Emilda Thompson

Selective Inhibition of CYP17 With Abiraterone Acetate Is Highly Active in the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE It has been postulated that castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) commonly remains hormone dependent. Abiraterone acetate is a potent, selective, and orally available inhibitor of CYP17, the key enzyme in androgen and estrogen biosynthesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a phase I/II study of abiraterone acetate in castrate, chemotherapy-naive CRPC patients (n = 54) with phase II expansion at 1,000 mg (n = 42) using a two-stage design to reject the null hypothesis if more than seven patients had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of > or = 50% (null hypothesis = 0.1; alternative hypothesis = 0.3; alpha = .05; beta = .14). Computed tomography scans every 12 weeks and circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration were performed. Prospective reversal of resistance at progression by adding dexamethasone 0.5 mg/d to suppress adrenocorticotropic hormone and upstream steroids was pursued. RESULTS A decline in PSA of > or = 50% was observed in 28 (67%) of 42 phase II patients, and declines of > or = 90% were observed in eight (19%) of 42 patients. Independent radiologic evaluation reported partial responses (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) in nine (37.5%) of 24 phase II patients with measurable disease. Decreases in CTC counts were also documented. The median time to PSA progression (TTPP) on abiraterone acetate alone for all phase II patients was 225 days (95% CI, 162 to 287 days). Exploratory analyses were performed on all 54 phase I/II patients; the addition of dexamethasone at disease progression reversed resistance in 33% of patients regardless of prior treatment with dexamethasone, and pretreatment serum androgen and estradiol levels were associated with a probability of > or = 50% PSA decline and TTPP on abiraterone acetate and dexamethasone. CONCLUSION CYP17 blockade by abiraterone acetate results in declines in PSA and CTC counts and radiologic responses, confirming that CRPC commonly remains hormone driven.

Antitumour activity of docetaxel following treatment with the CYP17A1 inhibitor abiraterone: clinical evidence for cross-resistance?

BACKGROUND Abiraterone and docetaxel are both approved treatments for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Abiraterone pre-docetaxel is currently undergoing evaluation in a phase III study. In vitro studies indicate that taxanes may act by disrupting androgen receptor signalling. We hypothesised that prior abiraterone exposure would adversely impact docetaxel efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated activity of docetaxel in mCRPC patients previously treated with abiraterone, using Prostate Cancer Working Group and radiological criteria. RESULTS Of the 54 patients treated with abiraterone, 35 subsequently received docetaxel. Docetaxel resulted in a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of ≥50% in nine patients [26%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 13% to 43%], with a median time to PSA progression of 4.6 months (95% CI 4.2% to 5.9%). PSA declines ≥30% were achieved by 13 patients (37%, 95% CI 22% to 55%). The median overall survival was 12.5 months (95% CI 10.6-19.4). All patients who failed to achieve a PSA fall on abiraterone and were deemed abiraterone-refractory were also docetaxel-refractory (N = 8). In the 24 patients with radiologically evaluable disease, partial responses were reported in four patients (11%), none of whom were abiraterone-refractory. CONCLUSION The activity of docetaxel post-abiraterone appears lower than anticipated and no responses to docetaxel were observed in abiraterone-refractory patients.BACKGROUND Abiraterone and docetaxel are both approved treatments for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Abiraterone pre-docetaxel is currently undergoing evaluation in a phase III study. In vitro studies indicate that taxanes may act by disrupting androgen receptor signalling. We hypothesised that prior abiraterone exposure would adversely impact docetaxel efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated activity of docetaxel in mCRPC patients previously treated with abiraterone, using Prostate Cancer Working Group and radiological criteria. RESULTS Of the 54 patients treated with abiraterone, 35 subsequently received docetaxel. Docetaxel resulted in a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of ≥50% in nine patients [26%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 13% to 43%], with a median time to PSA progression of 4.6 months (95% CI 4.2% to 5.9%). PSA declines ≥30% were achieved by 13 patients (37%, 95% CI 22% to 55%). The median overall survival was 12.5 months (95% CI 10.6-19.4). All patients who failed to achieve a PSA fall on abiraterone and were deemed abiraterone-refractory were also docetaxel-refractory (N = 8). In the 24 patients with radiologically evaluable disease, partial responses were reported in four patients (11%), none of whom were abiraterone-refractory. CONCLUSION The activity of docetaxel post-abiraterone appears lower than anticipated and no responses to docetaxel were observed in abiraterone-refractory patients.

Clinical and Biochemical Consequences of CYP17A1 Inhibition with Abiraterone Given with and without Exogenous Glucocorticoids in Castrate Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer

CONTEXT Abiraterone acetate is a small-molecule cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) inhibitor that is active in castration-resistant prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine the impact of abiraterone with and without dexamethasone treatment on in vivo steroidogenesis. DESIGN AND METHODS We treated 42 castrate, castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with continuous, daily abiraterone acetate and prospectively collected blood and urine before and during abiraterone treatment and after addition of dexamethasone 0.5 mg daily. RESULTS Treatment with single-agent abiraterone acetate was associated with accumulation of steroids with mineralocorticoid properties upstream of CYP17A1. This resulted in side effects, including hypertension, hypokalemia, and fluid overload, in 38 of 42 patients that were generally treated effectively with eplerenone. Importantly, serum and urinary androgens were suppressed by more than 90% from baseline. Urinary metabolites of 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone downstream of 17α-hydroxylase remained unchanged. However, 3α5α-17-hydroxypregnanolone, which can be converted via the backdoor pathway toward 5α-dihydrotestosterone, increased significantly and correlated with levels of the major 5α-dihydrotestosterone metabolite androsterone. In contrast, urinary metabolites of 11-deoxycortisol and active glucocorticoids declined significantly. Addition of dexamethasone to abiraterone acetate significantly suppressed ACTH and endogenous steroids, including 3α5α-17-hydroxypregnanolone. CONCLUSION CYP17A1 inhibition with abiraterone acetate is characterized by significant suppression of androgen and cortisol synthesis. The latter is associated with a rise in ACTH that causes raised mineralocorticoids, leading to side effects and incomplete 17α-hydroxylase inhibition. Concomitant inhibition of 17,20-lyase results in diversion of 17-hydroxyprogesterone metabolites toward androgen synthesis via the backdoor pathway. Addition of dexamethasone reverses toxicity and could further suppress androgens by preventing a rise in substrates of backdoor androgen synthesis.

