Rate of hot flashes in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with GTx-758.

Abstract

129 Background: When androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer was first developed, life expectancy for men with advanced disease was short and the systemic effects were of limited relevance. GTx-758 is a selective ERα agonist that effects serum total testosterone (T), free T, SHBG and PSA. Herein we compare the effects of GTx-758 and leuprolide on hot flashes, one of the common side effects in men on ADT. Methods: In a Phase II study (G200705), men with advanced prostate cancer (n=159) received 1000 mg or 2000 mg of GTx-758 daily or leuprolide. Utilizing a standardized instrument to measure the frequency and severity of hot flashes, data was compiled at baseline, day 28 and day 90. The number of men experiencing hot flashes were those reporting any in the period between the respective time point and the prior patient visit. All p values describe the comparison of both GTx-758 treatment groups to the leuprolide treated men. Results: At the baseline, there were no significant differences in the number of men reporting hot flashes in any of the treatment groups (p=0.065). The percentage of men who experienced a hot flash while receiving leuprolide increased significantly to 60.4% (p<0.0001) by Day 28 and increased further to 80.9% (p<0.0001) by Day 90. Although some subjects experienced hot flashes while receiving GTx-758, these men were a significantly lower percentage, 18.8 and 5.6% at the 1000 mg and 2000 mg doses of GTx-758 respectively at day 90. As a result of an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) at these higher doses of GTx-758, the trial was stopped prior to its completion and not all of the men on the study reached the 90 day treatment date (99 evaluable). Conclusions: Men with advanced prostate cancer, receiving GTx-758 experienced a greater than 4-fold reduction in their reported hot flashes at day 90. Since hot flashes are a major side effect that impacts the quality of life in men on ADT, the ability to significantly decrease their likelihood would seem to be of great benefit. A Phase II clinical trial utilizing lower doses of GTx-758 (G200712) is currently being performed that will determine if similar effects on serum free testosterone, PSA and hot flashes can be shown with a lower rate of VTEs. Clinical trial information: NCT01326312.