prostate-report.org

Metformin appeared to slow prostate cancer growth

According to the results of a phase II study at the Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the use of metformin in men with prostate cancer before prostatectomy helped to reduce certain metabolic parameters and slow the growth rate of the cancer.

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed medication for diabetes. Prior laboratory research has suggested that metformin may also help to improve prognosis in patients with prostate cancer by slowing the growth of the cancerous cells

Galeterone safe, effective against prostate cancer

According to phase I data presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2012, patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer had limited side effects and in many cases a drop in prostate-specific antigen expression with galeterone (TOK-001), a small-molecule oral drug.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an advanced form of prostate cancer that occurs when the disease progresses after treatment with androgen deprivation therapy. Galeterone works against CRPC by blocking the androgen receptor, reducing levels of the ligand that binds to the receptor and degrading the androgen receptor protein.

Aggressive prostate cancer tumors controlled by botanical formula

A study by researchers at Indiana University, Methodist Research Institute that is published in The International Journal of Oncology reveals that a non-toxic, botanical orally administered formula controls aggressive human prostate tumors in mice.

The peer-reviewed pre-clinical in vivo study demonstrated that the prostate formula substantially suppresses tumor growth in aggressive, hormone-refractory (androgen-independent) human prostate cancer cells without any toxic side effects, even when administered at high doses. The formula is a combination of botanical extracts, phytonutrients, botanically enhanced medicinal mushrooms and antioxidants.

Bevacizumab doesn’t up overall survival in prostate cancer

According to a study published online March 26 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, the addition of bevacizumab to docetaxel plus prednisone is not associated with improved overall survival, but does improve progression-free survival and objective response.

Prostate cancer and androgen suppression

The inhibition of testosterone and other male hormones - known as androgen suppression -  is a routine therapy for prostate cancer. Unfortunately, it can dramatically reduce the quality of patients’ sex lives and, more importantly, lead to cancer recurrence in a more deadly androgen-independent form.

A new paper combining mathematical modeling with clinical data validates a different approach: cycling patients on and off treatment. Such intermittent androgen suppression alleviates most unwanted side effects and postpones the development of resistance to treatment.

According to authors, clinicians can predict using this model the maximum length of treatment for a given patient before they become resistant, leading to more effective therapy.

Induced bone loss in prostate cancer treatment

Several therapies commonly used in the treatment of men with prostate cancers, in particular the aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for breast cancer and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer, are associated with significant bone loss and with an increase in fracture risk. The use of bisphosphonates seems to attenuate the bone loss, although the long-term impact remains unclear because of insufficient follow-up.

Researchers concluded adjuvant endocrine therapy with an AI or androgen deprivation can be considered a risk factor for the development of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fracture, which can be mitigated by appropriate bisphosphonate therapy. Clear identification of risk factors for osteoporosis in individual patients should aid treatment decisions about whether to use bisphosphonates when starting or switching to an AI or ADT.

Study shows botanical formula fights prostate cancer

According to a peer-reviewed study in the The International Journal of Oncology, a non-toxic, botanical formula controls aggressive human prostate tumors in mice.

Researchers at Indiana University, Methodist Research Institute, showed the prostate formula significantly suppresses tumor growth in aggressive, hormone-refractory (androgen-independent) human prostate cancer cells. The study also demonstrated the formula has no toxic side effects, even at high dosages.

ADT + radiotherapy today’s “best practices” in the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer

A new review published recently in the British Journal of Cancer addresses appropriate current practice regarding the use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in combination with radiation therapy in the management of patients with high-risk localized and locally advanced forms of prostate cancer.
According to researchers, the use of neoadjuvant or adjuvant … ADT … in combination with radiotherapy … is now … the standard of care in patients with high-risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer

Early detection of prostate cancer is critical

Not all men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer require immediate treatment for the disease; however, they may need periodic tests to determine the need for future treatment

Men should understand that the results of a prostate cancer screening are not to diagnose the disease, but to provide valuable tools in the decision making process of your prostate health.

Use of hair loss drug increases prostate cancer risk

New trials in Canada showed that the long-term daily use (over 4 years) of finasteride (5 mg) and dutasteride in men aged 50 years and older was associated with a small but statistically significant increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. The 1 mg finasteride strength (Propecia) was not included in these trials but a potential risk has not been ruled out.
The purpose of the clinical trials was to provide evidence in support of a new use for finasteride and dutasteride: to prevent prostate cancer. Both trials showed that the possible benefits of these drugs in preventing low-grade prostate cancer are small relative to the risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer.