Circulating Tumor Cell Count and Overall Survival in Patients With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

Importance: In metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), new first-line combination therapies have enhanced overall survival (OS), but clinical outcomes for individual patients vary greatly and are difficult to predict. Peripheral blood circulating tumor cell (CTC) count is the most extensively validated prognostic liquid biomarker in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), and recent studies have suggested that it may also be informative in mHSPC. Objective: To examine the prognostic value of CTC count in men with mHSPC. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this prognostic study, peripheral blood was drawn at registration (baseline) and at progression to mCRPC in the S1216 study (March 1, 2013, to July 15, 2017), a phase 3, prospective, randomized clinical trial in men with mHSPC. The CTCs were enumerated using a US Food and Drug Administration-cleared isolation platform. Counts were categorized as 0, 1 to 4, or 5 or more CTCs per 7.5 mL based on the prognostic value of these cut points in prior studies. The data analysis was performed between October 28, 2022, and June 15, 2023. Exposure: Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Main Outcomes and Measures: Circulating tumor cell count was evaluated for an association with 3 prespecified trial end points: OS, progression-free survival, and 7-month prostate-specific antigen, after adjusting for other baseline covariates using proportional hazards and logistic regression models. Results: Of 1313 S1216 participants (median [IQR] age, 68 [44-92] years), evaluable samples from 503 (median [IQR] age, 69 [46-90] years) with newly diagnosed mHSPC were collected at baseline, and 93 samples were collected at progression. Baseline counts were 5 or more CTCs per 7.5 mL in 60 samples (11.9%), 1 to 4 CTCs per 7.5 mL in 107 samples (21.3%), and 0 CTCs per 7.5 mL in 336 samples (66.8%). Median OS for men with 5 or more CTCs per 7.5 mL was 27.9 months (95% CI, 24.1-31.2 months) compared with 56.2 months (95% CI, 45.7-69.8 months) for men with 1 to 4 CTCs per 7.5 mL and not reached at 78.0 months follow-up for men with 0 CTCs per 7.5 mL. After adjusting for baseline clinical covariates, men with 5 or more CTCs per 7.5 mL at baseline had a significantly higher hazard of death (hazard ratio, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.22-4.68) and disease progression (hazard ratio, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.76-3.43) and a lower likelihood of prostate-specific antigen complete response (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.12-0.54) compared with men with 0 CTCs per 7.5 mL at baseline. Adding baseline CTC count to other known prognostic factors (covariates only: area under the curve, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.67-0.79) resulted in an increased prognostic value for 3-year survival (area under the curve, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73-0.84). Conclusions and Relevance: In this prognostic study, the findings validate CTC count as a prognostic biomarker that improved upon existing prognostic factors and estimated vastly divergent survival outcomes regardless of subsequent lines of therapy. As such, baseline CTC count in mHSPC may serve as a valuable noninvasive biomarker to identify men likely to have poor survival who may benefit from clinical trials of intensified or novel regimens.

Deep and Durable Prostate-specific Antigen Response to Darolutamide with Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Docetaxel, and Association with Clinical Outcomes for Patients with High- or Low-volume Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer: Analyses of the Randomized Phase 3 ARASENS Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Addition of darolutamide to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel significantly improved overall survival (OS) in ARASENS (NCT02799602). Here we report on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) responses and their association with outcomes. METHODS: ARASENS is an international, double-blind, phase 3 study in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) randomized to darolutamide 600 mg orally twice daily (n = 651) or placebo (n = 654), both with ADT + docetaxel. The proportion of patients with undetectable PSA (<0.2 ng/ml) and time to PSA progression (≥25% relative and ≥2 ng/ml absolute increase from nadir) were compared between groups in prespecified exploratory analyses. PSA outcomes by disease volume and the association of undetectable PSA with OS and times to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and PSA progression were assessed in post hoc analyses. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: The proportion of patients with undetectable PSA at any time was more than doubled with darolutamide versus placebo, at 67% versus 29% in the overall population, 62% versus 26% in the high-volume subgroup, and 84% versus 38% in the low-volume subgroup. Darolutamide delayed time to PSA progression versus placebo, with hazard ratios of 0.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-0.31) in the overall population, 0.30 (95% CI 0.24-0.37) in the high-volume subgroup, and 0.093 (95% CI 0.047-0.18) in the low-volume subgroup. Undetectable PSA at 24 wk was associated with longer OS, with a hazard ratio of 0.49 (95% CI 0.37-0.65) in the darolutamide group, as well as longer times to CRPC and PSA progression, with similar findings in the disease volume subgroups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Darolutamide + ADT + docetaxel led to deep and durable PSA responses in patients with high- or low-volume mHSPC. Achievement of undetectable PSA (<0.2 ng/ml) was correlated with better clinical outcomes.

Three- and Seven-month Prostate-specific Antigen Levels as Prognostic Markers for Overall Survival in Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer: Results from SWOG S1216, a Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Androgen Deprivation Plus Orteronel or Bicalutamide.

BACKGROUND: A robust decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in response to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been evaluated as a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) since 2006, but the treatment of mHSPC has since evolved to include intensified therapy. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the association of PSA levels at 3 (PSA-3mo) and 7 (PSA-7mo) mo with overall survival (OS) in patients with mHSPC treated with ADT combined with either bicalutamide or orteronel in the S1216 phase 3 clinical trial. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: PSA responses to treatment of patients in the S1216 trial were categorized as: complete response (CR) if PSA was ≤0.2 ng/ml, partial response if PSA was >0.2 and ≤4 ng/ml, and no response (NR) if PSA was >4 ng/ml. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A Cox analysis (adjusted for treatment arm and three stratification factors: performance status, severity of disease, and early vs late induction) was used for OS association. While PSA-7mo association was a prespecified objective, PSA-3mo association was also evaluated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 1251 and 1231 patients from the S1216 study were evaluable for PSA-3mo and PSA-7mo, respectively. A PSA-7mo CR was associated with improved OS compared with NR (HR: 0.20; p < 0.0001). A PSA-3mo CR showed a similar association to NR (HR: 0.34; p < 0.0001). The association of a PSA response with survival did not differ by treatment arm at either time point. CONCLUSIONS: The PSA-3mo and PSA-7mo responses were strongly associated with OS; taken with other emerging prognostic biomarkers, these markers may allow for early identification of patients at the highest risk of death, aid with counseling in clinical practice, and permit design of future clinical trials targeting these patients. PATIENT SUMMARY: A low prostate-specific antigen level at 3 or 7 mo after starting treatment for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer predicts longer survival regardless of the first treatment given with androgen deprivation therapy.

PROMISE Registry: A prostate cancer registry of outcomes and germline mutations for improved survival and treatment effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Recently approved treatments and updates to genetic testing recommendations for prostate cancer have created a need for correlated analyses of patient outcomes data via germline genetic mutation status. Genetic registries address these gaps by identifying candidates for recently approved targeted treatments, expanding clinical trial data examining specific gene mutations, and understanding effects of targeted treatments in the real-world setting. METHODS: The PROMISE Registry is a 20-year (5-year recruitment, 15-year follow-up), US-wide, prospective genetic registry for prostate cancer patients. Five thousand patients will be screened through an online at-home germline testing to identify and enroll 500 patients with germline mutations, including: pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants and variants of uncertain significance in genes of interest. Patients will be followed for 15 years and clinical data with real time patient reported outcomes will be collected. Eligible patients will enter long-term follow-up (6-month PRO surveys and medical record retrieval). As a virtual study with patient self-enrollment, the PROMISE Registry may fill gaps in genetics services in underserved areas and for patients within sufficient insurance coverage. RESULTS: The PROMISE Registry opened in May 2021. 2114 patients have enrolled to date across 48 US states and 23 recruiting sites. 202 patients have met criteria for long-term follow-up. PROMISE is on target with the study's goal of 5000 patients screened and 500 patients eligible for long-term follow-up by 2026. CONCLUSIONS: The PROMISE Registry is a novel, prospective, germline registry that will collect long-term patient outcomes data to address current gaps in understanding resulting from recently FDA-approved treatments and updates to genetic testing recommendations for prostate cancer. Through inclusion of a broad nationwide sample, including underserved patients and those unaffiliated with major academic centers, the PROMISE Registry aims to provide access to germline genetic testing and to collect data to understand disease characteristics and treatment responses across the disease spectrum for prostate cancer with rare germline genetic variants.

Race and Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of the SWOG 1216 Phase 3 Trial.

Importance: Black patients present with more aggressive disease and experience higher mortality than White patients with prostate cancer. Race and social determinants of health influence prostate cancer-specific mortality and overall survival (OS); however, in a previous trial, Black patients did not have inferior outcomes compared with White patients, possibly because of equitable access to care available in a clinical trial setting. Objective: To compare differences in survival outcomes of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) by race in a phase 3 trial with a large proportion of Black patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: This secondary analysis of patient-level data of a prospective phase 3 randomized clinical trial included patients with newly diagnosed mCSPC enrolled between March 1, 2013, and July 15, 2017. Analysis was conducted between December 2022 and February 2023. Interventions: Patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy were randomized (1:1) to receive either orteronel 300 mg orally twice daily (experimental group) or bicalutamide 50 mg orally daily (control group). Main Outcomes and Measures: OS, with progression-free survival (PFS) as a secondary end point. Results: Among 1313 participants, 135 (10%) identified as Black and 1077 (82%) as White, with an equal racial distribution between groups. Black patients were younger (median [IQR] age, 65.8 [60-70] vs 68.4 [62.5-74.1] years; P = .001) and had a higher median (IQR) baseline prostate-specific antigen response rate than White patients (54.7 [19.8-222.0] vs 26.7 [9.2-96.0] ng/mL; P < .001). At a median follow-up of 4.9 years, Black and White patients had similar median PFS (2.3 years; 95% CI, 1.8-1.4 years vs 2.9 years; 95% CI, 2.5-3.3 years; P = .71) and OS (5.5 years; 95% CI, 4.8-NR vs 6.3 years; 95% CI, 5.7-NR; P = .65). The multivariable analysis confirmed similar PFS and OS after adjusting for known prognostic factors. No interaction between race and treatment was observed. Conclusions and Relevance: In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial studying androgen deprivation therapy with first- or second-generation androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, both Black and White patients demonstrated similar OS and PFS. Equitable access to care may reduce historical differences in outcomes between Black and White patients with advanced prostate cancer. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01809691.

Orteronel for Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Phase III Trial (SWOG-1216).

PURPOSE: Orteronel (TAK-700) is a nonsteroidal 17,20-lyase inhibitor suppressing androgen synthesis. We evaluated the clinical benefit of orteronel when added to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. METHODS: In this open-label randomized phase III study, patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer were randomly assigned 1:1 to ADT with orteronel (300 mg oral twice daily; experimental arm) or ADT with bicalutamide (50 mg oral once daily; control arm). The primary objective was the comparison of overall survival (OS), targeting a 33% improvement in median survival. A stratified log-rank test with a one-sided P ≤ .022 would indicate statistical significance. Secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at 7 months (≤ 0.2 v 0.2 to ≤ 4 v > 4 ng/mL), and adverse event profile. RESULTS: Among 1,279 patients included in the analysis, 638 were randomly assigned to the ADT plus orteronel arm and 641 to the control arm. The median age was 68 years; 49% had extensive disease. After a median follow-up of 4.9 years, there was a significant improvement in PFS (median 47.6 v 23.0 months, hazard ratio 0.58; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.67; P < .0001) and PSA response at 7 months (P < .0001), but not in OS (median 81.1 v 70.2 months, hazard ratio 0.86; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.02; P = .040, one-sided). More grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in the experimental versus the control arms (43% v 14%). Postprotocol life-prolonging therapy was received by 77.4% of patients in the control arm and 61.3% of patients in the orteronel arm. CONCLUSION: The study did not meet the primary end point of improved OS with orteronel. The lack of correlation of PFS and PSA response with OS raises concerns over assumption of their consistent surrogacy for OS in the context of extensive postprotocol therapy in this setting.

