Prostate cancer affects more than 233,000 men in the United States each year. Advanced prostate cancer is commonly treated with hormone therapy, as the male hormones feed the cancer, allowing it to spread. Many times the cancer will respond to treatment and enter into remission. The cancer cells, however, can learn to thrive in the absence of male hormones, resulting in hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), an advanced form of the disease. There are many new treatments undergoing clinical testing to determine their effectiveness in treating advanced prostate cancer.
Atrasentan
Atrasentan, brand name Xinlay, is an oral medication undergoing clinical testing for treating advanced prostate cancer. Atrasentan works to block the protein endothelin, which scientists believe aids in the spread of the prostate cancer.
Abiraterone Acetate
Abiraterone Acetate is an oral medication that is currently in clinical trials with an anticipated approval around 2012. It inhibits the enzyme 17-alpha hydroxylase, which is essential for adrenal androgen formation, thereby affecting the production of male hormones.
Alpharadin
Alpharadin is a radiopharmaceutical that emits alpha particles (helium nuclei) and is currently undergoing clinical testing to determine its effectiveness in treating skeletal metastases caused by late-stage HRPC.
Toremifene
Toremifene, brand name Fareston, is a currently approved medication for the treatment of breast cancer. Because it blocks the hormone receptors on the prostate cancer cell, it is undergoing clinical testing to treat advanced prostate cancer.
Sipuleucel-T
Sipuleucel-T, the genetic name for Provenge, is a vaccination that is prepared using the patient's own immune cells. The immune cells are mixed with a protein found in prostate cancer cells and GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor) and then injected into the patient. This vaccine triggers the body's immune system to recognize the cancer cells as a foreign agent, thereby attacking them.
Phenoxidiol
Phenoxidiol is a synthetic (meaning man-made) ant-icancer drug that is derived from genistein, which is a naturally occurring organic compound found in plants such as the soy plant. Initial studies show promise for phenoxidiol in treating HRPC.
