The current standard of care for prostate cancer can sometimes cease to be effective, causing the cancer to worsen. The TRITON2 and TRITON3 studies are looking at the PARP inhibitor, rucaparib, in the treatment of prostate cancer with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. In addition, the TRITON trials are employing the use of genomic screening of plasma, which can provide valuable information as it is often difficult to obtain biopsies in patients with prostate cancer. At ESMO 2018, Dr Josep M Piulats talked to us about the TRITON studies, how the preliminary data are already helping select patients who will benefit from rucaparib, how these trials will affect clinical practice, and future research.
Questions:
1. Could you tell us a little about the mechanism of action of rucaparib and the rationale for using it in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer? (0:11)
2. What have been the major findings from the data of the TRITON2 study? (1:36)
3. What were the findings of your recent study involving genomic screening of plasma ctDNA and tissue samples in TRITON2 and TRITON3? (2:37)
4. What are the clinical implications of these findings? (3:49)
5. What are the next steps in this area of research over the coming years? (4:56)
Speaker disclosures: Josep M Piulats has nothing to disclose in relation to this interview.
Filmed at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress, Munich, Germany, 19–23 October 2018.