Casodex | Health and Prostate

Posts Tagged ‘Casodex’

Pharmacotherapy in the Management of Prostate Cancer

Posted by admin on October 28th, 2011 No Comments

Prostate cancer is now the second leading cause of death due to cancer in men. Prostate cancer is usually classified as being early/localized (organ confined), locally advanced, metastatic or hormone-relapsed. The management of prostate cancer depends largely upon the stage and the Gleason grade of the tumour, as well as the patient's general medical condition and treatment preference. Surgical intervention is usually reserved for (early) localized prostate cancer, which is deemed to be confined to the prostate capsule. In the more advanced cases surgery is only used for performing channel transurethral resection of prostateto relieve severe lower urinary tract symptoms. The management of prostate cancer is sometimes controversial, not least as the diagnosis of localized or locally advanced prostate cancer is often difficult to establish precisely. Current modalities for diagnosing prostate cancer include prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination, trans-rectal rectal ultrasound scan and computerized tomography / magnetic resonance imaging. Often tumours thought to be localized Read more [...]

Posted in Urological Oncology

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Posted by admin on July 11th, 2011 No Comments

Definition Benign prostatic hyperplasia, a nearly ubiquitous condition, is the most common benign neoplasm of American men and occurs as a result of hormone-driven prostate growth. Pathophysiology The prostate gland comprises three types of tissue: epithelial or glandular, stromal or smooth muscle, and capsule. Both stromal tissue and capsule are embedded with О±1-adrenergic receptors. The precise pathophysiologic mechanisms that cause Benign prostatic hyperplasia are not clear. However, both intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone and type II 5 О±-reductase are thought to be involved. Benign prostatic hyperplasia commonly results from both static (gradual enlargement of the prostate) and dynamic (agents or situations that increase О±-adrenergic tone and constrict the gland's smooth muscle) factors. Examples of drugs that can exacerbate symptoms include testosterone, О±-adrenergic agonists (e.g., decongestants), anticholinergics (e.g., antihistamines, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, anticholinergic antispasmodics, Read more [...]

Posted in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Bicalutamide

Posted by admin on June 24th, 2011 No Comments

C18H14F4N2O4S • Bicalutamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen, is an antineoplastic agent. Uses • Prostate Cancer Bicalutamide is used in combination with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog (e.g., goserelin or leuprolide acetate) for the palliative treatment of metastatic (stage D2) prostate cancer. In a double-blind, multicenter, randomized study in 813 patients with previously untreated advanced prostate cancer, similar survival rate, time to progression, and quality-of-life measurements were reported for bicalutamide (50 mg daily) and flutamide (250 mg 3 times daily) combined with a GnRH analog (goserelin acetate implant or leuprolide acetate depot). For additional information on combined antiandrogenic and GnRH analog therapy. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations should be determined periodically during bicalutamide therapy to monitor therapeutic response, including successful remission or possible progression of cancer. If PSA concentrations increase substantially and consistently during bicalutamide therapy, the possibility Read more [...]

Posted in Drugs

Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Antagonists

Posted by admin on May 6th, 2011 No Comments

Overview. LHRH antagonists are the most recent class of hormonal therapy to enter the CaP armamentarium. Mechanism Of Action. Compared with LHRH analogues (e.g., goserelin, leuprolide acetate), which produce their effect by activating and then desensitizing androgen-producing cells to LHRH, LHRH antagonists directly block the effect of the releasing hormone. Abarelix. NOTE: This drug has been discontinued. The LHRH antagonist abarelix (Praecis Pharmaceuticals / Schering AG's Ple-naxis) received FDA approval in 2003 for the palliative treatment of men with advanced, symptomatic CaP for whom the temporary testosterone "flare" associated with LHRH analogue treatment could be dangerous and who refuse orchiec-tomy. However, in 2005, Praecis Pharmaceuticals has voluntarily discontinued selling Plenaxis to new patients in the United States for economic / commercial reasons. In fact, clinicians interviewed say, flare is easily prevented by combining an antiandrogen with an LHRH analogue and that abarelix never fulfilled an urgent unmet need. Nonsteroidal Antiandrogens Overview. The three Read more [...]

Posted in Prostate Cancer

Current Therapies

Posted by admin on May 6th, 2011 No Comments

The main treatment modalities for prostate cancer (CaP) include "watchful waiting"; local therapy (prostatectomy or radiotherapy, either external beam radiation therapy [EBRT] or brachytherapy); hormonal therapy; and chemotherapy. Watchful waiting is generally reserved for elderly men, who, because of short life expectancy or slowly progressing disease, are likely to die with CaP rather than because of CaP. Local therapies alone can often cure patients diagnosed with early-stage (I or II) prostate-confined disease. Hormonal therapy is used primarily to delay disease progression when local therapies have failed. Chemotherapy is generally reserved for hormone-refractory disease to palliate symptoms. A growing trend in CaP treatment is the use of intermittent therapy. Hormonal therapies are often administered for three years or more as adjuvant therapy. Although their sideeffect profile is mild compared with that of many chemotherapy agents, they do have several undesirable effects (e.g., hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, gynecomastia [excessive development of mammary glands]). To reduce these side Read more [...]

