Disrupting prostate cancer research: Challenge accepted; report from the 2023 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy Meeting.

INTRODUCTION: The 2023 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy (CHPCA) Meeting, themed "Disrupting Prostate Cancer Research: Challenge Accepted," was convened at the University of California, Los Angeles, Luskin Conference Center, in Los Angeles, CA, from June 22 to 25, 2023. METHODS: The 2023 marked the 10th Annual CHPCA Meeting, a discussion-oriented scientific think-tank conference convened annually by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, which centers on innovative and emerging research topics deemed pivotal for advancing critical unmet needs in prostate cancer research and clinical care. The 2023 CHPCA Meeting was attended by 81 academic investigators and included 40 talks across 8 sessions. RESULTS: The central topic areas covered at the meeting included: targeting transcription factor neo-enhancesomes in cancer, AR as a pro-differentiation and oncogenic transcription factor, why few are cured with androgen deprivation therapy and how to change dogma to cure metastatic prostate cancer without castration, reducing prostate cancer morbidity and mortality with genetics, opportunities for radiation to enhance therapeutic benefit in oligometastatic prostate cancer, novel immunotherapeutic approaches, and the new era of artificial intelligence-driven precision medicine. DISCUSSION: This article provides an overview of the scientific presentations delivered at the 2023 CHPCA Meeting, such that this knowledge can help in facilitating the advancement of prostate cancer research worldwide.

The 29th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat Report.

BACKGROUND: The 29th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was held from October 27 to 29, 2022, at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA. This was the first-ever hybrid PCF Retreat. METHODS: The Annual PCF Scientific Retreat is a prominent international scientific gathering centered on groundbreaking, unpublished, and influential studies in basic, translational, and clinical prostate cancer research. It also covers research from related fields with a strong potential for influencing prostate cancer research and patient care. RESULTS: Key areas of research that were focused on at the 2022 PCF Retreat included: (i) the contributions of molecular and genomic factors to prostate cancer disparities; (ii) novel clinical trial updates; (iii) lessons from primary prostate cancer; (iv) lessons from single-cell studies; (v) genetic, epigenetic, epitranscriptomic and posttranslational mechanisms and clinical heterogeneity in prostate cancer; (vi) biology of neuroendocrine and lineage-plastic prostate cancer; (vii) next generation prostate cancer theranostics and combination therapies; (viii) the biology and therapeutic potential of targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinases pathways; (ix) combining immunomodulatory treatments for prostate cancer; (x) novel gamma delta (γδ) T-cell therapy platforms for oncology; and (xi) lessons from other cancers. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides a summary of the presentations from the 2022 PCF Scientific Retreat. By disseminating this knowledge, we hope to enhance our understanding of the present research landscape and guide future strides in both prostate cancer research and patient care.

Exploring new frontiers in prostate cancer research: Report from the 2022 Coffey-Holden prostate cancer academy meeting.

INTRODUCTION: The 2022 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy (CHPCA) Meeting, "Exploring New Frontiers in Prostate Cancer Research," was held from June 23 to 26, 2022, at the University of California, Los Angeles, Luskin Conference Center, in Los Angeles, CA. METHODS: The CHPCA Meeting is an annual discussion-oriented scientific conference organized by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, that focuses on emerging and next-step topics deemed critical for making the next major advances in prostate cancer research and clinical care. The 2022 CHPCA Meeting included 35 talks over 10 sessions and was attended by 73 academic investigators. RESULTS: Major topic areas discussed at the meeting included: prostate cancer diversity and disparities, the impact of social determinants on research and patient outcomes, leveraging real-world and retrospective data, development of artificial intelligence biomarkers, androgen receptor (AR) signaling biology and new strategies for targeting AR, features of homologous recombination deficient prostate cancer, and future directions in immunotherapy and nuclear theranostics. DISCUSSION: This article summarizes the scientific presentations from the 2022 CHPCA Meeting, with the goal that dissemination of this knowledge will contribute to furthering global prostate cancer research efforts.

The 28th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat report.

