de Bono, Johann

Abstract Background Clival metastases are a rare and clinically aggressive manifestation of advanced prostate cancer, associated with cranial nerve palsy and poor survival. The molecular features of prostate cancers giving rise to clivus metastases remain unknown. Patients and methods We performed a multi-center retrospective study across six institutions, identifying prostate cancer patients with radiographically confirmed clival metastases and available next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were collected. Genomic alterations from tissue- and/or blood-based assays were aggregated at the patient level and compared with a publicly available metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) cohort (SU2C/PCF). Results Fifty-nine patients with clival metastases contributed 87 molecular assays. More than half of patients had Gleason grade group 5 cancer and presented with de novo metastatic (M1) disease. The median interval from initial prostate cancer diagnosis to clival metastasis was 71.4 months (95% CI, 42.0-101.7), while median overall survival following clival involvement was only 15.3 months (95% CI, 6.9-22.8). Compared with the SU2C/PCF mCRPC cohort, clival metastases showed significant enrichment of BRAF and CHEK2 alterations as well as homologous recombination repair (HRR) with relative depletion of AR-related, PI3K pathway, and G2–M pathway alterations. Conclusion Prostate cancers giving rise to clival metastases exhibit a distinct molecular profile enriched for DNA damage–repair and RAF kinase alterations, suggesting unique metastatic biology and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.

BACKGROUND Predictive biomarkers to guide chemotherapy decisions for metastatic castration–resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are lacking. Preclinical studies indicate that circulating tumor cell (CTC) studies of chromosomal instability (CTC-CIN) can predict taxane resistance. METHODS The CARD trial randomized individuals with mCRPC progressing within a year of treatment with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI; enzalutamide or abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone/prednisone) to cabazitaxel or the alternative ARPI. As a preplanned biomarker analysis, CTCs were isolated from blood samples obtained at baseline, cycle 2, and the end of treatment. Associations between baseline CTC and CTC-CIN counts with imaging-based progression-free survival (ibPFS), overall survival (OS), time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, RECIST 1.1 objective response rate (ORR), and PSA 50 response rate were assessed. RESULTS High baseline CTC-CIN counts significantly associated with worse OS after adjustment for confounding variables (median OS, 15.3 vs. 8.9 months; univariate HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.52–3.06; P < 0.001; multivariate HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.01–2.43; P = 0.047). Detectable CTC-CIN counts at baseline may predict a lack of ibPFS and OS benefit when comparing cabazitaxel with ARPI. CONCLUSION This preplanned analysis of biomarker data from the CARD trial confirms that CTC-CIN counts are a clinically useful prognostic and predictive biomarker of taxane resistance in mCRPC. Detectable CTC-CIN at baseline defines a patient subpopulation with unmet clinical needs in which alternative therapeutics should be tested. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02485691. FUNDING Funded by Sanofi and Epic Sciences.

Abstract Background: Chromosomal instability (CIN) is frequent in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and determines taxane resistance. A circulating tumor cell (CTC) assay which morphologically identifies CTCs with CIN (CTC-CIN) from a single tube of whole blood could predict clinical outcomes in this population. We tested this hypothesis as a pre-planned, secondary outcome of the CARD trial, where patients with mCRPC progressing within a year of treatment with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI; enzalutamide or abiraterone acetate + prednisolone/prednisone) were randomized to treatment with cabazitaxel or the alternative ARPI. Methods: CTCs were isolated from blood samples obtained at baseline; cycle two, and end of treatment. The associations of baseline CTC and counts with imaging-based progression free survival (ibPFS), overall survival (OS), time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, RECIST 1.1 objective response rate (ORR), and PSA50 response rate (PRR) were assessed. Results: Of 255 patients randomized, CTC counts were acquired from 237 patients at screening, 213 patients at C2D1, and 166 patients at EOT. High baseline CTC counts were significantly associated with worse OS (median OS, 14.9 vs 9.8 months; univariate HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.30 - 2.51; p &lt; 0.001). High baseline CTC-CIN counts were significantly associated with worse OS after adjustment for confounding variables (median OS, 15.3 vs 8.9 months; univariate HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.52 - 3.06; p &lt; 0.001; multivariate HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.01 - 2.43; p = 0.047). Low CTC-CIN at baseline predicted ibPFS, ORR, and PRR benefit with cabazitaxel; conversely, high at baseline predicted no different ibPFS or OS outcomes with cabazitaxel or a second ARPI. Conclusions: This preplanned biomarker analysis of CARD confirmed that CTC-CIN counts are prognostic for OS and may be predictive of cabazitaxel benefit. (Funded by Sanofi and Epic Sciences; CARD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02485691.) Citation Format: Ossian Longoria, Jan Rekowski, Santosh Gupta, Nick Beije, Klaus Pantel, Eleni Efstathiou, Cora Sternberg, Daniel Castellano, Karim Fizazi, Bertrand Tombal, Adam Sharp, Oliver Sartor, Sandrine Mace, Christine Geffriaud-Ricouard, Richard Wenstrup, Ronald de Wit, Johann de Bono. Morphological evaluation of chromosomal instability in circulating tumor cells and prediction of taxane resistance in metastatic prostate cancer: a prespecified sub-analysis of the CARD trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 1145

