Dr. Rathkopf on Investigative Agents in Prostate Cancer

Dana E. Rathkopf, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses agents being explored as treatments for patients with prostate cancer, including apalutamide and PARP inhibitors.

Apalutamide, a non-steroidal antiandrogen agent, is different from abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) and enzalutamide (Xtandi), as it has not yet been approved for regular use. The agent has shown efficacy in phase I and II studies, and there are several ongoing phase III registration studies looking at the drug. However, since it is not FDA approved, it is not yet available for everyday patients who are not on clinical trials. The pressing question Rathkopf asks is, "Can this drug get approved in this space to make it available for patients in need?"

There is also ongoing work being done regarding PARP inhibition in prostate cancer. One study that was recently completed by Maha Hussain, MD explored the combination of a PARP inhibitor plus abiraterone. Then, another ongoing study is investigating abiraterone plus a PARP inhibitor. Additionally, researchers will be stratifying results based on DNA-repair deficits, Rathkopf says. Results from these trials are highly anticipated amongst the community, she adds.