Scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor as a prognostic indicator in metastatic prostate cancer: A plasma study in CALGB 9480.

9613 Background: Scatter factor, also known as hepatocyte growth factor, (SF/HGF) is a polypeptide growth factor thought to be important in prostate cancer growth and spread. We have previously shown circulating SF/HGF levels were related to stage and Gleason grade of prostate cancer. No previous study has assessed the relationship of circulating SF/HGF levels and clinical outcome of prostate cancer patients. METHODS: SF/HGF levels in pretreatment plasma samples from 172 men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRCaP) enrolled in CALGB 9480 were quantified by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbet assay. CALGB 9480 was a phase III clinical trial of three different doses of suramin administered with a fixed dosing schedule in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The proportional hazards model was used to assess the prognostic importance of SF/HGF with adjustment for important baseline factors. RESULTS: Median SF/HGF was 994 pg/ml, with a range of 212 to 2733 pg/ml. Plasma SF/HGF levels of greater than 1543 pg/ml were associated with a significant reduction in overall survival (p=0.0024). Patients with SF/HGF > 1543 pg/ml experienced a median survival of 8 months compared to 17 months for men with SF/HGF ≤ 1543 pg/ml. In multivariate analysis, adjusting for PSA, LDH, and performance status, only plasma alkaline phosphatase level (hazard ratio = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3-2.6, p=0.0005) and elevated SF/HGF of greater than 1543 pg/ml compared to men with SF/HGF levels ≤ 1543 pg/ml (hazard ratio = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.00-2.74, p=0.048) were significantly associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Higher plasma levels of SF/HGF in men with HRCaP are associated with a worse patient survival. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Duke Scholars

Author Susan Halabi Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Division of Biostatistics