AbstractBackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) parenchymal brain metastases are uncommon and troubling observations in the course of the disease. Our study aims to evaluate the prevalence of brain metastases among PCa patients while reporting various therapeutic modalities, clinical features, and oncological outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 34 patients with parenchymal brain metastasis out of 4575 patients using a prospectively maintained database that contains clinicopathologic characteristics of PCa patients between January 2012 and December 2021. Based on the three treatment modalities used, the patients were divided into three groups: stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), and systemic therapy alone. The Kaplan–Meier curve was used to calculate overall survival [OS] probability and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to compare between groups.ResultsAt the time of brain metastasis diagnosis, the median age was 66 years, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) was 2.2 (0.1–26.6) ng/ml and the median (IQR) months from initial PCa diagnosis to brain metastasis development was 70.8 (27.6–100.9). The median (IQR) primary Gleason score was 8 (7–9) and over a median (IQR) follow‐up time of 2.2 (1.2–16.5) months, 76.5% (n = 26) of the patients died. Thirteen (38.2%) patients had solitary lesion, whereas 21 (61.8%) had ≥2 lesions. The lesions were supratentorial in 19 (55.9%) patients, infratentorial in six (17.6%), and both sides in nine (26.5%). Among all 34 patients, 10 (29.4%) were treated with SRS, seven (20.6%) with WBRT, and 17 (50%) with systemic therapy alone. OS varied greatly between the three treatment modalities (log‐rank test, p = 0.049). Those who were treated with SRS and WBRT had better OS compared with patients who were treated with systemic therapy alone (hazard ratio: 0.37, 95% confidence interval: 0.16–0.86, p = 0.022).ConclusionsIn our single‐institutional study, we confirmed that PCa brain metastasis is associated with poor survival outcomes and more advanced metastatic disease. Furthermore, we found that SRS and WBRT for brain metastasis in patients with recurrent PCa appear to be associated with improved OS as compared with systemic therapy alone and are likely secondary to selection bias.
Low PSA radiographic disease progression on C11‐choline PET
AbstractBackgroundFor men with prostate cancer, radiographic progression may occur without a concordant rise in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA). Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of radiographic progression using C‐11 choline positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in patients achieving ultra‐low PSA values and to evaluate clinical outcomes in this patient population.MethodsIn a single institution study, we reviewed the prospectively maintained Mayo Clinic C‐11 Choline PET metastatic prostate cancer registry to identify patients experiencing radiographic disease progression (rDP) on C‐11 choline PET scan while the PSA value was less than 0.5 ng/mL. Disease progression was confirmed by tissue biopsy or response to subsequent therapy. Clinicopathologic variables were abstracted by trained research personnel. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Intergroup differences were assessed using the log‐rank test. A univariate and multivariate Cox regression model was performed to investigate variables associated with poor survival after rDP.ResultsA total of 1323 patients within the registry experienced rDP between 2011 and 2021, including 220 (16.6%) men with rDP occurring at low PSA level. A median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 54.7 (19.7–106.9) months elapsed between the time of prostate cancer diagnosis and low PSA rDP, during which 173 patients (78%) developed castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Sites of low PSA rDP included local recurrence (n = 17, 8%), lymph node (n = 90, 41%), bone (n = 94, 43%) and visceral metastases (n = 19, 9%). Biopsy at the time of rDP demonstrated small‐cell or neuroendocrine features in 21% of patients with available tissue. Over a median (IQR) follow‐up of 49.4 (21.3–95.1) months from the time of low PSA rDP, 46% (n = 102) of patients died. Factors associated with poorer survival outcomes include advanced age at rDP, CRPC status, bone and visceral metastasis (p value <0.05). Visceral metastases were associated with decreased overall survival (p = 0.009 by log‐rank) as compared with other sites of rDP.ConclusionsMen with prostate cancer commonly experience metastatic progression at very low or even undetectable PSA levels. Periodic imaging, even at low absolute PSA values, may result in more timely identification of disease progression.