16 Background: In PSMAfore (NCT04689828), [ 177 Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 ( 177 Lu-PSMA-617) prolonged rPFS versus androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) change in taxane-naive adults with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) progressing once on an ARPI. Baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fraction was associated with rPFS at the second interim analysis (IA) of OS (ASCO 24). Here, we assessed the association of baseline and cycle 2 day 1 (C2D1) ctDNA fraction, and early ctDNA and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) dynamics, with rPFS and OS at the third IA of OS. Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1 to 177 Lu-PSMA-617 (7.4 GBq Q6W; x6) or ARPI change. Endpoints included rPFS (primary) and OS (key secondary). Plasma ctDNA fraction was analyzed at baseline and at C2D1 using an in-house custom panel. Cox regression (adjusted for 3 risk classes based on clustering of 17 baseline clinical features) and random forest (adjusted for 15 baseline clinical features) modeling were used to assess the association of ctDNA fraction and PSA with clinical outcomes at the Feb-27-2024 data cutoff. Results: Patients with plasma samples at baseline and C2D1 were included ( 177 Lu-PSMA-617, n/N = 82/234; ARPI change, n/N = 91/234). Cox regression models adjusted for clinical features in the 177 Lu-PSMA-617 arm showed that higher ctDNA fraction was associated with shorter rPFS and OS (Table). These associations were stronger for C2D1 than baseline, both when comparing individual models and within a model including both timepoints (Table). In random forest models including clinical features and C2D1 ctDNA fraction, the total area under curves were not improved by addition of baseline ctDNA fraction (rPFS, 0.87; OS, 0.86). In the overall population, fractional decreases from baseline to C2D1 in ctDNA ( p = 0.0015) and PSA ( p < 0.0001) were strongly associated with longer rPFS, and were weakly correlated with one another (correlation coefficient, 0.26). In the 177 Lu-PSMA-617 arm, fractional decrease in ctDNA ( p = 0.002) was more strongly correlated with OS than was decrease in PSA ( p = 0.12). Conclusions: This exploratory analysis suggested that C2D1 ctDNA fraction was more strongly associated than baseline ctDNA fraction with rPFS and OS. Early ctDNA fraction dynamics contributed additional information in the prediction of rPFS and OS beyond PSA dynamics alone. Clinical trial information: NCT04689828 . Cox regression models. a rPFS OS Baseline model, HR (95% CI); p 6.0 (1.6–23.0); 0.0095 12.0 (3.0–48.7); 0.00052 C-index ± SE 0.69 ± 0.04 0.75 ± 0.04 C2D1 model, HR (95% CI); p 47.7 (10.1–226.0); < 0.0001 82.7 (16.4–417.0); < 0.0001 C-index ± SE 0.72 ± 0.03 0.77 ± 0.03 Baseline + C2D1 model Baseline, HR (95% CI); p 3.1 (0.7–14.0); 0.14 2.1 (0.4–12.7); 0.41 C2D1, HR (95% CI); p 35.9 (7.2–180.0); < 0.0001 52.5 (7.6–362.0); < 0.0001 C-index ± SE 0.72 ± 0.03 0.79 ± 0.03 a HRs correspond to 1 unit change in ctDNA fraction.