Early-onset metastatic and clinically advanced prostate cancer is a distinct clinical and molecular entity characterized by increased TMPRSS2-ERG fusions.

BACKGROUND: Men with early-onset prostate cancer are at increased risk for cancer-related mortality, yet the prevalence and spectrum of molecular alterations in this patient population is unknown. Here, we analyze comprehensive genomic profiling data to characterize the molecular drivers of early-onset prostate cancer in patients with clinically advanced and metastatic disease. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing was ordered as a part of routine clinical care for 10,189 patients with prostate cancer between 02/2013 and 03/2020 using commercially available comprehensive genomic profiling. RESULTS: Deidentified genomic data for 10,189 unique patients with prostate cancer were obtained (median age = 66 y, range = 34-90 y). 439 patients were ≤50 y (4.3%), 1928 patients were between ages of 51 and 59 y (18.9%), and 7822 patients were ≥60 y  (76.8%). Of metastatic biopsy sites, lymph node, liver, and bone were the most common in all groups, accounting for 60.2% of all specimens. Overall, 97.4% of patients harbored pathologic genomic alterations. The most commonly altered genes were TP53, TMPRSS2-ERG, PTEN, AR, MYC, MLL2, RAD21, BRCA2, APC, SPOP, PIK3CA, RB1, MLL3, CDK12, ATM, and CTNNB1. Patients ≤50 y harbored significantly more TMPRSS2-ERG fusions than patients ≥60 y, while AR copy number alterations as well as SPOP and ASXL1 mutations were significantly less frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically advanced and metastatic early-onset prostate cancer is a distinct clinical subgroup with characteristic genomic alterations including increased frequency of TMPRSS2-ERG fusions and fewer AR, SPOP, and ASXL1 alterations.

Baseline Circulating Tumor Cell Count as a Prognostic Marker of PSA Response and Disease Progression in Metastatic Castrate-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (SWOG S1216).

PURPOSE: In metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), combined androgen axis inhibition is a standard of care. Noninvasive biomarkers that guide initial therapy decisions are needed. We hypothesized that CellSearch circulating tumor cell (CTC) count, an FDA-cleared assay in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), is a relevant biomarker in mCSPC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: SWOG S1216 is a phase III prospective randomized trial of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) combined with orteronel or bicalutamide for mCSPC. CellSearch CTC count was measured at registration (baseline). Prespecified CTC cut-off points of 0, 1-4, and ≥5 were correlated with baseline patient characteristics and, in a stratified subsample, were also correlated with two prespecified trial secondary endpoints: 7-month PSA ≤0.2 ng/mL versus 0.2-4.0 versus >4.0 (intermediate endpoint for overall survival); and progression-free survival (PFS) ≤ versus >2 years. RESULTS: A total of 523 patients submitted baseline samples, and CTCs were detected (median 3) in 33%. Adjusting for two trial stratification factors (disease burden and timing of ADT initiation), men with undetectable CTCs had nearly nine times the odds of attaining 7-month PSA ≤ 0.2 versus > 4.0 [OR 8.8, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.7-28.6, P < 0.001, N = 264] and four times the odds of achieving > 2 years PFS (OR 4.0, 95% CI, 1.9-8.5, P < 0.001, N = 336) compared with men with baseline CTCs ≥5. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline CTC count in mCSPC is highly prognostic of 7-month PSA and 2-year PFS after adjusting for disease burden and discriminates men who are likely to experience poor survival outcomes.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Risk of Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data examining the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of PCa between men with and those without IBD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective, matched-cohort study involving a single academic medical center and conducted from 1996 to 2017. Male patients with IBD (cases=1033) were randomly matched 1:9 by age and race to men without IBD (controls=9306). All patients had undergone at least one prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, stratified by age and race, evaluated the relationship between IBD and the incidence of any PCa and clinically significant PCa (Gleason grade group ≥2). A mixed-effect regression model assessed the association of IBD with PSA level. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: PCa incidence at 10yr was 4.4% among men with IBD and 0.65% among controls (hazard ratio [HR] 4.84 [3.34-7.02] [3.19-6.69], p<0.001). Clinically significant PCa incidence at 10yr was 2.4% for men with IBD and 0.42% for controls (HR 4.04 [2.52-6.48], p<0.001). After approximately age 60, PSA values were higher among patients with IBD (fixed-effect interaction of age and patient group: p=0.004). Results are limited by the retrospective nature of the analysis and lack of external validity. CONCLUSIONS: Men with IBD had higher rates of clinically significant PCa when compared with age- and race-matched controls. PATIENT SUMMARY: This study of over 10000 men treated at a large medical center suggests that men with inflammatory bowel disease may be at a higher risk of prostate cancer than the general population.

