title: GnRH antagonists in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
abstract: Analogues of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) inhibit the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This has provided treatment modalities for advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. The latest group of analogues, the GnRH antagonists, make promising treatments available that avoid the transient surge in testosterone that occurs with the use of GnRH agonists. Such surges may stimulate tumor growth, causing patients to experience new or worsening cancer symptoms and potential serious adverse effects, including increased bone pain, urinary retention, and spinal cord compression and consequently delay the therapeutic benefits of agonist therapy. Degarelix, an antagonist, recently approved in the United States and Europe, achieves faster, more profound and sustained testosterone suppression and with fewer adverse effects when compared with agonists and other antagonists. This review discusses and compares the compounds degarelix, abarelix, and cetrorelix.
authors.affiliation: Can-Med Clinical Research Inc, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pommerville
authors.forename: Johan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: de Boer
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone