant factor associated with OS. We hypothesize that ACEi may augment the activity of NAC and increase pCR, which translates to improved OS. ACEi intake was not associated with improvement in OS potentially due to competing causes of mortality in patients requiring ACEi. Our data requires validation.

A prospective phase II/III study of PSMA-targeted 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT in patients (pts) with prostate cancer (PCa) (OSPREY): A subanalysis of disease staging changes in PCa pts with recurrence or metastases on conventional imaging

32

Background: Conventional imaging and bone scintigraphy are suboptimal modalities for identifying PCa. PSMA-based imaging is highly promising for PCa detection. 18F-DCFPyL is a novel PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceutical for positron emission tomography (PET) that may be useful in staging of PCa. The diagnostic performance, detection rate, and potential impact of 18F-DCFPyL on staging of pts with high- risk PCa have been previously reported. Here we report on the impact of 18F-DCFPyL on staging of pts with PCa recurrence or metastases on conventional imaging. Methods: 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT was evaluated in 117 men with radiologic evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease on baseline anatomical imaging (CT, MRI) or whole-body bone scintigraphy and in whom at least one lesion was deemed amenable to biopsy. A single dose of 9 mCi (333 MBq) of 18F-DCFPyL was administered via intravenous injection, followed by PET/CT acquisition 1 to 2 hours thereafter. Based on TNM staging: prostatic (T), pelvic LN (N), extra-pelvic LN (M1a), bone (M1b) and other visceral organs/soft tissue (M1c), 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT detection rates including lesion counts were systematically analyzed. Three central, blinded, and independent readers evaluated the 18F-DCFPyL scans. Results: In this study, 82 (70%) patients had baseline radiographic M1 stage disease (14 patients with M1a, 50 patients with M1b, 18 patients with M1c) and 33 (28%) patients were M0 stage at baseline by central conventional imaging review; two patients were unevaluable. 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT up-staged 58% (19/33) of pts from M0 to M1, of whom 91% (10/11) who underwent an extra-pelvic biopsy were confirmed to have M1 disease by pathology, including 9 patients with M1b and 1 patient with M1a. Of the patients who were staged M1 at baseline, 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT upstaged 16% (10/64; M1a to M1b or M1c: n = 4; M1b to M1c: n = 6) of pts to a higher M1 sub-stage and down-staged 22% (18/82) to M0. Conclusions: 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT identified M1 disease in the majority of patients examined who otherwise had locoregional disease. These data suggest that 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT may be a useful tool in properly staging men with both metastatic and nonmetastatic relapsed disease, which could lead to superior treatment paradigms than currently exist using conventional imaging. Clinical trial information: NCT02981368.

Genomic landscape of variant urinary tumor histologies

467

Background: The genetics of urothelial carcinoma (UC), the most common histology of urinary tract (UT) tumors, is well characterized; much less is known about the genomic features of rare histologic variants of UT tumors. We aim to compare the genomic alterations (GA) of UT tumors with adenocarcinoma (AD), small cell (SC), squamous cell (SQ), or plasmacytoid (PC) histologies, to UC tumors. Methods: We identified patients with pure variant (AD, SC, SQ, PC) or UC histology with genetic characterization through the GENIE registry. Patient tumor genomic data were captured by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)-IMPACT and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI)-Oncopanel NGS initiatives. Tumors with mixed histology were excluded. We limited our analysis to genes tested >1000 times (N=211). Mutation frequencies and copy number variants (CNVs), collectively called GAs, were determined for AD, SC, SQ, PC, and UC, and were compared using the Fisher’s Exact test and Kruskall Wallis test. Nominal p values were obtained, and FDR correction was employed (q < 0.1). Results: We identified 1199 patients with available genomic data who met the inclusion criteria. Histologic distribution was: 32 AD, 13 SC, 15 SQ, 11 PC, and 1128 UC tumors. The median age was 68 years and 77% of patients were male. Statistically significant differences in genetic alterations by subtype are shown in the table below. ARID1A and KDM6A GAs were higher in UC; PC and SC; CDH1 GAs higher in PC; RB1 and TP53 GAs higher in SC; SMAD4 GAs higher in AD; and NFE2L2 GAs higher in SQ. Conclusions: Variant UT histologies exhibit a distinct pattern of alterations compared to UC, consistent with their divergent clinical behavior. This suggests different biological origins for these variant histologies and possibly different therapeutic vulnerabilities. Exploring the GAs of these UT tumors in larger datasets is warranted. [Table: see text]

