Drug shows promise in prostate cancer spread to bone

Bone scans show tumor shrinkage after Cabozantinib; bone pain reduced

10-Jun-2011 - USA

A new drug to treat prostate cancer shows early promise, particularly against tumors that have spread to the bone, a multi-site study shows. The drug cabozantinib is designed to target mainly two important pathways linked to the growth and spread of prostate cancer. The drug had the most effect on tumors that had spread to the bone.

“Not only did three-quarters of bone scans have partial or complete resolution, but this was accompanied by improvement in bone pain and decreased need for narcotic use,” says lead study author Maha Hussain, M.D., FACP, professor of internal medicine and urology and associate director of clinical research at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The trial enrolled 171 men with metastatic prostate cancer. In more than three-quarters of the men enrolled, cancer had spread to the bone.

Researchers found 76 percent of patients saw some or all of their tumor shrink on bone scans following Cabozantinib. In addition, among patients who were on narcotics due to bone pain, 67 percent reported less pain and 56 percent either stopped taking narcotics or reduced the dosage. In addition, more than two-thirds of patients had some tumor regressions in areas of spread outside the bone. The treatment effects lasted on average 29 weeks.

The study found moderate side effects from Cabozantinib, including fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and high blood pressure.

“What’s interesting about this drug is it brings to the table something we haven’t seen before. Dramatic improvements in bone scans are unprecedented in this disease. Despite measurable progress, current treatment options for advanced prostate cancer tend to be modest in effect, so adding to and improving these options is a high priority,” Hussain says.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/132936/drug-shows-promise-in-prostate-cancer-spread-to-bone.html