Prognostic Value of Androgen Receptor (AR) Gene Alterations Detected in Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Mingrui Huang, Jiahui Yang, Heng Guo et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic significance of androgen receptor (AR) gene alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) among patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) undergoing treatment with enzalutamide and abiraterone. The analysis of 25 studies revealed that AR alterations in ctDNA were significantly linked to worse overall survival (HR = 1.99) and progression-free survival (HR = 2.37).
Key findings
- AR gene alterations in ctDNA were associated with worse overall survival (HR = 1.99, P < .001).
- Progression-free survival was also negatively impacted by AR alterations (HR = 2.37, P < .001).
- In patients with prior AR-targeted therapy, the association with overall survival was not statistically significant (HR = 1.58, P = .07).
- Significant heterogeneity was observed across the included studies.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that ctDNA-detected AR gene alterations may serve as important prognostic biomarkers in mCRPC, potentially guiding clinical decision-making regarding patient management and treatment strategies.
What to keep in mind
The study noted significant between-study heterogeneity and potential publication bias, which may affect the reliability of the results.