In a nutshell
This study investigated the effect of apalutamide (Erleada) on survival in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This study found that apalutamide had a positive effect on the survival of these patients.
Some background
One treatment option for patients with prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This treatment blocks the production of male hormones like testosterone responsible for cancer growth. However, some patients stop responding to this treatment. This is called castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Adding apalutamide to ADT has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer spread. Apalutamide blocks androgens from taking effect in the body. The effect of apalutamide on overall survival (OS) in patients with CRPC is still unknown.
Methods & findings
This study included 1207 patients with CRPC treated with ADT. 806 men were treated with apalutamide and ADT. 401 had a placebo added to ADT. Patients were followed up for an average of 41 months.
Apalutamide was associated with a 25% reduction in risk of death compared with placebo. The 4-year survival at 4 years was 72% in the apalutamide group compared to 65% in the placebo group. Apalutamide reduced the risk of disease progression by 45% compared to placebo.
The bottom line
This study found that apalutamide had a positive effect on the survival of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Published By :
Annals of oncology: official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
Date :
Sep 27, 2019
