Comparative analysis of real-world data of frequent treatment sequences in metastatic prostate cancer

Background The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing worldwide. A significant proportion of patients develop metastatic disease and are initially prescribed androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). However, subsequent sequences of treatments in real-world settings that may improve overall survival remain an area of active investigation. Materials and methods Data were collected from 384 patients presenting with de novo metastatic prostate cancer from 2011–2015 at a tertiary cancer center. Patients were categorized into surviving (n = 232) and deceased (n = 152) groups at the end of 3 years. Modified sequence pattern mining techniques (Generalized Sequential Pattern Mining and Sequential Pattern Discovery using Equivalence Classes) were applied to determine the exact order of the most frequent sets of treatments in each group. Results Degarelix, as the initial form of ADT, was uniquely in the surviving group. The sequence of ADT followed by abiraterone and docetaxel was uniquely associated with a higher 3-year overall survival. Orchiectomy followed by fosfestrol was found to have a unique niche among surviving patients with a long duration of response to the initial ADT. Patients who received chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and those who received radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy were found more frequently in the deceased group. Conclusions We identified unique treatment sequences among surviving and deceased patients at the end of 3 years. Degarelix should be the preferred form of ADT. Patients who received ADT followed by abiraterone and chemotherapy showed better results. Patients requiring palliative radiation and chemotherapy in any sequence were significantly more frequent in the deceased group, identifying the need to offer such patients the most efficacious agents and to target them in clinical trial design.