Validation of the Association of RECIST Changes With Survival in Men With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated on SWOG Study S0421.

BACKGROUND: Phase 2 trials evaluating new agents for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have relied on bone scan and prostate-specific antigen changes to assess activity. Given the increasing detection of measurable disease, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) changes warrant consideration to evaluate activity. We validated the association of RECIST 1.0 changes with survival in men with mCRPC receiving docetaxel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data for men with measurable disease from the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) S0421, a phase 3 trial in men with mCRPC receiving docetaxel and prednisone plus placebo or atrasentan, were used. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the association of RECIST 1.0 outcomes within 120 days, ie, unconfirmed partial response (uPR), stable disease, and progressive disease (PD), with overall survival (OS) from day 120, adjusted for prognostic factors. RESULTS: Overall, 326 men were evaluable for landmark analysis, of whom 23 had PD, 230 stable disease, and 73 uPR. OS beyond day 120 was significantly different (P = .004) among these subgroups, with median (95% confidence interval) OS of 7.1 (3.5-8.8), 13.4 (11.4-15.6), and 16.3 (10.0-19.6) months for those with PD, stable disease, and uPR, respectively. In a multivariable model, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for patients with PD was 2.47 (1.42-4.29) compared to patients with an uPR (P = .002). CONCLUSION: The association of RECIST 1.0 changes with OS in men with mCRPC receiving docetaxel was validated. Given limitations of bone scan and prostate-specific antigen alterations, improvements in objective RECIST 1.0 changes should be reported in phase 2 trials before launching phase 3 trials.

Abiraterone Acetate for Metastatic Prostate Cancer in Patients With Suboptimal Biochemical Response to Hormone Induction.

IMPORTANCE: Men with metastatic prostate cancer who have a poor response to initial androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), as reflected by a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level higher than 4.0 ng/mL after 7 months of ADT, have a poor prognosis, based on historical controls. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of abiraterone acetate with prednisone in these high-risk patients with a suboptimal response to hormonal induction. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A phase 2 single-arm study was conducted through the National Clinical Trials Network-Southwest Oncology Group. Eligible patients had metastatic prostate cancer and a PSA level higher than 4.0 ng/mL between 6 and 12 months after starting ADT. The PSA level could be rising or falling at the time of enrollment, but had to be higher than 4.0 ng/mL. No previous chemotherapy or secondary hormonal therapies were allowed, except in patients receiving a standard, first-generation antiandrogen agent with a falling PSA level at the time of enrollment; this therapy was continued in this cohort. Abiraterone acetate, 1000 mg, once daily with prednisone, 5 mg, twice daily was administered to all participants. A total of 41 men were enrolled between the trial's activation on August 9, 2011, and closure on August 1, 2013. Data analysis was conducted from March 21 to November 29, 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Abiraterone acetate, 1000 mg, once daily by mouth with prednisone, 5 mg, by mouth twice daily. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was a PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL or lower within 12 months of starting abiraterone acetate plus prednisone. A partial response (PR) was a secondary end point, defined as a PSA level reduction to lower than 4.0 ng/mL but higher than 0.2 ng/mL. RESULTS: Of the 41 men enrolled, 1 did not receive any protocol treatment and was excluded from analysis. The median (range) age of the 40 participants was 66 (39-85) years. Five (13%) patients achieved a PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL or lower (95% CI, 4%-27%). Thirteen (33%) additional patients achieved a partial response, with a reduction in the PSA level to lower than 4.0 ng/mL but higher than 0.2 ng/mL. Sixteen (40%) patients had no PSA response and 6 (15%) were not assessable and assumed to be nonresponders. The median progression-free survival was 17.5 months (95% CI, 8.6-25.0 months) and the median overall survival was 25.8 months (95% CI, 15.7-25.8 months). There was 1 incident each of grade 4 adverse events of alanine aminotransferase level elevation and rectal hemorrhage. Eleven patients reported grade 3 adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study did not reach its prescribed level of 6 PSA responses of 0.2 ng/mL or lower, although 5 responses were observed. The overall survival and progression-free survival rates observed in this trial are encouraging compared with historical controls. The therapy was generally well tolerated, without any clear signal of any unexpected adverse effects.