BACKGROUND: The 28th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was held virtually over 4 days, on October 28-29 and November 4-5, 2021. METHODS: The Annual PCF Scientific Retreat is a leading global scientific conference that focuses on first-in-field, unpublished, and high-impact basic, translational, and clinical prostate cancer research, as well as research from other fields with high probability for impacting prostate cancer research and patient care. RESULTS: Primary areas of research discussed at the 2021 PCF Retreat included: (i) prostate cancer disparities; (ii) prostate cancer survivorship; (iii) next-generation precision medicine; (iv) PSMA theranostics; (v) prostate cancer lineage plasticity; (vi) tumor metabolism as a cancer driver and treatment target; (vii) prostate cancer genetics and polygenic risk scores; (viii) glucocorticoid receptor biology in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC); (ix) therapeutic degraders; (x) new approaches for immunotherapy in prostate cancer; (xi) novel technologies to overcome the suppressive tumor microenvironment; and (xii) real-world evidence and synthetic/virtual control arms. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides a summary of the presentations from the 2021 PCF Scientific Retreat. We hope that sharing this knowledge will help to improve the understanding of the current state of research and direct new advances in prostate cancer research and care.

Prostate cancer research in the 21st century; report from the 2021 Coffey-Holden prostate cancer academy meeting.

INTRODUCTION: The 2021 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy (CHPCA) Meeting, "Prostate Cancer Research in the 21st Century," was held virtually, from June 24-25, 2021. METHODS: The CHPCA Meeting is organized by the Prostate Cancer Foundation as a unique discussion-oriented meeting focusing on critical topics in prostate cancer research envisioned to bridge the next major advances in prostate cancer biology and treatment. The 2021 CHPCA Meeting was virtually attended by 89 investigators and included 31 talks over nine sessions. RESULTS: Major topic areas discussed at the meeting included: cancer genomics and sequencing, functional genomic approaches to studying mediators of plasticity, emerging signaling pathways in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer, Wnt signaling biology and the challenges of targeted therapy, clonal hematopoiesis, neuroendocrine cell plasticity and antitumor immunity, cancer immunotherapy and its synergizers, and imaging the tumor microenvironment and metabolism. DISCUSSION: This meeting report summarizes the research presented at the 2021 CHPCA Meeting. We hope that publication of this knowledge will accelerate new understandings and the development of new biomarkers and treatments for prostate cancer.

The History of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen as a Theranostic Target in Prostate Cancer: The Cornerstone Role of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a credentialed imaging and therapy (theranostic) target for the detection and treatment of prostate cancer. PSMA-targeted PET imaging and molecular radiotherapy are promising evolving technologies that will improve the outcomes of prostate cancer patients. In anticipation of this new era in prostate cancer theranostics, this article will review the history of PSMA from discovery through early- and late-stage clinical trials. Since 1993, the Prostate Cancer Foundation has funded critical and foundational PSMA research that established this theranostic revolution. The history and role of Prostate Cancer Foundation funding in this field will be discussed.

The 27th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat Report.

BACKGROUND: The 27th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was held virtually from October 20 to 23, 2020. METHODS: The Annual PCF Scientific Retreat is a global scientific research conference that highlights the most promising and cutting edge advances in prostate cancer basic, translational and clinical research, as well as research from other fields with a strong potential for advancing prostate cancer research. RESULTS: Primary areas of research discussed at the 2020 PCF Retreat included: (i) the intersection between prostate cancer and COVID-19 research; (ii) lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic that may address prostate cancer disparities; (iv) the role of the microbiome in cancer; (v) current challenges in treatment of patients with metastatic prostate cancer; (viii) prostate cancer germline genetics and evolutionary genomics; (ix) advances in circulating DNA methylation biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection; (x) advances in the development of MYC-targeting therapeutics; (xi) advances in antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer; (xii) advances for immunotherapy in prostate cancer; and (xiii) updates from other recent prostate cancer clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: This article summarizes the research presented at the 2020 PCF Scientific Retreat. We hope that dissemination of this knowledge will help to accelerate and direct the next major advances in prostate cancer research and care.

