Xtandi vs Zytiga: How do they compare?
Xtandi (enzalutamide) and Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) are both drugs that are used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Results from various analyses indicate that Xtandi is more effective than Zytiga in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread or metastasized, although it’s more commonly associated with fatigue.
Xtandi (enzalutamide) | Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) | |
Company | Astella Pharma | Janssen Biotech |
Approval date | First approved in the US in 2012 | First approved in the US in 2011 |
Indication/usage |
For the treatment of:
|
For the treatment of:
|
Dosage form | Capsules (40mg) and tablets (80mg, 40mg) | Tablets (uncoated 250mg, film-coated 500mg) |
Generic available | Generic capsules only available | Generics available |
Administration | Orally | Orally |
Dosing schedule |
Capsules and tablets should be swallowed whole. |
Tablets must be swallowed whole and taken on an empty stomach. |
Drug type | Small molecule | Small molecule |
Mechanism of action | Androgen receptor inhibitor | CYP17 inhibitor |
Side effects / adverse effects |
The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) are:
Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis showed that Xtandi was associated with a significantly elevated risk of side effects (730 patients, odds ratio 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.92, p=0.03), especially fatigue (2477 patients, odds ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.34-0.63, p<0.00001), compared with Zytiga in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, a separate systematic review and meta-analysis comparing Xtandi with Zytiga in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer did not find a significant difference between the two groups in terms of overall adverse events (730 patients, relative risk 0.42, 95% CI 0.14-1.31, p=0.14), but Xtandi was associated with a higher risk of fatigue (2555 patients, relative risk 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.85, p=0.01). |
The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) are:
|
Efficacy |
Results from three systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that Xtandi is more effective than Ztygia for treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
In two reviews prostate-specific antigen responses were higher for people receiving Xtandi than Zytiga (790 patients, odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.29-0.77, p=0.003 and 867 patients, risk ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.61-0.79, p<0.00001). In a third review, Xtandi was more effective than Zytiga at improving radiographic progression-free survival (hazard ratio=0.516, 95% CI 0.438-0.608) and time to prostate-specific antigen progression (hazard ratio 0.365, 95% CI 0.303-0.441), but not overall survival (p=0.21), although more work was noted to be needed to confirm these findings.Other studies have found Xtandi to be associated with an overall survival benefit compared with Zytiga in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, especially in older patients with more comorbidities who are not candidates for docetaxel (median overall survival 18.9 months vs 13.6 months, respectively (p<0.001). |
|
Drug interactions |
|
|
Warnings and precautions |
|
|
Special patient populations | Do not use in patients with existing severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class) |
Related questions
References
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Xtandi. [Accessed September 21, 2021]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/213674s002lbl.pdf.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Zytiga. [Accessed September 21, 2021]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/202379s035lbl.pdf.
- Wang X, Yang H, Hu X, et al. Comparing the clinical efficacy and safety of abiraterone and enzalutamide in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2021;27(3):614-622. doi:10.1177/1078155220929414.
- Wang X, Hui Y, Wang S, et al. Comparison of effectiveness and safety outcomes of abiraterone versus enzalutamide in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2020;23:451-461. doi:10.18433/jpps31003.
- Wei Z, Chen C, Li B, Li Y, Gu H. Efficacy and Safety of Abiraterone Acetate and Enzalutamide for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol. 2021;11:732599. Published 2021 Aug 27. doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.732599.
- Urology Times. VA data show survival boost with enzalutamide over abiraterone in mCRPC. August 5, 2021. [Accessed September 21, 2021]. Available from: https://www.urologytimes.com/view/va-data-show-survival-boost-with-enzalutamide-over-abiraterone-in-mcrpc.
- Lin YT, Huang YC, Liu CK, Lee TS, Chen M, Chien YN. Treatment-Emergent Co-Morbidities and Survival in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Receiving Abiraterone or Enzalutamide. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:669236. Published 2021 May 18. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.669236.
Read next
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
What is Xtandi (enzalutamide) used for?
Xtandi (enzalutamide) is used to treat certain types of advanced prostate cancer including:
- castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
- metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC)
- non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (nmCSPC) with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis (high-risk BCR)
Why is prednisone prescribed with Zytiga?
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
Related medical questions
- Erleada vs. Xtandi: What's the difference?
- How long do you take Zytiga for?
- Is Zytiga a form of chemotherapy?
- What does abiraterone therapy do?
- What's the difference between Yonsa and Zytiga?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Xtandi (11 questions, 32 members)
- Zytiga (10 questions, 36 members)
- Prostate Cancer (59 questions, 158 members)