Dexamethasone | Health and Prostate

Posts Tagged ‘Dexamethasone’

Spinal Cord Compression and Other Complications of Osseous Metastases

Posted by admin on June 21st, 2011 No Comments

Complications of osseous metastases include spinal cord compression, seen ultimately in 10% of men with prostate cancer (which is second only to lung cancer as an etiologic cause), pathologic vertebral compression fracture, pathologic long bone fracture (most commonly of the femur and humerus), hypercalcemia, and bone marrow failure. Nearly all patients with complications of osseous metastases complain of pain. In the case of spinal cord and nerve root compression, decreased sensation usually precedes motor symptoms and may be detected on careful examination. Magnetic resonance imaging is frequently used to evaluate spinal cord compression, due to its high sensitivity and ability to image the vertebral bodies and paraspinal and intraspinal soft tissues. On Tl-weighted images, bone metastases tend to stand out as focal or diffuse hypointense (dark) lesions against a background of higher signal intensity marrow. Compared to myelography, magnetic resonance imaging is noninvasive, directly visualizes cord compression, and can measure the extent of tumor outside the thecal sac along the entire cord. In Read more [...]

Posted in Prostate Cancer

Secondary Hormonal Therapy

Posted by admin on June 21st, 2011 No Comments

Metastatic prostate cancer that progresses after initial androgen deprivation is most commonly referred to as hormone-refractory prostate cancer or androgen-independent prostate cancer. Both these labels are misleading, as Fowler and Whitmore et al. and Manni et al. proved in their findings that the disease flares when exogenous testosterone is given. Likewise, it becomes quiescent again on discontinuation of the exogenous androgen. These clinical observations strongly suggest that the disease is not refractory to or independent of growth stimulation by exogenous testosterone. Thus, there is debate about the role of low levels of endogenous adrenal androgens and that of continued suppression of testicular androgen production by means of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists. In two retrospective analyses, the question was asked whether androgen deprivation should be continued or maintained when the "hormone-refractory" state was reached. The hormone-refractory state was defined clinically as the need for chemotherapy. In a 341 patient cohort studied by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Read more [...]

Posted in Hormonal Therapy

Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Posted by admin on May 6th, 2011 No Comments

Overview. Angiogenesis inhibition for the treatment of solid tumors has received a boost from the approval of bevacizumab (Genentech / Roche's Avastin) for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Angiogenesis inhibitors in development for CaP span a wide range of classes, including MAbs, selective metalloproteinase inhibitors, and thalidomide and its derivatives. Some agents discussed here have already demonstrated modest single-agent activity; current combination trials are designed to exploit synergies with chemotherapy. Some agents have also been investigated for maintenance use. The next sections describe the most promising of the many angiogenesis inhibitors in development—bevacizumab (Genentech / Roche's Avastin) and Celgene's thalidomide and CC-4047 (Actimid). One agent in Phase II development that may hold promise is squalamine (Genaera's MSI-1246), but the lack of published data precludes further discussion of it. Mechanism Of Action. Most anticancer angiogenesis inhibitors under development inhibit a single antiangiogenic pathway; the most promising pathway for inhibition Read more [...]

Posted in Prostate Cancer

Docetaxel / Estramustine

Posted by admin on May 6th, 2011 No Comments

Overview. Researchers have investigated estramustine in combination with many chemotherapy agents. For example, the combination of estramustine with docetaxel (Sanofi-Aventis' Taxotere) has achieved promising results. However, the FDA's May 2004 approval of docetaxel / prednisone for the treatment of hormone-refractory CaP means that the docetaxel / estramustine combination is unlikely to be widely used. Mechanism Of Action. The individual components of the docetaxel / estramustine regimen contribute the following mechanisms to achieve its overall activity: • Docetaxel is a taxane. Taxanes inhibit the dynamic reorganization of micro-tubule networks, which is essential to vital interphase and mitotic cellular functions. Docetaxel, which achieves selective toxicity against rapidly proliferating cells, is mainly active in the S phase of the cell cycle. • Estramustine's exact mechanism of action is unknown. Researchers postulate that it has a dual mechanism of action. Prior to metabolism, the intact molecule has an antimitotic action, possibly achieved by the stabilization of microtubule Read more [...]

