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Cancer Cell Nov 2023When compared to other malignancies, the tumor microenvironment (TME) of primary and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is relatively devoid of immune...
When compared to other malignancies, the tumor microenvironment (TME) of primary and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is relatively devoid of immune infiltrates. While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) induces a complex immune infiltrate in localized prostate cancer, the composition of the TME in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), and the effects of ADT and other treatments in this context are poorly understood. Here, we perform a comprehensive single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) profiling of metastatic sites from patients participating in a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT03951831) that evaluated standard-of-care chemo-hormonal therapy combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. We perform a longitudinal, protein activity-based analysis of TME subpopulations, revealing immune subpopulations conserved across multiple metastatic sites. We also observe dynamic changes in these immune subpopulations in response to treatment and a correlation with clinical outcomes. Our study uncovers a therapy-resistant, transcriptionally distinct tumor subpopulation that expands in cell number in treatment-refractory patients.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostatic Neoplasms; Androgen Antagonists; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Androgens; Immunotherapy; Castration; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37922910
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.10.006 -
Cancer Research Oct 2023Androgen receptor (AR) inhibition by androgen deprivation and/or antiandrogen administration is the mainstay therapy for advanced prostate cancer. However, most prostate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
UNLABELLED
Androgen receptor (AR) inhibition by androgen deprivation and/or antiandrogen administration is the mainstay therapy for advanced prostate cancer. However, most prostate cancers ultimately become resistant to these therapies, indicating the importance of identifying mechanisms driving resistance to improve patient outcomes. Here we demonstrated that acute treatment with the antiandrogen enzalutamide (ENZ) decreased glutathione (GSH) production, increased lipid peroxidation, and induced ferroptosis in prostate cancer cells. Consistently, meta-analysis of transcriptomic data linked the androgen-AR axis to metabolism-related biological processes, including lipid metabolism. The cystine transporter gene SLC7A11 was a key AR target, and full-length AR (AR-FL) transactivated SLC7A11 transcription by directly occupying the SLC7A11 promoter and putative enhancer regions. AR variants (AR-V) preferentially bound the SLC7A11 enhancer and upregulated SLC7A11 expression, thereby conferring resistance to ferroptosis induced by ENZ treatment. However, this effect was abolished following downregulation of AR-Vs using the dual CBP/p300 and BET inhibitor NEO2734. These findings reveal ferroptosis induction as an anticancer mechanism of antiandrogens and SLC7A11 as a direct target gene of AR-FL and AR-Vs. AR-V-mediated SLC7A11 expression represents a mechanism coupling ferroptosis resistance to prostate cancer progression.
SIGNIFICANCE
Upregulation of SLC7A11 can be induced by androgen receptor variants to inhibit antiandrogen-induced prostate cancer cell ferroptosis and to drive castration resistance in prostate cancer.
Topics: Male; Humans; Receptors, Androgen; Androgen Antagonists; Androgens; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Ferroptosis; Nitriles; Castration; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
PubMed: 37527336
DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-23-0285 -
Clinical Cancer Research : An Official... Nov 2023Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) is important in DNA damage response (DDR) and maintenance of genomic stability. Somatic heterozygous missense mutations in the SPOP...
PURPOSE
Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) is important in DNA damage response (DDR) and maintenance of genomic stability. Somatic heterozygous missense mutations in the SPOP substrate-binding cleft are found in up to 15% of prostate cancers. While mutations in SPOP predict for benefit from androgen receptor signaling inhibition (ARSi) therapy, outcomes for patients with SPOP-mutant (SPOPmut) prostate cancer are heterogeneous and targeted treatments for SPOPmut castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are lacking.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Using in silico genomic and transcriptomic tumor data, proteomics analysis, and genetically modified cell line models, we demonstrate mechanistic links between SPOP mutations, STING signaling alterations, and PARP inhibitor vulnerabilities.
RESULTS
We demonstrate that SPOP mutations are associated with upregulation of a 29-gene noncanonical (NC) STING (NC-STING) signature in a subset of SPOPmut, treatment-refractory CRPC patients. We show in preclinical CRPC models that SPOP targets and destabilizes STING1 protein, and prostate cancer-associated SPOP mutations result in upregulated NC-STING-NF-κB signaling and macrophage- and tumor microenvironment (TME)-facilitated reprogramming, leading to tumor cell growth. Importantly, we provide in vitro and in vivo mechanism-based evidence that PARP inhibitor (PARPi) treatment results in a shift from immunosuppressive NC-STING-NF-κB signaling to antitumor, canonical cGAS-STING-IFNβ signaling in SPOPmut CRPC and results in enhanced tumor growth inhibition.
CONCLUSIONS
We provide evidence that SPOP is critical in regulating immunosuppressive versus antitumor activity downstream of DNA damage-induced STING1 activation in prostate cancer. PARPi treatment of SPOPmut CRPC alters this NC-STING signaling toward canonical, antitumor cGAS-STING-IFNβ signaling, highlighting a novel biomarker-informed treatment strategy for prostate cancer.
