Is Zytiga a form of chemotherapy?
Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) is a type of hormone therapy that is used along with prednisone to treat men with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). Despite being used to treat cancer, Zytiga is not a form of chemotherapy.
Zytiga is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
- Metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC)
How does Zytiga work?
Zytiga is an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor. Androgens are a group of hormones, which includes testosterone, that stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow.
Zytiga works by inhibiting the CYP17 (17 α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase) enzyme found in testicular, adrenal and prostate tumor tissue. The CYP17 enzyme is necessary for the production of androgens - a process called androgen biosynthesis. Blocking CYP17 significantly reduces the production of the androgens which stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow.
References
- Food and Drug Administration. Zytiga. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/202379s031s033lbl.pdf. [Accessed May 27, 2021].
Read next
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
How long do you take Zytiga for?
Patients typically take medications such as Zytiga for as long as they are effective for or as long as they can tolerate them.
The median amount of time patients with metastatic prostate cancer remained on Zytiga ranged from 8 to 24 months, according to the results from clinical trials used to gain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Zytiga in the US. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Zytiga Information for Consumers
- Zytiga prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Zytiga (detailed)
- Zytiga user reviews (41)
Related support groups
- Zytiga (10 questions, 36 members)
- Prostate Cancer (60 questions, 158 members)