One of the largest and most controversial issues for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer is the value of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Most doctors use ADT as their pivotal initial treatment in the management of locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). But, the grand question is does it extend survival? […]
On the Advanced Prostate Cancer Listserv there was a question raised about the need to use an antiandrogen (bicalutamide/Casodex, flutamide/Eulexin, or nilutamide/Nilandron) along with degarelix, the recently approved LHRH antagonist (a drug that halts the production of testicular androgens). Doctors who are knowledgeable about the use of LHRH antagonists (Zoladex, Lupron, Eligard, Viadur and Firmagon [...]
When Degarelix (FIRMAGON) which is a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor blocker was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) I contacted Ferring Pharmaceuticals and spoke with their medical director. I asked if Degarelix could be used as a second line hormone therapy drug after the traditional first line GnRH agonist drugs (Lupron etc.) [...]
For years there remains this terrible hidden question, does an androgen blockade (ADT) provide any survival advantage to men with early advanced prostate cancer? We do know that ADT will have a significant negative impact on ones life, this is guaranteed. We do know that if we go on a blockade our life will change. [...]
A study by Yu et al., of men with a rising PSA after failed radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy who were placed on intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (IADT) indicated that the length of their first “off cycle” correlates with their expected time to developing castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and to their prostate cancer-specific mortality. [...]
Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that it has received approval from the FDA for its new six-month intramuscular formulation, Trelstar, a (triptorelin pamoate for injectable suspension) 22.5 mg. Trelstar 22.5 mg is a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist used for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. […]
Hormone therapy (ADT), using luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists or gonadatropin releasing hormone or GnRH agonists (Lupron, Zoladex, Trelstar, Viadur, Vantas, Eligard and Synarel ) have been known to have many side effects, some severe and potentially life threatening. Many of us believe that ADT is associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes along with [...]
I have just read a report from Mike Scott of a 64-year-old Croatian man who was recently diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. His PSA was 21,380 ng/ml! Yes, I said a PSA of 21,380. Now, hold on to your seats for even more intriguing information. According to the report this man has never experienced any [...]
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Trelstar – 22.5 mg (triptorelin pamoate for injectable suspension) at a dosage which will be required only to be administered twice a year. […]
In a Town Hall discussion, “Ablating Testosterone in Prostate Cancer and the Concomitant Negative Effects”, Fred Saad, MD, FRCS, Director of Urologic Oncology, Professor of Surgery/Urology, U of M Chair in Prostate Cancer; University of Montreal discussed the negative effects that bone loss resulting from hormone therapy (ADT) poses to our life expectancy. His over [...]
