AUA 2017: Best Abstract - Novel in vitro Organoid Technology to Facilitate a Precision Medicine Approach in the Management of Men with Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer

Boston, MA (UroToday.com) The ability to grow cancer cells in vitro has changed the landscape to cancer treatment due to the ability to test different therapeutic regimens in cancer cell lines with specific genetic aberrations inching us closer to precision medicine. The in vitro culture of prostate cancer cells remains challenging due to the low growth rates of prostate cancer cells in standard culture media. The recent development of organoid technology has led to the development of multiple prostate cancer cell line models. Dr. Joshi presents his work on using organoid technology to facilitate the growth of several patient derived cell lines to focusing on patients with patients with early recurrent prostate cancer following prostatectomy.

The tissue samples are being gathered as part of a PET-PSMA trial in which patients with oliogemastatic disease are being managed with extirpative surgery. A total of 6 samples have been gathered to date and 3 samples have been successfully grown in on Collagen type 1 coated plates using novel media. PSA ELISA test and RT-qPCR technology (PSA, AR, FKBP5 and TMPRSS) was used to validate the cells cultures were of prostate cancer origin.

Dr. Joshi presents a single patient example to show the potential implications for this technology. The patient was a 67 year old male who developed biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy with a PSA 1.5 ng/dl. The patient underwent a PSMA-PET CT scan which showed a PET avid node in the right hemi-pelvis with no additional sites of disease. The patent underwent lymphadenectomy and the PET-avid node sent for tissue culture. The tumor was able to be successfully cultured at a minimum of 2 weeks. Following validation studies with PSA ELISA and RT-qPCR, drug screening test were performed. Drug screen revealed a marked response to Docetaxel, Cabazitaxel and minimal effect with anti-androgen therapy (Enzalutamide and Bicalutamide). Whole exome and RNA sequencing analysis is underway to validate the results from the drug screen.

In conclusion, prostate cancer cell lines can be successfully cultured in vitro using organoid technology. The ability to successfully grow prostate cancer cell in vitro allows for sequencing analysis and drug screening for each specific patient allowing for tailored treatment regimens with the hope they improved oncological outcomes and decrease toxicity profiles.

Presented By: Andre Joshi, MBBS

Written By: Andres F. Correa, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA

at the 2017 AUA Annual Meeting - May 12 - 16, 2017 – Boston, Massachusetts, USA