Figure 4

Correlation analysis of responding (R) and non-responding (N) patients and copy number distribution/biomarker appearance and levels. Comparison of mRNA copy numbers KLK3-PSA (upper panel) and AR-V7 (lower panel) per blood sample (5 ml) in biomarker positive patients (upper panel: CTC +; lower panel: AR-V7 +) regarding (A) PSA response, (B) PFS and OS categorized into responders ((R); PFS and OS duration > median PFS and OS) and non-responders ((N); PFS and OS duration < median PFS and OS) and (C) PFS and OS categorized into responders ((R); PFS and OS duration > CI upper limit for PFS and OS) and non-responders ((N); PFS and OS duration < CI upper limit for PFS and OS). P values (Mann–Whitney test) are as follows. CTC +: PSA50: p = 0.11; Median, PFS: p < 0.02, OS: p = 0.11; upper limit: PFS: p = 16, OS: p < 0.01; AR-V7 +: PSA50: p = 0.03; Median, PFS: p = 0.30, OS: p = 0.42; upper limit: PFS: p = 0.15, OS: p = 0.63. (D) Biomarker appearance among different lines of treatment. P values (Fisher’s exact test) are as follows. CTC +: p > 0.99; AR-V7 +: p = 0.03. (E) Biomarker levels among different lines of treatment. mRNA copy numbers of KLK3-PSA (as a surrogate for actual number of CTCs) and AR-V7 in different lines of treatment. P values (Mann–Whitney test) are as follows. KLK3-PSA: p > 0.01, AR-V7: p = 0.73.