BACKGROUND:Prior studies suggest that elevated markers of bone turnover are prognostic for poor survival in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The predictive role of these markers relative to bone-targeted therapy is unknown. We prospectively evaluated the prognostic and predictive value of bone biomarkers in sera from CRPC patients treated on a placebo-controlled phase III trial of docetaxel with or without the bone targeted endothelin-A receptor antagonist atrasentan (SWOG S0421).METHODS:Markers for bone resorption (N-telopeptide and pyridinoline) and formation (C-terminal collagen propeptide and bone alkaline phosphatase) were assayed in pretreatment and serial sera. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fit for overall survival. Models were fit with main effects for marker levels and with/without terms for marker-treatment interaction, adjusted for clinical variables, to assess the prognostic and predictive value of atrasentan. Analysis was adjusted for multiple comparisons. Two-sided P values were calculated using the Wald test.RESULTS:Sera from 778 patients were analyzed. Elevated baseline levels of each of the markers were associated with worse survival (P < .001). Increasing marker levels by week nine of therapy were also associated with subsequent poor survival (P < .001). Patients with the highest marker levels (upper 25th percentile for all markers) not only had a poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.41 to 7.65; P < .001) but also had a survival benefit from atrasentan (HR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.71; median survival = 13 [atrasentan] vs 5 months [placebo]; P interaction = .005).CONCLUSIONS:Serum bone metabolism markers have statistically significant independent prognostic value in CRPC. Importantly, a small group of patients (6%) with highly elevated markers of bone turnover appear to preferentially benefit from atrasentan therapy.

Purpose Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration has not been prospectively validated in standard first-line docetaxel treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. We assessed the prognostic value of CTCs for overall survival (OS) and disease response in S0421, a phase III trial of docetaxel plus prednisone with or without atrasentan. Patients and Methods CTCs were enumerated at baseline (day 0) and before cycle two (day 21) using CellSearch. Baseline counts and changes in counts from day 0 to 21 were evaluated for association with OS, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and RECIST response using Cox regression as well as receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis, and regression trees. Results Median day-0 CTC count was five cells per 7.5 mL, and CTCs < versus ≥ five per 7.5 mL were significantly associated with baseline PSA, bone pain, liver disease, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, and subsequent PSA and RECIST response. Median OS was 26 months for < five versus 13 months for ≥ five CTCs per 7.5 mL at day 0 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.74 [adjusting for covariates]). ROC curves had higher areas under the curve for day-0 CTCs than for PSA, and IDI analysis showed that adding day-0 CTCs to baseline PSA and other covariates increased predictive accuracy for survival by 8% to 10%. Regression trees yielded new prognostic subgroups, and rising CTC count from day 0 to 21 was associated with shorter OS (HR, 2.55). Conclusion These data validate the prognostic utility of CTC enumeration in a large docetaxel-based prospective cohort. Baseline CTC counts were prognostic, and rising CTCs at 3 weeks heralded significantly worse OS, potentially serving as an early metric to help redirect and optimize therapy in this clinical setting.

