Breakthrough Drug Combo Increases Aggressive Prostate Cancer Survival by 40%

A new FDA-approved drug brings in a lot of hope for men with aggressive prostate cancer, as it may increase their chances of survival by 40 per cent. According to experts, the combination of two drugs

- enzalutamide and leuprolide - significantly improves overall survival rates. This advance could actually change the way doctors approach treatment for this fast-growing cancer, offering patients a better chance at longer, healthier lives. Dr Stephen Freedland, a professor of urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, part of the trial, said that it would mean that a 70-year-old man whose prostate cancer recurs could live about another 15 years. "For many of these patients, I think we are turning [prostate cancer] into a chronic disease, which is really exciting,” he said. Across the world, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men, behind lung cancer. Studies say about one in three men treated with surgery or radiation for prostate cancer have what doctors call a "biochemical recurrence," meaning their PSA levels double in just nine months or less, but imaging cannot detect a tumour. The combination treatment for the trials included enzalutamide, which is marketed under the brand name Xtandi, and leuprolide, a hormone therapy that lowers testosterone. Among those who took the drug combination, 79 per cent of the participants of the study were still alive after eight years, compared to 73 per cent for enzalutamide alone and 70 per cent for leuprolide alone. Doctors say that, till now, no other treatment for recurrence has come close to these results.

Are there any side effects of this drug combo?

According to experts, there are significant side effects of this, which include:

• Fatigue
• Enlarged breasts – also known as gynecomastia
• Lower libido

Dr Freedland says all of these factors make the decision whether to take one or both medicines a very personal one. Either treatment alone can have side effects, but they can be “quite profound” when the drugs are combined.

Is your age a factor for the drug combo?

According to experts, your age is a major factor in terms of lifespan and side effects. “Generally, if you are a 70-year-old man, sexual activity does not get better,” Freedland said, and you are more likely to start taking a medication to help with that anyway. At the same time, men who are 75 or older are often more impacted by the side effects of fatigue and frailty, Fleshner said, noting that this is what he sees among his patients.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate – a small, walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. This tiny gland secretes fluid that mixes with semen, keeping sperm healthy for conception and pregnancy. Prostate cancer is a serious disease, yet it is very common. For every 100 males, 13 develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Fortunately, most people get diagnosed before it spreads beyond their prostate glands. Treatment at this stage often eliminates the cancer.