New prostate cancer drug shows promise for patients
BY LISA GRIPLAS
25/07/2008 9:49:00 AM
It’s one of the most fatal diseases and is the second highest cause of cancer deaths for men, but for prostate cancer patients whose tumors have continued to grow - despite medical or surgical castration - a new drug candidate is showing promise in early trials.
Abiraterone Acetate is a drug currently under investigation for use in prostate cancer treatment. Results of Phase two of a clinical trial, led by British researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, indicated that abiraterone may reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Researchers believe the drug inhibits production of male hormones anywhere in the body therefore shrinking the size of the tumour.
Lead researcher Dr Johann de Bono said the drug worked to block the generation of key hormones that drive the growth of prostate cancers.
“Clinical benefits included evidence of PSA falls and tumour shrinkage, which was observed in 70 to 80 per cent of patients,” Dr de Bono said. “Abiraterone works not only in blocking the generation of the hormones in the testes, but also elsewhere in the body, including generation of hormones in the cancer itself.”
Close to 3000 Australian men die each year from prostate cancer, with about 18,000 men diagnosed.
Australian experts have welcomed the findings as promising, but cautioned the initial study was small and cautioned more work needed to be done before excitement could be justified.
Cancer Council chief executive Ian Olver said a treatment which could stop or slow the cancer growth had great potential.
“It’s an early-phase study, but it’s showing some promise because it’s working in prostate cancer that’s resistant to other hormonal treatments,” Professor Olver said.
“It will be sensational if the results of this early study translate into a broader population.”
Local member of the Dubbo prostate cancer support group, Brian Semmler, said although he personally had not heard of the recent clinical trial, he applauds the fact that research is ongoing.
“I’m in favour of clinical trials and any form of advancement is one step closer to a potential new treatment,” Mr Semmler said.
“As with any form of trial, there’s always going to be someone who benefits, and someone who won’t.
“I can get excited about the fact that research will lead to a new mode of treatment.”
Phase three of the trial is set down for this year.
l.griplas@ruralpress.com
BY LISA GRIPLAS
25/07/2008 9:49:00 AM
It’s one of the most fatal diseases and is the second highest cause of cancer deaths for men, but for prostate cancer patients whose tumors have continued to grow - despite medical or surgical castration - a new drug candidate is showing promise in early trials.
Abiraterone Acetate is a drug currently under investigation for use in prostate cancer treatment. Results of Phase two of a clinical trial, led by British researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, indicated that abiraterone may reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Researchers believe the drug inhibits production of male hormones anywhere in the body therefore shrinking the size of the tumour.
Lead researcher Dr Johann de Bono said the drug worked to block the generation of key hormones that drive the growth of prostate cancers.
“Clinical benefits included evidence of PSA falls and tumour shrinkage, which was observed in 70 to 80 per cent of patients,” Dr de Bono said. “Abiraterone works not only in blocking the generation of the hormones in the testes, but also elsewhere in the body, including generation of hormones in the cancer itself.”
Close to 3000 Australian men die each year from prostate cancer, with about 18,000 men diagnosed.
Australian experts have welcomed the findings as promising, but cautioned the initial study was small and cautioned more work needed to be done before excitement could be justified.
Cancer Council chief executive Ian Olver said a treatment which could stop or slow the cancer growth had great potential.
“It’s an early-phase study, but it’s showing some promise because it’s working in prostate cancer that’s resistant to other hormonal treatments,” Professor Olver said.
“It will be sensational if the results of this early study translate into a broader population.”
Local member of the Dubbo prostate cancer support group, Brian Semmler, said although he personally had not heard of the recent clinical trial, he applauds the fact that research is ongoing.
“I’m in favour of clinical trials and any form of advancement is one step closer to a potential new treatment,” Mr Semmler said.
“As with any form of trial, there’s always going to be someone who benefits, and someone who won’t.
“I can get excited about the fact that research will lead to a new mode of treatment.”
Phase three of the trial is set down for this year.
l.griplas@ruralpress.com
