Advances in Radiation Oncology (Jul 2021)

A Phase 1 study Combining Pexidartinib, Radiation Therapy, and Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Men With Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer

  • Muhammad Hamid, MD,
  • Lance K. Heilbrun, PhD,
  • Jordan Maier, MD,
  • Kiran Devisetty, MD,
  • Irene Connolly, MD,
  • Isaac Kaufman, MD,
  • Kimberlee Dobson, BSME, CCRP,
  • Mackenzie K. Herroon, MA,
  • Daryn Smith, MSc,
  • Sandra Sampson, RN, OCN,
  • Izabela Podgorski, PhD,
  • Elisabeth I. Heath, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 4
p. 100679

Abstract

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Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a combination of radiation therapy (RT), androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and pexidartinib (colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor [CSF1R]) inhibitor in men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. CSF1R signaling promotes tumor infiltration and survival of tumor-associated macrophages, which in turn promote progression and resistance. Counteracting protumorigenic actions of tumor-associated macrophages via CSF1R inhibition may enhance therapeutic efficacy of RT and ADT for prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: In this phase 1 study, the treatment regimen consisted of pexidartinib (800 mg, administered as a split-dose twice daily) and ADT (both for a total of 6 months), and RT that was initiated at the start of month 3. RT volumes included the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles. The delivered dose was 7920 cGy (180 cGy per fraction) using intensity modulated RT with daily image guidance for prostate localization. The primary objective was to identify the maximum tolerated dose based on dose-limiting toxicities. Results: All 4 enrolled patients who were eligible to receive RT had T1 stage prostate cancer, 2 were intermediate risk, and 2 were high risk. The median age was 62.5 years, and the prostate-specific antigen levels were in the range 6.4 to 10.7 ng/mL. The patients’ individual Gleason scores were 3 + 3, 4 + 3, 4 + 4, and 4 + 5. All 4 patients reported ≥1 adverse events before RT. Grade 1 hypopigmentation was observed in 1 patient, and grade 3 pulmonary embolus in another. One patient experienced fatigue and joint pain, and another elevated amylase and pruritus (all grade 3 toxicities). Five of the 6 adverse events noted in 3 patients were all grade 3 toxicities attributable to pexidartinib, qualifying as dose-limiting toxicities and ultimately resulting in the study closure. Conclusions: The combination was not well tolerated and does not warrant further investigation in men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer.