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Updated: Jun 30, 2025

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Systemic and Tumor-directed Therapy for Oligorecurrent Metastatic Prostate Cancer (SATURN): Primary Endpoint Results
John Nikitas1, Matthew Rettig2, John Shen3
1Division of Hematology-Oncology University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Nearly all men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer treated with intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) experience recurrence within 6 mo of testosterone recovery. We conducted a single-arm phase 2 trial to evaluate whether addition of dual androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) and metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to intermittent ADT improves recurrence rates for men with between one and five nonvisceral, extrapelvic metastases on prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography after prior radical prostatectomy. Patients received 6 mo of androgen annihilation therapy (AAT; leuprolide, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone, and apalutamide) and metastasis-directed SBRT. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <0.05 ng/ml 6 mo after testosterone recovery (≥150 ng/dl), with the study powered to detect an improvement from 1% to 12%. We enrolled 28 men between March 2021 and June 2022. Median follow-up was 20 mo (interquartile range 16-22). Twenty-six patients (93%) completed SBRT with 6 mo of hormone therapy, of whom six discontinued at least one ARPI; two patients withdrew prematurely. At 6 mo after testosterone recovery, PSA was maintained at <0.05 ng/ml in 13/26 patients (50%, 95% confidence interval 32-67%). Rates of grade 2 and 3 AAT toxicity were 21% and 21%. The results confirm that addition of metastasis-directed SBRT to highly potent systemic therapy can maintain low PSA after testosterone recovery, although further studies are needed to clarify the optimal systemic therapy regimen. PATIENT SUMMARY: We tested a combination of intensified hormone therapy (called androgen annihilation therapy) and radiotherapy targeted at metastases in men with recurrence of metastatic prostate cancer. We found that half of patients were recurrence-free 6 months after their testosterone level recovered, and that less than a quarter of patients experienced a severe drug-related side effect. Overall, this appears to be an effective therapy with acceptable side effects. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03902951.
Insights
This study combined intensified hormone therapy and SBRT for metastatic prostate cancer. Half of patients achieved recurrence-free survival 6 months after testosterone recovery with manageable side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Oncology
Background:
- Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) often recurs after intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
- Novel treatment strategies are needed to improve recurrence-free survival in mHSPC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of combining dual androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) and metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with intermittent ADT.
- To assess recurrence rates and toxicity in mHSPC patients with limited extrapelvic metastases.
Main Methods:
- A single-arm phase 2 trial enrolled 28 men with 1-5 nonvisceral, extrapelvic metastases.
- Patients received 6 months of androgen annihilation therapy (AAT) including leuprolide, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone, and apalutamide, along with SBRT.
- The primary endpoint was PSA <0.05 ng/ml at 6 months post-testosterone recovery.
Main Results:
- 50% of patients (13/26) maintained PSA <0.05 ng/ml at 6 months after testosterone recovery.
- Grade 2 and 3 toxicity rates for AAT were 21% and 21%, respectively.
- Median follow-up was 20 months, with 93% completing SBRT and hormone therapy.
Conclusions:
- Addition of metastasis-directed SBRT to potent systemic therapy can maintain low PSA levels after testosterone recovery in select mHSPC patients.
- This combination therapy demonstrates promising efficacy with acceptable toxicity.
- Further research is needed to optimize systemic therapy regimens.
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