HSD3B1 genotype and outcomes in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy and enzalutamide: ARCHES

HSD3B1 encodes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1, which converts adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone and is inherited in adrenal-permissive (AP) or adrenal-restrictive forms. The AP allele is linked to castration resistance, mainly in low-volume tumors. Here, we investigate the association of HSD3B1 alleles with outcomes in ARCHES, a multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial that demonstrated clinical benefit with enzalutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) compared to those treated with placebo plus ADT. There are no significant differences between genotypes for clinical efficacy endpoints. Enzalutamide significantly improves radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival vs. placebo irrespective of HSD3B1 status. Men with the AP genotype have higher post-progression mortality and treatment-emergent adverse events, including hypertension, cardiovascular events, and gynecomastia, but a lower fracture rate. Overall, enzalutamide is beneficial in men with mHSPC independent of the HSD3B1 genotype. Inherited polymorphisms of HSD3B1 may account for differential toxicities.