What is Xtandi (enzalutamide) used for?
Xtandi (enzalutamide) has been approved by the FDA for use in certain forms of prostate cancer.
The prostate is a gland that men have. It produces some of the fluid that makes up semen and sits in front of the seminal vesicles, which make most of the seminal fluid.
The prostate gland is found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Running through the middle of the prostate gland is the tube (urethra) that carries urine and semen out of the body.
Xtandi is an androgen receptor inhibitor. Androgens are a group of hormones that includes testosterone, which can stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow. Inhibiting androgen helps control cancer growth and decrease tumor size.
A number of types of cancer can develop in the prostate, but adenocarcinomas are by far the most common type.
What forms of prostate cancer Xtandi is used for?
- Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) This is prostate cancer that no longer responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) This is a type of advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is no longer responding to therapies designed to lower testosterone, such as hormone therapy or surgery.
- Non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (nmCSPC) with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis (high-risk BCR) This is prostate cancer that responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone, it has not spread to other parts of the body but there is a high risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
Xtandi comes in the form of a capsule or a tablet and is taken once a day.
Related questions
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References
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Xtandi. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/213674s010,203415s022lbl.pdf [Accessed November 21, 2023].
- Xtandi. Xtandi treats 3 forms of advanced prostate cancer. Available from: https://www.xtandi.com/. [Accessed December 2, 2020].
- American Cancer Society. What is Prostate Cancer?. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/what-is-prostate-cancer.html. [Accessed December 2, 2020].
Read next
Is Xtandi a chemotherapy drug and how does it work?
Xtandi (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor or anti-androgen. Androgens are a group of hormones, which includes testosterone, that stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow.
Xtandi works by blocking the action of androgens at the androgen receptor - reducing how often androgens can connect with the receptor - which helps prevent prostate cancer cells from growing and spreading. Continue reading
Does Xtandi lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA)?
A decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels is seen in some men with advanced prostate cancer who are treated with Xtandi (enzalutamide).
Levels of PSA in the blood can become elevated when there is a problem with the prostate, such as when prostate cancer develops. Monitoring PSA levels in the blood is one of the methods used to determine how prostate cancer is responding to treatment with Xtandi. Continue reading
How long do you take Orgovyx for?
Orgovyx (relugolix) is taken once daily for as long as it remains effective and side effects are manageable. Prostate cancer often requires long-term hormone control, and studies show Orgovyx can be used safely for up to 48 weeks. Continue reading
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Drug information
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