Update: New drug combination approved for treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic prostate cancer
The FDA approved Akeega (niraparib and abiraterone) plus prednisone for the treatment of BRCA-mutated, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Akeega can be used as an early or later treatment. (Posted 11/9/23)
Este artículo está disponible en español.

RELEVANCE
Most relevant for: People with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer with a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
It may also be relevant for:
- people with castration-resistant prostate cancer
- people with a family history of cancer
- people with a genetic mutation linked to cancer risk
- people with metastatic or advanced cancer


Relevance: Medium-High


Research Timeline: Post Approval
What is this update about?
The has approved Akeega in combination with prednisone as a treatment for castration-resistant cancer (mCRPC) for people with or mutation. Akeega combines acetate and the niraparib into a single tablet.
This approval is based on the results of a large clinical trial called MAGNITUDE. Participants were divided into two groups. Half of them received Akeega ( and ), while the other half received without . All participants received prednisone.
- After two years, compared to people with a or mutation who had a plus prednisone, people with a or mutation who had Akeega plus prednisone:
- reduced their risk of cancer progressing or death by 45%.
- went longer without needing chemotherapy.
- went longer without symptoms of cancer progression (such as the need for bone surgery).
- had improved patient-reported outcomes, including a 30% delay in time-to-pain progression and a 33% delay in time-to-pain interval that interfered with daily activities.
About Akeega
Akeega ( plus acetate) combines the niraparib () and acetate (Zytiga) into one pill. Like other PARP inhibitors, Akeega can be particularly effective against cancers with mutations in and .
The most common side effects in either the Akeega group or group were:
- Anemia (low red blood cell counts)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Constipation
- Lower back pain
Anemia, high blood pressure and constipation were more common in the Akeega group compared to the group. Lower back pain was more common in the group compared to the Akeega group.
What does this mean for me?
Genetic testing and tumor testing for people with mCRPC
- Experts recommend genetic testing for an linked to cancer for everyone diagnosed with mCRPC. Results from this test may affect your treatment options.
- Experts also recommend tumor testing for people with mCRPC to see whether they would benefit from treatment with a . If you have not had tumor testing or you are unsure if you have had it, ask your doctor about ordering additional tests.
- If genetic testing or tumor testing shows that you have a mutation in or , you may benefit from treatment with Akeega.
- If genetic testing or tumor testing shows that you have a mutation in another gene, you may benefit from a or another type of .
You can find more information on and for mCRPC here.
Reference
approves and acetate plus prednisone for BRCA-mutated castration-resistant cancer. news release. August 11, 2023.
Disclosure: FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.
Share your thoughts on this XRAY review by taking our brief survey.
posted 11/9/23
The following treatment studies are enrolling people with advanced cancer:
- NCT05011383: High Dose Testosterone Treatment for People with Prostate Cancer and an , CDK12 or Mutation. This study will examine how well an increased dose of testosterone treatment works for people with castration-resistant cancer (mCRPC) with an , CDK12, or genetic mutation.
- NCT04249947: P-PSMA-101 CAR-T Cells in the Treatment of Subjects With Castration-Resistant Cancer (mCRPC) and Advanced Salivary Gland Cancers (SGC). This study is looking at treatment using a type of known as CAR-T for treating prostate cancer that expresses PSMA.
- NCT05367440: Treating Prostate Cancer with a New AZD5305 Combined With Hormone Therapy. This study will look at the effectiveness of a new drug called AZD5305 in combination with different hormone therapies to treat prostate cancer, compared to the current standard treatment.
- NCT04038502: Treating Prostate Cancer with Chemotherapy or in People with Mutations (COBRA). This study is comparing carboplatin chemotherapy to the , as treatment for castration-resistant cancer in people with a , , , , CHEK1, FANCL, , RAD51B, , or RAD54L mutation.
-
NCT06120491: Studying the Effectiveness of New , Saruparib Compared to Current Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer EvoPAR-PRO1. This study will evaluate an investigational drug called Saruparib in combination with new hormonal agents to treat prostate cancer compared to standard treatment in people whose tumors have a mutation in: , , , , CDK12, , RAD51B, , or .
The following studies are enrolling people with advanced , including cancer:
- NCT06545942: Treating Advanced Cancers with or Other Related Gene Mutations Using MOMA-313 Alone or In Combination with the Olaparib. This trial will study MOMA-313 given alone or together with a () in people with certain advanced or cancers with the following mutations: , , , , , CDK12, CHEK1, , FANCL, , RAD51B, , , and/or RAD54L.
- NCT05932862: Study of a New InvestigationaI Inhibitor to Treat People with Advanced . The study examines the safety and effectiveness of the investigational treatment XL309 when used alone or in combination with a to treat people with some advanced , including cancer.
- NCT05417594: Study of the AZD9574 Alone and Combined with Other Cancer Medicines to Treat People with Advanced Solid Cancers (CERTIS1 Study). This study looks at a new AZD9574 given alone and in combination with other anti-cancer drugs for people with advanced cancer that has come back or progressed.
Other clinical trials for people with cancer can be found here.
Updated: 09/21/2025
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends tumor testing to help guide treatment or eligibility for clinical trials for people with prostate cancer. The recommendation highlights the following considerations:
- Biomarkers may change when cancer grows or worsens. A repeat biopsy and tumor testing may be needed when cancer progresses.
- Tumor testing may find inherited mutations. People with a tumor mutation that may be inherited are recommended to have genetic counseling with a genetics expert followed by genetic testing.
The NCCN recommends the following tests:
- Testing for MSI-H/dMMR to identify patients who would benefit from .
- Testing for tumor mutations in to identify patients who would benefit from PARP inhibitors.
- Testing for (TMB) to identify patients with a high (TMB-H) who may benefit from .
- Additional testing as required for clinical trial eligibility.
Updated: 09/29/2025
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend genetic counseling and testing for the following people with cancer who have:
- a tumor test result that suggests an inherited mutation
- for example, a tumor with a , or mutation may indicate an in one of those genes
- a blood relative who tested positive for an in a gene linked to cancer
- cancer diagnosed at any age
- cancer that has spread to the
- localized cancer (hasn’t spread beyond the ) that is considered very high-risk or high-risk
- intermediate-risk cancer with intraductal or cribriform features listed on the
- a diagnosis of male breast cancer
- Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish ancestry
- one or more relatives with:
- breast, colorectal or endometrial cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger
- male breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer at any age
- , regional, very-high-risk, or high-risk cancer at any age
- one or more close relatives with cancer diagnosed at age 60 or younger
- three or more relatives on the same side of the family with biliary tract, breast, colorectal, endometrial, glioblastoma, or other cancers
Speak with a genetic counselor if you have questions about whether you meet guidelines for genetic testing.
Updated: 02/01/2024
The following organizations offer peer support services for people with or at high risk for cancer:
- FORCE peer support
- Visit our message boards.
- Once you register, you can post on the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Sign up for our Peer Navigation Program.
- Users are matched with a volunteer who shares their mutation and situation.
- Join our private Facebook group.
- Find a virtual or in-person support meeting.
- Join a Zoom community group meeting.
- Visit our message boards.
- ZERO-The End of Cancer is a nonprofit organization that provides information and support resources for men with cancer.
Updated: 03/08/2023