Speak to Your Doctor About Finding the Best Option
Thankfully, there are many treatment options for prostate cancer. Several factors can influence what treatment is used, including the stage of cancer, if the cancer has spread and the patient’s overall health (particularly if the patient suffers from other underlying medical conditions).
Prostate cancer treatment options can typically be divided into the following categories: chemotherapy drugs, hormone therapy drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors, specifically PD-1 inhibitors.
In this article, we'll review five common treatment options for prostate cancer.
1. Lupron Depot
Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate) is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of prostate cancer, specifically advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. It is a type of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) that works by reducing the levels of testosterone, a hormone that can fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells.
It works by initially stimulating the production of luteinizing hormone (LH), which increases testosterone levels temporarily (known as a "testosterone flare"). Prolonged use leads to downregulation of GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland, which ultimately suppresses testosterone production by the testes. This is referred to as medical castration.
The primary goal of Lupron Depot in prostate cancer treatment is to lower testosterone levels to castrate levels. This helps slow or stop cancerous tumor growth, and relive symptoms for patients.
2. Histrelin Implants
Histrelin implants are another example of hormonal treatment for prostate cancer. They are an artificial protein that mimics hormonal behaviour in the male body and is used to decrease testosterone levels.
It is implanted under the skin of an arm and can only be administered by a professional. Each implant should last 12 months providing there are no complications.
3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the most well-known form of treatment for cancer and is used to attack cancer cells. The most popular chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer are cabazitaxel and docetaxel, with the latter being most doctor’s first port of call.
Chemotherapy can be used alongside hormone therapy or after the failure of hormone therapy but is not typically used as a standard treatment type for prostate cancer in the early stages.
4. Hormonal Therapy
Hormone therapy is arguably the most common form of treatment for prostate cancer. It is used to shrink tumors and slow the development of cancer by targeting and reducing androgens and male hormone production.
Hormone therapy can be given as tablets, injections or a combination.
In the early development of prostate cancer, the cancer cells use androgens (male sex hormones including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) to grow and spread. By using hormonal treatment to decrease the presence of androgens, doctors are attempting to slow the development of the cancer and stop it in its tracks early.
Reducing the levels of androgens in the male body is done in one of two ways: orchiectomy (surgical castration) or using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, which targets the pituitary gland and stops its production of luteinizing hormone. LHRH agonists are also called GnRH antagonists and are known as medical castration forms.
Patients receive LHRH agonists via an injection or implant under the skin’s surface. Examples of approved LHRH agonists in the U.S. include leuprolide (Eligard, Lupron Depot and Camcevi are brand examples), triptorelin (Trelstar), histrelin implants (Supprelin LA) and goserelin (Zoladex).
5. PD-1 Inhibitors
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are used to help the body’s immune system fight off cancers without creating an immune response so strong that it destroys healthy cells.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat several cancer types including but not limited to breast cancer, liver cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma and skin cancer.
Common types of PD-1 inhibitors include nivolumab and pembrolizumab, however, there are many other inhibitors currently undergoing trial in the U.S.
Final Thoughts
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of male deaths worldwide. Despite this, most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die as a result.
This is because of the treatment options available to prostate cancer patients. Using hormonal therapy, PD-1 inhibitors, chemotherapy treatment or a combination of treatment styles can be very effective and has made prostate cancer a more livable condition.