Improved Survival in a Cohort of Trial Participants with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Demonstrates the Need for Updated Prognostic Nomograms

BACKGROUND Median overall survival (OS) in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was 13-16 mo in the predocetaxel era. Prognostic nomograms for survival estimation in CRPC were constructed prior to the introduction of docetaxel and other novel treatments. OBJECTIVE To examine whether prognostic models still accurately reflect survival in a large cohort of trial participants. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Survival analysis of 442 men with CRPC sequentially treated in clinical trials at our institution from June 2003 to December 2011. OUTCOME MEASURES AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Predicted survival by Halabi and Smaletz nomograms was compared to observed survival. Cox model multivariate analysis (MVA) used variables at referral, including performance status (PS); levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), haemoglobin (Hb), and albumin; presence of visceral disease, and metastatic disease at diagnosis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS From point of referral, chemotherapy-naïve patients had a median OS of 30.6 mo (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.6-36.5 mo). In contrast, predicted survival using the Halabi and Smaletz models was 21 and 18 mo, respectively. In these patients, poor PS, lower Hb level, and increasing LDH level were the strongest predictors in the MVA. In patients referred after chemotherapy, survival from referral was 17.5 mo (95% CI, 16.0-19.5 mo) and increasing LDH level and presence of visceral metastases were the strongest predictors of survival. Median OS from diagnosis of CRPC was 40.7 mo in the overall cohort (95% CI, 36.8-44.0 mo). Clinical trial participation was safe, with low mortality rate. This cohort of men participated in phase 1, 2 and 3 trials and expanded access programs; their data may not reflect survival in all CRPC patients. CONCLUSIONS Due to the impact of highly effective novel therapies on survival, prognostic nomograms in current use require revalidation regarding their ability to predict survival in CRPC.

Randomized Phase II trial of nintedanib, afatinib and sequential combination in castration-resistant prostate cancer

AIMS The aim of this article was to evaluate afatinib (BIBW 2992), an ErbB family blocker, and nintedanib (BIBF 1120), a triple angiokinase inhibitor, in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. PATIENTS & METHODS Patients were randomized to receive nintedanib (250 mg twice daily), afatinib (40 mg once daily [q.d.]), or alternating sequential 7-day nintedanib (250 mg twice daily) and afatinib (70 mg q.d. [Combi70]), which was reduced to 40 mg q.d. (Combi40) due to adverse events. The primary end point was progression-free rate at 12 weeks. RESULTS Of the 85 patients treated 46, 20, 16 and three received nintedanib, afatinib, Combi40 and Combi70, respectively. At 12 weeks, the progression-free rate was 26% (seven out of 27 patients) for nintedanib, and 0% for afatinib and Combi40 groups. Two patients had a ≥50% decline in PSA (nintedanib and the Combi40 groups). The most common drug-related adverse events were diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. CONCLUSION Nintedanib and/or afatinib demonstrated limited anti-tumor activity in unselected advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.

Abstract C9: Treatment response to abiraterone acetate (AA) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) based on circulating tumor cells (CTCs), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and imaging

Abstract Background: AA, a potent oral irreversible inhibitor of CYP17A1, has been recently approved for patients with CRPC progressing after docetaxel. CTC count ≥ 5/7.5 ml correlates with worse survival in CRPC. In this analysis we evaluated PSA responses, radiological responses and CTC conversion rates in relation to patient outcome. Methods: 141 patients (ECOG Performance Status 0-2; Median Age: 69.7; 85 post-docetaxel, 56 pre-docetaxel) treated with AA at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trusts between December 2005 and March 2011 were included in this retrospective analyses. CTCs were enumerated using CellSearch at screening, baseline, at multiple time points during the study and at treatment discontinuation. PSA and imaging (Computer Tomography and Bone Scans) were obtained at the same time points as CTC collection. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized for these analyses. Results: Baseline CTCs of ≥ 5 cells/7.5 ml were detectable in 17/53 (32.1%) pre-docetaxel patients (3 inevaluable) and 58/77 (75.3%) post-docetaxel patients (8 inevaluable at baseline). CTC conversion (≥ 5 to Conclusion: Radiological and clinical disease stabilization beyond PSA progression is seen in a significant proportion of patients treated with AA. CTCs conversion correlates with PSA response and radiological disease stability. Citation Format: Diletta Bianchini, Alison Reid, Gerhardt Attard, Johann De Bono, Shahneen Sandhu, Amy Cassidy Mulick, Deborah Mukherji, Carmel Pezaro, Andrea Zivi, Aurelius Omlin, Ajit Sarvadikar, Emilda Thompson. Treatment response to abiraterone acetate (AA) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) based on circulating tumor cells (CTCs), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and imaging [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr C9.