LAST WEEK TODAY!

A summary of what was published on ProstateWarriors.com during the past week

Hello fellow warriors! Despite the increasingly hot and sweltering summer, we still have some interesting news to share this week!
Stay strong and fight on!

As usual, we also have a podcast if you prefer to listen to the newsletter, you can find it HERE.​

Clinical Research

• Phase 1 Trial for a New PSMA Radioligand 177Lu‑PSMA‑VG01​
  This study investigates 177Lu‑PSMA‑VG01, a next-generation small-molecule radiopharmaceutical designed to improve upon the results of Pluvicto. This agent uses a high-affinity ligand to deliver the beta-emitter lutetium-177 directly to PSMA-expressing cells, aiming for higher tumor dosing while reducing exposure to healthy tissue. Preclinical data showed that the compound has a binding affinity and internalization efficiency roughly two to three times higher than 177Lu‑PSMA‑617.
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• Phase 1/2 Trial With SX-682 and Docetaxel​
  Researchers are evaluating SX-682, a CXCR1/2 inhibitor, in combination with docetaxel for patients with advanced prostate cancer and certain head and neck cancers. The biological rationale is to use SX-682 to block the recruitment of immune-suppressing cells into tumors, which typically helps the cancer resist treatment. By combining it with a standard chemotherapy backbone like docetaxel, the goal is to attack both the tumor cells and the inflammatory microenvironment that contributes to immune escape and resistance. This trial broadens the study of SX-682 beyond its previous focus on androgen receptor pathway inhibitor resistance.
• Phase 1b Trial of Bavdegalutamide Plus Abiraterone​
  This trial tested bavdegalutamide (ARV-110), an oral androgen receptor degrader, in 45 patients whose metastatic prostate cancer was progressing on abiraterone. The study found no dose-limiting toxicities and reported encouraging efficacy for an early-phase trial: 48.9% of patients achieved PSA control, and 24.4% reached a PSA50 response. Notably, several patients with specific androgen receptor mutations showed a response, and the median radiographic progression-free survival reached 16.3 months.​
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• Real-World Signals from the ARON-3 Study​
  The international ARON-3 study provided a retrospective head-to-head comparison between darolutamide- and abiraterone-based triplet therapies for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). While multivariable models showed that differences in overall survival were not statistically significant, a numerical trend favored darolutamide. Subgroup analyses revealed that patients with visceral metastases and high-volume disease derived the clearest benefit from the darolutamide-based triplet, showing higher survival rates. The safety profiles were generally comparable, though the abiraterone-based group experienced higher rates of grade 3 to 4 fatigue.​
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• Intensified Radiotherapy for Bone Metastases​
  A regional retrospective study spanning from 2011 to 2025 suggests that a more intensive radiotherapy strategy may improve survival for patients with bone metastases. The analysis found that delivering higher doses to bone lesions was associated with significantly better 5-year survival. The best outcomes were observed in patients with good performance status who received treatment early after diagnosis, particularly when radiotherapy was aimed at all known sites of disease rather than just being used for palliative care. In a subgroup without visceral metastases, prostate-directed radiotherapy showed a numerical survival advantage of 40 months compared to 26 months for those who did not receive it.​
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Preclinical Research & Reviews

• Genetic Clues for Prostate Cancer Survival​
  A study published in Nature explored why some prostate tumors remain quiet while others become life-threatening by searching for genes linked specifically to survival. Researchers identified a region on chromosome 1 where several genes appeared to influence disease aggressiveness, with RCC1 emerging as the strongest candidate. Higher activity of the RCC1 gene was linked to a shorter time to recurrence after treatment. Other genes, such as PHACTR4, were also highlighted as potential leads for identifying men at higher risk for aggressive disease, which may eventually help guide personalized follow-up and treatment.​

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And…that’s all folks! For today at least!
Please let me know if there is anything I can improve in my newsletters, and let me know if you have enjoyed the podcast.

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Have a great weekend!

Max