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are promising biomarkers in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), and telomerase activity (TA) is a recognized cancer marker. Therefore, we hypothesized that CTC TA may be prognostic of overall survival (OS) in mCRPC. To test this, we used a novel Parylene‐C slot microfilter to measure live CTC TA in S0421, a phase III SWOG‐led therapeutic trial. Blood samples underwent CTC capture and TA measurement by microfilter, as well as parallel enumeration by CellSearch (Janssen/J&J). Cox regression was used to assess baseline (pre‐treatment) TA versus OS, and recursive partitioning was used to explore potential prognostic subgroups and to generate Kaplan‐Meier (KM) OS curves. Samples were obtained from 263 patients and generated 215 TA measures. In patients with baseline CTC count ≥5 (47% of patients), higher CTC TA was associated with hazard ratio 1.14 ( p = 0.001) for OS after adjusting for other clinical covariates including CTC counts and serum PSA at study entry. Recursive partitioning identified new candidate risk groups with KM OS curve separation based on CTC counts and TA. Notably, in men with an intermediate range baseline CTC count (6–54 CTCs/7.5 ml), low versus high CTC TA was associated with median survival of 19 versus 12 months, respectively ( p = 0.009). Baseline telomerase activity from CTCs live‐captured on a new slot microfilter is the first CTC‐derived candidate biomarker prognostic of OS in a large patient subgroup in a prospective clinical trial. CTC telomerase activity thus merits further study and validation as a step towards molecular CTC‐based precision cancer management.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer for decades; however, the choice of continuous or intermittent administration is a matter of debate. Two large phase III trials have reported results comparing these 2 forms of ADT administration. The National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) PR-7 trial studied men with an increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and no evidence of metastatic disease after definitive or salvage radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy. The Southwest Oncology Group 9346 trial studied men with newly diagnosed hormone-sensitive metastatic disease. The primary end point in both trials was overall survival with a noninferiority design. The NCIC trial showed that the overall survival in men treated with intermittent ADT was not inferior to that of men treated with continuous ADT, but the SWOG trial was inconclusive regarding noninferiority. Certain domains of quality of life were better in the intermittent arms of both trials. If using ADT in the setting of biochemical relapse, intermittent ADT should be strongly considered over continuous ADT, except perhaps in patients with Gleason score of 8 or higher. In men with metastatic disease, continuous ADT remains the standard of care, because the SWOG trial did not establish noninferiority of intermittent ADT with respect to survival. However, for those with significant side effects from ADT, establishing the risk group, as determined by PSA value after 7 months of ADT or the presence of pain at diagnosis, may help guide the choice of intermittent versus continuous ADT in men with metastatic disease.

1 Background: CTCs are promising biomarkers in mCRPC, and telomerase activity (TA) is a recognized cancer marker. In this phase III trial we analyzed CTCs using 2 methods: CellSearch for fixed cell enumeration, and a novel Parylene-C slot filter for live CTC capture and TA measurement. Methods: Blood samples (7.5 ml) were drawn at baseline (d1) and pre-cycle 2 (d21) of Rx and shipped overnight for central processing. For CellSearch enumeration, Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between OS, baseline CTC counts, and CTC dynamics (d1 to d21). For TA, filter-trapped cells were lysed and assayed for TA using qPCR-based telomeric repeat amplification. Cox regression evaluated the association between OS and TA overall and within subgroups characterized by good vs. poor (<5 vs. >=5) prognosis baseline CTC counts. For all measurements, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis and characteristics and regression trees (CART) were used to explore further prognostic cutpoints. Results: Samples were obtained from 263 men. Median d1 CTC count was 5, and there was a significant difference in OS for d1 CTC < vs. >=5, hazard ratio (HR) 2.92 (p<0.001) after adjustment for other factors. D1 CTC and OS had ROC AUC of 0.781. In men with low d1 CTC (< 5), an increase in CTC was associated with shorter OS, HR 4.04 (p=0.004); in men with high d1 CTC (>=5), a >=2-fold decrease in CTC was associated with longer OS, HR 0.45 (p=0.012); adjusting for risk factors. For TA, men with baseline CTC >=5 (41% of cohort) who had high CTC TA had HR 1.14 (p<0.005) for OS after adjustment for other factors including CTC counts. CART identified additional risk subgroups based on CTC counts and TA. Conclusions: In this phase III trial, d1 CTC and d1 to d21 CTC dynamics were prognostic of OS after risk factor adjustment, comprising the largest docetaxel-based prospective cohort to date which validates a 5 CTC prognostic threshold and identifies new potentially useful enumeration subgroups. In men with CTCs >=5, TA from cells live-captured on a new slot filter constitutes the first CTC-derived biomarker prognostic of OS in a prospective clinical trial.

