Combination of ASA404 and Docetaxel Shows Promising Results in Prostate Cancer Treatment

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in Clinical Cancer Research has shed light on the effectiveness of combining ASA404 (vadimezan; 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid) with docetaxel in treating castration-refractory metastatic prostate cancer (CRMPC). The randomized phase II study, conducted in the United States, enrolled 74 patients who were previously untreated with chemotherapy. The results indicate that the combination of ASA404 and docetaxel has acceptable toxicity, lacks adverse pharmacokinetic interaction, and shows activity in CRMPC.

Key Takeaways:

  • The combination of ASA404 and docetaxel resulted in a higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate (59.4% vs. 36.8%) and a larger median percentage reduction in PSA (84.0% vs. 61.9%) compared to docetaxel alone.
  • The tumor response rate was 23.1% with ASA404 and docetaxel, compared to 9.1% with docetaxel alone.
  • The median time to tumor progression was 8.7 months for the combination group and 8.4 months for the docetaxel group.
  • The hazard ratios for time to tumor progression and survival were 0.81 and 0.80, respectively, favoring the combination of ASA404 and docetaxel.
  • The study met some endpoints, including prostate-specific antigen response and tumor response, but not others, such as time to tumor progression.

Statistics:

  • 74 patients were enrolled in the study.
  • 59.4% of patients in the combination group experienced a PSA response, compared to 36.8% in the docetaxel group.
  • The median percentage reduction in PSA was 84.0% for the combination group and 61.9% for the docetaxel group.
  • The tumor response rate was 23.1% with ASA404 and docetaxel, and 9.1% with docetaxel alone.
  • The median time to tumor progression was 8.7 months for the combination group and 8.4 months for the docetaxel group.
  • The hazard ratios for time to tumor progression and survival were 0.81 and 0.80, respectively.

Sources:

  • Pili, R., et al. (2010). Phase II study on the addition of ASA404 (vadimezan; 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid) to docetaxel in CRMPC. Clinical Cancer Research, 16(10), 2906-14.
  • American Association Cancer Research. (n.d.). Clinical Cancer Research. Retrieved from
  • NewsRx.com. (2010). Combination of ASA404 and Docetaxel Shows Promising Results in Prostate Cancer Treatment. Cancer Weekly.