Dr. Trabulsi on Clinical Trial Combination Approaches in Prostate Cancer

Edouard J. Trabulsi, MD, FACS, professor, co-director, Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Oncology center, Prostate Diagnostic Center, vice chair of research, director, Division of Urologic Oncology, Department of Urology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, discusses clinical trials that are investigating combination approaches for patients with prostate cancer.

The CALGB PUNCH (Preoperative Use of Neoadjuvant ChemoHormonal Therapy) trial enrolled high-risk patients who received preoperative hormonal therapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery. The trial began approximately 10 years ago, before the recent explosion of interest in cytotoxic chemotherapy for early-stage prostate cancer, as seen in the docetaxel CHAARTED and STAMPEDE trials. It overlaps nicely with that data, says Trabulsi.

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center did an institutional trial with Robert B. Den, MD, investigating the use of cabazitaxel in combination with hormonal and radiotherapy in high-risk patients on standard radiotherapy. That may turn into a much larger trial, he says.