Antitumor activity of the IGF-1/IGF-2-neutralizing antibody xentuzumab (BI 836845) in combination with enzalutamide in prostate cancer models

Abstract

Androgen deprivation therapy and second-generation androgen receptor signaling inhibitors such as enzalutamide are standard treatments for advanced/metastatic prostate cancer. Unfortunately, most men develop resistance and relapse; signaling via insulin-like growth factor (IGF) has been implicated in castration-resistant prostate cancer. We evaluated the antitumor activity of xentuzumab (IGF ligand-neutralizing antibody), alone and in combination with enzalutamide, in prostate cancer cell lines (VCaP, DuCaP, MDA PCa 2b, LNCaP, and PC-3) using established in vitro assays, and in vivo, using LuCaP 96CR, a prostate cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Xentuzumab + enzalutamide reduced the viability of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-expressing VCaP, DuCaP, and MDAPCa 2b cells more than either single agent, and increased antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction in VCaP. Xentuzumab or xentuzumab + enzalutamide inhibited IGF type 1 receptor and AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) phosphorylation in VCaP, DuCaP, and MDA PCa 2b cells; xentuzumab had no effect on AKT phosphorylation and proliferation in PTEN-null LNCaP or PC-3 cells. Knockdown of PTEN led to loss of antiproliferative activity of xentuzumab and reduced activity of xentuzumab+enzalutamide in VCaP cells. Xentuzumab+enzalutamide inhibited the growth of castration-resistant LuCaP 96CR PDX with acquired resistance to enzalutamide, and improved survival in vivo. The data suggest that xentuzumab + enzalutamide combination therapy may overcome castration resistance and could be effective in patients who are resistant to enzalutamide alone. PTEN status as a biomarker of responsiveness to combination therapy needs further investigation.