Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Lack of consensus identifies important areas for future clinical research: Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference (APCCC) 2019 findings

  • Ursula M. Vogl
  • , Tomasz M. Beer
  • , Ian D. Davis
  • , Neal D. Shore
  • , Christopher J. Sweeney
  • , Piet Ost
  • , Gerhardt Attard
  • , Alberto Bossi
  • , Johann de Bono
  • , Charles G. Drake
  • , Eleni Efstathiou
  • , Stefano Fanti
  • , Karim Fizazi
  • , Susan Halabi
  • , Nicolas James
  • , Nicolas Mottet
  • , Anwar R. Padhani
  • , Mack Roach
  • , Mark Rubin
  • , Oliver Sartor
  • Eric Small, Matthew R. Smith, Howard Soule, Matthew R. Sydes, Bertrand Tombal, Aurelius Omlin, Silke Gillessen, on behalf of the APCCC 2019 expert panel

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Innovations in treatments, imaging and molecular characterisation have improved outcomes for people with advanced prostate cancer; however, many aspects of clinical management are devoid of high-level evidence. At the Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference (APCCC) 2019, many of these topics were addressed, and consensus was not always reached. The results from clinical trials will most reliably plus the gaps. Methods: An invited panel of 57 experts voted on 123 multiple-choice questions on clinical management at APCCC 2019. No consensus was reached on 88 (71.5%) questions defined as <75% of panellists voting for the same answer option. We reviewed clinicaltrials.gov to identify relevant ongoing phase III trials in these areas of non-consensus. Results: A number of ongoing phase III trials were identified that are relevant to these non-consensus issues. However, many non-consensus issues appear not to be addressed by current clinical trials. Of note, no phase III but only phase II trials were identified, investigating side effects of hormonal treatments and their management. Conclusions: Lack of consensus almost invariable indicates gaps in existing evidence. The high percentage of questions lacking consensus at APCCC 2019 highlights the complexity of advanced prostate cancer care and the need for robust, clinically relevant trials that can fill current gaps with high-level evidence. Our review of these areas of non-consensus and ongoing trials provides a useful summary, indicating areas in which future consensus may soon be reached. This review may facilitate academic investigators to identify and prioritise topics for future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24-60
Number of pages37
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume160
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Advanced prostate cancer
  • Castration-naïve prostate cancer
  • Castration-resistant prostate cancer
  • Decision-making
  • Genetics
  • High-risk localised prostate cancer
  • Hormone-sensitive prostate cancer
  • Imaging
  • Oligometastatic prostate cancer
  • Overall survival

Cite this