ORLANDO, FL, USA (UroToday.com) - Early trials for abiraterone were predominantly performed in Caucasian males despite the fact that African Americans (AA) have higher incidence and mortality from prostate cancer. Michael Stolten and colleagues from Tulane University studied the effects of abiraterone use when stratified by race. The group evaluated PSA levels, hemoglobin, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, and prior use of docetaxel or enzalutamide. PSA response, progression, and duration were compared between racial groups.
Seventy-four abiraterone patients were evaluated in total, of whom 20 were AA. Baseline laboratory values were similar between racial groups. 40% of AA males had a PSA that declined by > 30%, vs 44% in the Caucasian (CA) group. 35% of AA had PSA decline by > 50% vs 30% in the CA group, and 20% AA had PSA that declined by 90% vs 9% in the CA group (all not significant differences). The AA cohort had median time to nadir of 209 days vs 218 days in the CA group. Similarly, rates of PSA decline and time to progression were not significantly different between the two groups.
The authors concluded that abiraterone response rates, duration of response, and time to progression were not statistically different in AA men compared to CA men in patients with mCRPC. They acknowledged that larger studies might be needed to confirm these findings.
Presented by Michael Stolten at the 2015 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium - "Integrating Biology Into Patient-Centric Care" - February 26 - 28, 2015 - Rosen Shingle Creek - Orlando, Florida USA
Tulane University School of Medicine
Reported by Nikhil Waingankar, MD, medical writer for UroToday.com