Prostate Cancer Foundation Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Biomarker Working Group Meeting Summary.

Androgen deprivation therapy remains the backbone therapy for the treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). In recent years, several treatments, including docetaxel, abiraterone + prednisone, enzalutamide, and apalutamide, have each been shown to demonstrate survival benefit when used upfront along with androgen deprivation therapy. However, treatment selection for an individual patient remains a challenge. There is no high level clinical evidence for treatment selection among these choices based on biological drivers of clinical disease. In August 2020, the Prostate Cancer Foundation convened a working group to meet and discuss biomarkers for hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, the proceedings of which are summarized here. This meeting covered the state of clinical and biological evidence for systemic therapies in the mHSPC space, with emphasis on charting a course for the generation, interrogation, and clinical implementation of biomarkers for treatment selection.

The 26th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat Report.

BACKGROUND: The 26th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was held from October 24-26, 2019 in Carlsbad, CA. METHODS: The Annual PCF Scientific Retreat is a global scientific research conference that focuses on the most promising and interesting new research in the prostate cancer field, and topics arising from other fields that have the potential to impact and advance prostate cancer research and clinical care. RESULTS: The primary topic areas addressed at the 2019 PCF Retreat included: (i) new insights into prostate cancer biology and treatment; (ii) new drugs and drug targets in prostate cancer; (iii) advances in prostate cancer genomics; (iv) lessons from the multi-arm, multistage randomized phase 3 STAMPEDE trial; (v) advances in immunotherapy for prostate cancer; (vi) factors contributing to prostate cancer racial disparities; (vii) treatment-associated small-cell/neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-SCNC); (viii) artificial intelligence and machine learning in cancer research and development; (ix) population science research on prostate cancer; and (x) prostate cancer research in the Department of Veterans Affairs. CONCLUSIONS: This article reviews the presentations from the 2019 PCF Scientific Retreat. We hope that this knowledge will accelerate research leading to new understandings of prostate cancer biology and improve treatments for patients with prostate cancer.

Meeting report from the Prostate Cancer Foundation PSMA theranostics state of the science meeting.

INTRODUCTION: The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) convened a PCF prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) Theranostics State of the Science Meeting on 18 November 2019, at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY. METHODS: The meeting was attended by 22 basic, translational, and clinical researchers from around the globe, with expertise in PSMA biology, development and use of PSMA theranostics agents, and clinical trials. The goal of this meeting was to discuss the current state of knowledge, the most important biological and clinical questions, and critical next steps for the clinical development of PSMA positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents and PSMA-targeted radionuclide agents for patients with prostate cancer. RESULTS: Several major topic areas were discussed including the biology of PSMA, the role of PSMA-targeted PET imaging in prostate cancer, the physics and performance of different PSMA-targeted PET imaging agents, the current state of clinical development of PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy (RNT) agents, the role of dosimetry in PSMA RNT treatment planning, barriers and challenges in PSMA RNT clinical development, optimization of patient selection for PSMA RNT trials, and promising combination treatment approaches with PSMA RNT. DISCUSSION: This article summarizes the presentations from the meeting for the purpose of globally disseminating this knowledge to advance the use of PSMA-targeted theranostic agents for imaging and treatment of patients with prostate cancer.

Accelerating precision medicine in metastatic prostate cancer.

Despite advances in prostate cancer screening and treatment, available therapy options, particularly in later stages of the disease, remain limited and the treatment-resistant setting represents a serious unmet medical need. Moreover, disease heterogeneity and disparities in patient access to medical advances result in significant variability in outcomes across patients. Disease classification based on genomic sequencing is a promising approach to identify patients whose tumors exhibit actionable targets and make more informed treatment decisions. Here we discuss how we can accelerate precision oncology to inform broader genomically-driven clinical decisions for men with advanced prostate cancer, drug development and ultimately contribute to new treatment paradigms.

Prostate cancer research: The next generation; report from the 2019 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy Meeting.

