EDINBURGH
AND LOTHIAN GROUP
PROSTATE
CANCER SUPPORT SCOTLAND
ABIRATERONE ACETATE
The New Prostate Cancer Drug
Many
members may have seen press notices and comment over the past
few weeks about a new drug for end stage advanced prostate cancer
which some have said is 'potentially the most significant advance
in the field for over 70 years'. Members of the committee have
been finding out as much as they can about it and this short paper
summarises what we know. It clearly isn't exhaustive but we hope
it will put you in the picture.
The news of this drug was published in a recent issue of The Journal
of Clinical Oncology, and it hit the popular press on July 22nd
2008. The published findings of the Phase 1 trial are based on
just 21 patients with end stage advanced prostate cancer that
have been treated with the drug. An advanced clinical trial involving
1,200 patients around the world is currently under way. At this
stage, no-one has taken the drug for longer than two and a half
years, so it has not yet been possible to determine either its
effect on life expectancy, or what all the possible side effects
are.
Trials are taking place at the New Beatson West of Scotland Cancer
Centre in Glasgow and it seems that those who are involved in
the trial are patients where everything else has failed (i.e.
hormone refractory and 1 or 2 failed chemo sessions which must
include Docetaxel (Taxotere).
It is not possible to receive the drug unless you are on a trial.
The Phase 3 UK trial will, we think, include some people referred
from the Western General, but it is not open to volunteers. We
understand that the trial combines it with Prednisone, which is
a steroid –but, as it is a trial, one in three people will
be treated by a placebo (i.e. – NOT the drug) but they won't
know whether they are receiving the placebo or Abiraterone (that
is the nature of a trial).
In Scotland the trials are being directed by Dr Jones at the New
Beatson – but he will be liaising with Dr McLaren at the
Western. Dr Jones commented that the media have probably overstated
the case for this drug and made the point that the trials have
not been going long enough for a proper assessment. There have
been some surprising but manageable side effects, but nevertheless
he is fairly positive. We will invite him to speak either at our
Conference next year or at a group meeting – so we shall
learn much more within the next six months or so.
Sheila Liggat has said that when she has more news she will pass
it on – but points out that, whatever the outcome of the
tests, it will not be available for general use for some years
yet – but reports suggest that it could be available by
2011 – along with Edinburgh's trams!
Prostate Cancer Support Scotland: Edinburgh and Lothian Area Group
c/o Maggie's Centre, The Stables, Western General Hospital, Crewe
Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU
Tel: 0131 537 3131; Fax: 0131 537 3130; email: Edinburgh@maggiescentre.org
