Plasma cell-free DNA profiling of PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway aberrations in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
- Author(s)
- Kwan, EM; Dai, C; Fettke, H; Hauser, C; Docanto, MM; Bukczynska, P; Ng, N; Foroughi, S; Graham, LK; Mahon, K; Tan, W; Wang, X; Zhao, Z; Zheng, T; Zhou, K; Yu, J; Du, P; Horvath, LG; Jia, S; Kohli, M; Azad, AA;
- Journal Title
- JCO Precision Oncology
- Abstract
- Tumor tissue from metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harbors frequent copy number variations (CNVs) in the PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway. However, identifying CNVs in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has proven to be challenging. With emerging data supporting Akt inhibition in PTEN-deficient mCRPC, we profiled PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway aberrations in patients with mCRPC using a novel cfDNA assay optimized for CNV detection. METHODS: A next-generation sequencing-based cfDNA assay was used to profile 231 patients with mCRPC from two independent cohorts (Australian, n = 78; United States, n = 153). PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway genomic aberrations were correlated with clinical outcomes, including progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: PTEN loss and PIK3CA gain were detected in 37% (85 of 231) and 17% (39 of 231) of patients, respectively. Poorer outcomes were observed in patients with PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway aberrations, including those with dual PTEN loss and PIK3CA gain (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.4). Cumulative CNV burden in the PTEN-PI3K-AKT and androgen receptor (AR) pathways was associated with significantly worse clinical outcomes (0 v 1 v ≥ 2 CNVs in Australian cohort: median OS 33.5 v 17.2 v 9.7 months, P < .001; 0 v 1 v ≥ 2 CNVs in US cohort: median OS 35.5 v 14.3 v 9.2 months, P < .001). Notably, 21% (31 of 146) of PTEN-neutral patients harbored alternative PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway aberrations. CONCLUSION: PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway CNVs were readily detected using our cfDNA assay, with the prevalence of PTEN loss comparable with tissue-based studies. Additional PTEN-PI3K-AKT pathway aberrations were found in one fifth of PTEN-neutral cases. Concurrent CNVs in the PTEN-PI3K-AKT and AR pathways portended poor survival, and identifying this high-risk patient subset for dual AR/Akt inhibition may optimize precision treatment with Akt inhibitors in mCRPC.
- Research Division(s)
- Personalised Oncology
- PubMed ID
- 34250422
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1200/po.20.00424
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2021-07-20 11:18:08
Last Modified: 2021-07-20 12:32:57