INTRODUCTION: The 2019 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy (CHPCA) Meeting, "Prostate Cancer Research: The Next Generation," was held 20 to 23 June, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. METHODS: The CHPCA Meeting is an annual conference held by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, that is uniquely structured to stimulate intense discussion surrounding topics most critical to accelerating prostate cancer research and the discovery of new life-extending treatments for patients. The 7th Annual CHPCA Meeting was attended by 86 investigators and concentrated on many of the most promising new treatment opportunities and next-generation research technologies. RESULTS: The topics of focus at the meeting included: new treatment strategies and novel agents for targeted therapies and precision medicine, new treatment strategies that may synergize with checkpoint immunotherapy, next-generation technologies that visualize tumor microenvironment (TME) and molecular pathology in situ, multi-omics and tumor heterogeneity using single cells, 3D and TME models, and the role of extracellular vesicles in cancer and their potential as biomarkers. DISCUSSION: This meeting report provides a comprehensive summary of the talks and discussions held at the 2019 CHPCA Meeting, for the purpose of globally disseminating this knowledge and ultimately accelerating new treatments and diagnostics for patients with prostate cancer.

Advances in germline genetics for prostate cancer funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world's largest non-profit organization that funds patient-centric prostate cancer research. PCF has funded numerous critical studies surrounding the identification, biology, and clinical significance of prostate cancer germline and somatic genetic alterations, and is accelerating the application of these findings to improving outcomes for patients and their families.

The 25th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat Report.

BACKGROUND: The 25th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was held in Carlsbad, CA, from 26 to 28 October 2018. METHODS: The PCF Scientific Retreat is the foremost scientific research conference in the world that focuses on the most significant and promising recent advancements in basic, translational, and clinical prostate cancer research, as well as research from other fields that has substantial potential to advance prostate cancer research. RESULTS: The major topic areas discussed at this year's meeting included (a) new insights into prostate cancer biology and treatment; (b) approaches for accelerating precision medicine for prostate cancer; (c) prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted therapy and imaging for prostate cancer; (d) updates on Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-inhibitor clinical trial results; (e) the biology and role of prostate cancer stem cells; (f) new approaches for targeting the androgen receptor and other steroid hormone receptor pathways; (g) racial disparities in prostate cancer treatment and outcomes; (h) the role of the nervous system in prostate cancer development and progression; (i) the role of the WNT signaling pathway in normal prostate and prostate cancer biology; (j) novel immunotherapy approaches; and (k) the ecology of prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This article reviews the research presented by the speakers at the 2018 PCF Scientific Retreat for the purpose of disseminating this knowledge to the global research community and ultimately accelerating new understandings and treatment strategies for prostate cancer.

Tumor cell heterogeneity and resistance; report from the 2018 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy Meeting.

INTRODUCTION: The 2018 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy (CHPCA) Meeting, "Tumor Cell Heterogeneity and Resistance," was held in Los Angeles, California from June 21 to 24, 2018. METHODS: The CHPCA Meeting is a unique, discussion-oriented scientific conference convened annually by the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), which focuses on the most critical topics in need of further study to advance the treatment of lethal prostate cancer. The 6th Annual CHPCA Meeting was attended by 70 investigators and concentrated on prostate cancer heterogeneity and treatment resistance. RESULTS: The meeting focused on topics including: recognition of tumor heterogeneity, molecular drivers of heterogeneity, the role of the tumor microenvironment, the role of heterogeneity in disease progression, metastasis and treatment resistance, clinical trials designed to target resistance and tumor heterogeneity, and immunotherapeutic approaches to target and overcome tumor heterogeneity. DISCUSSION: This review article summarizes the presentations and discussions from the 2018 CHPCA Meeting in order to share this knowledge with the scientific community and encourage new studies that will lead to improved treatments and outcomes for men with prostate cancer.

The 24th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation scientific retreat report.

