Samuel R. Denmeade, MD, presented “The TRANSFORMER Study: Bipolar Androgen Therapy vs. Enzalutamide in Asymptomatic Men With mCRPC” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in May 2021.
Main Discussion – Summary:
E. David Crawford, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Grand Rounds in Urology and Professor of Urology at University of California, San Diego discusses the TRANSFORMER study and bipolar androgen therapy with Samuel R. Denmeade, MD, Professor of Oncology and Urology at Johns Hopkins University and co-leader of the Prostate Cancer Program for the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Dr. Denmeade presents the study results, outlines the conceptual background, and notes the benefits of bipolar androgen therapy. TRANSFORMER compared enzalutamide with bipolar androgen therapy, a treatment in which testosterone levels are oscillated between low and high levels in order to prevent the adaptation of prostate cancer cells to a low-androgen environment. Results indicate that while bipolar androgen therapy may not have superior progression free survival rates when compared with enzalutamide, it can improve patient response to enzalutamide, suggesting that further research on sequential treatment is warranted. Notably, some men undergoing bipolar androgen therapy experienced a return in sexual function and also better physical functioning which contributed to improved quality of life.
Q&A – Summary:
Following the overview of the study results, Dr. Crawford interviews Dr. Denmeade on the conceptual approach of high and low hormone therapy and how this paradigm may impact future treatment. It is important to note that the study focused on men with mCRPC, in part because it may have an anti-tumor effect. Dr. Denmeade also mentions a new pilot trial that will pair radium with testosterone therapy to examine whether the testosterone will enhance the effectiveness of radium.
How to cite: Denmeade, Samuel R. “The TRANSFORMER Study: Bipolar Androgen Therapy vs. Enzalutamide in Asymptomatic Men With mCRPC” May 2021. Accessed Jul 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/the-transformer-study-bipolar-androgen-therapy-vs-enzalutamide-in-asymptomatic-men-with-mcrpc/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Samuel Denmeade is a professor of oncology and urology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and co-leader of the Prostate Cancer Program for the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. He also has appointments in the Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and Department of Biomolecular Engineering. His areas of clinical expertise include bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Dr. Denmeade earned his M.D. from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. He completed his residency at the University of Chicago. He performed a fellowship in oncology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and a fellowship in medical oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
His research interests include prostate and renal cancer, bladder cancer and targeted drug development.
Dr. Denmeade was named the Carolyn and Bill Stutt Scholar by The Patrick C. Walsh Prostate Cancer Research Fund in 2012.
