Heather D. Mannuel

Testicular germ cell tumors: biology and clinical update.

Purpose of review This overview discusses several important developments in testicular germ cell tumors in the past year. Recent findings Genomic studies continue to investigate gene expression as possible markers for disease relapse and chemotherapy resistance. Optimal treatment strategies for early-stage seminomas are evolving toward surveillance versus chemotherapy and away from radiation, and the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in disseminated nonseminomatous cancers in complete remission is becoming less certain. Summary Treatment and surveillance paradigms continue to be defined and refined for both early and late-stage disease as research in these areas continues and the data from multiple large studies mature.

Update on testicular germ cell tumors.

Purpose of review This overview discusses several important developments in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) over the past year. Recent findings Genomic studies continue to investigate gene expression as possible markers for disease relapse and metastatic potential. Optimal treatment strategies for early-stage seminomas continue to evolve toward surveillance versus chemotherapy, although developing radiation delivery modalities may ultimately provide a safe alternative. The role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in postorchiectomy early-stage nonseminoma germ cell tumors remains a topic of debate. Summary Treatment paradigms continue to be refined for TGCTs as research in these areas continues.

Long-Term Follow-Up of a Prospective Trial of Trimodality Therapy of Weekly Paclitaxel, Radiation, and Androgen Deprivation in High-Risk Prostate Cancer With or Without Prior Prostatectomy

PURPOSE Weekly paclitaxel, concurrent radiation, and androgen deprivation (ADT) were evaluated in patients with high-risk prostate cancer (PC) with or without prior prostatectomy (RP). METHODS AND MATERIALS Eligible post-RP patients included: pathological T3 disease, or rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥ 0.5 ng/mL post-RP. Eligible locally advanced PC (LAPC) patients included: 1) cT2b-4N0N+, M0; 2) Gleason score (GS) 8-10; 3) GS 7 + PSA 10-20 ng/mL; or 4) PSA 20-150 ng/mL. Treatment included ADT (4 or 24 months), weekly paclitaxel (40, 50, or 60 mg/m(2)/wk), and pelvic radiation therapy (total dose: RP = 64.8 Gy; LAPC = 70.2 Gy). RESULTS Fifty-nine patients were enrolled (LAPC, n = 29; RP, n = 30; ADT 4 months, n = 29; 24 months, n = 30; whites n = 29, African Americans [AA], n = 28). Baseline characteristics (median [range]) were: age 67 (45-86 years), PSA 5.9 (0.1-92.1 ng/mL), GS 8 (6-9). At escalating doses of paclitaxel, 99%, 98%, and 95% of doses were given with radiation and ADT, respectively, with dose modifications required primarily in RP patients. No acute Grade 4 toxicities occurred. Grade 3 toxicities were diarrhea 15%, urinary urgency/incontinence 10%, tenesmus 5%, and leukopenia 3%. Median follow-up was 75.3 months (95% CI: 66.8-82.3). Biochemical progression occurred in 24 (41%) patients and clinical progression in 11 (19%) patients. The 5- and 7-year OS rates were 83% and 67%. There were no differences in OS between RP and LAPC, 4- and 24-month ADT, white and AA patient categories. CONCLUSIONS In addition to LAPC, to our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate concurrent chemoradiation with ADT in high-risk RP patients. With a median follow-up of 75.3 months, this trial also represents the longest follow-up of patients treated with taxane-based chemotherapy with EBRT in high-risk prostate cancer. Concurrent ADT, radiation, and weekly paclitaxel at 40 mg/m(2)/week in RP patients and 60 mg/m(2)/week in LAPC patients is feasible and well-tolerated.

Randomized phase II trial of docetaxel (Doc) and prednisone (Pred) with or without AZD2171 (cediranib), in chemotherapy-naive, metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) (NCI 7451).

38 Background: Cediranib + Doc were shown in a phase I trial to be feasible, with early evidence for efficacy in mCRPC patients (pts). A multi-center randomized Phase II screening trial of Cediranib+Doc+Pred (Arm A) vs. Doc+Pred (Arm B) was initiated in mCRPC pts. METHODS mCRPC pts with no prior chemotherapy were eligible. All received Doc at 75 mg/m2IV q 3 weeks and Pred 5 mg po bid. Cycle length was 21 days. Arm A pts also received Cediranib at 30 mg po daily. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS). We hypothesized 6-month PFS rates of 0.70 on Arm A and 0.50 on Arm B. Secondary endpoints included toxicity, PSA response, and RECIST response. Here we report the toxicity and PSA response data. RESULTS Of 58 pts enrolled, 57 were treated (29 Arm A, 28 Arm B). Median age = 68 years (range 51-84); 33% African-American, 63% Caucasian; median baseline PSA136 ng/mL (range 0.12 - 3,650); 57% had Gleason grade 8-10; and 40% had both bone/ visceral disease. Median nadir PSA was 10.5 ng/mL (range 0.10 - 1,484) in Arm A, and 25.9 ng/mL (range 0.00 - 2,076) in Arm B. Median number of cycles (range): Arm A = 9 (0 - 31); Arm B = 6.5 (1-39 ). 68% pts in Arm A required a dose reduction of at least one Cediranib dose level. Doc dose was reduced in 45% pts on Arm A and in 18% pts on Arm B. Primary grade 4 toxicity was neutropenia (11 [38%] pts A; 5 [18%] pts B), which prompted Cediranib dose reduction. Grade 3 toxicities included fatigue (9 (31%) A, 1 (4%) B); hypertension (8 (28%) A, 1 (4%) B); anemia (6 (21%) A, 2 (7%) B); neutropenia (4 (14%) A; 6 (21%) B); diarrhea (3 (10%) A, 1 (4%) B); deep vein thrombosis (2 (7%) A, 1 (4%) B); and pulmonary embolism (1 (3%) A). An amendment reduced Cediranib to 20 mg daily dose. PSA decrease ≥ 90% at nadir occurred for 13/29 = 45% on Arm A, and 6/28 = 21% on Arm B. PSA decrease ≥ 50% at nadir occurred for 19/29 = 66% on Arm A, and 17/28 = 61% on Arm B. Clinical partial response rates were 8/15 = 53% on Arm A and 3/9 = 33% on Arm B. CONCLUSIONS The addition of Cediranib to Doc/Pred has increased toxicity but may be associated with higher rates of PSA response and clinical response in mCRPC patients. PFS results will be reported. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION NCT00527124.