New Hope for Advanced Prostate Cancer: Combination Therapy Doubles Time to Symptom Worsening
A groundbreaking study led by University College London has discovered that combining two existing treatments can substantially delay the progression of advanced prostate cancer. The research, published in Nature Medicine and sponsored by Janssen Research & Development, could significantly improve outcomes for men with this common disease.
The study, involving 696 men with advanced prostate cancer, focused on patients with specific mutations in DNA repair genes. These mutations, found in around a quarter of men with advanced disease, make up the HRR genes. The trial showed that combining niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, with standard hormone therapy (abiraterone acetate and prednisone) cut the risk of cancer growth by 37% across all patients. Notably, among patients with BRCA gene mutations, the risk of tumour progression was reduced by 48%. Additionally, patients receiving niraparib experienced a longer period before their symptoms worsened, effectively doubling the time until symptoms got worse.
The study builds on previous findings from an international research team led by Johann de Bono and Karim Fizazi. In 2024, they presented the results of the PSMAfore trial at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. This trial demonstrated that combining the targeted radionuclide therapy lutetium-177-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) significantly delays disease progression in advanced prostate cancer patients compared to ADT alone.
The NHS in England has agreed a landmark commercial deal to roll-out olaparib, a drug used in the combination therapy, to treat forms of breast cancer and advanced prostate cancer with specific mutations. The study was conducted across 32 countries with participants averaging 68 years of age. This breakthrough offers new hope for men with advanced prostate cancer, with the potential to significantly improve their quality of life and survival rates.
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