INTRODUCTION: The 24th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was held from October 5-7, 2017, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. METHODS: The PCF Scientific Retreat is a scientific conference that specifically focuses on cutting edge research deemed to have significant promise for accelerating advances in prostate cancer biology and treatment. RESULTS: Themes highlighted at this year's meeting included: (i) new understandings in prostate cancer biology and disease progression; (ii) new mechanisms and treatment targets in advanced prostate cancer; (iii) advances in precision medicine genomics, germline genetics, and selection of targeted therapies; (iv) PSMA-targeted agents for PET imaging and radionuclide therapy; (v) approaches for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy in prostate cancer; (vi) applications of 3D Genomics in prostate cancer research; and (vii) potential applications of artificial intelligence in prostate cancer. DISCUSSION: This article reviews the research presented at the PCF Scientific Retreat, in order to improve understanding of the current state of prostate cancer research, encourage discourse and exchange of novel ideas, and stimulate new basic, translational, and clinical research that will ultimately improve the lives of patients.

Meeting report from the Prostate Cancer Foundation PSMA-directed radionuclide scientific working group.

INTRODUCTION: The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) convened a PSMA-Directed Radionuclide Scientific Working Group on November 14, 2017, at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY. METHODS: The meeting was attended by 35 global investigators with expertise in prostate cancer biology, radionuclide therapy, molecular imaging, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted agents, drug development, and prostate cancer clinical trials. The goal of this meeting was to discuss the potential for using PSMA-targeted radionuclide agents for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer and to define the studies and clinical trials necessary for validating and optimizing the use of these agents. RESULTS: Several major topic areas were discussed including the overview of PSMA biology, lessons and applications of PSMA-targeted PET imaging, the nuances of designing PSMA-targeted radionuclide agents, clinical experiences with PSMA-targeted radionuclides, PCF-funded projects to accelerate PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy, and barriers to the use of radionuclide treatments in widespread clinical practice. DISCUSSION: This article reviews the major topics discussed at the meeting with the goal of promoting research that will validate and optimize the use of PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapies for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Beyond the androgen receptor II: New approaches to understanding and treating metastatic prostate cancer; Report from the 2017 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy Meeting.

INTRODUCTION: The 2017 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy (CHPCA) Meeting, "Beyond the Androgen Receptor II: New Approaches to Understanding and Treating Metastatic Prostate Cancer," was held in Carlsbad, California from June 14-17, 2017. METHODS: The CHPCA is an annual scientific conference hosted by the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) that is uniquely designed to produce extensive and constructive discussions on the most urgent and impactful topics concerning research into the biology and treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. The 2017 CHPCA Meeting was the 5th meeting in this annual series and was attended by 71 investigators focused on prostate cancer and a variety of other fields including breast and ovarian cancer. RESULTS: The discussions at the meeting were concentrated on topics areas including: mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for molecular subclasses of castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the epigenetic landscape of prostate cancer, the role of DNA repair gene mutations, advancing the use of germline genetics in clinical practice, radionuclides for imaging and therapy, advances in molecular imaging, and therapeutic strategies for successful use of immunotherapy in advanced prostate cancer. DISCUSSION: This article reviews the presentations and discussions from the 2017 CHPCA Meeting in order to disseminate this knowledge and accelerate new biological understandings and advances in the treatment of patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

The 23rd Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat report.

INTRODUCTION: The 23rd Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Scientific Retreat was convened October 27-29, 2016, in Carlsbad, CA. METHODS: This event focuses on the latest advances in basic, translational, and clinical prostate cancer research with the greatest promise for advancing our understanding of prostate cancer biology and improving patient outcomes and quality of life. RESULTS: Themes highlighted at this year's meeting included: i) targeting DNA repair deficiency in prostate cancer; ii) optimizing the use of Radium-223 and bone-targeting agents; iii) advances in cancer immunotherapeutic approaches; iv) targeting developmental pathways in prostate cancer; v) advances in circulating tumor DNA technology and applications; vi) precision survivorship; and vii) novel treatments and treatment strategies in prostate cancer. DISCUSSION: This article reviews the key advances discussed at the Retreat for the purpose of disseminating this knowledge to accelerate the development of new treatments and improved outcomes for men suffering with prostate cancer.