10503 Background: CTC are promising biomarkers in mCRPC but have not been prospectively validated for docetaxel treatment (Rx). Using CellSearch technology (J&J), we enumerated CTC in this Phase 3 trial & assessed prognostic value for OS. The aim of this correlative study nested within 0421 was to compare CTC via CellSearch technology to newer microfilter technologies (Cote & Goldkorn PIs RO1 CA141077). Comparative data analysis is ongoing. Methods: CTC were drawn at baseline (d1) & pre-cycle 2 (d21) of Rx & shipped overnight to a central site for enumeration (CTC/7.5 ml). Cox regression evaluated the association between OS and (i) baseline CTC counts & (ii) CTC dynamics (d1 to d21) in pts with good (<5) vs. poor (>=5) baseline CTC counts. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis and Characteristics & Regression Trees (CART) were used to explore further prognostic CTC cutpoints for 2-yr survival. Results: Of 263 patients (pts) consented, 238 were evaluable at d1 & 232 at d21. At d1 median CTC was 5 (range 0-5916) & d1 CTC < vs. >= 5 was associated with baseline PSA (mean 99 vs. 320 ng/ml, p=0.004) and worse bone pain (36% vs. 51%, p=0.03). There was a significant difference in OS for d1 CTC < vs. >=5, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.92 (95% CI 1.92-4.43, p<0.001) after adjustment for PSA & other factors. In pts with low d1 CTC (< 5), an increase in CTC was associated with shorter OS, HR 4.04 (95%CI 1.56-10.44, p=0.004); in pts with high d1 CTC (>=5), a >=2-fold decrease in CTC was associated with longer OS, HR 0.45 (95%CI 0.24-0.84, p=0.012); adjusting for risk factors. D1 CTC and 2-year survival had ROC AUC of 0.781. CART analysis identified prognostic subgroups based on CTC of 0, 1-5, 6-53, and >53: (HR 0.36, 0.77,1.3 and 2.8). Conclusions: In this phase 3 trial, d1 CTC was prognostic of OS after risk factor adjustment. CTC dynamics from d1 to d21 were also prognostic of OS. These data are an exploratory subset analysis of the overall study. Yet, they comprise the largest docetaxel-based prospective cohort to date, which validates a 5 CTC prognostic threshold for OS & identifies new potential prognostic subgroups that may extend the clinical utility of CTC enumeration in mCRPC.

4547 Background: S0421, a phase III study of DOC +/- the endothelin antagonist ATR in CRPC pts with bone metastases, showed no overall survival (OS) benefit for DOC+ATR. While BMB may have a prognostic role in CRPC, their predictive role vis a vis bone-targeted therapy such as ATR is unknown. We prospectively assessed pre-treatment serum BMB from S0421 pts to validate their prognostic and predictive value. Methods: BMB for resorption (N-telopeptide, NTX and Pyridinoline, PYD) and formation (C-terminal collagen propeptide, CICP and bone alkaline phosphatase, BAP) were assayed [Quidel (PYD, CICP, BAP) and Wampole (NTX)]. Cox regression models for OS based on BMB adjusted for clinical variables were developed. An adjusted Cox model was fit with main effects and BMB x Treatment interaction to assess predictive value of ATR on OS. Results: Of 1,038 pts, 855 (82%) submitted baseline serum: 778 (91%) were usable and analyzable. Pt characteristics: median age = 69 years; PS 0-1 = 91%, Bisphosphonate use = 61%; Gleason >7 = 56%; median PSA = 68; and bone mets only = 45%. BMB values (median; range): NTX (14 nM; 9.3-23.9), BAP (64.7 u/L; 35-164), CICP (9.5 ng/mL; 6.5-17.4), and PYD (2.8 nmol/L; 2.2-3.9). Table below shows prognostic role of BMB. Pts with very high BMB (upper 25 %ile, n=47) not only have poor prognosis (HR = 4.3, p<0.001) but have OS benefit from ATR (HR=0.34, median OS = 13.6 vs. 6.7 months; interaction p=0.002**). Conclusions: S0421 validates the strong independent OS prognostic value of BMB in CRPC. Very high BMB levels appear to be significantly predictive of OS benefit with ATR. Further study of endothelin antagonists in CRPC should focus on this high-risk pt subset. (5R01-CA120469) [Table: see text]

