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How long do you have to take Erleada (apalutamide) for?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on April 17, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Erleada (apalutamide) is usually taken until cancer progresses past a certain point or you start to have unacceptable side effects.

  • In the SPARTAN clinical trial (NCT01946204) using apalutamide for men with castration-resistant metastasis-free prostate cancer, some patients were still using apalutamide at 36 months.
  • In the TITAN clinical trial (NCT02489318) studying men using apalutamide for metastatic, castration-sensitive prostate cancer, some patients were still taking it after 2 years.

Erleada is an androgen blocker.

  • Androgens, such as testosterone, can help prostate cancer growth.
  • As Erleada blocks androgens effect on the tumor, it makes it harder for the tumor to advance.
  • This means patients taking Erleada have a longer overall survival and have a longer time before their disease progresses.
References
  • Apalutamide Treatment and Metastasis-free Survival in Prostate Cancer: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1715546
  • Apalutamide for Metastatic, Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1903307
  • Erleada Professional Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/erleada.html

Read next

Prostate cancer cells, like bacteria, can evolve over time and become resistant to treatments, including the hormone therapy and androgen receptor inhibitor Xtandi (enzalutamide). The cancer cells work to reprogram their environment and develop strategies that enable them to transform and survive.

If treatment with Xtandi stops working then other treatments may be offered, such as:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Radiotherapy

Stopping treatment with Xtandi may also result in an antiandrogen withdrawal response (AAWR), which can cause the cancer to stop growing or shrink for the period of time. Continue reading

Xtandi is typically taken until prostate cancer starts to progress or spread (metastasize), or until the patient can no longer tolerate therapy because of the side effects or adverse events it causes.

In clinical trials, Xtandi was effective at delaying the time to disease progression in men with advanced prostate cancer. In men who had not received prior treatment with chemotherapy, Xtandi was also effective at delaying the need for treatment with a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent.

In the AFFIRM trial, treatment with Xtandi extended life by almost 5 months in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Continue reading

Zytiga is taken with prednisone to help manage side effects that might occur with this prostate cancer treatment. Zytiga blocks the production of cortisol from your adrenal glands. Prednisone helps to replace the lost cortisol that can cause side effects such as low blood potassium levels, fluid build up (edema), or high blood pressure. Continue reading

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