Dr. Oh on Combination Therapy in Prostate Cancer

William K. Oh, MD, Chief of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai Medical Center, discusses ongoing research into combination strategies for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

The impact of both the concurrent and sequential administration of abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) plus prednisone on the efficacy of sipuleucel-T (Provenge) is being examined in a phase II study. This trial seeks to identify whether prednisone has an adverse effect on the efficacy of sipuleucel-T. As a result of this rationale, the upregulation of immune parameters is being examined as the primary endpoint.

Several phase I/II trials are examining the safety and tolerability of combinations in CRPC, explains Oh. As an example, a phase II study is currently examining the combination of abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide (Xtandi) for men with bone metastatic CRPC.

Oh points out that since these agents were approved in a short timeframe it will take more time before larger phase III trials are performed. For now, most combination studies in CRPC will likely be earlier stage trials examining safety and tolerability.