Eric Klein, MD, chairman of the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, as well as a staff member at the Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, discusses the rationale to evaluate VERU-111 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

VERU-111 is an oral, cytoskeletal disruptor that acts as a taxane and inhibits microtubules, says Klein. Notably, the oral formulation of the agent should be more convenient and confer less systemic adverse effects for patients compared with traditional taxanes, Klein explains.

In prostate cancer, microtubule inhibitors, such as docetaxel and cabazitaxel (Jevtana), have demonstrated efficacy against the microtubule mitotic mechanism, Klein says. The agents have reduced disease burden and prolonged survival, adds Klein. As such, VERU-111 is a promising agent for this patient population, concludes Klein.

Videos

Eric Klein, MD, discusses the rationale to evaluate VERU-111 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.



Dr. Klein on the Rationale to Evaluate VERU-111 in mCRPC 

Eric A. Klein, MD, professor, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, member, GU Malignancies Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, chairman, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, discusses the utility of Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score in predicting outcomes in African American men with prostate cancer.

Oncotype DX is a test that is on the market which measures the expression of 17 genes off of a biopsy to help determine the aggressiveness of the prostate cancer, says Klein. Investigators have shown that the test can also predict the likelihood of developing metastatic disease or dying from prostate cancer 20 years out, says Klein. Oncotype DX has been on the market for several years now.

One group of investigators examined whether the test performed equally well in Caucasian American men versus those who were African American, which is important because the latter are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, explains Klein. The goal of the research was to learn whether this particular tool was useful in determining tumor aggressiveness. Results showed that the test was effective in that regard, adds Klein. In both cohorts, the test was found to have performed equally well and that should provide reassurance that self-identified race is not an important consideration when using this test, says Klein. One can have confidence in the test's utility in all groups of men, concludes Klein.

Eric A. Klein, MD, discusses the utility of Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score in predicting outcomes in African American men with prostate cancer.



Dr. Klein on Oncotype DX in Predicting Outcomes in African Americans With Prostate Cancer

Eric Klein, MD, professor of Surgery, Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, discusses precision medicine in patients with prostate cancer.

The prostate cancer field has entered the precision medicine era, explains Klein. There are now clinically significant tools in all the different spaces in prostate cancer, such as better screening and tests for the tumor.

Dr. Klein on Precision Medicine for Prostate Cancer

Eric Klein, MD, professor of Surgery, Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, discusses gene mutations in patients with prostate cancer.

The 3-hydroxybutyrate steroid dehydrogenase gene is the master switch for converting precursors to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone into dihydrotestosterone. It has been discovered that some men are born with a single point mutation in that gene that makes their tumors more efficient at making dihydrotestosterone, which is what drives prostate cancer, Klein explains.

There is a clinical correlation that shows that men who are born with that mutation progress to metastatic castrate resistance faster and die at a higher rate than patients who don’t have that mutation.

Eric Klein, MD

Articles

Dr. Klein on the Rationale to Evaluate VERU-111 in mCRPC

Dr. Klein on Oncotype DX in Predicting Outcomes in African Americans With Prostate Cancer

Dr. Klein on Precision Medicine for Prostate Cancer

Dr. Klein on Gene Mutations in Prostate Cancer