Resource utilization and cost efficacy analysis of dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (DD-MVAC) versus gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)

e19390

Background: DD-MVAC and GC are commonly used NAC regimens for MIBC. While efficacy across studies appears similar, resource utilization (RU) burden and cost efficacy have not been compared. Methods: We assessed RU and cost effectiveness of NAC with GC vs DD-MVAC among MIBC patients (pts) treated at Dana-Farber. Data on chemotherapy administered, supportive medications, relevant procedures, hospitalizations, clinic, infusion, and emergency room (ER) visits were collected retrospectively. Unit costs for each RU component were sought from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Website as well as relevant published sources. Utilization was compared between MVAC and GC using multivariate quantile regression (QR) analysis. Results: 147 pts were included; 51 received DD-MVAC and 86 GC. Baseline characteristics were similar, except lower mean age (59 vs 67 years, p < 0.001) and higher proportion of ECOG-PS = 0 (96.1% vs 60.5%, p < 0.001) for DD-MVAC. The mean cumulative cisplatin dosage was similar (DD-MVAC = 284 mg/m2, GC = 257 mg/m3). More DD-MVAC pts required G-CSF analogues (100% vs 32.6%, p < 0.001), central line placement (28.6% vs 11.8%, p = 0.017), and ER visits (35% vs 18%, p = 0.048). Infusion visits (12 vs 8/pt) and cardiac imaging (0.98 vs 0.58/pt, p < 0.001) were higher for DD-MVAC, whereas GC pts required more frequent clinic visits (mean of 9 vs 5/pt), chemotherapy cycle delays (30.2% vs 9.8%, p = 0.008) and hospitalization days (mean of 0.88 vs 0.49/pt). After adjusting for PS, the mean total cost/pt was higher for DD-MVAC ($17360 vs $12112, p < 0.001). Age was not statistically significant in the QR model (p = 0.628). Conclusions: DD-MVAC and GC exhibit different RU characteristics as NAC for MIBC. Although excess RU did not clearly favor one regimen, adjustment for PS indicated significant decrease in healthcare costs by approximately 30% using GC compared to DD-MVAC. Given that similar overall delivery of cumulative cisplatin dosage was feasible with both regimens, the values and costs affixed to different resources may impact the selection of DD-MVAC vs GC. Limitations were retrospective design and costs being specific to the US.

Results of a phase II trial of intense androgen deprivation therapy prior to radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with high-risk localized prostate cancer (PC)

5503

Background: Patients with high-risk localized PC have an increased risk of recurrence and death despite treatment. Abiraterone acetate (AA), a potent CYP17 inhibitor, and apalutamide, a next generation anti-androgen, have each demonstrated improved overall survival in metastatic PC. In this multicenter randomized phase II trial we investigate the impact of intense androgen deprivation on RP pathologic response (NCT02903368). Methods: Eligible patients had a Gleason score ≥4+3=7, PSA >20 ng/mL or T3 disease (by prostate MRI) and lymph node <20 mm. During Part 1 of the study, patients were randomized 1:1 to AA + prednisone + apalutamide + leuprolide (APAL) or AA + prednisone + leuprolide (APL) for 6 cycles (1 cycle=28 days) followed by RP. All RPs underwent central pathology review. The primary endpoint was the rate of a pathologic complete response (pCR) or minimum residual disease (MRD, tumor ≤5 mm). Secondary endpoints include PSA response, surgical staging at RP, positive margin rate, and safety. Results: 118 patients were enrolled at four sites. Median age was 61 (range 46-72) years. The majority of patients had NCCN high-risk disease [n=111, 94%; T3 n=73 (62%), Gleason 8-10 n=84 (71%), PSA >20 ng/mL n=28 (24%)]. 114 (97%) patients completed 6 therapy cycles followed by RP. Median PSA nadir was <0.01 versus 0.02 ng/mL and time to nadir was 4.2 versus 4.6 months in the APAL and APL arms, respectively. RP outcomes are displayed in Table. The combined pCR or MRD rate was 21.8% in the APAL arm and 20.3% in the APL arm (p=0.85). 13 (11%) patients (8 in APAL; 5 in APL) experienced grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TrAEs). The most common grade 3 TrAEs were hypertension (5%), elevated ALT (3%) and elevated AST (3%). No grade 4 or 5 TrAE was reported. Conclusions: Intense neoadjuvant hormone therapy followed by RP in men with high-risk PC resulted in favorable pathologic responses (<5 mm residual tumor) in 21% of patients. Pathologic responses were similar between the treatment arms. Follow-up is necessary to evaluate the significance of a pathologic response on recurrence rates. Part 2 of this trial will investigate the impact of an additional 12 months of APAL post-RP on biochemical recurrence. A phase 3 trial investigating neoadjuvant apalutamide + leuprolide prior to RP is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT02903368 . [Table: see text]

