A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer, with a new drug showing the potential to reduce the risks of cancer spread and death.
Johnson & Johnson’s prostate cancer drug Erleada was used along with hormone blocking therapy for six months before and after prostate surgery. The treatment improved the chances of eliminating cancer and reduced the risk of disease progression or death.
The claim was made by experts following data from the drug’s late stage clinical trial.
The study found that people who underwent this treatment approach were nine times more likely to have very little or undetectable cancer in the prostate at the time of surgery compared to those who received only testosterone blocking therapy.
The company said that the use of Erleada also reduced the risk of cancer spreading or death by 20 percent.
The study also examined a full year of treatment with Erleada and hormone therapy before and after surgery. Among these patients, men who received the combined therapy lived for an average of more than six years without requiring additional treatment. Overall, a 29 percent reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence and death was observed.
The data, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, could potentially change how doctors approach the treatment of men with high risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.
Currently, surgery to remove the prostate and radiation therapy are considered the standard of care for such patients.
The company stated that approximately 40 percent of the 330,000 people diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States are considered high risk.