4571 Background: The relative quality of life (QOL) for patients with newly diagnosed, metastatic prostate cancer, treated with intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) has been assumed and hypothesized, yet never compared in a well-powered randomized trial (RT) to continuous androgen deprivation (CAD). SWOG-9346 provided such a RT in which to test QOL differences between CAD and IAD in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Methods: Patients were randomized to CAD or IAD. Patients completed the SWOG QOL Questionnaire (SF-20/SF-36, Symptom Distress Scale, treatment-specific symptoms, global QOL) at randomization and months (mo) 3, 9, and 15 post-randomization. Five QOL change scores at one time point (mo 3) were designated as primary for the QOL endpoint and are reported in this abstract: impotence, libido, energy/vitality (E/V), physical function (PF), and emotional function (EF). Significance level was adjusted for 5 comparisons (used p=0.01). Results: 615 patients in the CAD arm and 633 in the IAD arm completed the QOL questionnaire at baseline. Change between baseline and 3 months differed for the two arms with CAD reporting statistically significantly more impotence and less libido than IAD. EF was also slightly better for the IAD arm. Conclusions: These results indicate better sexual function in men receiving IAD versus CAD through post-randomization month 3. Additional benefits for IAD may include better PF, E/V and EF. Ongoing analyses will address the role of missing data, additional follow-up assessments, and resumption of therapy in the IAD arm. [Table: see text]

4663 Background: Analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTC) is a promising biomarker strategy in advanced prostate cancer, and telomerase activity (TA) is a recognized cancer marker. To test whether CTC TA is prognostic for survival (OS), we developed a novel Parylene-C slot microfilter capable of capturing live CTC and used it to measure CTC TA as part of a Phase III SWOG-coordinated therapeutic trial in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (S0421). Methods: Blood samples were drawn into EDTA tubes and shipped overnight to a central processing site. After Ficoll centrifugation, low constant pressure was used to pass the mononuclear cell layer through two slot microfilters in series as published previously (filter1 captures CTC + background white blood cells; filter2 captures only background white blood cells). Filter-trapped cells were lysed in CHAPS buffer and assayed for TA using qPCR-based telomeric repeat amplification. In parallel, CTC were enumerated using CellSearch (J&J). Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between baseline (pre-treatment) TA and OS overall, and within subgroups characterized by good prognosis (<5) vs. poor prognosis (>=5) baseline CTC counts. CART regression was used to explore potential prognostic subgroups based on baseline PSA, CTC, and TA cutpoints. Results: Samples were obtained from 263 patients. While no association was observed between TA and OS overall, in patients with baseline CTC >=5 (108 of 263 or 41% of patients), TA filter2 – TA filter1 representing high CTC TA relative to background blood cells was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.14 (95% CI 1.05-1.23, p<0.001) for OS after adjusting for risk factors and remained significant when also adjusting for CTC: HR 1.14 (95% CI 1.04-1.23; p=0.005). Exploratory CART regression assessing baseline PSA, CTC, and TA identified risk groups based only on CTC and TA values. Conclusions: Baseline TA from CTC live-captured on a new slot microfilter is the first CTC biomarker shown to be prognostic of OS in men with CTC counts >=5 in a prospective clinical trial. CTC TA may be useful for further identifying prognostic groups in this population.

The threat of prostate cancer and the significant and often negative impact of its treatment underscore the importance of prevention. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) has been identified as a potential premalignant lesion marking an increased risk of prostate cancer and substantial evidence suggests that men with HGPIN are in need of prostate cancer prevention. In vitro, in vivo, epidemiologic, and clinical trial evidence that selenium supplementation protects against prostate cancer motivated the study we report here: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of selenium 200 (μg/d) as selenomethionine in men with HGPIN. The primary endpoint was progression of HGPIN to prostate cancer over a 3-year period. This National Cancer Institute Intergroup trial was coordinated by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG). Of 619 enrolled patients, 423 randomized men with HGPIN (212 selenium and 211 placebo) were eligible (by central pathology review) and included in the primary analysis. Three-year cancer rates were 36.6% (placebo) versus 35.6% (selenium; P = 0.73, adjusted). The majority of patients who developed cancer on trial (70.8%, selenium and 75.5%, placebo) had a Gleason score of 6 or less than 6; there were no differences in Gleason scores between the two arms. Subset analyses included the finding of a nonsignificantly reduced prostate cancer risk (relative risk = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.40–1.69) in selenium versus placebo patients in the lowest quartile of baseline plasma selenium level (<106 ng/mL). Overall, and in all other subsets defined by baseline blood selenium levels, selenium supplementation had no effect on prostate cancer risk. The 36% prostate cancer rate in men with HGPIN indicates the association of this lesion with an elevated prostate cancer risk. Future study in this setting should focus on selenium-deficient populations and selenium pharmacogenetics. Cancer Prev Res; 4(11); 1761–9. ©2011 AACR.