Topics: Male; Humans; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; NF-kappa B; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Transcription Factors; Prostatic Neoplasms; Mutation; Nucleotidyltransferases; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37581614
DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-23-1439 -
Cancer Discovery Jan 2024Xaluritamig (AMG 509) is a six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1)-targeted T-cell engager designed to facilitate lysis of STEAP1-expressing...
UNLABELLED
Xaluritamig (AMG 509) is a six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1)-targeted T-cell engager designed to facilitate lysis of STEAP1-expressing cancer cells, such as those in advanced prostate cancer. This first-in-human study reports monotherapy dose exploration for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), primarily taxane pretreated. Ninety-seven patients received ≥1 intravenous dose ranging from 0.001 to 2.0 mg weekly or every 2 weeks. MTD was identified as 1.5 mg i.v. weekly via a 3-step dose. The most common treatment-related adverse events were cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 72%), fatigue (45%), and myalgia (34%). CRS occurred primarily during cycle 1 and improved with premedication and step dosing. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and RECIST responses across cohorts were encouraging [49% PSA50; 24% objective response rate (ORR)], with greater frequency at target doses ≥0.75 mg (59% PSA50; 41% ORR). Xaluritamig is a novel immunotherapy for prostate cancer that has shown encouraging results supporting further development.
SIGNIFICANCE
Xaluritamig demonstrated encouraging responses (PSA and RECIST) compared with historical established treatments for patients with late-line mCRPC. This study provides proof of concept for T-cell engagers as a potential treatment for prostate cancer, validates STEAP1 as a target, and supports further clinical investigation of xaluritamig in prostate cancer. See related commentary by Hage Chehade et al., p. 20. See related article by Nolan-Stevaux et al., p. 90. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 5.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Immunotherapy; Treatment Outcome; Antigens, Neoplasm; Oxidoreductases
PubMed: 37861461
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-23-0964 -
Molecular Cancer Aug 2023Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common and fatal type of cancer in men. Metastatic PCa (mPCa) is a major factor contributing to its lethality, although the mechanisms remain...
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common and fatal type of cancer in men. Metastatic PCa (mPCa) is a major factor contributing to its lethality, although the mechanisms remain poorly understood. PTEN is one of the most frequently deleted genes in mPCa. Here we show a frequent genomic co-deletion of PTEN and STAT3 in liquid biopsies of patients with mPCa. Loss of Stat3 in a Pten-null mouse prostate model leads to a reduction of LKB1/pAMPK with simultaneous activation of mTOR/CREB, resulting in metastatic disease. However, constitutive activation of Stat3 led to high LKB1/pAMPK levels and suppressed mTORC1/CREB pathway, preventing mPCa development. Metformin, one of the most widely prescribed therapeutics against type 2 diabetes, inhibits mTORC1 in liver and requires LKB1 to mediate glucose homeostasis. We find that metformin treatment of STAT3/AR-expressing PCa xenografts resulted in significantly reduced tumor growth accompanied by diminished mTORC1/CREB, AR and PSA levels. PCa xenografts with deletion of STAT3/AR nearly completely abrogated mTORC1/CREB inhibition mediated by metformin. Moreover, metformin treatment of PCa patients with high Gleason grade and type 2 diabetes resulted in undetectable mTORC1 levels and upregulated STAT3 expression. Furthermore, PCa patients with high CREB expression have worse clinical outcomes and a significantly increased risk of PCa relapse and metastatic recurrence. In summary, we have shown that STAT3 controls mPCa via LKB1/pAMPK/mTORC1/CREB signaling, which we have identified as a promising novel downstream target for the treatment of lethal mPCa.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Mice; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Metformin; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prostatic Neoplasms; STAT3 Transcription Factor
PubMed: 37573301
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01825-8 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2023Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the mainstay of prostate cancer (PCa) treatment, with success in developing more effective inhibitors of androgen synthesis... (Review)
Review
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the mainstay of prostate cancer (PCa) treatment, with success in developing more effective inhibitors of androgen synthesis and antiandrogens in clinical practice. However, hormone deprivation and AR ablation have caused an increase in ADT-insensitive PCas associated with a poor prognosis. Resistance to ADT arises through various mechanisms, and most castration-resistant PCas still rely on the androgen axis, while others become truly androgen receptor (AR)-independent. Our research identified the human tousled-like kinase 1 (TLK1) as a crucial early mediator of PCa cell adaptation to ADT, promoting androgen-independent growth, inhibiting apoptosis, and facilitating cell motility and metastasis. Although explicit, the growing role of TLK1 biology in PCa has remained underrepresented and elusive. In this review, we aim to highlight the diverse functions of TLK1 in PCa, shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from androgen-sensitive (AS) to an androgen-insensitive (AI) disease mediated by TLK1, and explore potential strategies to counteract this process. Targeting TLK1 and its associated signaling could prevent PCa progression to the incurable metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC) stage and provide a promising approach to treating PCa.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostatic Neoplasms; Androgens; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Androgen Antagonists; Receptors, Androgen; Signal Transduction; Orchiectomy; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
PubMed: 37446279
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311100 -
Journal of Advanced Research Sep 2023Even with the advancement in the areas of cancer nanotechnology, prostate cancer still poses a major threat to men's health. Nanomaterials and nanomaterial-derived... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Even with the advancement in the areas of cancer nanotechnology, prostate cancer still poses a major threat to men's health. Nanomaterials and nanomaterial-derived theranostic systems have been explored for diagnosis, imaging, and therapy for different types of cancer still, for prostate cancer they have not delivered at full potential because of the limitations like in vivo biocompatibility, immune responses, precise targetability, and therapeutic outcome associated with the nanostructured system.