Bladder Cancer, Version 3.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

This selection from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Bladder Cancer focuses on the clinical presentation and workup of suspected bladder cancer, treatment of non-muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer, and treatment of metastatic urothelial bladder cancer because important updates have recently been made to these sections. Some important updates include recommendations for optimal treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the event of a bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) shortage and details about biomarker testing for advanced or metastatic disease. The systemic therapy recommendations for second-line or subsequent therapies have also been revised. Treatment and management of muscle-invasive, nonmetastatic disease is covered in the complete version of the NCCN Guidelines for Bladder Cancer available at NCCN.org. Additional topics covered in the complete version include treatment of nonurothelial histologies and recommendations for nonbladder urinary tract cancers such as upper tract urothelial carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, and primary carcinoma of the urethra.

Impact of histology and toxicities on outcomes of patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

540

Background: Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) extends survival in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients (pts). Pathologic complete response (pCR) is associated with survival. We conducted a retrospective study to examine the prognostic impact of other variables including histologic subtype, location, multifocality, margins, size of tumor and toxicities. Methods: Pts who underwent RC at Dana-Farber for MIBC stage T2-T4N0-1 were studied. Data were collected for demographics, clinical and pathologic variables. Descriptive stats were reported, and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted to examine the association with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: From 2002 to 2018, 150 patients were available. The median age was 66 (range 36-89) and 102 (68%) were male. MVAC/dose dense MVAC, GC and other non-standard regimens were given in 42 (28%), 85 (56.7%) and 23 (15.3%) pts, respectively. The 2-yr RFS was 63.6%, the 5-yr OS was 68.7% and pCR occurred in 38 pts (25.3%). Multivariable analysis identified pure urothelial carcinoma in the residual tumor and absence of pathologic response to be associated with poor RFS and OS. Positive margins were associated with poor RFS, while grade ≥3 toxicities were associated with poor OS. Conclusions: Pure urothelial carcinoma histology was associated with worse RFS and OS following RC after NAC for MIBC, suggesting molecular studies may be useful in these cases. The association of severe toxicities with poor OS suggests that optimal pt selection for NAC and early recognition of toxicities is important.[Table: see text]

Results from BLASST-1 (Bladder Cancer Signal Seeking Trial) of nivolumab, gemcitabine, and cisplatin in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) undergoing cystectomy

439

Background: Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in MIBC improves survival which correlates with pathologic response (PaR) at radical cystectomy (RC). The combination of immunotherapy and NAC may improve PaR and outcomes in MIBC. We tested the efficacy and safety of nivolumab (N) with gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) as neoadjuvant therapy for MIBC in our phase II trial (NCT03294304). Methods: Eligible pts with MIBC (cT2-T4a, N≤1, M0) who were candidates for RC were enrolled. Pts received C (70mg/m2) IV on D1, G (1000mg/m2) on D1,D8 and N (360 mg) IV on D8 every 21 days for 4 cycles followed by RC within 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was PaR (≤pT1,N0). Secondary objectives were safety of GC+N and PFS at 2 years. The correlative objectives based on pre-treatment biopsies were correlation of PaR with 1) WGS 2) molecular subtypes of BC; 3) PD-L1 expression; 4) baseline TILs, CD3, CD8 and CD56.. Evaluable pts. should have received at least 1 dose of N. PaR will be summarized by the PaR rate as estimated by the sample proportion with exact 95% confidence intervals. We specified a null PaR of 0.35 and an alternative hypothesis of 0.55; we will reject the null hypothesis if at least 20 of 41 pts. have a PaR. Results: Between Feb 2018 and June 2019, 41 pts. were enrolled (cT2N0 90%, cT3N0 7%, cT4N1 3%); 2 patients refused surgery but were included in ITT population. PaR was observed in 27/41 pts. (65.8%), including pts with N1 disease. The combination was safe with manageable toxicities and no deaths from treatment. Majority of AEs were from GC; the overall rates of grade 3-4 AEs was 20%, majority being neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and renal insufficiency. Immune related AEs were seen in 3 patients, 2 had "adenitis" which wasymptomatic,1 pt developed Guillian Barre Syndrome after surgery, which resolved with IVIG; and none of them required steroids. There was no delay in time to RC and no unexpected surgical complications from treatment. Patients are being followed for progression and survival. Correlative work is ongoing. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant N+GC is safe and effective in MIBC with significant pathologic downstaging rates and no added toxicities or delay to surgery. Clinical trial information: NCT03294304.

