Purpose: The addition of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) to androgen
deprivation therapy (ADT), with or without docetaxel (Doc), is currently recommended
for metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Recently, the ARANOTE trial
evaluated the efficacy and safety of Darolutamide + ADT in this setting. We aimed
to update a network meta-analysis (NMA) of these combination therapies. Methods: We
conducted a systematic search for RCTs on systemic therapies for mHSPC using MEDLINE,
Embase, and the Web of Science Core Collection in September 2024. An NMA utilizing
random-effects models was performed to compare progression-free survival (PFS), overall
survival (OS), and adverse event (AE) incidence (PROSPERO: CRD42024591458). Results:
A total of 12 RCTs (n = 11,954) were included in our NMAs. Triplet therapies were
associated with significant improvements in PFS compared to ARPI-based doublet therapies
(hazard ratio [HR]: 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-0.93; p = 0.01), but
the difference did not reach the conventional levels of statistical significance for
OS (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.67-1.01; p = 0.059). In a subset analysis, compared to ARPI-based
doublet therapies, triplet therapies showed a significant improvement in PFS in patients
with high-volume disease (HR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.88; p < 0.01), whereas no significant
improvement was observed in those with low-volume disease (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.45-1.67;
p = 0.7). No significant difference in grade >= 3 AEs was observed between triplet
therapies and ARPI-based doublet therapies. The main limitations include patient heterogeneity
and limited follow-up in some studies. Conclusions: Triplet therapies can improve
the oncologic outcomes of patients with mHSPC compared to ARPI-based doublet therapies,
without significantly increasing severe AEs. These findings warrant further confirmation
in a head-to-head trial powered for overall survival.