Metastasis-Directed Therapy for Metachronous Lung Metastases in Prostate Cancer
Introduction: As interest in metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) for prostate cancer (PCa) grows, exploring indications and patient selection is increasingly more important. Thus far, few studies have described long-term outcomes after surgical MDT in those with disease recurrence involving the lung. The objective of our study was to compare the cumulative incidence of cancer-related death by treatment modality in men with metachronous pulmonary metastases from PCa. Methods: In a single-institution retrospective study, we identified 75 men from the prospectively maintained Mayo Clinic C-11 Positron Emission Tomography Choline PCa registry with recurrent prostate cancer involving the lung but no other visceral organs. Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on treatment modalities: wedge resection ± hormonal therapy, chemohormonal therapy, and hormonal therapy alone. The risk of cancer-related death after treatment at the time of lung metastases was reported as cumulative incidence estimates. Non–cancer-related deaths were treated as a competing risk of death. A univariate Cox regression model was conducted to assess the impact of treatment modality on the risk of cancer-related death. Results: At the time of lung metastasis, the median age was 69.5 years, and the median (IQR) prostate-specific antigen was 4 (1.3-8.6) ng/ml. Forty-seven patients (62.7%) had hormone-sensitive disease, and 28 patients (37.3%) had hormone-resistant disease. A total of 26 patients (34.7%) were treated with wedge resection ± hormonal therapy, 27 (36%) with chemohormonal therapy, and 22 (29.3%) with hormonal therapy alone. The median (IQR) follow-up time was 50.3 (31.1-78.4) months, and 21 patients (28%) died. Patients who were treated with wedge resection ± hormonal therapy had lower rated of cancer-related death compared with those who received chemohormonal therapy (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 4.14, 95% CI: 1.01-16.96, P = .048) or hormonal therapy alone (HR: 6.37, 95% CI: 1.72-23.54, P = .005). Conclusion: This exploratory analysis supports the safety and feasibility of surgical metastasis-directed therapy in select patients with recurrent prostate cancer involving the lung. Favorable long-term survival provides justification for further evaluation of this approach.
A Real-World Experience of Pembrolizumab Monotherapy in Microsatellite Instability-High and/or Tumor Mutation Burden-High Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Outcome Analysis
Abstract Background The efficacy of pembrolizumab monotherapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients when stratified by MSI-H and/or TMB-H is poorly defined. Additionally, outcomes based on sequencing source (i.e., tissue or liquid biopsy) have not been well described. We sought to assess outcomes of pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with mCRPC and compare efficacy based on MSI-H and/or TMB-H when identified by tissue or liquid biopsy. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of mCRPC patients treated at Mayo Clinic with pembrolizumab monotherapy between 2018 and 2023. Objective response rates (ORR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), and overall survival (mOS), were determined by RECIST v1.1 criteria. Results Twenty-two patients with mCRPC received pembrolizumab monotherapy for at least 3 cycles for an MSI-H or TMB-H indication. All patients had next generation sequencing (NGS) performed via tissue (n = 11) or liquid (n = 10) biopsy source. The ORR was 50% (27.3% complete response and 22.7% had partial response). The mPFS for TMB 10-14.9 mut/Mb (n = 4), TMB 15-24.9 mut/Mb (n = 6), and TMB ≥ 25 mut/Mb (n = 10) was 2.1, not reached (NR), and NR, respectively (p = 0.0003). The mOS for these same groups was 5.1 months, 20.5 months, and not reached, respectively. Among patients with TMB-H without co-occurring MSI-H or CDK12 (n = 6), none experienced a response and only one patient had stable disease compared to patients with MSI-H (n = 12) for whom the ORR was 75%. Immunotherapy responsive alterations such as ATRX and PTCH1 mutations were frequently noticed among patients who had complete response (CR). Conclusions Our study highlights that MSI-H drives the efficacy of pembrolizumab in mCRPC with better survival outcomes as TMB increases. Clinicians should consider alternative treatment strategies for advanced prostate cancer when TMB-H is present without co-occurring MSI-H or CDK12. This study further demonstrates the utility of liquid biopsy NGS for identifying MSI-H and/or TMB-H disease.
