First-Line Systemic Treatments of Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: The therapeutic landscape of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) has expanded rapidly with the introduction of intensified combination regimens. The aim of this updated systematic review and network meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of first-line systemic combination therapies for mHSPC.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science in March 2026 to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating first-line combination therapies for mHSPC. The outcomes of interest were progression-free survival and/or overall survival (OS) and severe adverse events. We conducted frequentist random-effects network meta-analyses, specifically limited to randomized controlled trials involving the all-comer population, and a systematic review for targeted and biomarker-driven strategies. The certainty of evidence (CoE) was assessed using the CINeMA (Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis) framework (PROSPERO: CRD420251161933).

RESULTS

Twenty-three trials (n = 18,689) were included. In the all-comer network meta-analysis, docetaxel + androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT; HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.43-1.01, CoE: moderate) and polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) + ARPI + ADT (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.23-1.34, CoE: low) showed clinically relevant but not statistically significant progression-free survival improvements compared with ARPI + ADT. No triplet regimen demonstrated a statistically significant OS benefit over ARPI + ADT, although docetaxel + ARPI + ADT significantly improved OS in the high-volume subgroup (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.95; CoE: high). While adding docetaxel or PARPi did not result in statistical significance for severe adverse event risk, the safety estimates were characterized by substantial imprecision, and a clinically meaningful increase in toxicity cannot be excluded. Overall, evidence certainty was downgraded because of risk of bias from open-label designs, clinical inconsistency in prior docetaxel exposure across comparator arms, and imprecision, particularly for PARPi-based regimens because of small sample sizes in phase II data. Targeted and biomarker-driven strategies (AMPLITUDE, CAPItello-281, and PSMAddition) further supported the benefit of intensification in selected or target-positive populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Triplet intensification suggests a potential improvement in mHSPC, but OS benefits seem limited to specific subgroups, such as high-volume disease. The lack of a clear survival advantage in all-comers and the varying CoE support a selective, biomarker-driven or targeted approach. Treatment decisions should balance potential oncological gains against distinct toxicity profiles.