Posted in Prostate Cancer

Docetaxel

Posted by admin on November 8th, 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: Docetaxel; Docetaxol; Docetaxolum; Dosetaksoli; NSC-628503; RP-56976 BAN: Docetaxel USAN: Docetaxel INN: Docetaxel [rINN (en)] INN: Docetaxel [rINN (es)] INN: Docétaxel [rINN (fr)] INN: Docetaxelum [rINN (la)] INN: Доцетаксел [rINN (ru)] Chemical name: (2R,3S)-N-Carboxy-3-phenylisoserine, N-tert-butyl ester, 13-ester with 5β-20-epoxy-1,2α,4,7β,10β,13α-hexahydroxytax-11-en-9-one 4-acetate 2-benzoate; tert-Butyl {(1S,2S)-2-[(2S,5R,7S,10R,13S)-4-acetoxy-2-benzoyloxy-1,7,10-trihydroxy-9-oxo-5,20-epoxytax-11-en-13-yloxycarbonyl]-2-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl}carbamate Molecular formula: C43H53NO14 =807.9 CAS: 114977-28-5 (anhydrous docetaxel); 148408-66-6 (docetaxel trihydrate) ATC code: L01CD02 Read code: y08Xn Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions As for Paclitaxel. Neutropenia, anaemia and skin reactions are common with docetaxel and may be severe. Fluid retention, resulting in oedema, Read more [...]

Posted in Drugs

Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer

Posted by admin on September 20th, 2010 No Comments

Nutritional factors have been hypothesized to be critical in the development of numerous cancers, and this holds true for prostate cancer. On the basis of geographic patterns of ultraviolet radiation throughout the contiguous United States, and on epidemiological data on prostate cancer incidence, the hypothesis was raised by Schwartz and colleagues that vitamin D deficiency may be a prostate cancer risk factor, and that increased exposure to sunlight may protect against clinical prostate cancer. In vitro studies have shown that treatment with 1α, 25(OH)2D3 (1,25-VD), a active form of vitamin D, decreases proliferation and increases differentiation of prostate cancer cells. Prostate cancer cells contain a specific receptor for 1,25-VD (the vitamin D receptor, VDR) that is known to mediate inhibition of proliferation, tumor invasiveness, the induction of apoptosis, and differentiation of prostate cancer cells. In this chapter, we will summarize recent progress in the study of vitamin D in prostate cancer, including epidemiological analyses, the vitamin D anti-tumor mechanisms, and vitamin D-based Read more [...]

Posted in Prostate Cancer

Development of New Vitamin D Analogs

Posted by admin on September 17th, 2010 No Comments

Development of New Vitamin D Analogs and Their Use in Combination Therapy for Prostate Cancer The beneficial effects of 1,25-VD against cancer cell proliferation have been supported by many in vitro studies, yet the therapeutic window of 1,25-VD usefulness is extremely narrow and effective doses cannot be administered without inducing hypercalcemia. The increase in calcium is achieved both by enhanced intestinal absorption and by liberation of calcium from the bone, eventually leading to decreased bone mass at higher doses. Therefore, much effort has been directed toward the identification of new analogs, which retain the favorable activities of 1,25-VD while avoiding the side effects. Several synthetic vitamin D analogs have been reported to exert promising anti-cancer effects with reduced hypercalcemia. Skowronski et al. showed that selected vitamin D analogs displayed reduced calcemic effects and that potency was even greater than 1,25-VD. Among those vitamin D analogs, one of the most promising synthetic analogs is Seocalcitol (EB1089, Leo Pharmaceutical Products). A considerable number of Read more [...]

