Study Results Support Early Treatment With Abiraterone in Prostate Cancer

A study published today in the journal Lancet Oncology presented results showing that the combination of abiraterone acetate with prednisone improved overall survival (OS) in men with chemotherapy-naïve castrate-resistant prostate cancer by more than 4 months. This study, conducted by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, provides evidence for the value of introducing abiraterone prior to chemotherapy in these patients.

The trial, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized phase 3 study, with crossover, included 1088 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients, who were randomly assigned to the placebo with prednisone group (placebo) or the abiraterone plus prednisone group (abiraterone). End-points were progression-free survival and OS. Abiraterone was administered to 44% of patients in the placebo group, either as crossover of as subsequent therapy; 67% of patients in the abiraterone group and 80% in the placebo group were treated with an additional agent(s). Median OS in the placebo group was 30.3 months, compared with 34.7 months in the abiraterone group. Grade 3-4 adverse events with abiraterone included cardiac and liver toxicity and hypertension.

The group also published another study in Clinical Cancer Research, which identified a gene rearrangement that could be used to select the subgroup of patients most likely to benefit from introducing abiraterone early in the treatment regimen.

“Abiraterone has already transformed care for patients with advanced prostate cancer, but the latest trial evidence strengthens the already powerful case for it to be accepted for NHS use earlier in the course of treatment,” said Dr Paul Workman, chief executive of ICR in a statement.

For additional information on care management for prostate cancer, watch Managed Care Insights presented by The American Journal of Managed Care.