In patients with hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer, enzalutamide may increase life expectancy.
With 1.6 million cases diagnosed in 2015, prostate cancer is the most common in men worldwide. Despite the improvement in care over the years, the disease recurs in about a third of cases. But recently, a team of researchers discovered that enzalutamide, an oral androgen receptor blocker, could greatly improve the chances of survival for patients. Their study, published in the journal New England of Medicinewas presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago.
+33% chance of survival
The trial, named ENZAMET, had three phases and included 83 different research institutes around the world. A total of 1,125 patients were followed for an average of 34 months. Scientists then discovered that in participants who received testosterone suppression (considered one of the causes of prostate cancer), 80% of those who received enzalutamide were still alive three years later compared to 72 % in those who had been treated conventionally. Ultimately, the researchers noted an improvement rate of 60% and more than 33% chance of survival, ie results “much greater than expected”.
“These findings offer a new, effective option for treating hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer,” say the researchers. “Adding enzalutamide to testosterone suppression in men with hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer may result in better cancer control and a longer chance of survival (…). very advanced patients with multiple bone or liver metastases, as well as men diagnosed earlier The new treatment option is especially valid for those who cannot tolerate chemo and are not at a dramatic stage of cancer”, they explain.
More than 50,000 prostate cancers diagnosed each year in France
Remember, however, that prostate cancer is one of the cancerous sites with a good prognosis. Five-year net survival is 94% for all stages. Fortunately when we know that in France, more than 50,000 cases are diagnosed each year, which makes it the most common cancer in men ahead of lung (27,500 cases) and colorectal (21,500 cases).
Several solutions are then available to the patient : the active monitoring, recommended if the cancer is small and not very aggressive, curative treatments (“classic” surgery, laparoscopic surgery, treatment with radiotherapy or ultrasound), or palliative treatments. As described in the study, hormone therapy is the main palliative treatment for prostate cancer. However, it is sometimes used temporarily as part of a curative treatment, in addition to surgery or radiotherapy.
One in seven men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Also, from the age of 45, do not hesitate to discuss problems related to the prostate with your doctor, especially if you have already had cases in your family.
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