Mechanisms of Resistance to Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Targeted Radioligand Therapy in a Mouse Model of Prostate Cancer.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) is effective against prostate cancer (PCa), but all patients relapse eventually. Poor understanding of the underlying resistance mechanisms represents a key barrier to development of more effective RLT. We investigate the proteome and phosphoproteome in a mouse model of PCa to identify signaling adaptations triggered by PSMA RLT. Methods: Therapeutic efficacy of PSMA RLT was assessed by tumor volume measurements, time to progression, and survival in C4-2 or C4-2 TP53-/- tumor-bearing nonobese diabetic scid γ-mice. Two days after RLT, the proteome and phosphoproteome were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Results: PSMA RLT significantly improved disease control in a dose-dependent manner. Proteome and phosphoproteome datasets revealed activation of genotoxic stress response pathways, including deregulation of DNA damage/replication stress response, TP53, androgen receptor, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT, and MYC signaling. C4-2 TP53-/- tumors were less sensitive to PSMA RLT than were parental counterparts, supporting a role for TP53 in mediating RLT responsiveness. Conclusion: We identified signaling alterations that may mediate resistance to PSMA RLT in a PCa mouse model. Our data enable the development of rational synergistic RLT-combination therapies to improve outcomes for PCa patients.

Targeted alpha therapy in a systemic mouse model of prostate cancer - a feasibility study.

225Ac-PSMA-617 targeted-therapy has demonstrated efficacy in 75-85% of patients; however, responses are not durable. We aimed to establish translatable mouse models of disseminated prostate cancer (PCa) to evaluate effectiveness of 225Ac-PSMA-617 at various disease stages. Methods: C4-2, C4-2B, or 22Rv1 cells were injected into the left ventricle of male NSG mice. Disease progression was monitored using bioluminescence imaging (BLI). For treatment, mice were injected with 40 kBq 225Ac-PSMA-617 at one (early treatment cohort) or three weeks (late treatment cohort) post-inoculation. Treatment efficacy was monitored by BLI of whole-body tumor burden. Mice were sacrificed based on body conditioning score. Results: C4-2 cells yielded metastases in liver, lungs, spleen, stomach, bones, and brain - achieving a clinically relevant model of widespread metastatic disease. The disease burden in the early treatment cohort was stable over 27 weeks in 5/9 mice and progressive in 4/9 mice. These mice were sacrificed due to brain metastases. Median survival of the late treatment cohort was superior to controls (13 vs. 7 weeks; p<0.0001) but inferior to that in the early treatment cohort (13 vs. 27 weeks; p<0.001). Late cohort mice succumbed to extensive liver involvement. The 22Rv1 and C4-2B systemic models were not used for treatment due to high kidney metastatic burden or low take rate, respectively. Conclusion: C4-2 cells reproduced metastatic cancer spread most relevantly. Early treatment with 225Ac-PSMA-617 prevented liver metastases and led to significant survival benefit. Late treatment improved survival without reducing tumor burden in the liver, the main site of metastasis. The current findings suggest that early 225Ac-PSMA-617 intervention is more efficacious in the setting of widespread metastatic PCa.