Posted in Prostate Cancer

Megestrol Acetate

Posted by admin on August 5th, 2010 No Comments

Drug Approvals (BANM, US Adopted Name, rINNM) Synonyms: BDH-1298; Compound 5071; Megestrol, acetato de; Megestrol-acetát; Megestrolacetat; Megestroli Acetas; Megestroliasetaatti; Megestrolio acetatas; Megesztrol-acetát; NSC-71423; SC-10363 BAN: Megestrol Acetate [BANM] USAN: Megestrol Acetate INN: Megestrol Acetate [rINNM (en)] INN: Acetato de megestrol [rINNM (es)] INN: Mégestrol, Acétate de [rINNM (fr)] INN: Megestroli Acetas [rINNM (la)] INN: Мегестрола Ацетат [rINNM (ru)] Chemical name: 6-Methyl-3,20-dioxopregna-4,6-dien-17α-yl acetate; 17α-Hydroxy-6-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione acetate Molecular formula: C24H32O4 =384.5 CAS: 3562-63-8 (megestrol); 595-33-5 (megestrol acetate) ATC code: G03AC05; G03DB02; L02AB01 Read code: y02oH Pharmacopoeias. In China, Europe, and US. European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed. (Megestrol Acetate). A white or almost white crystalline powder. Practically insoluble in water sparingly soluble in alcohol soluble in acetone. Protect from light. The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Megestrol Acetate). A white to creamy-white, Read more [...]

Posted in Drugs

Aminoglutethimide

Posted by admin on July 20th, 2010 No Comments

(British Approved Name, rINN) Drug Nomenclature International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish): Synonyms: Aminoglutethimid; Aminoglutethimidum; Aminoglutetimid; Aminoglutetimida; Aminoglutetimidas; Aminoglutetimidi; Ba-16038 BAN: Aminoglutethimide INN: Aminoglutethimide [rINN (en)] INN: Aminoglutetimida [rINN (es)] INN: Aminoglutéthimide [rINN (fr)] INN: Aminoglutethimidum [rINN (la)] INN: Аминоглутетимид [rINN (ru)] Chemical name: 2-(4-Aminophenyl)-2-ethylglutarimide; 3-(4-Aminophenyl)-3-ethylpiperidine-2,6-dione Molecular formula: C13H16N2O2 =232.3 CAS: 125-84-8 ATC code: L02BG01 Read code: y02oN Pharmacopoeias. In China, Europe, and US. European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Aminoglutethimide). A white or slightly yellow, crystalline powder. Practically insoluble in water; freely soluble in acetone; soluble in methyl alcohol. The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Aminoglutethimide). A white or creamy-white, fine, crystalline powder. Very slightly soluble in water; readily Read more [...]

Posted in Drugs

DOCETAXEL

Posted by admin on June 5th, 2010 No Comments

DOCETAXEL (doe-seh-TAX-ell) Other Names for this Medication (Brand Name): Taxotere Appearance: Injection: Clear solution for injection, as an intravenous infusion. Why this Medication is Used Docetaxel may be used for the treatment of lung, prostate or breast cancers. It may also be used for treatment of other cancers. How do you take this Medication Injection: Docetaxel is added to an intravenous bag of fluid and infused into your bloodstream over one or two hours by your chemotherapy nurse. Precautions • Docetaxel usually causes temporary hair loss, but may rarely be permanent (including scalp hair, body hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair), starting 2 to 3 weeks after your treatment. • Your doctor will prescribe dexamethasone tablets for you to take at home before and after each Docetaxel injection, to help prevent allergic reaction and water retention. It is very important that you take these tablets exactly as directed by your doctor. • This chemotherapy should not be used if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is important to discuss birth control with your doctor Read more [...]

Posted in Drugs

Posts Tagged ‘Dexamethasone’

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