You have accessJournal of UrologyBladder Cancer: Invasive/Metastatic Disease II1 Apr 20101708 DO MIXED HISTOLOGIC FEATURES AFFECT SURVIVAL BENEFIT FROM NEO-ADJUVANT PLATINUM-BASED COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH LOCALLY ADVANCED BLADDER CANCER? Edward Messing, Emelian Scosyrev, Benjamin Ely, V.O. Speights, H. Barton Grossman, David Wood, Ralph deVereWhite, Nicholas Vogelzang, Donald Trump, Ronald Natale, Cathy Tangen, E. David Crawford, and Ian Thompson Edward MessingEdward Messing Rochester, NY More articles by this author , Emelian ScosyrevEmelian Scosyrev Rochester, NY More articles by this author , Benjamin ElyBenjamin Ely Seattle, WA More articles by this author , V.O. SpeightsV.O. Speights Temple, TX More articles by this author , H. Barton GrossmanH. Barton Grossman Houston, TX More articles by this author , David WoodDavid Wood Ann Arbor, MI More articles by this author , Ralph deVereWhiteRalph deVereWhite Sacramento, CA More articles by this author , Nicholas VogelzangNicholas Vogelzang Las Vegas, NV More articles by this author , Donald TrumpDonald Trump Buffalo, NY More articles by this author , Ronald NataleRonald Natale Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author , Cathy TangenCathy Tangen Seattle, WA More articles by this author , E. David CrawfordE. David Crawford Aurora, CO More articles by this author , and Ian ThompsonIan Thompson San Antonio, TX More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2010.02.1555AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To determine whether the effect of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) on pathological down-staging and survival of patients with locally advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder treated with radical cystectomy varies with the presence of non-urothelial (squamous or adenocarcinoma) components in the tumor. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of Southwest Oncology Group trial S8710 of neo-adjuvant MVAC + cystectomy vs cystectomy alone for stage T2+ bladder UC. Tumors were classified as either pure UC (n=236) or mixed tumors (n=59). Cox regression models were used to estimate the effect of neo-adjuvant MVAC on all-cause mortality for patients with pure UC and with mixed tumors, with adjustment for age and clinical stage. RESULTS The overall survival benefit from chemotherapy was greater among patients with mixed tumors (HR = 0.46; p = 0.02) than among patients with pure UC (HR = 0.90; p = 0.48) with marginal evidence of statistical interaction (p = 0.09). The additive effect on down-staging to pT0 (ADE) for MVAC + transurethral resection (TURB) compared with TURB (before cystectomy) alone was almost twice as great in patients with mixed histologies as in those with pure UC. (Table 1). Table 1. Estimated effects of neo-adjuvant MVAC on pathological down-staging and survival (relative to cystectomy alone) Histologic type N Outcome Estimated treatment effect (MVAC+RC vs. RC-only) 95% CI P-value Mixed tumors 59 Down-staging ADE=28% (11%,44%) 0.004 Survival HR=0.46 (0.25, 0.87) 0.02 Pure UC 236 Down-staging ADE=15% (5%,25%) 0.004 Survival HR=0.90 (0.67,1.21) 0.48 ADE = additive down-staging effect, adjusted for clinical stage; HR = hazard ratio, adjusted for age and clinical stage; RC = radical cystectomy; CI = confidence intervals CONCLUSIONS Mixed histology UCs are at least as responsive to MVAC chemotherapy as pure UCs are. Presence of squamous or glandular differentiation in locally advanced bladder UC is a strong indication for the use of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy prior to cystectomy. © 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 183 Issue 4S April 2010 Page: e659 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information Edward Messing Rochester, NY More articles by this author Emelian Scosyrev Rochester, NY More articles by this author Benjamin Ely Seattle, WA More articles by this author V.O. Speights Temple, TX More articles by this author H. Barton Grossman Houston, TX More articles by this author David Wood Ann Arbor, MI More articles by this author Ralph deVereWhite Sacramento, CA More articles by this author Nicholas Vogelzang Las Vegas, NV More articles by this author Donald Trump Buffalo, NY More articles by this author Ronald Natale Los Angeles, CA More articles by this author Cathy Tangen Seattle, WA More articles by this author E. David Crawford Aurora, CO More articles by this author Ian Thompson San Antonio, TX More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...