Durvalumab as neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Preliminary results from the Bladder Cancer Signal Seeking Trial (BLASST)-2

507

Background: There is no established neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for patients (pt) with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy preceding radical cystectomy. Encouraging prospective data indicate PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, including pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, are safe and active as NAT for MIBC. Durvalumab (D), a PD-L1 inhibitor, is FDA approved for treating locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma following platinum-based chemotherapy. The safety and activity of D as NAT in MIBC have not been reported. Methods: We are conducting a single-center sequential multicohort trial (NCT03773666) of D alone (Cohort 1, N=10) and D plus the CD73 inhibitor oleclumab (Cohort 2, N=10) in cT2-T4aN0M0 MIBC pts who are RC candidates and are ineligible for or declined cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is feasibility, defined as ≥7 of 10 pts receiving at least 1 dose of D followed by radical cystectomy without dose limiting toxicity (DLT) up to 12 wks post-RC. In Cohort 1, D is administered at 750mg IV Q2W for 3 cycles followed by RC 2-4 weeks after the last dose. Baseline and RC tissue and baseline and on-study blood are collected for correlative studies, including immunohistochemistry, genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Results: Cohort 1 has completed enrollment; ten pts were enrolled between Feb 2019 to Sept 2019. Median age was 67 (Range: 53-85) and 8 (80%) were men. All 10 pts completed 3 durvalumab doses. Eight pts completed planned RC with at least 12wk follow-up post-op to date. No DLTs were observed. One Grade 3 treatment-related adverse event (trAE) was reported (anemia), with no Grade 4 or higher trAE. Pathologic response (<pT2N0) was seen in 2 of 8 (25%) pts with pathologic complete response (pT0) in 1 (12.5%) pts. Updated safety and efficacy data from Cohort 1 will be presented. Conclusions: D appears to be feasible as NAT in MIBC with preliminary evidence for antitumor activity. Toxicities are consistent with data from other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor trials. Future cohorts will examine D-containing combination NAT strategies. Analysis of tissue and blood-based predictive biomarkers are ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03773666.

Impact of MRI on outcomes in active surveillance (AS) for localized prostate cancer in a hospital registry

280

Background: MRI is increasingly used in follow-up of men undergoing AS for localized prostate cancer. Large cohorts predating the MRI era have shown that the risk of disease progression or stopping an AS protocol is ~20-30% at 5 years, but the impact of MRI on outcomes in AS is unclear. Methods: We studied men who initiated AS at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between 2001-2017 for Gleason 6 prostate cancer diagnosed on transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy, and who underwent a prostate MRI as part of their AS protocol. Progression on AS was defined as finding Gleason ≥7 cancer on repeat biopsy or at radical prostatectomy. Early MRI was defined as one performed within 1 year of diagnosis. Results: A total of 148 men were identified from a prospective IRB-approved database. Median PSA at diagnosis was 4.8 (range 0.7-14.3), median number of positive biopsy cores was 1 (1-7), median maximal core involvement by cancer was 10% (1-65), and most men (87%) had T1c disease. Overall, 54 (36%) progressed on AS over a median follow-up of 5.6 years (95% CI 5.1-6.0), with the majority (n=44, 81%) progressing at repeat biopsy; the 5-year progression rate was 32% (25-41). There were no major differences in baseline clinicopathologic characteristics between men undergoing early (n=103, 70%) or delayed (n=45, 30%) MRI, but men who had an early MRI underwent fewer subsequent biopsies (median 2 vs. 3, p=0.010) and more targeted biopsies (47% vs. 36, p=0.212). Men who underwent early MRI had a higher rate of progression compared to those who had a delayed MRI (5-year rate 43% [33-55] vs. 12% [5-26], log-rank p=0.001). However, when immortal time bias was accounted for by considering MRI receipt as a time-dependent covariate, early MRI was not associated with progression (HR=0.74 [0.50-1.09], p=0.129). Conclusions: The 5-year progression rate on AS was ~30% in the MRI era, a rate similar to that reported in series that predate the adoption of MRI. A higher rate of progression was seen in men undergoing MRI within 1 year of diagnosis, but MRI timing did not influence risk of progression when accounting for the time interval before an MRI was performed. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the impact of MRI on cancer-specific survival in men undergoing AS.