121 Background: In the Phase 3 VISION trial, treatment with the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy [ 177 Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 ( 177 Lu-PSMA-617) + protocol-permitted standard of care (SoC) significantly improved median radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS; 8.7 vs 3.4 months [mo]) and overall survival (OS; 15.3 vs 11.3 mo) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) vs SoC alone. However, it is unclear how the addition of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) affected 177 Lu-PSMA-617 treatment outcomes. Here we compared the efficacy and safety of 177 Lu-PSMA-617 in patients treated with vs without concomitant ARPIs. Methods: In VISION, adult patients with PSMA-positive mCRPC previously treated with ≥1 prior ARPI and 1–2 taxane chemotherapy regimens were randomized 2:1 to receive 177 Lu-PSMA-617 (7.4 GBq Q6W, 4–6 cycles) + SoC (which included ARPIs) vs SoC alone. In this secondary analysis, we assessed baseline characteristics, OS, rPFS, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate, duration of PSA response, PSA-PFS, and safety among patients in the intervention arm who were treated with vs without concomitant ARPIs. Results: In total, 289 patients were treated with concomitant ARPIs and 262 patients were not (N=551). Imbalances between the groups were observed in some baseline characteristics: patients treated with concomitant ARPIs were younger, had lower ECOG performance scores, lower mean PSA and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and fewer prior taxane chemotherapy regimens. Baseline mean standardized [ 68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 uptake values and mean hemoglobin levels were well-balanced. A statistically significant difference in median OS was observed in patients treated with concomitant ARPIs vs those without (17.8 vs 12.4 mo; HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58–0.89; nominal P=0.001). No statistically significant between-group differences were observed for rPFS, PSA response rate, duration of PSA response or PSA-PFS. The proportion of adverse events reported was similar in patients with or without concurrent ARPI, except for the number of adverse events leading to interruption of best supportive care/SoC, which was higher in patients treated with concurrent ARPIs. Conclusions: OS was significantly different in patients treated with concomitant ARPIs vs those without, while other efficacy endpoints were not. No new safety signals were observed for 177 Lu-PSMA-617 with concomitant ARPI. These findings may be confounded by varied exposure to ARPIs, or differing patient characteristics; patients who received concomitant ARPIs may represent a more favorable treatment population than those who did not. These findings should be considered as hypothesis-generating, and a multivariate analysis has been planned to ascertain the influence of these potential biases. Clinical trial information: NCT03511664 .

AbstractBackground[177Lu]Lu–PSMA‐617 (177Lu‐PSMA‐617) plus protocol‐permitted standard of care (SOC) prolonged overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression‐free survival (rPFS) versus SOC in patients with prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–positive metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in the phase 3 VISION study, in addition to beneficial effects on symptomatic skeletal events (SSEs) and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).MethodsPost hoc analyses used the full analysis set from the VISION study (N = 831) overall and by randomized treatment arm (177Lu‐PSMA‐617 plus SOC, n = 551; SOC, n = 280). Correlations were determined between OS and rPFS and between rPFS or OS and time to SSE or to worsening HRQOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate [FACT‐P] and 5‐level EQ‐5D [EQ‐5D‐5L]). Correlation analyses used an iterative multiple imputation copula‐based approach (correlation coefficients [rho] of <0.3 were defined as weak, ≥0.3 and <0.5 as mild, ≥0.5 and <0.7 as moderate, and ≥0.7 as strong).ResultsIn the overall population, rPFS correlated strongly with OS (rho, ≥0.7). Correlations between rPFS or OS and time to SSE without death were weak or mild. Time to worsening in the FACT‐P total score and emotional and physical well‐being domains correlated mildly or moderately with rPFS and moderately with OS. Correlation coefficients for time‐to‐worsening EQ‐5D‐5L scores were mild to moderate for both rPFS and OS. Correlation coefficients were similar between treatment arms.ConclusionsIn this analysis of the VISION study, rPFS correlated strongly with OS but not with time to SSE or worsening HRQOL. These findings require further investigation.

