Principal Investigators: Steven Balk, MD, PhD – Harvard; Pete Nelson, MD – Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute; Phil Kantoff, MD – Harvard; Trevor Penning, PhD – Univ. of Pennsylvania
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Targeting Androgen Axis in Prostate Cancer

• Analyzed patient specimens to determine genetic signature patterns that distinguish androgen activation from suppression to guide in the development of new hormone treatments.
• Using a bioinformatics database the team identified 5 new anti-androgens that are active in prostate cancer xenograft models. These compounds represent “version 2.0” Abiraterone.
• Observed significant lean muscle mass decreases from baseline as early as 12 months after the start of androgen deprivation therapy.
• Ongoing studies to investigate the effect of reducing hormone levels deeper than can be obtained with Lupron or Abiraterone, alone or in combination. This will translate to better treatments for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.
  • Neoadjuvant Lupron + Abiraterone study 25% accrued and initiated Abiraterone + Dutasteride for deeper androgen suppression.
  • Neoadjuvant maximal androgen suppression study initiated: Ketoconazole + hydrocortisone + Abiraterone + Lupron.