Dr. Goy on Neoadjuvant Hormonal Therapy Plus Zytiga

Andre Goy, MD, MS, chief, Lymphoma Division, chairman, John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, discusses a phase II trial that combined leuprolide acetate with abiraterone acetate before prostatectomy in patients with localized high-risk prostate cancer.

The trial enrolled patients with a high Gleason score, high PSA levels, and large T3 or T4 sized tumors. Goy notes that the cure rate for these patients is generally very low following prostatectomy, even when patients receive adjuvant treatment.

Patients on the trial received leuprolide acetate in combination with abiraterone acetate for either 12 or 24 weeks, followed by prostatectomy. The goal of the treatment was to suppress tumor cells or cause apoptosis prior to surgery. The results were gauged by examining the excised prostate tissue.

The 24-week arm of the trial demonstrated an impressive pathological complete response rate. With nearly 34% experiencing eradication or near eradicated of their tumors. Goy describes this data as very impressive and notes it will likely translate into a larger trial and potentially into a large clinical benefit.