Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Serum and Plasma Copy Number Detection Using Real-time PCR
Published on: December 15, 2017
A multicentre analysis of abiraterone acetate in Canadian patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate
Ravinder Clayton1, Jackson Wu1, Daniel Y Heng1
1Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB;
Introducton:
The COU-AA-301 trial showed that abiraterone acetate (abiraterone), an oral cytochrome p450 CYP17 inhibitor, improved survival for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) progressing after docetaxel. To better understand the non-clinical trial experience with abiraterone, we undertook a multicentre retrospective analysis of Canadian mCRPC patients treated with abiraterone.
Methods:
Consecutive patients with mCRPC who received abiraterone post-docetaxel were identified using centralized pharmacy records. These patients came from 5 Canadian tertiary cancer centres. Patients who received abiraterone for approved indications were included. Demographics, prognostic factors, treatment outcomes and adverse events were abstracted.
Results:
We included 187 patients who initiated abiraterone between January 2011 and June 2012. The median age at diagnosis and abiraterone start was 65 and 73 years, respectively. Seventy-three (39%) patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, 2 and 3 was noted in 17, 96, 39 and 8 patients, respectively. The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at abiraterone start was 132, with a median PSA doubling time of 2.8 months. The median follow-up of patients still on active follow-up was 13 months. The proportion of patients achieving a ≥50% PSA reduction was 64/177 (36%). PSA progression-free survival was 3.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0, 4.0). Median overall survival from start of abiraterone was 11 months (95% CI, 8.0, 13) and 38 months (95% CI, 31, 41) from date of mCRPC. Anemia and fatigue were the most commonly reported adverse events.
Conclusions:
This study carries the inherent limitations of a retrospective chart review. The outcomes in this series of men treated with abiraterone in a non-trial setting were expected, considering previous clinical trials. Our results, therefore, support the generalizability of the COU-AA-301 study results.
Insights
This study of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with abiraterone acetate showed outcomes consistent with clinical trials. Real-world data support abiraterone
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Abiraterone acetate (abiraterone) is an oral CYP17 inhibitor.
- The COU-AA-301 trial demonstrated improved survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients post-docetaxel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the non-clinical trial experience of abiraterone in Canadian mCRPC patients.
- To assess real-world treatment outcomes and adverse events associated with abiraterone therapy.
Main Methods:
- A multicentre retrospective analysis of 187 mCRPC patients treated with abiraterone post-docetaxel.
- Data abstracted included demographics, prognostic factors, treatment outcomes, and adverse events from 5 Canadian tertiary cancer centres.
Main Results:
- Median age at abiraterone start was 73 years; 39% had metastatic disease at diagnosis.
- 36% of patients achieved a ≥50% prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduction.
- Median overall survival from abiraterone start was 11 months; anemia and fatigue were common adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Outcomes in this real-world mCRPC cohort treated with abiraterone were consistent with clinical trial findings.
- The study supports the generalizability of the COU-AA-301 trial results to routine clinical practice.
