Safety and efficacy of darolutamide in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

e17089 Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is often treated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), but progression remains a challenge. Darolutamide, a next-generation androgen receptor inhibitor, may improve outcomes when combined with ADT. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of darolutamide plus ADT in hormone-sensitive (HSPC) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane, Clinicaltrials.gov, Embase, and Scopus was conducted through January 11, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing darolutamide plus ADT vs. placebo or control in prostate cancer were included. Data on overall survival, metastatic progression, antineoplastic therapy initiation, pain progression, bone fractures, hypertension, adverse events and serious adverse events were analyzed. Outcomes were pooled as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed via Higgins I², with subgroup analyses for HSPC and CRPC. Results: Four RCTs with 4,992 patients (darolutamide + ADT=3007; control=1985) were further included for quantitative analysis. Our pooled analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in the development of metastatic CRPC across both HSPC and CRPC (RR: 0.38 [0.19, 0.77], p=0.007). Similarly, progression to pain (RR: 0.81 [0.71, 0.92], p=0.001) and the use of antineoplastic therapy (RR: 0.46 [0.38, 0.57], p<0.0001) was significantly delayed across all PC, indicating slower disease progression. While a slightly higher overall survival was noted in the CRPC subgroup (RR: 1.08 [1.01, 1.14], p=0.007), no significant differences were reported on the use of combination therapy across HSPC and overall PC (RR: 0.71 [0.39, 1.31], p=0.28). While a significantly higher risk of developing adverse events (RR: 1.08 [1.03, 1.14], p=0.002) and serious adverse events (RR:1.2 [0.99, 1.45], p=0.07) was noted in the CRPC subgroup, a slight increase was reported in the overall cohort and HSPC, although with statistical insignificance. Bone fractures (RR: 1.52 [1.12, 2.07], p=0.008) and hypertension risk (RR: 1.28 [1.03, 1.59], p=0.03) were elevated, while rates of rash, fatigue, falls, and mental impairment were similar. Conclusions: Combination therapy of darolutamide and ADT reduced metastatic progression and slowed tumor growth but did not significantly improve overall survival. Adverse events were more common, particularly in CRPC cohort. Longer follow-up studies are needed to assess long-term efficacy and weigh tumor control against adverse event risks.