New pill could stop prostate cancer growth for 40,000 men

A groundbreaking hormone reduction pill, which can be taken in the comfort of one's own home, is set to benefit over 40,000 men in England who are battling advanced prostate cancer. The drug, celebrated as a potential "game-changer" for patient care, is known as Relugolix or Orgovyx and is produced by Accord.

Relugolix represents a new frontier in androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which traditionally involves injections to lower testosterone levels that fuel prostate cancer growth. This oral medication, the first of its kind to receive the green light from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), inhibits testosterone production in the testicles.

Nice has endorsed Relugolix for use in patients with advanced, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, indicating either progression post-radical treatment or a significant risk of advancing.

Patients on the NHS are expected to gain access to Relugolix within three months following the publication of Nice's final draft guidance. Helen Knight, Nice's director of medicines evaluation, commented: "We are continuing to focus on what matters most to people by recommending this innovative and effective treatment that can make a positive difference to people with advanced prostate cancer."

Knight further highlighted the benefits of Relugolix, stating: "Relugolix provides a convenient and flexible treatment option compared with therapies that need to be injected, helping people to avoid travel and time off work and the evidence shows it can improve people's quality of life.", reports the Manchester Evening News.

Cancer Research UK has revealed startling figures, indicating that there are approximately 55,100 new prostate cancer cases annually in the UK, which breaks down to a staggering 150 every day. In a significant development, Nice has highlighted that clinical trials of relugolix show it outperforms the ADT injection, leuprolide, in suppressing testosterone to levels that halt cancer growth.

The traditional ADT treatments carry a heightened risk of heart attacks and heart failure; however, this risk is notably reduced with relugolix when compared to leuprolide. Prostate Cancer UK's assistant director of health improvement, Amy Rylance, expressed her enthusiasm: "It's fantastic news that relugolix has been approved for potentially tens of thousands of men with advanced prostate cancer."

She elaborated on the benefits, stating, "This drug can not only help keep the cancer at bay, but could be a game-changer in terms of men's experience of treatment. This is because it can be taken as a tablet at home, avoiding multiple trips to the clinic."

Rylance also pointed out the convenience and comfort relugolix offers, especially for those who may have difficulties with injections, saying, "Not only is this much more convenient and comfortable for a lot of men but it is especially important for those who, for whatever reason, aren't able to have injections. Even better, trials suggest it has a lower risk of heart problems sometimes associated with these sorts of treatments."

She concluded by celebrating the progress, "All this makes it a major advance on what came before, and we're pleased to see so many men getting access to kinder, effective treatments like this one."