Improved overall survival trends of men with newly diagnosed M1 prostate cancer: a SWOG phase III trial experience (S8494, S8894 and S9346).

PURPOSE: Frequent prostate specific antigen testing for screening and monitoring prostate cancer has led to significant stage migration. We evaluated whether overall survival in hormone naïve patients with metastatic prostate cancer has improved during the era of prostate specific antigen use. We also assessed whether any patient subsets benefited differentially during this period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared overall survival in 3 sequential phase III trials of 3,096 men with hormone naïve, metastatic prostate cancer who received similar androgen deprivation therapy, including 2 trials performed before the prostate specific antigen era (S8494 and S8894) and the other done during this era (S9346). Overall survival was adjusted for patient and disease risk factors in the latter 2 trials. Subgroups were evaluated by interactions of risk factors with trial. RESULTS: Median overall survival was 30 months in S8494, 33 months in S8894 and 49 months in S9346. Adjusting for risk factors, there was a 22% lower risk of death in S9346 than in S8894 (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70, 0.87, p <0.001). The improvement in overall survival was greater in black American men (test of interaction p = 0.008). In S8494 and S8894 median survival for black men was 27 months, and 34 and 35 months for nonblack men, respectively. This racial difference disappeared in S9346 with overall survival of 48 and 49 months in black and nonblack men, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting for risk factors, overall survival was significantly improved in the post-prostate specific antigen era trial. However, it cannot be concluded that this was attributable only to prostate specific antigen monitoring. Black men now have overall survival comparable to that of white men. Current estimates of survival should be used to design new trials in this population.

Adjuvant androgen deprivation for high-risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: SWOG S9921 study.

PURPOSE: Men with high-risk features (extraprostatic extension or high Gleason grade) face a high risk of prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Clinical trials of adjuvant systemic therapy for such patients have been limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The SWOG (Southwest Oncology Group) S9921 study randomly assigned 983 men with high-risk features at prostatectomy to receive adjuvant therapy with androgen deprivation (ADT) alone or in combination with mitoxantrone chemotherapy. ADT consisted of goserelin and bicalutamide for 2 years. RESULTS: Although the final primary treatment comparison results are not ready for publication, this article reports results in the ADT-alone control arm with a median follow-up of 4.4 years. For these 481 men, the estimated 5-year biochemical failure-free survival is 92.5% (95% CI, 90 to 95), and 5-year overall survival is 95.9% (95% CI, 93.9 to 97.9). CONCLUSION: The results of this trial, taken in context, make a compelling argument for counseling all high-risk patients with prostate cancer about adjuvant ADT. This article discusses the challenges in the design and implementation of clinical trials to take the next step forward in adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer because of the excellent survival achieved with currently available therapies and highlights the need for better molecular markers to personalize care.

