There are many different types of drugs used for hormone therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. One of the newer classes of drugs include the GnRH antagonists. Degarelix (aka Firmagon) is the one drug in this class that is currently approved for prostate cancer. Degarelix, like the other hormone therapy drugs, was developed to [...]
The newest gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist therapy drug, degarelix (aka Firmagon) has become more commonly used in everyday clinical practice as an alternative hormone therapy treatment drug (ADT). Given that its use has become common it is important to understand both its safety and efficacy as compared to our older standard drugs. The best way [...]
Yesterday’s post was about the increased risks of developing diabetes faced by men who are on hormone therapy. This study, as well as most others about this topic has looked at the first levels of hormone therapy (ADT) using the traditional drugs like Zoladex, Trelstar, Firmagon, and Lupron. We know very little about the influence [...]
Many men with advanced prostate cancer who are on hormone therapy (ADT) use one of the newer drugs, degarelix (Firmagon) to achieve a state of castration. Degarelix is considered a superior drug for initiating ADT because it is not accompanied with a PSA flare that is common with the older luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists [...]
Somehow I have been negligent and not let people know that I have written and posted a major update of my “Guide to Advanced Prostate Cancer.” As in the past, it is available as a free download from the Malecare web site. Helping me to update the book was prostate cancer survivor Craig Pynn and [...]
Prostate cancer is commonly associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The use of GnRH agonists or antagonists (first line ADT) is widely used as the primary treatment for advanced prostate cancer (pc) and/or to reduce prostate volume (TPV). It is thought that the ADT contributes to the development of LUTS. Researchers pooled multiple other [...]
Based on six recent retrospective analyses comparing the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist degarelix against the traditional luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists (i.e. Zoladex, Lupron etc.) men with advanced prostate cancer experienced improved disease control, fewer instances of urinary infections, and a lower risk of cardiovascular events. The six analyses compared data from randomized trials that [...]
Malecare will be holding a free teleconference this Tuesday, April 30 at 6.m. I will be speaking with Dr. James Gulley who is the Deputy Chief of the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology at the National Cancer Institute and the Director of the Clinical Trials Group. He also serves as a Senior Investigator within [...]
Will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) be able to optimize patient care with regard to both on-label and off-label drugs? CMS', at this time, has not shown itself to be either in favor or against new technology or the introduction of new uses for drugs. They still seem interested in promoting access [...]
New data, published September 1 in the Journal of Urology, shows that Firmagon® (degarelix) which is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy (GnRH) given to men with advanced prostate cancer may be superior to leuprolide when used over three years. This new study (CS21A) was an open-label extension of the Phase III study (CS21) in which Firmagon® [...]
