The number of cancer survivors is increasing, soon to be as many of 13 million of us in the world! Bones are often affected in cancer survivors, usually a result of bone metastases, or of anti-cancer therapies which can contribute to bone loss and fragility. Bone disease in cancer survivors can result both from the [...]
Denosumab (Xgeva), the recently approved and only therapy that prolongs bone metastasis-free survival in men with non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who are at high risk for the spread of prostate cancer metastasis to bone seems to work best in men with very rapid prostate specific antigen (PSA) kinetics. The large 1,432 man, placebo controlled, [...]
Rarely discussed, but very much a potential problem for men with advanced prostate cancer are neurological complications resulting from prostate cancer metastasis. Neurological complications of metastatic prostate cancer require quick treatment to minimize impact on a man, so early recognition is important. Family physicians when faced with a man complaining of low back pain or [...]
Amgen has submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the FDA to expand the indication for denosumab (XGEVA) its RANK ligand inhibitor to treat men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer to reduce the risk of developing bone metastases. Although some doctors have already begun to use Xgeva in men with advanced prostate cancer, it is [...]
Researchers at the Department of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts performed an evaluation of the natural history of castration-resistant non-metastatic prostate cancer. For their analysis, the researchers used data from 331 subjects in a placebo group of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the relations of disease and host characteristics with time [...]
This has been an interesting year as men with advanced prostate cancer have seen three different drugs approved. Considering that the prior six years did not have any new drug approvals, this has been a stellar year. First we had Provenge approved, then came Jevtana and now we have added to the list Xgeya (denosumb). [...]
We all know that one of the common problems many of us will confront when fighting prostate cancer is experiencing bone fractures. Somtimes these fractures happen for little or no obvious cause. Why are bone fractures, especially spontaneous fractures (without any evident reason) so common in prostate cancer? […]
Prostate cancer preferentially metastasizes to bone and the mortality from prostate cancer is 70% once bone metastases are present. In addition, prostate cancer-induced bone metastases are associated with significant complications including severe pain, skeletal fractures, spinal cord compression and bone marrow suppression. Most doctors structure their treatment protocols against bone metastases by treating the cancer [...]