Resilient CD8+ T cells maintain a high cytotoxic capacity by balancing ROS and energy needs via ME1 upregulation
Abstract Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are indispensable in anti-tumor immunity. Although CTLs are prone to exhaustion in patients with advanced cancer, T cell resiliency explains the presence of tumor-reactive CTLs that are less exhausted, capable of cytolytic function, expansion, and rebound in response to immunotherapy to reject metastatic malignancies. However, the features of resilient T cells have not been clearly defined. In this report, we demonstrate that peripheral CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cells with low mitochondrial membrane potential rebounded CTL function quickly after radiation therapy in patients with large tumor burden portraying their functional resiliency. Furthermore, CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cell with low, but not high, mitochondrial membrane potential are highly cytotoxic, accumulate less reactive oxygen species (ROS), and express more Malic enzyme 1 (ME1). ME1 overexpression increases ATP production in a glycolysis-independent manner while concurrently curtailing excessive ROS in activated CD8+ T cells; and expands CX3CR1+NKG7+ effector CD8+ T cells with enhanced cytotoxicity. Importantly, transfection of ME1 mRNA promotes tumoricidal activity in CD8+ T cells from patients with advanced cancers. Our study reveals a mechanism used by CTLs to balance excessive ROS via ME1 to maintain a metabolic and functional resiliency. Modification of ME1 expression in CTLs may be a novel method to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy by preventing T cell exhaustion. Supported by grants from Mayo Clinic Foundation and NIH (R01CA 256927-2)
Tolerability of lutetium-177–PSMA-617 in men with prostate cancer and baseline cytopenia.
e17057 Background: Results from the VISION trial (NCT03511664) led to the approval of lutetium-177 (177Lu)–PSMA-617 for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This trial excluded patients with baseline cytopenias, thus safety in this frequently encountered patient population is unknown. We aimed to use real-world data to describe the tolerability of radioligand therapy in those with poorer bone marrow reserve. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients, who received a first dose of 177Lu–PSMA-617 at Mayo Clinic in the interval of April 26, 2022, to December 1, 2022. Patients were categorized as having poor marrow reserve on the basis of pre-treatment hematologic parameters, including: (1) an anemia cohort with hemoglobin (Hg) less than 9 g/dL, (2) a thrombocytopenia cohort with platelets (Plt) less than 100 x 109/L, (3) a leukopenia cohort with white blood cell count (WBC) less than 2.5 x 109/L, and (4) a multiple cytopenia cohort. These were exclusionary parameters from the VISION trial. Longitudinal laboratory data and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: At data cutoff, 185 patients had received one or more doses of 177Lu, including 26 (14%) with at least one baseline cytopenia prior to their first cycle of treatment. In total, there were 19 (73%) patients with anemia, 3 (12%) with thrombocytopenia, 2 (8%) with leukopenia, and 2 (8%) with multiple cytopenias at baseline. The median number of cycles received thus far is 3, including 14 (54%) who are still receiving therapy and 12 (46%) who have permanently discontinued treatment. Median longitudinal changes in blood counts for the anemia cohort are presented in Table 1. Reasons for treatment discontinuation include: toxicity (n = 2), disease progression (n = 5), death (n = 4), or other (n = 1). Dose reductions or treatment delays for worsening myelosuppression were utilized in 3 (12%) and 5 (19%) patients, respectively. Transfusions of packed red blood cells or platelets were required for 16 (62%) patients. A total of 6 (23%) received care in the emergency department or were hospitalized. Conclusions: Treatment discontinuation for toxicity was rare among men with mCRPC and baseline cytopenias, while receiving 177Lu; however, these patients have an overall poor prognosis. [Table: see text]
The role of volume of disease for treatment selection in patients with metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC): A living meta-analysis.
5088 Background: Previous evidence suggests that there may be no additional benefit of triplet therapy in low volume disease based on limited data. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of triplet therapy as compared to docetaxel (D) and androgen pathway inhibitor (API) doublets by volume of disease using the most up to date results from the ARASENS trial. Methods: Phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing treatment intensification with API, and/or D in patients with mCSPC were included. Precomputed hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for OS were pooled using an inverse-variance approach. A DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy of triplet therapy compared to D doublet therapy. P-value of interaction was computed to assess difference between high (HV) and low volume (LV) disease subgroups (Pint <0.1 - statistical significance). Additionally mixed treatment comparisons were computed using network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the comparative effectiveness of triplet therapy compared to API doublets by volume of disease. Results: Pairwise meta-analysis included a total of 3 RCTs (ARASENS, PEACE-1, ENZAMET) with 2518 patients (HV: 1820; LV: 698) as shown. In patients with HV disease, 385 (43%) and 484 (53%) deaths were observed with triplet therapy, and D doublet, respectively. Triplet therapy significantly improved OS as compared to D doublet in HV (HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.64-0.84). In patients with LV disease, 73 (20%) and 94 (28%) deaths were observed with triplet therapy, and D doublet, respectively. Triplet therapy significantly improved OS as compared to D doublet in LV (HR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52-0.97). There was no statistically significant interaction by volume of disease for triplet therapy vs. D doublet (Pint: 0.86). NMA including 10 clinical trials and over 11500 patients updated as of 13th Feb 2023 showed that in HV mCSPC, triplet therapy was ranked as potentially the most efficacious treatment option and may improve OS compared to API doublet therapy (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.66-1.03). In LV mCSPC, API doublet therapy was ranked as potentially the most efficacious treatment followed by triplet therapy. There was no significant difference between triplet therapy and API doublet therapy (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.74-1.12). Conclusions: These results underscore that triplet therapy may be preferred in mCSPC patients with HV disease whereas API doublet therapy may be preferred in LV disease. [Table: see text]
Evaluation of PD-L1 and B7-H3 expression as a predictor of response to adjuvant chemotherapy in bladder cancer.
548 Background: PD-L1 and B7-H3 have been found to be overexpressed in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder. Recent studies have also demonstrated that B7-H3 and PD-L1 can promote resistance to platinum-based drugs but the predictive value of B7-H3 expression in patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy is unknown. This study aims to investigate the association of PD-L1 and B7-H3 tumor expression with oncological outcomes in patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) and received subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin-embedded sections from bladder and lymph node specimens of 81 patients who had RC for bladder cancer. PD-L1 and B7-H3 expression on tumor cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry in both primary tumors and lymph node specimens. Association with clinicopathologic outcomes was determined using Fisher’s exact test and postoperative survival using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox regression model. Results: B7-H3 expression in cystectomy specimens was more common than PD-L1 expression (72.8% vs. 35.8%). For both markers, no association was found with pathologic tumor stage, lymph node (LN) status, and histological subtype. Similar findings were observed for double-positive tumors (PD-L1+B7-H3+). Concordance between the primary tumor and patient-matched lymph nodes was found in 76.2% and 54.1% of patients for PD-L1 and B7-H3, respectively. PD-L1 tumor expression was not associated with oncologic outcomes. However, B7-H3 expression was associated with recurrence-free survival (HR: 2.38, 95% CI 1.06–5.31, p = 0.035) and cancer-specific survival (HR: 2.67, 95% CI 1.18–6.04, p = 0.019). Conclusions: In our single institutional study, B7-H3 is highly expressed in patients with UC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and it was associated with decreased recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival. Pending further validation in larger cohorts, B7-H3 expression may function as a predictor of response to adjuvant chemotherapy and thus be useful in patient and regimen selection.
Antibody-Based Therapeutics for the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Challenges and Opportunities
AbstractRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the top 10 most common cancers in both men and women with an estimated 75 000 cases each year in the US. Over the last decade, the therapeutic landscape for patients with metastatic RCC has significantly evolved, with immunotherapy emerging as the new front-line therapy. Despite significant improvement in toxicity profile and survival outcomes, key concerns such as patient selection, treatment sequencing, and intrinsic and acquired resistance remain unresolved. Emerging options such as antibody-based therapeutics (eg, anti-CD70, anti-CA9, and anti-ENPP3) are being explored in clinical trials for patients with cancer resistant or refractory to current immunotherapies. Despite positive results for hematological cancers, breast cancer, and more recently bladder cancer, most antibody-based therapies failed to improve the outcomes in patients with advanced RCC. This underscores the need to understand the underlying causes of failed responses to this treatment class, which will ultimately support the rational design of more effective and tolerable treatments. In this review, we summarize the evolving landscape of RCC therapeutics and describe recent clinical trials with emerging antibody-based therapeutics. We also describe the challenges that need to be overcome for the successful creation of therapeutic antibodies for treating RCC.