Phase II evaluation of early oral estramustine, oral etoposide, and intravenous paclitaxel combined with hormonal therapy in patients with high-risk metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma: Southwest Oncology Group S0032.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of a multiagent taxane-based chemotherapy combined with hormonal therapy in men with metastatic androgen-dependent prostate cancer in a multicenter, cooperative group, single-arm trial. METHODS: A total of 41 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer involving both the axial and the appendicular skeletons or viscera were enrolled. Of the 41 patients, 35 were treated with combined androgen blockade and ≤4 cycles of oral estramustine (280 mg orally 3 times daily) and etoposide (50 mg/m(2) daily) for 14 days of each 21-day cycle, with paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2) intravenously within 1 hour) on day 2 of each cycle. Chemotherapy was started within 30 days of the initiation of hormonal therapy. The patients were followed up to determine the progression-free survival. RESULTS: The 35 patients received a total of 126 cycles of chemotherapy, with 30 receiving all 4 cycles. The median progression-free survival for the evaluable population was 13 months (95% confidence interval 10-16), with a median overall survival of 38 months (95% confidence interval 28-49). The main toxicities were myelosuppression, with 9 patients experiencing grade 3 or greater neutropenia and 1 developing grade 4 thrombocytopenia. One patient died of neutropenic infection. Thrombosis embolism occurred 4 times (3 of grade 4 and 1 of grade 3), with 1 episode of grade 4 cardiac ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have shown that the administration of chemotherapy to this population is feasible, with moderate toxicity. Taxane-based chemotherapy did not demonstrate significant efficacy in this high-risk population of patients with a poor prognosis.

Clinical and correlative results of SWOG S0354: a phase II trial of CNTO328 (siltuximab), a monoclonal antibody against interleukin-6, in chemotherapy-pretreated patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) facilitates cancer cell survival via pleotrophic effects. We conducted a multicenter phase II study of CNTO328 (siltuximab) as second-line therapy for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Eligible men had castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with one prior chemotherapy. Subjects were treated with 6 mg/kg CNTO328 i.v. every 2 weeks for 12 cycles. Response was assessed after every three cycles. Primary end point was prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate defined as a 50% reduction. Accrual was planned in two stages, with 20 eligible patients in the first stage and 40 overall. Plasma cytokines and growth factors were measured by Luminex. RESULTS: Fifty-three eligible subjects had all received prior taxane therapy. Two (3.8%; 95% CI, 0.5-13.0%) had PSA response. None of the 31 patients with measurable disease had a RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) response but 7 (23%) had stable disease. With median follow-up of 14.8 months, median progression-free survival was 1.6 months (95% CI, 1.6-1.7) and median overall survival was 11.6 months (95% CI, 7.5-19.0). Grade 3/4 toxicities included disseminated intravascular coagulation (1), central nervous system ischemia (1), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (1), gastritis/esophagitis (2), thrombocytopenia (2), pain (2), leukopenia (1), and neuropathy (2). Median baseline IL-6 levels were 12.5 pg/mL (interquartile range, 2.5-41.5). Patients with IL-6 >12.5 pg/mL had worse survival than those with levels <12.5 pg/mL (53% versus 94%; P = 0.02). After treatment, IL-6 levels were >250-fold higher. Thirty-two of 38 patients had a decline in C-reactive protein plasma levels at 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: CNTO328 resulted in a PSA response rate of 3.8% and a RECIST stable disease rate of 23%. Declining C-reactive protein levels during treatment may reflect biological activity. Despite evidence of CNTO-mediated IL-6 inhibition, elevated baseline IL-6 levels portended a poor prognosis.

A sequential treatment approach to myoinvasive urothelial cancer: a phase II Southwest Oncology Group trial (S0219).

