Cancer Treatment Today

Co-targeting metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with the combination of enzalutamide plus abiraterone acetate may circumvent the compensatory mechanisms observed with either agent alone and lead to more profound suppression of androgen signaling, according to findings of a new study presented at the 2013 European Cancer Congress. total of 57 evaluable patients with mCRPC with metastases to the bone have been enrolled in the study to date. Patients received 160 mg of once-daily enzalutamide, plus abiraterone acetate (1 g/day), plus prednisone, 5 mg, twice daily. Patients were monitored every 4 weeks for blood and ECG irregularities, while immunohistochemistry was used to assess the effect of the combination strategy on the tumor microenvironment. PSA levels were primarily used to assess disease progression. More than 70% of the group had a Gleason score of ≥8 on enrollment, and 41% had ≥20 bone lesions. The median baseline PSA concentration was 23.3 ng/mL, (range, 1-606.3 ng/mL). While these are impressive results, clearly more information needs to come out before this combination can be routinely used. Both Zytiga and Xtandi are FDA approved for prostate cancer, but thneir combined use is only now beginning to be researched.

E. Fstathiou E, Titus M, Wen AS, et al. The effects of enzalutamide (ENZA) in combination with abiraterone acetate (AA) in patients with bone metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Presented at: European Cancer Congress 2013; September 27-October 1, 2013; Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Abstract 2854. – See at: http://www.onclive.com/conference-coverage/ecco-esmo-2013/Enzalutamide-Plus-Abiraterone-May-Have-Higher-Response-Rate-in-mCRPC-Than-Either-Agent-Alone#sthash.Zr89A7hn.dpuf