Study in JCO Precision Oncology: Prolaris Test Predicts Hormone Therapy Benefit in Localized Prostate Cancer

Myriad Genetics, Inc., a pioneer in genetic testing and precision medicine, has announced a significant publication in JCO Precision Oncology. The study reveals that a clinical cell-cycle risk (CCR) score can accurately determine the benefit of incorporating androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with radiation therapy (RT) in men suffering from localized prostate cancer.

Current medical guidelines advocate the addition of ADT to RT for certain patients with localized prostate cancer. Although ADT can be effective in decelerating cancer progression, it is also known to cause severe side effects, including bone and muscle deterioration, weight gain, and heightened cardiovascular risk.

The study, initially presented by Dr. Jonathan Tward at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Conference, involved two groups of male patients who had undergone the Prolaris® Prostate Cancer Prognostic Test. This testing was done either in a clinical setting or through retrospective studies.

Findings from the study indicated that patients with a Prolaris CCR score below the multimodal threshold experienced a mere 0.86% reduction in their 10-year risk of metastasis if they opted for multimodal therapy by adding ADT to RT. Conversely, those with a CCR score above the threshold saw a significant 8.19% average reduction in metastasis risk when ADT was added to RT.

Dr. Tward, MD, PhD, from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, noted the rigorous analysis involved in the study, which utilized level-one evidence from several prospective randomized studies to determine the risk reduction. According to Dr. Tward, Prolaris provides a precise assessment of metastasis outcomes for men undergoing either monotherapy (RT) or multimodal therapy (RT+ADT). Additionally, it offers an accurate estimation of death risk for patients under surveillance, a feature that other classifiers currently lack.

Dale Muzzey, the chief scientific officer at Myriad Genetics, highlighted the importance of this test, especially given the substantial side effects associated with ADT. The test enables prostate cancer patients to quantify the potential benefits of ADT. Notably, over 85% of patients tested with Prolaris have a CCR score below the multimodal threshold, indicating a minimal benefit from adding ADT to RT.

Prolaris is a molecular diagnostic tool that delivers personalized information regarding the aggressiveness of a patient’s prostate cancer. This helps determine whether it is safe to forgo treatment, advocate for treatment, and decide the appropriate level of treatment necessary for the best possible outcome. Importantly, Prolaris is the sole biomarker test capable of quantifying the benefits of adding ADT to RT.

Myriad Genetics is at the forefront of genetic testing and precision medicine, committed to enhancing health and well-being. The company develops and offers genetic tests that help assess the risk of disease development or progression and guide treatment decisions across various medical specialties. These genetic insights can significantly improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.