Degarelix drops testosterone levels in prostate cancer
December 4, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
The results of a phase III trial of degaralix, a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, are showing great promise. According to a press release issued by Wiley-Blackwell, "more than 95 per cent of men who took degarelix for prostate cancer saw their testosterone levels fall dramatically as early as three days after they started treatment, according to a paper in the December issue of BJU International."
Another important finding was that the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) dropped much more than men who took another drug, leuprolide.
When men are initially treated for prostate cancer with androgen deprivation hormone therapy, the body’s reaction is to initially produce more testosterone. But, that’s the exact opposite of what the doctors want. This surge can make symptoms worse, including spinal cord compression and bone pain, and it can stimulate the prostate cancer cells, causing quicker growth.
You can read more about the study in this press release, Prostate cancer drug reduces testosterone levels in as little as 3 days.
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Tags: cancer blog, prostate cancer, degaralix, gonadotrophin-release hormone, GnRH, leuprolide, PSA, prostate specific antigen, testosterone levels
