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Effectiveness
Lupron controlsprostate cancerfor an average duration of 18 to 24 months in men withmetastatic disease. When Lupron stops working, other hormonal agents such as Casodex (bicalutamide) or Nilandron (nilutamide) may provide temporary control, but their duration of effect (keeping the prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) down) usually lasts for less than a year.
Researchers have not established whether a simple decline inPSA levelsaccurately indicates that a patient’s survival will be extended.So new prostate cancer drugs can only be approved if the pharmaceutical manufacturer documents improved survivalin a prospective, placebo-controlled trial.Proving improved survival is different than simply showing that medication causes a temporary decline in PSA levels.
Zytiga is given in combination with Lupron if Lupron was not adequately effective. Zytiga is not used alone.
Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) is based on the discovery that resistance to Lupron (defined as cancer growth despite zero testosterone in the blood) isnota result of the cancer cells having learned to growwithouttestosterone. Rather, Lupron resistance is a result of prostate cancer cells havinglearnedhow to manufacture their own testosterone internally.
Side Effects
Side effects of Zytiga can include changes in potassium levels in the blood, and in rare cases, liver dysfunction. It also enhances the action of cholesterol pills like Lipitor and Crestor, so their dosage needs to be reduced to compensate. It is occasionally associated with gastric irritation and stomach ulcers. Higher blood sugar levels can also occur in people who have diabetes.
To keep potassium levels in the normal range, Zytiga is administered in conjunction with prednisone, a form of cortisone. Cortisone can haveside effects too.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wadosky KM, Koochekpour S.Therapeutic rationales, progresses, failures, and future directions for advanced prostate cancer.International Journal of Biological Sciences. 2016;12(4):409-426. doi:10.7150/ijbs.14090U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Lupron (Leuprolide acetate) NDA approval.Lupron.Package insert. AbbVie, Inc; 2017.National Cancer Institute.Prostate cancer treatment.National Cancer Institute.Prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) test.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Guidance, compliance & regulatory information (biologics).Dillard PR, Lin MF, Khan SA.Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells acquire the complete steroidogenic potential of synthesizing testosterone from cholesterol.Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology2008; 295(1-2):115–120. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2008.08.013Zytiga.Package insert. Janssen Biotech, Inc; 2011.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wadosky KM, Koochekpour S.Therapeutic rationales, progresses, failures, and future directions for advanced prostate cancer.International Journal of Biological Sciences. 2016;12(4):409-426. doi:10.7150/ijbs.14090U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Lupron (Leuprolide acetate) NDA approval.Lupron.Package insert. AbbVie, Inc; 2017.National Cancer Institute.Prostate cancer treatment.National Cancer Institute.Prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) test.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Guidance, compliance & regulatory information (biologics).Dillard PR, Lin MF, Khan SA.Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells acquire the complete steroidogenic potential of synthesizing testosterone from cholesterol.Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology2008; 295(1-2):115–120. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2008.08.013Zytiga.Package insert. Janssen Biotech, Inc; 2011.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wadosky KM, Koochekpour S.Therapeutic rationales, progresses, failures, and future directions for advanced prostate cancer.International Journal of Biological Sciences. 2016;12(4):409-426. doi:10.7150/ijbs.14090U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Lupron (Leuprolide acetate) NDA approval.Lupron.Package insert. AbbVie, Inc; 2017.National Cancer Institute.Prostate cancer treatment.National Cancer Institute.Prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) test.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Guidance, compliance & regulatory information (biologics).Dillard PR, Lin MF, Khan SA.Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells acquire the complete steroidogenic potential of synthesizing testosterone from cholesterol.Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology2008; 295(1-2):115–120. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2008.08.013Zytiga.Package insert. Janssen Biotech, Inc; 2011.
Wadosky KM, Koochekpour S.Therapeutic rationales, progresses, failures, and future directions for advanced prostate cancer.International Journal of Biological Sciences. 2016;12(4):409-426. doi:10.7150/ijbs.14090
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Lupron (Leuprolide acetate) NDA approval.
Lupron.Package insert. AbbVie, Inc; 2017.
National Cancer Institute.Prostate cancer treatment.
National Cancer Institute.Prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Guidance, compliance & regulatory information (biologics).
Dillard PR, Lin MF, Khan SA.Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells acquire the complete steroidogenic potential of synthesizing testosterone from cholesterol.Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology2008; 295(1-2):115–120. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2008.08.013
Zytiga.Package insert. Janssen Biotech, Inc; 2011.
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