PURPOSE: We conducted a phase II trial of neoadjuvant paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine as well as transurethral resection of bladder tumor to evaluate the clinical T0 (cT0) rate with paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine, and to study cystoscopic surveillance or immediate cystectomy for patients with cT0 status following chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with T2-T4a chemotherapy and radiation naive urothelial cancer were eligible. T2+ tumor had to be diagnosed by transurethral bladder tumor resection followed by a second transurethral bladder tumor resection to confirm persistent disease within 16 weeks of the first resection. Three cycles of paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine were administered within 8 weeks of the second transurethral bladder tumor resection. Patients with cT0 status after paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine therapy could elect immediate cystectomy or cystoscopic surveillance, and those with greater than cT0 status were to undergo immediate cystectomy. RESULTS: Of 77 patients 74 were assessable, and cT0 status after paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine was achieved in 34 of 74 patients (46%). Of the 34 patients with cT0 status 10 underwent immediate cystectomy, 6 of whom had persistent cancer. Persistent tumor at transurethral bladder tumor resection was seen in 28 patients (38%) and 21 underwent cystectomy. Thus, 35 of 74 patients underwent cystectomy. With a median followup of 22 months 2-year overall survival was 59% (95% CI 45, 72) and among cT0 cases it was 75% (95% CI 57, 93). CONCLUSIONS: Although neoadjuvant paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine had a promising 46% cT0 rate, the study failed to meet the primary objective as there was an unacceptably high rate (60%) of persistent cancer at cystectomy in patients presumed to have pT0 status. Patients completing neoadjuvant chemotherapy should strongly consider definitive local therapy rather than cystoscopic surveillance regardless of post-chemotherapy cT0 status.

Potential surrogate endpoints for prostate cancer survival: analysis of a phase III randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The identification of surrogate endpoints for prostate cancer-specific survival may shorten the length of clinical trials for prostate cancer. We evaluated distant metastasis and general clinical treatment failure as potential surrogates for prostate cancer-specific survival by use of data from the Radiation Therapy and Oncology Group 92-02 randomized trial. METHODS: Patients (n = 1554 randomly assigned and 1521 evaluable for this analysis) with locally advanced prostate cancer had been treated with 4 months of neoadjuvant and concurrent androgen deprivation therapy with external beam radiation therapy and then randomly assigned to no additional therapy (control arm) or 24 additional months of androgen deprivation therapy (experimental arm). Data from landmark analyses at 3 and 5 years for general clinical treatment failure (defined as documented local disease progression, regional or distant metastasis, initiation of androgen deprivation therapy, or a prostate-specific antigen level of 25 ng/mL or higher after radiation therapy) and/or distant metastasis were tested as surrogate endpoints for prostate cancer-specific survival at 10 years by use of Prentice's four criteria. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: At 3 years, 1364 patients were alive and contributed data for analysis. Both distant metastasis and general clinical treatment failure at 3 years were consistent with all four of Prentice's criteria for being surrogate endpoints for prostate cancer-specific survival at 10 years. At 5 years, 1178 patients were alive and contributed data for analysis. Although prostate cancer-specific survival was not statistically significantly different between treatment arms at 5 years (P = .08), both endpoints were consistent with Prentice's remaining criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Distant metastasis and general clinical treatment failure at 3 years may be candidate surrogate endpoints for prostate cancer-specific survival at 10 years. These endpoints, however, must be validated in other datasets.

COOPERATIVE GROUP TRIALS - SOUTHWEST ONCOLOGY GROUP (SWOG) INNOVATIONS IN ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER.

The major goals of the SWOG-GU committee in the area of advanced prostate cancer are to improve the survival and quality of life of patients with advanced prostate cancer. SWOG trials have examined the role of combined androgen blockade, intermittent androgen deprivation, and the early application of chemotherapy in castration-naïve disease. In addition, they have contributed to advancing the current chemotherapy standard of docetaxel plus prednisone, and ongoing trials seek to improve upon that standard. Finally, surrogate endpoints have been identified and markers of treatment response or resistance with novel technology are under active investigation. This review highlights findings from recent SWOG clinical trials for advanced prostate cancer, emphasizing the clinical impact and future applications of the data.