a two-dose level clinical trial of itraconazole in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who have had disease progression while on hormonal therapy

Conditions: Prostate Cancer

Summary: this research is being done to test an investigational drug, called itraconazole, in the treatment of prostate cancer. itraconazole is approved by the food and drug administration (fda) for the treatment of various fungal infections such as fingernail/toenail infections and other more serious fungal infections. the word "investigational" means that itraconazole is not approved for use in people with cancer. however, the fda is allowing the use of itraconazole in this research study. itraconazole has been shown to have activity against cancer (including prostate cancer) in the laboratory, but has not been tested against cancer in humans. the purpose of this study is to find out: * if itraconazole is safe when given at two different doses * how itraconazole affects prostate specific antigen (psa): a blood test that measures substances released by prostate cancer * whether itraconazole can delay further prostate cancer growth and spread * how itraconazole affects other markers of prostate cancer

itraconazole is an oral, generic, and commercially available antifungal drug with a long safety record when used at doses ranging from 200 to 600 mg daily. itraconazole has been shown in cellular and animal models to be a potent angiogenesis inhibitor as well as a hedgehog pathway antagonist; both pathways are considered important in prostate cancer. itraconazole has not previously been tested as an antineoplastic agent, but given its well-established safety profile, the gap between further preclinical studies and human clinical trials can be narrowed to accelerate development of this agent as a putative anticancer drug. the investigators hypothesize that itraconazole will prevent psa progression in a significant proportion of men with metastatic crpc and that it will have an acceptable safety profile at both doses. itraconazole may ultimately delay the need for chemotherapy in these men.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * histologically or cytologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma. * presence of distant metastases on bone scan, ct scan, or mri scan. * progression after androgen deprivation (and anti-androgen withdrawal). * rising serum psa (prostate cancer working group (pcwg2) definition). * castrate levels of serum testosterone (i.e., ≤ 50 ng/dl). * age \> 18 years. * ecog performance status score ≤ 2, and/or karnofsky score ≥ 50%. * life expectancy \> 6 months. * adequate kidney, liver, and bone marrow function. * willingness to sign informed consent and adhere to study requirements. exclusion criteria: * recent surgery, radiation therapy, combined androgen blockade, or investigational therapies in the last 8 weeks. * previous chemotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer. * concomitant use of second-line hormonal agents (e.g., ketoconazole, des) * current use of corticosteroids, except if on a stable dose for ≥ 3 months. * history of malabsorption syndrome (may affect itraconazole absorption). * allergic reactions to itraconazole or similar compounds. * concurrent use of drugs that interact with the cyp3a4 system (caution only). * presence of known brain metastases. * prior malignancy in the last 3 years, with some exceptions. * uncontrolled major infectious, cardiac, or pulmonary illnesses. * prolonged corrected qt interval (\> 450 msec) on electrocardiography.

Keywords: metastatic prostate cancer castration resistant prostate cancer rising psa