title: Leuprolide acetate given by a subcutaneous extended-release injection: less of a pain?
abstract: Androgen deprivation therapy is a mainstay for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Hormonal therapy commonly consists of injection of gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone agonists. Based on the need for improved convenience of administration, a novel formulation of leuprolide acetate (Eligard; Atrix Laboratories Inc. & Sanofi Aventis) which incorporates a mixture of selected polymers and solvents to achieve sustained drug delivery after subcutaneous injection, was developed. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved 1-, 3-, 4- and 6-month formulations of leuprolide acetate. In clinical trials, leuprolide acetate achieves sustained suppression of serum testosterone to castration levels (< or =50 ng/dl). The adverse-event profile is consistent with the effects of testosterone suppression. This novel delivery system in addition to the availability of a 6-month formulation of leuprolide acetate, offers patients the option of a convenient twice-yearly injection schedule.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 10, Rm 5A01, MSC 1910, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. coxmi@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Charity D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Scripture
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Figg
mesh_terms: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016729:Leuprolide