Posted in Prostate Cancer

Bicalutamide

Posted by admin on September 2nd, 2010 No Comments

(British Approved Name, US Adopted Name, rINN) Drug Nomenclature International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish): Synonyms: Bicalutamida; Bicalutamidum; Bikalutamid; Bikalutamidi; ICI-176334 BAN: Bicalutamide USAN: Bicalutamide INN: Bicalutamide [rINN (en)] INN: Bicalutamida [rINN (es)] INN: Bicalutamide [rINN (fr)] INN: Bicalutamidum [rINN (la)] INN: Бикалутамид [rINN (ru)] Chemical name: (RS)-4´-Cyano-α´,α´,α´-trifluoro-3-(4-fluorophenylsulphonyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiono-m-toluidide Molecular formula: C18H14F4N2O4S =430.4 CAS: 90357-06-5 ATC code: L02BB03 Read code: y088t Pharmacopoeias. In US. The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Bicalutamide). A fine, white to off-white powder. Sparingly to slightly soluble in alcohol; freely soluble in acetone and in tetrahydrofuran; soluble in acetonitrile. Store in airtight containers. Adverse Effects and Precautions As for Flutamide. Pruritus, asthenia, alopecia, hair regrowth, and dry skin occur commonly with bicalutamide. Hyper sensitivity reactions, including Read more [...]

Posted in Drugs

BICALUTAMIDE

Posted by admin on April 24th, 2010 No Comments

BICALUTAMIDE (bye-cal-LOO-ta-mide) Other Names for this Medication Casodex, Cosudex, Calutide, Kalumid (Brand Names) Appearance White tablet containing 50 mg Bicalutamide Why this Medication is Used This medication may be used alone, or in combination with other medications for the treatment of prostate cancer. Bicalutamide blocks the male hormone that stimulates the growth of prostate cancer cells. How do you take this Medication The tablet is taken with a full glass of water usually once a day, with or without food. It may be taken in the morning or the evening, but should be taken at the same time each day. Precautions • Other medications may interact with Bicalutamide. It is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications (even over-the-counter ones and herbal products and supplements). Do not start or stop taking any medications without first checking with your doctor and pharmacist. • Tell your doctor if you are taking the blood-thinning drug, Coumadin® (Warfarin). Your doctor will need to closely monitor your blood clotting time and adjust your drug Read more [...]

Posted in Drugs

Pharmacotherapy for BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

Posted by admin on March 3rd, 2010 No Comments

Mechanisms of Obstruction and Rationale for Pharmacotherapy Current pharmacotherapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is based on agents that relax the smooth muscles of prostatic urethra and stroma and those that deprive acinar cells of androgen. Various agents have been tried in the treatment of BPH (Table). They may be broadly grouped into those affecting the dynamic component of urethral obstruction, namely the smooth muscle and prostatic stroma, and those affecting the glandular elements by androgen deprivation. The mechanism of action of many agents claimed to be useful in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is not clearly understood. TABLE — Drugs That Have Been Tried in the Medical Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Some agents act by more than one mechanism) Drug Class Drug (Code Designation) Trade Name α1-Adrenergic antagonists Prazosin HCl Minipress Terazosin HCl Hytrin Doxazosin mesylate Cardura Phentolamine mesylate YM-617 Nicergoline Sermion Indoramin Baratol Ketanserin Yohimbine HCI Antiandrogens Selective 5α-Reductase Read more [...]

Posted in Pharmacotherapy

Casodex and Zolvadex improve advanced prostate cancer

Posted by admin on November 26th, 2009 No Comments

Casodex (bicalutamide / Zeneca) is a safe and effective treatment for advanced prostate cancer when used in combination with LHRH-A therapy (medical castration), a regimen known as CAB. Now two studies show that Casodex is effective when used as monotherapy. In one study, 288 patients with metastatic disease were randomized to treatment with Casodex alone or the CAB regimen. Of those treated only with Casodex, 70% had a favorable subjective response compared to 58% of patients on the CAB regimen. In the second study, treatment with Casodex led to a better quality of life.

A report on the use of Zolvadex (goserelin acetate implant / Zeneca) demonstrated that the drug improved five-year overall survival in those patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. The drug was given as adjuvant therapy, initiated simultaneously with radiotherapy and continued every four weeks for three years.

Posted in Prostate Cancer, Prostate Gland

Posts Tagged ‘Casodex’

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