Background Oncolytic reovirus therapy for cancer induces a typical antiviral response to this RNA virus, including neutralizing antibodies. Concomitant treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapies has been hypothesized to improve the therapeutic potential of the virus. Chemotherapy side effects can include immunosuppression, which may slow the rate of the antiviral antibody response, as well as potentially make the patient more vulnerable to viral infection. Method Reovirus neutralizing antibody data were aggregated from separate phase I clinical trials of reovirus administered as a single agent or in combination with gemcitabine, docetaxel, carboplatin and paclitaxel doublet or cyclophosphamide. In addition, the kinetics of individual antibody isotypes were profiled in sera collected in these trials. Results These data demonstrate preserved antiviral antibody responses, with only moderately reduced kinetics with some drugs, most notably gemcitabine. All patients ultimately produced an effective neutralizing antibody response. Conclusion Patients’ responses to infection by reovirus are largely unaffected by the concomitant drug treatments tested, providing confidence that RNA viral treatment or infection is compatible with standard of care treatments.

213 Background: Daily oral prednisone (P) has been employed for the therapy of mCRPC, alone or in combination regimens. Despite palliative benefits and PSA responses, the overall clinical impact of P is unknown and it may foster resistance mechanisms. We performed a pooled analysis of control arms of randomized trials which either did or did not administer single agent P to evaluate its impact on overall survival (OS) and toxicities. Methods: Individual patient data from control arms ofrandomized trials of post-docetaxel men receiving placebo or P + placebo were eligible for analysis. Patient demographics, survival, and toxicity data were collected. The impact of P on OS and toxicities was investigated in Cox regression models adjusted for known clinical and laboratory prognostic factors. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value < 0.05 and all tests were two-sided. Results: The control arms of 2 randomized phase III trials were available totaling 794 men: the COU-AA-301 trial (n = 394) administered P plus placebo and the CA184-043 trial (n = 400) administered placebo alone. P plus placebo was not significantly associated with OS compared to placebo alone in a multivariable analysis (HR = 0.89 [95% CI 0.72-1.10], p = 0.27). Other factors associated with poor OS were Eastern Cooperative Oncology group (ECOG)-performance status (PS) ≥ 1, Gleason Score ≥ 8, liver metastasis, high PSA, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated LDH.In contrast, CTCAE grade ≥ 3 therapy-related toxicities were significantly increased with P plus placebo compared to placebo alone (HR = 1.48 (1.03-2.13), p = 0.034) in a multivariable analysis. Other baseline factors significantly associated with a higher risk of grade ≥ 3 toxicities were ECOG-PS ≥ 1, hypoalbuminemia and elevated LDH. Conclusions: P plus placebo compared with placebo alone for post-docetaxel men with mCRPC was not associated with extension of OS, but was associated with higher grade ≥ 3 toxicities. With the exception of the use of P in combination with abiraterone, P alone or in combination regimens should be questioned given its unclear palliative benefits and association with increased toxicities.

Abstract Purpose: Reovirus is a wild-type oncolytic virus that is ubiquitous in the environment; most patients are therefore preimmune. Therapeutic administration leads to an increase in neutralizing antireovirus antibody (NARA) titer. We hypothesized that if NARA limited reovirus antitumor activity, the effect might be attenuated by coadministration of cyclophosphamide. Experimental design: In a phase I study, patients with advanced cancer received cyclophosphamide 3 days before intravenous reovirus serotype 3 Dearing (RT3D). The primary objective was to reduce the resulting rise in NARA titer. Cyclophosphamide dose was escalated from 25–1,000 mg/m2 through nine cohorts; we aimed to define a well-tolerated immunomodulatory dose. Results: The combination was well tolerated in 36 patients, with grade 3/4 toxicities only seen at or above the maximum tolerated dose of cyclophosphamide, which was 800 mg/m2 combined with reovirus. Immunosuppressive effect, defined as maintaining NARA titer rise below a predefined threshold, was observed in only one patient. Furthermore, despite expected myelosuppression seen at higher cyclophosphamide doses, no changes in T-cell subsets, including Tregs, occurred with dose escalation. Viable virus was detected in association with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 14% of patients 10 days after the last RT3D injection, despite high plasma NARA titer, demonstrating a potential mechanism for prolonged evasion of neutralization by reovirus. Conclusions: Coadministration of cyclophosphamide with reovirus is safe, but does not attenuate host antiviral responses. Alternative immunomodulation approaches should be explored, but association with PBMCs may allow reovirus to persist and evade even high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(6); 1305–12. ©2014 AACR.