How long do you have to take Erleada (apalutamide) for?
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
What is the mechanism of action for Erleada?
Erleada is an oral medicine for prostate cancer that works by blocking the effects of androgen. Androgens are male hormones (like testosterone) that are needed for prostate function but can also stimulate cancer growth. Blocking androgens can help stop the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. Continue reading
Why has Xtandi stopped working and what do I take 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
How long does Xtandi work?
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
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Drug information
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