Messmann, Richard A.

Abstract Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–directed therapies provide meaningful clinical benefit in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), yet responses remain limited, underscoring the need for additional biomarkers of PSMA expression heterogeneity. In this study, we explored the relationship between PSMA imaging and PSMA expression on circulating tumor cells (CTC) in our early-phase trial using a PSMA-targeted small molecule. Experimental Design: This phase I study investigated EC1169, a small molecule conjugated to a tubulysin analog warhead, and 99mTc–EC0652, a PSMA imaging agent. Part A (dose escalation) identified the recommended phase II dose. Part B (dose expansion) assessed radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) as its primary endpoint. We enrolled and treated 103 patients with mCRPC. Most part B patients underwent 99mTc–EC0652 PSMA imaging. A CTC assay assessed PSMA-positive CTCs and their association with response and PSMA imaging. Results: 99mTc–EC0652 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging demonstrated increased sensitivity for detecting bone lesions compared with standard scans (computed tomography/bone scans). Using an optimized CTC assay, we observed that patients with a decrease in PSMA+ CTCs at baseline versus C3D1 displayed a longer rPFS (8 vs. 2.9 months; P = 0.04). Importantly, patients with predominantly PSMA-positive disease on 99mTc–EC0652 imaging also harbored PSMA-negative CTCs, with a subset displaying neuroendocrine prostate cancer–like morphology. Conclusions: Although EC1169 showed limited activity, CTC and imaging analyses showed significant heterogeneity in PSMA expression on CTCs in patients with predominantly PSMA-positive lesions on SPECT. Our study highlights the importance of assessing both PSMA-based CTC and imaging assays in future validation trials.

5001 Background: In the phase 3 VISION trial, targeted radioligand therapy with lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan ([177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617; 177Lu-PSMA-617) significantly prolonged radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS) when added to standard of care (SoC) in patients with advanced prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Benefits were consistent across most pre-specified subgroups. In this post hoc exploratory analysis, we examined rPFS and OS in the context of prior and concomitant cancer-directed treatments. Methods: In VISION, adult patients previously treated with at least 1 androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) and 1–2 taxane regimens were randomized 2:1 to 177Lu-PSMA-617 (7.4 GBq Q6W, up to 6 cycles) + SoC or SoC alone. Protocol-permitted SoC excluded cytotoxic chemotherapy, systemic radioisotopes, immunotherapy, or other investigational drugs. Exploratory subgroup analyses of rPFS and OS were performed by: number of prior ARPIs; taxane regimens; non-taxane regimens and immunotherapies; prior treatment with bone-sparing agents; 223Ra and PARP inhibitors; and concomitant treatment with ARPIs, radiation therapy, and bone-sparing agents. Results: Prior and concomitant treatments were generally well balanced between study groups (Table). rPFS and OS benefits with 177Lu-PSMA-617 were consistent across all prior treatment subgroups. Notably, there were benefits in patients who had not received a second prior taxane. There were also consistent benefits regardless of concomitant systemic and radiation therapy as part of SoC. Conclusions: The clinical efficacy of 177Lu-PSMA-617 was observed regardless of prior treatment or SoC chosen, suggesting that disease biology rather than prior and concomitant treatment context drives outcomes. Small differences in outcomes between subgroups may warrant further study to understand better the predictors of improved clinical benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT03511664. [Table: see text]