AIM OF REVIEW
Functionalizing nanomaterials with different biomolecules and bioactive agents provides advantages like specificity towards cancerous tumors, improved circulation time, and modulation of the immune response leading to early diagnosis and targeted delivery of cargo at the site of action.
KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW
In this review, we have emphasized the classification and comparison of various nanomaterials based on biofunctionalization strategy and source of biomolecules such that it can be used for possible translation in clinical settings and future developments. This review highlighted the opportunities for embedding highly specific biological targeting moieties (antibody, aptamer, oligonucleotides, biopolymer, peptides, etc.) on nanoparticles which can improve the detection of prostate cancer-associated biomarkers at a very low limit of detection, direct visualization of prostate tumors and lastly for its therapy. Lastly, special emphasis was given to biomimetic nanomaterials which include functionalization with extracellular vesicles, exosomes and viral particles and their application for prostate cancer early detection and drug delivery. The present review paves a new pathway for next-generation biofunctionalized nanomaterials for prostate cancer theranostic application and their possibility in clinical translation.
Topics: Male; Humans; Precision Medicine; Prostatic Neoplasms; Nanostructures; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 36368516
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.11.001 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the second most diagnosed tumor and the fifth most common cause of cancer death in men globally [...].
Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the second most diagnosed tumor and the fifth most common cause of cancer death in men globally [...].
Topics: Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 38396731
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042054 -
Trends in Cancer Dec 2023Neoadjuvant therapies can improve tolerability, reduce tumor volume to facilitate surgery, and assess subsequent treatment response. Therefore, there is much enthusiasm... (Review)
Review
Neoadjuvant therapies can improve tolerability, reduce tumor volume to facilitate surgery, and assess subsequent treatment response. Therefore, there is much enthusiasm for expanding the benefits of cancer therapies to the neoadjuvant setting to reduce recurrence and improve survival in patients with localized or locally advanced genitourinary (GU) cancer. This approach is clinically pertinent because these treatments are administered primarily to treatment-naive patients and can elicit the greatest drug response. In addition, the results are not impacted by other anticancer treatments. While neoadjuvant therapies have been the standard treatment for bladder cancer in the past, they are presently restricted to clinical trials for renal and prostate cancer (PCa); however, changes are imminent. Precision neoadjuvant therapies will be ushered in by biomarker-stratified neoadjuvant trials with appropriate survival endpoints and comprehensive correlative and imaging studies. This review discusses neoadjuvant studies in GU malignancies and how they inform future study design considerations.
Topics: Male; Humans; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
PubMed: 37684128
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.011 -
European Urology Aug 2023Few phase 3 studies have evaluated optimal systemic treatment strategies for patients with oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC), who may be at risk... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Few phase 3 studies have evaluated optimal systemic treatment strategies for patients with oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC), who may be at risk of undertreatment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate outcomes for patients with oligometastatic and polymetastatic HSPC treated with enzalutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus placebo plus ADT.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This was a post hoc analysis of data for 927 patients with nonvisceral metastatic HSPC in the ARCHES trial (NCT02677896).
INTERVENTION
Patients were randomized 1:1 to enzalutamide (160 mg/d orally) plus ADT or placebo plus ADT with HSPC categorized as oligometastatic (1-5 metastases) or polymetastatic (≥6 metastases).
OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
The treatment effect on radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), overall survival (OS), and secondary efficacy endpoints was evaluated in terms of the number of metastases. Safety was assessed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to generate hazard ratios (HRs). The Brookmeyer and Crowley method was used to generate 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for Kaplan-Meier median values.
RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS
Enzalutamide plus ADT improved rPFS (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.16-0.46; p < 0.001), OS (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40-0.87; p < 0.005), and secondary endpoints in patients with oligometastatic or polymetastatic disease (rPFS: HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.23-0.46; p < 0.001; OS: HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.41-0.74; p < 0.001). Safety profiles were generally similar across subgroups. Limitations include the small numbers of patients with fewer than three metastases.
CONCLUSIONS
This post hoc analysis demonstrated the utility of enzalutamide, irrespective of metastatic burden or type of oligometastatic disease, and suggests that earlier treatment intensification with systemic potent androgen receptor inhibition is advantageous.
PATIENT SUMMARY
This study considered two treatment options for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in patients with one to five metastases or six or more metastases. Treatment with enzalutamide plus ADT improved survival and other outcomes over ADT alone, whether patients had few or many metastases.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostatic Neoplasms; Androgen Antagonists; Androgens; Disease-Free Survival; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37179240
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2023.04.002